This introductory textbook is designed for use in undergraduate, graduate, and short courses in structural engineering and courses devoted specifically to the finite element method. This method is becoming the most widely used standard for numerical approximation for partial differential equations defining engineering and scientific problems. The authors present a simplified approach to introducing the method and a coherent and easily digestible explanation of detailed mathematical derivations and theory. Example problems are included and can be worked out manually. An accompanying floppy disk compiling computer codes is included and required for some of the multi-dimensional homework problems. It is aimed at engineering students and practicing engineers in structural engineering and heat transfer as well as researchers, engineers, and students in various engineering disciplines, including physics and applied mathematics.

Table of Contents

Preface 1.Introduction 2.The Method of Weighted Residuals and Galerkin Approximations 3.The Finite Element Method in One Dimension 4.The Two-Dimensional Triangular Element 5.The Two-Dimensional Quadrilateral ELement 6.Isoparametric Two-dimensional Elements 7.The Three-Dimensional Element 8.Additional Applications References Appendices Index