The basic idea of this introduction to the finite element method is based on the concept of explaining the complex method using only one-dimensional elements. Thus, the mathematical description remains largely simple and straightforward. The emphasis in each chapter is on explaining the method and understanding it itself. The reader learns to understand the assumptions and derivations in various physical problems in structural mechanics and to critically assess the possibilities and limitations of the finite element method. The restriction to one-dimensional elements thus enables the methodical understanding of important topics (e.g. plasticity or composite materials), which a prospective computational engineer encounters in professional practice, but which are rarely treated in this form at universities. Thus, an easy entry - also into more advanced application areas - is ensured by the concept of (a) introduction to the basics (b) exact derivation with restriction to one-dimensional elements (and in many cases also to one-dimensional problems) (c) extensive examples and advanced tasks (with short solution in the appendix). For illustration purposes, each chapter is deepened with extensively calculated and commented examples as well as with further tasks including short solutions

This textbook presents finite element methods using exclusively one-dimensional elements. It presents the complex methodology in an easily understandable but mathematically correct fashion. The approach of one-dimensional elements enables the reader to focus on the understanding of the principles of basic and advanced mechanical problems. The reader will easily understand the assumptions and limitations of mechanical modeling as well as the underlying physics without struggling with complex mathematics. Although the description is easy, it remains scientifically correct. The approach using only one-dimensional elements covers not only standard problems but allows also for advanced topics such as plasticity or the mechanics of composite materials. Many examples illustrate the concepts and problems at the end of every chapter help to familiarize with the topics. Each chapter also includes a few exercise problems, with short answers provided at the end of the book. The second edition appears with a complete revision of all figures. It also presents a complete new chapter special elements and added the thermal conduction into the analysis of rod elements. The principle of virtual work has also been introduced for the derivation of the finite-element principal equation.

This textbook presents finite element methods using exclusively one-dimensional elements. The aim is to present the complex methodology in an easily understandable but mathematically correct fashion. The approach of one-dimensional elements enables the reader to focus on the understanding of the principles of basic and advanced mechanical problems. The reader easily understands the assumptions and limitations of mechanical modeling as well as the underlying physics without struggling with complex mathematics. But although the description is easy it remains scientifically correct.

The approach using only one-dimensional elements covers not only standard problems but allows also for advanced topics like plasticity or the mechanics of composite materials. Many examples illustrate the concepts and problems at the end of every chapter help to familiarize with the topics."

This textbook presents finite element methods using exclusively one-dimensional elements. It presents the complex methodology in an easily understandable but mathematically correct fashion. The approach of one-dimensional elements enables the reader to focus on the understanding of the principles of basic and advanced mechanical problems. The reader will easily understand the assumptions and limitations of mechanical modeling as well as the underlying physics without struggling with complex mathematics. Although the description is easy, it remains scientifically correct. The approach using only one-dimensional elements covers not only standard problems but allows also for advanced topics such as plasticity or the mechanics of composite materials. Many examples illustrate the concepts and problems at the end of every chapter help to familiarize with the topics. Each chapter also includes a few exercise problems, with short answers provided at the end of the book. The second edition appears with a complete revision of all figures. It also presents a complete new chapter special elements and added the thermal conduction into the analysis of rod elements. The principle of virtual work has also been introduced for the derivation of the finite-element principal equation.

Neuer und eingangiger Einstieg mit ausschliesslich eindimensionalen Elementen Zugang zur Methodik intuitiv aber dennoch wissenschaftlich exakt Mit vielen Beispielen, weiterfuhrenden Aufgaben und Kurzloesungen

Die Finite-Elemente-Methode wird in dieser Einfuhrung in ihrer Komplexitat auf eindimensionale Elemente heruntergebrochen. Somit bleibt die mathematische Beschreibung weitgehend einfach und uberschaubar. Das Augenmerk liegt in jedem Kapitel auf der Erlauterung der Methode und deren Verstandnis. Der Leser lernt, die Annahmen und Ableitungen bei verschiedenen physikalischen Problemstellungen in der Strukturmechanik zu verstehen und Moeglichkeiten und Grenzen der Methode der Finiten Elemente kritisch zu beurteilen. Diese Herangehensweise ermoeglicht das methodische Verstandnis wichtiger Themenbereiche, wie z.B. Plastizitat oder Verbundwerkstoffe und gewahrleistet einen einfachen Einstieg in weiterfuhrende Anwendungsgebiete. Ausfuhrliche durchgerechnete und kommentierte Beispiele und weiterfuhrende Aufgaben mit Kurzloesung im Anhang unterstutzen den Lernerfolg. In der zweiten Auflage dieses Lehrbuches wurden alle graphischen Darstellungen uberarbeitet, die Warmeleitung bei den Stabelementen erganzt und Spezialelemente als neues Kapitel aufgenommen. Auch wurde das Prinzip der virtuellen Arbeiten zur Ableitung der Finite-Elemente-Hauptgleichung eingefuhrt.