Finite Element Structural Analysis

Structural engineer Przemieniecki (PhD, U. of London, UK) proposes and describes a new method of finite element structural analysis that provides the means for assessing the accuracy of results obtained for any given mesh size relative to the size of the structure and distribution of the applied loading. The method consists of two separate sets of analysis. The first is based on traditional element properties derived from assumed displacement folds and the second is based on stress elements based on assumed stress fields satisfying the necessary equations of stress equilibrium, enhanced displacement elements based on assumed displacement fields with additional fields vanishing on the element boundaries (the magnitudes of which are determined from the Principle of Minimum Total Potential Energy), and a special hexahedron element constructed from two pentahedrons based on assumed displacement fields. The results from the two sets of analysis are compared and, if the results are close enough, the solution can be considered bounded, or if they are not, the process is repeated with a smaller grid until reasonable closeness is obtained. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)