This paper on "Development of New Teaching and Modeling Systems for FEM Education" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

A consultant system for the finite element modeling (MODHELP) has been developed in order to give inexperienced users of the Finite Element Method (FEM) necessary advice relative to creating appropriate FEM models. Through interactive problem definitions of this system, users are able to obtain visual guidance to create their own FEM models. Illustrations and messages will also give these users hints of analysis know-how of FEM experts. This system enables non-experts of structural analysis to master the finite element modeling techniques and, more over, to utilize FEM sufficiently. Furthermore, an automatic generating system of any concave or convex type mechanics models which have symmetry is developed as a trial. This system is able to judge whether the symmetry of geometry, load condition and constraint condition exist in a given two-dimensional mechanics model or not, then generate the mechanics model for FEM. This FEM modeling system is described by the AI language Prolog.