Professor Bhaskaran's framework for solving finite element problems can be applied to an array of situations and contexts. In order to practice applying this framework and create simulations using Ansys, your effort in this course will be focused on problem-based learning. You will examine the big ideas in beam and shell theories which are the basis for many practical static and dynamic simulations. Shell theory details are complex, but we can understand the underlying concepts as an extension of beam theory. You will apply the big ideas in shell theory to solve a practical problem in Ansys, namely a wind turbine blade with realistic geometry and loads.

Professor Bhaskaran will walk you through solving the wind turbine blade example problem in Ansys. The geometry will be provided to you as a CAD file. As you set up and solve the simulation in Ansys, you'll continue to refer back to the big ideas to make sense of the Ansys inputs and outputs. You will follow along in Ansys as Professor Bhaskaran demonstrates best practices for simulating practical shell problems. Your final simulation will be a product of your own efforts and will give you the confidence to create reliable beam and shell simulations.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Conceptual Foundations of Finite Element Analysis
• Ansys Mechanical Concepts and Implementation
• Elasticity Applications