Summary

So far in this text we have studied the means by which components can be analysed using so-called Mechanics of Materials approaches whereby, subject to making simplifying assumptions, solutions can be obtained by hand calculation. In the analysis of complex situations such an approach may not yield appropriate or adequate results and calls for other methods. In addition to experimental methods, numerical techniques using digital computers now provide a powerful alternative. Numerical techniques for structural analysis divides into three areas; the long established but limited capability finite difference method, the finite element method (developed from earlier structural matrix methods), which gained prominence from the 1950s with the advent of digital computers and, emerging over a decade later, the boundary element method. Attention in this chapter will be confined to the most popular finite element method and the coverage is intended to provide