Chapter 1 Overview 1
1.1 Where This Material Fits 1
1.2 What Does a Finite Element Look Like 5
1.3 The FEM Analysis Process 7
1.4 Interpretations of the Finite Element Method 13
1.5 Historical Sketch and Bibliography 15
1.6 Review of Matrix Algebra 19
1.7 Spring Element 24
Chapter 2 Bar and Beam Elements 32
2.1 Linear Static Analysis 32
2.2 Bar Element 32
2.3 Beam Element 47
Chapter 3 Two-Dimensional Problems 67
3.1 Review of the Basic Theory 67
3.2 Finite Elements for 2-D Problems 71
Chapter 4 FE Modeling and Solution Techniques 91
4.1 Symmetry 91
4.2 Substructures(Superelements) 92
4.3 Equation Solving 92
4.4 Nature of Finite Element Solutions 94
4.5 Convergence of FE Solutions 96
Chapter 5 Plate and Shell Elements 98
5.1 Plate Theory 98
5.2 Thin Plate Theory(Kirchhoff Plate Theory) 99
5.3 Thick Plate Theory(Mindlin Plate Theory) 102
5.4 Plate Elements 104
5.5 Shells and Shell Elements 106
Chapter 6 Solid Elements for 3-D Problems 110
6.1 3-D Elasticity Theory 110
6.2 Finite Element Formulation 112
6.3 Typical 3-D Solid Elements 113
Chapter 7 Thermal Analysis 121
7.1 Temperature Field 121
7.2 Thermal Stress Analysis 123
Chapter 8 MSC. AutoForge—An FE Software 126
8.1 Introduction 126
8.2 Mechanics of MSC. AutoForge 130
8.3 Background Information 150
8.4 Cylinder Compression—A Sample Session 194
Chapter 9 Guide for a Complex Laboratory 226
9.1 Background Parameters and Requirements 226
9.2 Operation Steps 226
Further Reading 239