Object Oriented Programming and Finite Element Analysis: Achieving Control Over the Calculation Process

Abstract

The authors have used object oriented programming methods to develop finite element programs. This paper will highlight some of the key design features that have proved to be useful, and will show how the use of 00 methods allows better use to be made of the underlying mathematics, the operating system, and the even the user. Originally the work was used to improve the usability of finite element programs, providing better user interfaces and links to graphical models. The work has since progressed to make use of sub-structure based calculation methods, and concurrent processing in the form of multi-threading. These latter steps were adopted to improve interactivity, and program efficiency. They also provide a foundation for taking advantage of parallel processing.