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

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present the idea of using ANSYS software in teaching en-gineering students the finite element method. ANSYS is an extremely sophisticated engineering tool used in almost every engineering company nowadays. It is intro-duced to almost all engineering students during their studies. Using ANSYS know-ingly requires perfect understanding of the finite element method that is responsible for ANSYS work. This paper presents how this professional software can help stu-dents master FEM. The first part of the paper introduces the finite element method. It also suggests a way of using ANSYS in teaching FEM on the example of a two-dimensional restrained beam calculated in a simple computer program. The second part illustrates the effectiveness of ANSYS with sample FEM analysis of 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 pur-pose and possibility of modifications.