The Use of Finite Element Analysis in Design Courses and its Effect in Product Development

Computer-aided analysis and design tools have become essential to the modern design environment, and some parts of engineering curricula must be included in this field. Regarding the selection of materials, some engineering careers (programs) study their functional behavior primarily by using software and finite element analysis (FEA), a numerical method for obtaining approximate solutions for boundary value problems. Its teaching is quite demanding and challenging. FEA, by its nature, requires an excellent knowledge of elasticity theory, matrix algebra, mechanics, and computer programming skills to various degrees. This investigation intends to fill the gap between engineering and design in FEA education and show the impact of implementing FEA on the designer's mind and the outcomes in product development as part of the course “Materials Selection for Designers.” At the end of the study, the design students learned to correctly perform and interpret a basic FEA simulation, taking the interpretation beyond the engineering objectives (i.e., knowing the material's behavior and limits) to consider applications of this knowledge that would positively impact the economy, ecology, and aesthetics.