Practical finite element analysis for mechanical engineers

« Engineers, in various industries all over the world, increasingly use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to obtain solutions to problems that cannot be solved with classical methods. However, to do so, FEA analysts must employ proper modeling techniques; otherwise, their solutions may be incorrect. While there is much information in published literature regarding the theory of the finite element method, there is little on practical FEA modeling techniques for mechanical engineers. Engineers often learn basic FEA rules that are presented in textbooks, but the vast majority learn FEA through years of experience developing finite element models. This book offers the best practical methods and guidelines available for the development and validation of finite element models. Its objective is to provide mechanical structural engineers with the keys to developing accurate and reliable finite element models by avoiding the most frequent errors. »--

Chapter 1. Defining finite element analysis -- Chapter 2. Working with fea -- Chapter 3. Becoming an fea specialist -- Chapter 4. History of fea -- Chapter 5. Basis of finite element method theory -- Chapter 6. Defining your fea strategy -- Chapter 7. The library of elements -- Chapter 8. Meshing -- Chapter 9. Setting your units -- Chapter 10. Material modeling -- Chapter 11. Defining loads and boundary conditions -- Chapter 12. Rigid body elements and multi-point constraints -- Chapter 13. Modeling bolted joints -- Chapter 14. Modeling contact -- Chapter 15. Submodeling -- Chapter 16. Validating and correlating your fea -- Chapter 17. Understanding fea outputs -- Chapter 18. Improving your performance computing -- Chapter 19. Documenting your fea -- Chapter 20. Linear static analysis -- Chapter 21. Nonlinear static analysis -- Chapter 22. Linear buckling analysis -- Chapter 23. Nonlinear buckling analysis -- Chapter 24. Normal mode analysis -- Chapter 25. Good modeling practices.