MEC4426 Computer-aided design
Faculty of Engineering
MEC4426 Computer-aided design is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs MAE2401, TRC2201, MEC3455 or MEC2403.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Requisites
Before MEC4426
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MEC4426
No unit lists MEC4426 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Completion of 96 credit points including the prerequisite units listed.
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.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Assignment 2WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Assignment 3WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Assignment 4WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply the basic theories, terminologies and concepts related to the application of the finite element method in computer-aided design of structures, including aircraft structures.
- 2
Justify the selected correct element types and mesh density in a finite element model for obtaining accurate results.
- 3
Generate finite element models for truss structures, plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric and general 3D structural problems.
- 4
Apply a commonly-used commercial software to carry out finite element analyses on different structural problems.
- 5
Interpret the basic theories and concepts of advanced solid mechanics, such as nonlinear materials, contact mechanics, finite deformation and fracture mechanics.
- 6
Apply the finite element method in solving advanced solid mechanics problems.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
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.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Kek Boon Goh
- Professor Wenyi Yan
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Wenyi Yan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MEC4426?
You need MAE2401, TRC2201, MEC3455 or MEC2403 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is MEC4426 offered?
In 2025, MEC4426 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is MEC4426?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC4426 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.