Finite Element Applications

This textbook demonstrates the application of the finite element philosophy to the solution of real-world problems and is aimed at graduate level students, but is also suitable for advanced undergraduate students. An essential part of an engineer’s training is the development of the skills necessary to analyse and predict the behaviour of engineering systems under a wide range of potentially complex loading conditions. Only a small proportion of real-life problems can be solved analytically, and consequently, there arises the need to be able to use numerical methods capable of simulating real phenomena accurately. The finite element (FE) method is one such widely used numerical method. Finite Element Applications begins with demystifying the ‘black box’ of finite element solvers and progresses to addressing the different pillars that make up a robust finite element solution framework. These pillars include: domain creation, mesh generation and element formulations, boundary conditions, and material response considerations. Readers of this book will be equipped with the ability to develop models of real-world problems using industry-standard finite element packages.