A finite element method example / problem area that is atypical

I am looking for an example that I can solve using Finite Element Method that is not mechanics / physics related. All examples in textbooks revolve around truss, beams, loads, etc. Does anyone know other areas p开发者_C百科referably with known differential equation, and enough data to work with? From sociology perhaps, or climate prediction?

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I'm not sure if it's commonly done, but the Black-Scholes PDE for evaluating options might lend itself to a transient FEA solution.

Finite element methods apply to any ordinary or partial differential equation that lends itself to the method of weighted residuals. You can apply it to far more than civil engineering beams: general non-linear solid mechanics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, acoustics, etc. Those are all still physics, of course.

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I read people using FEA methods for examining the spread of infections by viruses. A quick search on epidemiology simulation might shed some more light into the matter.