An Introduction to the Finite Element Method

J.N. Reddys, An Introduction to the Finite Element Method, third edition is an update of one of the most popular FEM textbooks available. The book retains its strong conceptual approach, clearly examining the mathematical underpinnings of FEM, and providing a general approach of engineering application areas.

Known for its detailed, carefully selected example problems and extensive selection of homework problems, the author has comprehensively covered a wide range of engineering areas making the book approriate for all engineering majors, and underscores the wide range of use FEM has in the professional world.

A supplementary text Web site located at http://www.mhhe.com/reddy3e contains password-protected solutions to end-of-chapter problems, general textbook information, supplementary chapters on the FEM1D and FEM2D computer programs, and more!


Key features


Approximately 30% of the problems have been revised or are new to this edition.
Do you want to solve problems that have not been solved many times before?
New tools create modern learning.
Worked examples are said to be one of the best features of this text. The examples are detailed, carefully selected and a number of examples that show FEM applications are included in this text.
Do you want your text to include a large number of diverse example problems?
Worked examples help students understand and apply theory to actual problems, and with application-based examples they see the ties between FEM methods and real engineeing analysis.
Strong coverage of FEMs mathematical foundations.
Do you want your text to have a good balance between theory and application?
The book will retain Reddys precise explanation of FEMs mathematical workings, always seen as a strong point of the book. In the 3/e it will be in good balance with practical applications.
Comprehensive coverage of material from general field problems as well heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and solid and structural mechanics (bars, beams, frames, plane elasticity andplate bending).
This makes the text approriate for all engineering majors, and underscores the wide range of use FEM has in the professional world.
Do you want a text that can relate to all disciplines, not just structural engineering?
The authors writing style is clear and his explanation plenty.
Do you want to understand what youve read the first time you read it?
Due to the authors consistent, easy-to-understand writing style, students can gain understanding of the material the first time it is reviewed.
The previous Chapter 3, Second-Order Boundary Value Problems, has been split into two chapters for the third edition. Chapter 3 is now Second-Order Differential Equations in One-Dimension: Finite Element Models, and Chapter 4 is now Second-Order Differential Equations in One-Dimension: Applications.
Do you want your text to take its time and dedicate a chapter to theory and a chapter to applications; rather than put everything into one lengthy chapter?
The chapter was lengthy and now that it has been split into two chapters, it is not as overwhelming as it might have been.
The text includes a variety of problems including some for hand calculation, some to be solved using the computer, and others of the class project variety, which can be done with commercial FEM packages if the professor so chooses. The problems are a major feature of this text.
Do you want to utilize practice problems to reinforce what has been taught/learned?
The additional problems, in these three types, greatly expands the utility of the book, allowing professors to tailor the course/textbook usage the way they want.
A text Web site located at http://www.mhhe.com/reddy3e hosts solutions to end-of-chapter problems, executables, supplementary chapter on FEM1D and FEM2D computer programs and general textbook information.
Do you want to be able to exercise your knowledge of FEM outside of your textbook?
Supplemental material helps the students engage in their course, not just in their book.


Table of contents


1 Introduction
2 Mathematical Preliminaries, Integral Formulations, and Variational Methods
3 Second-order Differential Equations in One Dimension: Finite Element Models
4 Second-order Differential Equations in One Dimension: Applications
5 Beams and Frames
6 Eigenvalue and Time-Dependent Problems
7 Computer Implementation
8 Single-Variable Problems in Two Dimensions
9 Interpolation Functions, Numerical Integration, and Modeling Considerations
10 Flows of Viscous Incompressible Fluids
11 Plane Elasticity
12 Bending of Elastic Plates
13 Computer Implementation of Two-Dimensional Problems
14 Prelude to Advanced Topics