APPLICATION OF ANSYS IN TEACHING FEM ON THE EXAMPLE OF A LOADED MARS ROVER CHASSIS

摘要

The aim of the paper is to present the idea of using ANSYS software in teaching engineeringstudents the finite element method. ANSYS is an extremely sophisticated engineering tool used inalmost every engineering company nowadays. It is introduced to almost all engineering students duringtheir studies. Using ANSYS knowingly requires perfect understanding of the finite element method thatis responsible for ANSYS work. This paper presents how this professional software can help studentsmaster FEM.The first part of the paper introduces the finite element method. It also suggests a way of usingANSYS in teaching FEM on the example of a two-dimensional restrained beam calculated in a simplecomputer program. The second part illustrates the effectiveness of ANSYS with sample FEM analysisof a planetary rover's chassis and presents basic fuctionalities of ANSYS Workbench Mechanical.Conducted calculations provide useful data about the model's suitability for its purpose and possibilityof modifications.