MATLAB guide to finite elements. An interactive approach. With CD-ROM. (Q4435832)

This book is written for people studying finite element analysis for the first time. It is intended as a supplementary text to a main textbook on the finite element method. Since the computations of finite elements usually involve tedious and lengthy matrix calculations, it is natural that the reader will use the popular computer package MATLAB as a matrix calculator for finite element analysis. The solutions of finite element problems from linear elastic structural mechanics are examined in detail, and the emphasis is not on numerical results, but rather on understanding of basic underlying concepts. The book is divided into fifteen chapters that are devoted to various types of finite elements: spring element, bar element, two-dimensional and three-dimensional truss elements, plane and space beam and frame elements, two-dimensional elasticity elements for plane stress and plane strain problems, and one three-dimensional solid element. Each chapter deals with only one type of element. For newcomers, chapter 1 includes a short tutorial on using MATLAB. A special feature of the book is the accompanying CD-ROM which includes 75 MATLAB functions (M-files) that are specifically written to be used with this book. The CD-ROM contains also a solution manual with detailed solutions to all the problems in the book. Additionally, short answers to all problems are provided at the end of the book. On balance, this book written in interactive manner can be very useful to students and engineers dealing with applications of finite element method in structural mechanics.