Engineering Analysis and Finite Element Methods

This book presents an introduction to the fundamentals of finite element methods with computer application. Finite element methods are numerical methods for solving problems of engineering and science. Those problems involve geometry, material properties, loading conditions and boundary conditions. Seeking analytical based solutions are generally difficult if not impossible. With capabilities of computers expanding at an unthinkable pace, the importance of using unbeatable computing power to perform finite element analysis must be emphasized. The book is written as an introductory text for undergraduate student in engineering. The book should also be useful to those engaged in the engineering analysis.

The book is organized into 10 chapters. The first chapter provides a fundamental coverage of finite element methods. It stresses the mathematical and mechanical fundamentals, which support the development of finite element methods. Chapter 2 introduces the Pro/ ENGINEER Wildfire design system and Pro/Mechanica, which Is engineering simulation software to carry out finite element analysis. Chapter 3 focused on modeling a variety of load conditions. Chapter 4 focuses on modeling the boundary conditions of mechanical structures in general, Illustrating the procedure of dealing the physical entities both at the component level and at the assembly level. Chapter 5 presents a review of the stress condition so as to understand the mechanism of the engineering simulation software in the computing process. Chapter 6 presents an important branch of finite element methods. The branch is shell modeling through idealization. In Chapter 7, we focus on applications. The three case studies deal with engineering vibration analysis and buckling analysis. Chapter 8 introduces a specific concept called design optimization. The engineering simulation system of ALGOR is introduced in Chapter 9. We focus on performing FEA for truss and beam structures. In Chapter 10, we introduce the engineering simulation software of ANSYS, which is the most widely used to perform FEA, not only nationally, but worldwide as well.