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151-0529-00L 4 Credits BSC , DR , MSC D-MATL , D-MAVT , D-MATH

Nonlinear FEA

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Laura De Lorenzis

Note: The previous course title until HS23 "Computational Mechanics II: Nonlinear FEA"

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:17

Abstract

The course provides an introduction to non-linear finite element analysis. The treated sources of non-linearity are related to material properties (hyperelasticity, plasticity), kinematics (large deformations, instability problems) and boundary conditions (contact).

Objective

To be able to address all major sources of non-linearity in theory and numerics, and to apply this knowledge to the solution of relevant problems in solid mechanics.

Content

1. Introduction: various sources of nonlinearities and implications for FEA. 2. Non-linear kinematics: large deformations, stability problems. 3. Non-linear material behavior: hyperelasticity, plasticity. 4. Non-linear boundary conditions: contact problems.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes will be provided. However, students are encouraged to take their own notes.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: end-of-semester examination
Mode: written 120 minutes
Aids: One double-sided hand-written page of notes/formulae is allowed. No further material is allowed.

The written final exam (taking place during the last week of the semester) covers all contents of this course, including lectures, exercises, and programming assignments. It counts 50% towards the final grade.Additionally, there will be a compulsory continuous performance assessment in the form of four coding projects to be discussed and assigned during the course of the semester. Each of the four projects must be submitted two weeks after assignment. Collectively, they count 50% towards the final grade (12.5% each). These coding projects, which are integrated with the lectures and exercises, require the student to understand and apply the course material, and involve programming in Python.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Nonlinear FEA	Tue 10:15-12:00 (ML F 34)	2 h weekly
exercise	Nonlinear FEA	Tue 14:15-16:00 (HG D 5.2)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
- Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2022)
  - Focus Specialization
    - Design, Mechanics and Manufacturing (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Dennis Kochmann To achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Design, Mechanics and Manufacturing, all of the courses listed can be selected. If required, one course from another focus specialization or from the electives of the ME Bachelor program can be selected. For recommended courses and further information, please visit the MAVT website for Focus Specialization ( ).)
Computational Science and Engineering Bachelor
- Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed.)
Mechanical Engineering Master
- Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
Computational Science and Engineering Master
- Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed. All courses listed as core courses (not electives) for one of the following ETH MSc programmes, MSc Statistics, MSc Physics, MSc Computer Science, MSc (Applied) Mathematics, MSc Neural Systems and Computation, MSc Robotics, Systems, and Control, MSc Data Science, MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, can be taken as an elective course in the MSc CSE without prior permission.)
Doctorate Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )
- Subject Specialisation
Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
- Subject Specialisation
  - Strength & Durability of Materials (MaP Doctoral School)