Finite Element Analysis: A Primer

The Finite Element Method is a powerful mathematical tool that has significantly improved both the standard of engineering designs and the methodology of the design process in many industrial applications. This book is an introduction to the practice of the Finite Element Method and a comparison of solutions via its various methods including software used in industry. This book also contains many 1-D and 2-D problems solved by FEM using both hand calculations and then by using commercial FEM software such as ANSYS and MATLAB. Features: Includes a comparison of solutions to the problems obtained by the analytical method, FEM hand calculations, and the software method Includes 35 solved problems using software Accompanied by a DVD with projects, applications, and software Brief Table of Contents: 1. Introduction to Finite Element Analysis. 2. Finite Element Analysis of Axially Loaded Members. 3. Finite Element Analysis of Trusses. 4. Finite Element Analysis of Beams. 5. Stress Analysis of a Rectangular Plate with a Circular Hole. 6. Thermal Analysis. 7. Fluid Flow Analysis. 8. Dynamic Analysis. 9. ANSYS Workbench. References. Appendix.