本课程主要介绍有限单元法的基本原理和数值方法，目的是给工程类研究生打下一个坚实宽厚的有限元应用与研究基础。因此在课程内容安排上注重有限元知识的系统性和完整性，从有限元的数学基础入手强调有限元建模的一般性方法，力求使学生能够深刻理解和掌握有限单元法的基本思想和求解原理。同时考虑到有限元法又是一门实践性很强的课程，本课程也很注重培养学生解决实际问题的能力，要求学生能够了解一些主流的商用有限元分析软件，通过实践环节加深对有限单元法的理解。 课程内容主要包括：有限单元法的数学基础、弹性力学问题有限单元法的一般原理和表达格式、单元和插值函数的构造、等参单元和数值积分、线性方程组解法、有限元建模的若干实际问题、杆件结构力学问题的有限单元法、平板弯曲问题的有限单元法、一般壳体问题的有限单元法、热传导问题的有限单元法、动力学问题的有限单元法等。 本课程为54学时，3个学分。作为一门有限元入门课程，课程的选修并不局限于某一专业，但学生最好有较好的数学和力学知识基础。

This course mainly introduces the basic solution principles and numerical approaches of finite element method (FEM). The purpose of it is to establish a sound background of FEM application and study for engineering graduates. To facilitate the graduates’ comprehension and mastery of FEM solution principles, this course addresses both systematic and integrity of FEM knowledge through content arrangements, and general modeling methodology in terms of its uniform mathematical foundation. In addition, this course requires the graduates to be able to to solve simple engineering problem by FEM program to foster graduates’ practical solution skills by taking into account the application essence of this course. The contents of this course include: the mathematical basis of FEM, the generic solution principles and expressions of elastic mechanics issue, the construction of element and its interpolation function, iso-parametric element and numerical integral, solution of linear equations, some practical issues of FEM modeling, FEM for truss, plate and shell, and FEM for heat transfer and dynamics. This course is 54 course hours and 3 grade points. As an introduction course for FEM, this course is not limited to a specific specialty, but it is hopeful that the graduates may have good knowledge of bath mathematical and mechanics.