Worth it (at this point) to take an FEA class? 2

[3doorsdwn]

Hi. I’ m a structural engineer with a M.S. in structural engineering (and 12 years experience, including a great deal of FEA modeling experience), but I never completed a class that was solely about FEA. I certainly had classes where it was a topic (like my second structural analysis class, where the direct stiffness method was covered and my Advanced mechanics of materials class), but never one where it was covered by itself. At this point, is it really worth it (in anyone’s opinion) to try to take an on-line course in it somewhere? My concern is that what made me drop it in Grad school, is probably what would make me drop it again: impracticality. The class I was in (for a couple of months) in Grad school, we got so caught up in the mathematics of it, and it was disconnected from practical modeling concerns that it was useless. I’ve tried to study this subject, but I was considering a more structured approach (but I didn’t know how effective it could/would be). Thoughts?

 

[Co]

Hello,

Understanding the underlying principles that govern the Finite Element Method is essential to its practicality. Thus, the suggestion to take the theoretical course is a very good idea if you plan to use and understand FEA software.

G. Coppola

 

[3doorsdwn]

Thanks for the feeback all....I might take an on-line course in FEA somewhere (the next time I run low on PDH hours).