Book Synopsis
There are many excellent text books on finite element theory incorporating the development of specific finite elements and describing the associated solution processes. This book has a different purpose from these standard texts as it provides a practical guide for the reliable use of the Finite Element Method in supporting the design of complex structures. Within this broad framework it gives an introduction to the FE Method and links it to the problems associated with creating an effective and relatively error free finite element model for solving a real world structural design problem. In this instance error is the difference between the finite element analysis predicted behaviour of a structure and measured behaviour when it enters operational service, where the in-service loads come into play. The word error is, therefore, being used in a general sense to include the impact that the presence of uncertainty has on the accuracy of the FE results. In practical terms the book is intended to assist engineers and companies involved with finite element analysis on a regular basis to operate in a manner that:
- Reduces the possibility of error being introduced into a finite element analysis which would result in inaccurate predictions of the actual in-service structural behaviour.
- Ensures that analyses undertaken by an individual analyst or analysis team are performed to a consistent and reliable standard.
- Provides documentary evidence of having adhered to a consistent error control process should a structural failure occur after a finite element analysed product has entered service.
A key aspect of the book is the introduction of a new methodology, called FEMEC, that allows a finite element analysis of a structure to be undertaken so that potential differences between the values for specific behaviour parameters obtained from an analysis and the measured values from operational use are identified and controlled. It provides the analyst with a means for identifying the sources that may give rise to these differences together with a process that generates bounds on their maximum likely value. In principle, this allows the analyst to estimate the maximum discrepancy between a set of FE results and the real in-service structural responses. The process is attempting to generate a procedure that places analysis as the primary route for the qualification of a structure. In this situation testing may now be considered subservient to analysis as it is called into play when an analyst encounters uncertainties that the FEMEC process cannot handle. This is ambitious and it is not claimed that the book provides a complete and totally comprehensive methodology for error and uncertainty control. Rather it provides a door through which the reader is invited to step and after crossing the threshold develop the ideas presented into a more comprehensive and authoritative method that is personal to each analyst or analysis team. In the case of an inexperienced or new finite element analyst it provides a starting point. For an experienced analyst or a company that regularly undertakes finite element analyses it may be taken as an input into a regular review of their finite element qualification process.
Chapter Headings
The book comprises 10 chapters with the following titles:
- Introduction
- Overview of Static Finite Element Analysis
- Overview of Dynamic Analysis
- What's Energy Got to do with It
- Prelimenary Review of Errors and Error Control
- Disretisation: Elements and Meshes or Some Ways to Avoid Generated Error
- Idealisation Error Types and Sources
- Error Control
- Error-Controlled Analysis
- FEMEC Walkthrough Example