Elasticity

Abstract

The intention of this book is, besides describing the theory of finite elements, to illustrate it by simple numerical examples in order to increase the reader’s confidence. Elasticity provides a more severe test, for it is a complicated phenomenon. However, it is a very important field for the use of finite elements; it was in this setting that it was born, in the need to analyse stresses in aircraft, and it has remained probably the most important application ever since. So, although this may be the most difficult chapter, the importance of the topic dictates that it should be included.