After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

• Describe the theoretical foundations of the method of finite elements.
• Numerically solve partial differential equations relevant to heat conduction, elasticity and electromagnetics using open-source tools.
• Select suitable numerical methods for static and time-dependent problems.
• Measure the numerical error and the convergence behavior of finite element solutions.
• Perform numerical eigenmode analysis.
• Process scientific data in Python.
• Create 2D and 3D data visualizations.
• Present and discuss own results.

Partial differential equations play an outstanding role in engineering and natural sciences. The Maxwell equations for electromagnetic fields or the Navier Stokes equation for fluids are only two examples of partial differential equations that are fundamental for modeling technical systems. In practice, partial differential equations are often solved numerically with the method of finite elements. In this lecture, we present the necessary foundations for the practical use of the method of finite elements. We start with a short introduction of the essential theory of the finite element method and continue with presenting different fields of application of the finite element method. A central aspect of the course is that participants implement numerical examples using open-source software.

• Lectures
• Programming exercises in Python
• Presentation and discussion of solutions to exercises

• The course meetings will be online in Zoom.
• For participating in the course computer with a modern operating system like Windows 10 Pro/Education, MacOS 10.1x or Linux is required.
• An initial meeting for the course will take place in Zoom on Friday, March 5, at 13.00. The link to the Zoom meeting will be send to the course participants ahead of the meeting through the course forum in TISS.
• The course meetings will take place every Thursday at 13.00

Oral online-examination with individual appointment

Basic knowledge of Python is helpful.