PhD Courses in Denmark

The course will introduce the use of the commercial finite element code Abaqus in a research-oriented way where a number of nonlinear problems will be addressed. The focus will be on creating, analyzing, and evaluating nonlinear material simulations, as well as simulations of fibre-reinforced composites and crack growth predictions. The course is categorized as an AI-first course, meaning that students are encouraged to use AI throughout all phases of the course, including learning, assessments, and exams.

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

• Create advanced finite element models in Abaqus
• Apply theoretical concepts to analyze finite element simulations
• Apply the effects of nonlinear material models and evaluate the results
• Create models consisting of orthotropic materials and analyse its influence
• Create models discretizing fiber composite structures and analyse the layups and critical ply stresses and strains based on first and last ply failure criteria
• Create and evaluate crack tips models and analyse their prediction accuracy.
• Create crack growth using models cohesive material laws in a finite element model and evaluate the impact of different modelling parameters
• Create Python scripts and apply these for pre- and post-processing steps
• Apply AI-tools (Large-Language Models e.g. like ChatGPT/CoPilot) to generate scripts and input files in order to interact with Abaqus and to evaluate/post-process results.
• Create simple user-defined subroutines in Abaqus
• Understand the navigation in Abaqus’ User Manual and apply your knowledge to find relevant information.
• Analyse and evaluate critically finite elements simulations (plausible check, physical meaningful, mesh convergence study, comparison with tests/analytical results).

The workload in the course will focus on studying a range of nonlinear problems, including formulating, solving, and evaluating solutions for realistic finite element problems. Throughout the finite element exercises, key aspects of using a commercial finite element code will be addressed. Cases involving isotropic elastic, anisotropic elastic, and elastic-plastic material laws will be analyzed. Additionally, user-defined subroutines and Python scripting will be utilized.