aa637de5-76de-4b9a-a7e7-adf7fbbe9ea220231214101617599naun:naunmdt@crossref.orgMDT DepositInternational Journal of Education and Information Technologies2074-131610.46300/9109http://www.naun.org/cms.action?id=3037224202322420231710.46300/9109.2023.17https://npublications.com/journals/educationinformation/2023.phpJurajKrálikSlovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Architecture and Design Vazovova 5, Bratislava 812 43 SlovakiaJozefBočkajSlovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Architecture and Design Vazovova 5, Bratislava 812 43 SlovakiaJurajKrálik Jr.Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Architecture and Design Vazovova 5, Bratislava 812 43 SlovakiaThis paper presents the authors' experience with teaching the finite element method (FEM) at a university using the MathCAD software. With the development of computational tools in the second half of the 20th century, there was also the development of computational methods aimed at algorithmizing engineering tasks based on FEM. This method is very effective for determining the forces and deformations of truss and frame structures under the influence of the external environment. Many processes in the automatic design system take place as if in a "black box", and the process of verifying the achieved results becomes the most important stage in the design activity. Without knowing the theoretical foundations of FEM, physical and mathematical modelling, verification procedures and methods, the structure design cannot be safe and reliable. In this paper, we present one of the possibilities, how a student can familiarize himself with the theoretical foundations of FEM and calculation procedures using the MathCAD software. MathCAD can be used as a vehicle to create, organize, and assemble all the pieces of the engineering calculations. MathCAD is open software for using input data from other programs.121420231214202310011211https://npublications.com/journals/educationinformation/2023/a222008-011(2023).pdf10.46300/9109.2023.17.11https://npublications.com/journals/educationinformation/2023/a222008-011(2023).pdf10.1090/s0002-9904-1943-07818-4R. Courant, Variational methods for the solution of problems of equilibrium and vibrations, Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society. Vol 49, pp. 1–23. 1943. O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor, “The Finite Element Method. Vol. 1 The Basis, Vol .2 Solid Mechanics”, First ed. by McGraw-Hill 1967, Fifth Ed. by Butterworth-Heinemann 2000. 10.1007/978-1-4899-7550-8E. Madenci, I. Guven, “The Finite Element Method and Applications in Engineering Using ANSYS”, Ed. Springer, pp. 653, 2015. Z. Bittnar, J. Šejnoha, “Numerical Methods in Structural Mechanics”, ASCE, pp. 470, 1996. J. Králik, “Reliability Analysis of Structures Using Stochastic Finite Element Method”, Monograph. Published by STU Bratislava, pp. 143, 2009. J. Králik, “Analysis of Structures – Finite Element Method”, Ed. STU Bratislava, pp. 253, 2018. (in Slovak) 10.46300/9109.2022.16.2J. Králik, J. Králik, jr., Methodology of teaching methods of FEM analysis using software ANSYS, In International Journal of Education and Transformation Technologies, Vol. 16, Art. #2, pp. 12-28, 2022. W. K. Chen, Linear Networks and Systems (Book style). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, pp. 123–135, 1993. 10.29322/ijsrp.10.12.2020.p10877S. M. Abdullaeva, U. N. Sultonova, “Use of MathCAD software in the preparation of students majoring in engineering”, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 10, Issue 12, 2020. B. Maxfield, “Engineering with Mathcad, Using Mathcad to create and organize your engineering calculations”, Ed. Elsevier, pp. 494, 2006. B. Maxfield, “Essential PTC Mathcad Prime 3.0”, Ed. Elsevier, pp. 563, 2014. D. J. Inman, “A Mathcad manual for engineering mechanics: Dynamics - Computational edition”, pp. 144, 2007.