Development of a finite element program incorporating advanced element types

Abstract

A FEA program for the solution of a mesh of advanced finite elements is proposed in Matlab. This program is capable of generating displacement fields and contour plots for the structural systems. Isoparametric elements are used to solve the element stiffness matrices for all selected elements and Gaussian Quadrature is used to numerically integrate. The FEA program is capable of determining the beam deflections when a static and dynamic loading is applied. The Gauss Elimination solution technique is used to solve for structural displacements. Structural displacements are found to be coherent for different types of elements. Maximum tip deflection indicates that the linearly interpolated elements are stiffer than the quadratic interpolated elements.