MAE4426 Finite element analysis and composite structures
Faculty of Engineering
MAE4426 Finite element analysis and composite structures is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs MAE3411.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Requisites
Before MAE4426
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MAE4426
No unit lists MAE4426 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
Finite element analysis (FEA) in computer-aided design; finite element formulation; first-order and second-order elements; stiffness matrix; integration points and stress recovery; convergence and mesh refinement; FEA of plane stress and plane strain problems; FEA of axisymmetric problems; FEA of nonlinear materials; FEA of contact problems; FEA of large deformation problems; FEA of dynamic problems; FEA of fracture mechanics. Specific modulus and specific strength; 3D stress and 3D strain tensors; anisotropic elasticity; composite lamina and composite laminate; hygrothermal strain and hygrothermal stress analysis of composite structures; failure theories for a composite lamina; micromechanical analysis of a composite lamina; classical lamination theory for composite laminate, failure analysis of composite laminates, design of composite laminates, finite element analysis of composite materials and structures.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester test(s)Quiz / Test20%
- Interim reportWritten30%
- Final reportWritten50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Assess mesh requirements sufficient to obtain accurate results from finite element analysis.
- 2
Construct finite element models for truss structures, plan stress, plane strain, axisymmetric and general 3D structural problems.
- 3
Execute finite element analyses on aerospace structural problems using industry-standard software packages.
- 4
Determine the strength and stiffness of composite laminate structures.
- 5
Design composite laminates to meet strength, stiffness and cost requirements for aerospace applications.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Face-to-face as well as computer-based workshops.
The recorded lectures are available on the unit's Moodle site.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Katherine Grigoriou
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Katherine Grigoriou
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MAE4426?
You need MAE3411 before you enrol.
When is MAE4426 offered?
In 2025, MAE4426 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is MAE4426?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MAE4426 have an exam?
No. MAE4426 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.