The finite element method is often used for numerical computation in the applied sciences. It makes a major contribution to the range of numerical methods used in the simulation of systems and irregular domains, and its importance today has made it an important subject of study for all engineering students. While treatments of the method itself can be found in many traditional finite element books, Finite Element Modeling for Materials Engineers Using MATLAB® combines the finite element method with MATLAB to offer materials engineers a fast and code-free way of modeling for many materials processes. Finite Element Modeling for Materials Engineers Using MATLAB® covers such topics as: developing a weak formulation as a prelude to obtaining the finite element equation, interpolation functions, derivation of elemental equations, and use of the Partial Differential Equation ToolboxTM. Exercises are given based on each example and m-files based on the examples are freely available to readers online. Researchers, advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, and practitioners in the fields of materials and metallurgy will find Finite Element Modeling for Materials Engineers Using MATLAB® a useful guide to using MATLAB for engineering analysis and decision-making.

This book explores numerical implementation of Finite Element Analysis using MATLAB. Stressing interactive use of MATLAB, it provides examples and exercises from mechanical, civil and aerospace engineering as well as materials science. The text includes a short MATLAB tutorial. An extensive solutions manual offers detailed solutions to all problems in the book for classroom use. The second edition includes a new brick (solid) element with eight nodes and a one-dimensional fluid flow element. Also added is a review of applications of finite elements in fluid flow, heat transfer, structural dynamics and electro-magnetics. The accompanying CD-ROM presents more than fifty MATLAB functions.

Expanded to include a broader range of problems than the bestselling first edition, Finite Element Method Using MATLAB: Second Edition presents finite element approximation concepts, formulation, and programming in a format that effectively streamlines the learning process. It is written from a general engineering and mathematical perspective rather than that of a solid/structural mechanics basis. What's new in the Second Edition? Each chapter in the Second Edition now includes an overview that outlines the contents and purpose of each chapter. The authors have also added a new chapter of special topics in applications, including cracks, semi-infinite and infinite domains, buckling, and thermal stress. They discuss three different linearization techniques to solve nonlinear differential equations. Also included are new sections on shell formulations and MATLAB programs. These enhancements increase the book's already significant value both as a self-study text and a reference for practicing engineers and scientists.

This book is an attempt to develop a guide for the user who is interested in learning the method by doing. There is enough discussion of some of the basic theory so that the user can get a broad understanding of the process. And there are many examples with step-by-step instructions for the user to quickly develop some proficiency in using FEA. We have used Matlab and its PDE toolbox for the examples in this text. The syntax and the modeling process are easy to understand and a new user can become productive very quickly. The PDE toolbox, just like any other commercial software, can solve certain classes of problems well but is not capable of solving every type of problem. For example, it can solve linear problems but is not capable of handling non-linear problems. Being aware of the capabilities of any tool is an important lesson for the user and we have, with this book, tried to highlight that lesson as well.

later versions. In addition, the CD-ROM contains a complete solutions manual that includes detailed solutions to all the problems in the book. If the reader does not wish to consult these solutions, then a brief list of answers is provided in printed form at the end of the book. Iwouldliketothankmyfamilymembersfortheirhelpandcontinuedsupportwi- out which this book would not have been possible. I would also like to acknowledge the help of the editior at Springer-Verlag (Dr. Thomas Ditzinger) for his assistance in bringing this book out in its present form. Finally, I would like to thank my brother, Nicola, for preparing most of the line drawings in both editions. In this edition, I am providing two email addresses for my readers to contact me (pkattan@tedata. net. jo and pkattan@lsu. edu). The old email address that appeared in the ?rst edition was cancelled in 2004. December 2006 Peter I. Kattan PrefacetotheFirstEdition 3 This is a book for people who love ?nite elements and MATLAB . We will use the popular computer package MATLAB as a matrix calculator for doing ?nite element analysis. Problems will be solved mainly using MATLAB to carry out the tedious and lengthy matrix calculations in addition to some manual manipulations especially when applying the boundary conditions. In particular the steps of the ?nite element method are emphasized in this book. The reader will not ?nd ready-made MATLAB programsforuseasblackboxes. Insteadstep-by-stepsolutionsof?niteelementpr- lems are examined in detail using MATLAB.

This book intend to supply readers with some MATLAB codes for ?nite element analysis of solids and structures. After a short introduction to MATLAB, the book illustrates the ?nite element implementation of some problems by simple scripts and functions. The following problems are discussed: • Discrete systems, such as springs and bars • Beams and frames in bending in 2D and 3D • Plane stress problems • Plates in bending • Free vibration of Timoshenko beams and Mindlin plates, including laminated composites • Buckling of Timoshenko beams and Mindlin plates The book does not intends to give a deep insight into the ?nite element details, just the basic equations so that the user can modify the codes. The book was prepared for undergraduate science and engineering students, although it may be useful for graduate students. TheMATLABcodesofthisbookareincludedinthedisk.Readersarewelcomed to use them freely. The author does not guarantee that the codes are error-free, although a major e?ort was taken to verify all of them. Users should use MATLAB 7.0 or greater when running these codes. Any suggestions or corrections are welcomed by an email to [email protected].