This paper on "Introducing FEA Using the Brachistochrone Problem as a Starting Point" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

Teaching Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate students of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering is challenging. We have to be aware of and pay attention to the students' different levels of education, of knowledge and of experience, while at the same time

• getting across the basic idea of FEA
• using FEA as a general tool to solve a host of engineering problems.

The brachistochrone problem is ideally useful: It is easy to understand and yet fascinating. It speaks to the students' different levels while incorporating the required mathematical knowledge of the course. This applies especially to the teaching of algorithms for nonlinear problems.