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Principles of Finite Element Methods


December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 | Fees: $1,390
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The objective of this course is to teach in a unified manner the fundamentals of the finite element method for the analysis of engineering problems arising in solids and structures. The course will emphasize the solution of real-life problems using the finite element method underscoring the importance of the choice of the proper mathematical model, discretization techniques and element selection criteria. Finally, students will learn how to judge the quality of the numerical solution and improve accuracy in an efficient manner by optimal selection of solution variables.

Course Schedule

• Course Start Date: December 1, 2025

• Course End Date: January 31, 2026

• Live Q&A Session 1: December 13, 2025 1:00 pm CT

• Live Q&A Session 2: January 17, 2026 1:00 pm CT

• Exam Return Due: February 15, 2026 (only for participants seeking certificate)

• One year full access to the course materials from the course start date

Course Highlights

• Full access to 16 hours of lecture videos
• Full access to lecture notes
• Solved practical examples
• Lifetime membership of LinkedIn private computational geomechanics group
• Certificate and 16 PDH credits

Course Outline

  • Section 1 Introduction to Finite Element Method
  • Section 2 Matrix Algebra
  • Section 3 Stiffness Method
  • Section 4 Minimum Potential Energy Method
  • Section 5 Truss Analysis Using Finite Element Method
  • Section 6 Beam Analysis Using Finite Element Method
  • Section 7 Frame Analysis Using Finite Element Method
  • Section 8 FE Analysis of Plane Strain and Plane Stress Elements
  • Section 9 Practical Consideration of Finite Element Method
  • Section 10 Practical Examples of Finite Element Modeling


Instructor

 Siavash Zamiran, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Zamiran is a geotechnical and geomechanics engineer with over than 15 years of industry and academic experience in different geotechnical and petroleum engineering disciplines. Currently, Dr. Zamiran is a geotechnical/geomechanics consultant, founder and instructor at Mohr Academy, and Senior Lecturer at University of Houston. Dr. Zamiran is a member of ASCE Geo-Institute Computational Geotechnics Committee. He was the winner of national ASCE Edmund Friedman Award in 2019 and ASCE St. Louis Young Engineer Award in 2018. 

Contents

Welcome to the course!

Welcome to the course!
    Course Agreement
      Lecture Format
        Course Outline
          Course Textbook

            Course Handouts

            Section 1. Introduction.pdf
            • 8.97 MB
            Section 2. Matrix Algebra.pdf
            • 197 KB
            Section 3. Stiffness Method.pdf
            • 1.56 MB
            Section 4. MPE Method.pdf
            • 1.14 MB
            Section 5. Trusses.pdf
            • 1.29 MB
            Section 6. Beams.pdf
            • 1.01 MB
            Section 7. Frames.pdf
            • 1.9 MB
            Section 8. Plane Stress-Strain.pdf
            • 3.86 MB
            Section 9. Practical Consideration.pdf
            • 3.92 MB
            Section 10. Examples of FEM.pdf
            • 1.22 MB
            Section 11. Introduction to Numerical Modeling.pdf
            • 702 KB
            Section 12. Numerical Tools with Focus on Geotechnical Engineering.pdf
            • 4.25 MB
            Section 13. Introduction to FLAC as a Numerical Tool for Geotechnical Engineers.pdf
            • 1.55 MB
            Section 14. Model Analysis in FLAC.pdf
            • 1.58 MB

            Section 1 Introduction to Finite Element Method

            Section 1 Introduction Part I.mp4
            • 17 mins
            • 107 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part II.mp4
            • 11 mins
            • 48.2 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part III.mp4
            • 14 mins
            • 83.4 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part IV.mp4
            • 42 mins
            • 195 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part V.mp4
            • 9 mins
            • 35.6 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part VI.mp4
            • 18 mins
            • 71.1 MB
            Section 1 Introduction Part VII.mp4
            • 14 mins
            • 75.1 MB

            Section 2 Matrix Algebra

            Section 2 Matrix Algebra.mp4
            • 17 mins
            • 90.6 MB

            Section 3 Stiffness Method

            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part I.mp4
            • 14 mins
            • 39.6 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part II.mp4
            • 26 mins
            • 73.5 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part III.mp4
            • 34 mins
            • 98.9 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part IV.mp4
            • 27 mins
            • 110 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part V.mp4
            • 23 mins
            • 91.6 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part VI.mp4
            • 20 mins
            • 92.4 MB
            Section 3 Stiffness Method Part VII.mp4
            • 22 mins
            • 74.5 MB

            Section 4 Minimum Potential Energy Method

            Section 4 MPE Method Part I.mp4
            • 29 mins
            • 106 MB
            Section 4 MPE Method Part II.mp4
            • 17 mins
            • 64.6 MB

            Section 5 Truss Analysis Using Finite Element Method

            Section 5 Trusses Part I.mp4
            • 24 mins
            • 81.7 MB
            Section 5 Trusses Part II.mp4
            • 17 mins
            • 58.3 MB
            Section 5 Trusses Part III.mp4
            • 24 mins
            • 82.9 MB
            Section 5 Trusses Part IV.mp4
            • 24 mins
            • 90.5 MB

            Section 6 Beam Analysis Using Finite Element Method

            Section 6 Beams Part I.mp4
            • 25 mins
            • 87.2 MB
            Section 6 Beams Part II.mp4
            • 15 mins
            • 54.3 MB
            Section 6 Beams Part III.mp4
            • 14 mins
            • 53.3 MB

            Section 7 Frame Analysis Using Finite Element Method

            Section 7 Frames Part I.mp4
            • 40 mins
            • 100 MB
            Section 7 Frames Part II.mp4
            • 42 mins
            • 143 MB

            Section 8 FE Analysis of Plane Strain and Plane Stress Elements

            Section 8 2D Elements Part I.mp4
            • 23 mins
            • 70.2 MB
            Section 8 2D Elements Part II.mp4
            • (1h 13m 09s)
            • 271 MB

            Section 9 Practical Consideration of Finite Element Method

            Notes on Part 2 of the Course
              Software License
                Software Installation Guideline
                  Section 9 Practical Considerations Part I.mp4
                  • 54 mins
                  • 174 MB
                  Section 9 Practical Considerations Part II.mp4
                  • (1h 04m 50s)
                  • 237 MB
                  Section 9 Practical Considerations Part III.mp4
                  • 45 mins
                  • 162 MB

                  Section 10 Practical Examples of Finite Element Modeling

                  Section 10 Examples Part I.mp4
                  • (1h 03m 05s)
                  • 332 MB
                  Section 10 Examples Part II.mp4
                  • 51 mins
                  • 390 MB

                  Section 11 Introduction to Numerical Modeling

                  Section 11.mp4
                  • 23 mins
                  • 330 MB

                  Section 12 Numerical Tools with Focus on Geotechnical Engineering

                  Section 12 Numerical Tools Part I.mp4
                  • 28 mins
                  • 407 MB
                  Section 12 Numerical Tools Part II.m4v
                  • 45 mins
                  • 209 MB

                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC as a Numerical Tool for Geotechnical Engineers

                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part I.mp4
                  • 46 mins
                  • 170 MB
                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part II.mp4
                  • 33 mins
                  • 122 MB
                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part III.mp4
                  • 30 mins
                  • 119 MB
                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part IV.mp4
                  • 33 mins
                  • 146 MB
                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part V.mp4
                  • 18 mins
                  • 103 MB
                  Section 13 Introduction to FLAC Part VI.mp4
                  • 16 mins
                  • 58 MB

                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC

                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part I.mp4
                  • 40 mins
                  • 149 MB
                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part II.mp4
                  • 21 mins
                  • 96.3 MB
                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part III.mp4
                  • 48 mins
                  • 205 MB
                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part IV.mp4
                  • 18 mins
                  • 97.5 MB
                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part V.mp4
                  • 18 mins
                  • 97.2 MB
                  Section 14 Model Analysis in FLAC Part VI.mp4
                  • 33 mins
                  • 126 MB

                  Homework Examples

                  Homework problems are provided as additional resources and examples for participants. In each section, participants get access to both problems and solutions of the homework. Participants are not required to submit and return the homework and they can consider the problems as self-study materials. 
                  HW1 Matrix Problems and Solutions.pdf
                  • 289 KB
                  HW2 FE Method Problems and Solutions.pdf
                  • 650 KB
                  HW3 Trusses Problems and Solutions.pdf
                  • 615 KB
                  HW4 Beams Problems and Solutions.pdf
                  • 823 KB
                  HW5 Frames and Planes Problems and Solutions.pdf
                  • 412 KB

                  Final Notes, Certificate, and Exam

                  Thank you for taking the course!
                    Preview
                    Final Exam
                      Finite Element Exam File.docx
                      • 184 KB