This book combines essential finite element (FE) theory with a set of twelve tutorials using relatively easy-to-use open source CAD, FE and numerical analysis codes so a student can undertake practical analysis and self-study.
The theory covers fundamentals of the finite element method. Formulation of element stiffness for one dimensional bar and beam, two dimensional and three dimensional continuum elements, plate and shell elements are derived based on direct, energy and variational methods. Linear, nonlinear and transient dynamic solution methods are covered for both mechanical and field analysis problems with a focus on heat transfer. Other important theoretical topics covered include element integration, element assembly, loads, boundary conditions, contact and a chapter devoted to material laws on elasticity, hyperelasticity and plasticity.
The second half of this book presents one chapter on using the tutorials containing information on installing the codes (on Windows) and getting started, and general hints on meshing, modelling and analysis. This is then followed by the tutorials and exercises which cover linear, nonlinear and dynamic mechanical analysis, steady state and transient heat analysis, field analysis, fatigue, buckling and frequency analysis, and lastly a hydraulic pipe network analysis. In each tutorial I have linked theory with application and included exercises for further self-study.
For these tutorials open source codes FreeCAD, CalculiX and FreeMAT are used. CalculiX is a comprehensive FE package covering linear, nonlinear, mechanical, fluid and thermal analysis. One particular benefit is its format and structure, which is based on Abaqus and therefore knowledge gained is relevant to a leading commercial code. FreeCAD is primarily a powerful CAD modelling code, that includes good finite element meshing and modelling capabilities and is fully integrated with CalculiX. FreeMAT is used in two tutorials for numerical analysis demonstrating algorithms for explicit finite element analysis.
The primary aim of this book is to provide a unified text covering theory and practice, so a student can learn and experiment with this versatile and powerful analysis method. It should be of interest to both finite element courses and for student self-study.
