Application of Finite Element Method (FEM) Instruction to Graduate Courses in Biological and Agricultural Engineering

摘要

The application of Finite Element Methods (FEM) to a graduate level course in Biological Engineering, Advanced Transport Phenomena in Biological Engineering, is presented. First, the Galerkin Weak Statement (GWS) was introduced to the class to show the fundamental theory of FEM by solving a 1D steady state heat transfer problem. This technique provides a more accurate solution with the estimation of error. The concept of error reduction through mesh refinement was also introduced. Each student was required to conduct an independent semester project incorporating mathematical modeling and simulation of a biological engineering problem. One of these projects, fixed bed ion exchange modeling, is discussed in this paper. The outputs from these class projects illustrate that the students gained experience in using FEM to solve dynamic biological engineering problems.