Prof. Dr. Alexander Popp

Structural mechanics with nonlinearities appears in almost all simulation models – caused for instance by large deformations or nonlinear contacts. Engineers cannot always disregard these influences, and usually they demand a more complex knowledge of methodological basics. The module teaches you to recognize the sources of such nonlinearities as well as the most important numerical tools for their treatment.

Complementary to the concepts of numerical methods, this module provides you with the theoretical basis of solid mechanics. You will gain an understanding of problem descriptions in the field of linear elasticity and its solution methods as well as energy principles. Selected topics in the field of elastostatics will be discussed. This will show you how to review FEM results, but also enable you to reduce complex technical problems to simplified modelswith enough validity for the early phase of the design process.