Energy methods in structural mechanics : a comprehensive introduction to matrix and finite element methods of analysis

The book provides a basic and clear introduction to the principles underlying finite elements and the computer based methods of the analysis of structures commonly used in industry. There can be a danger that, without such an understanding, engineers will use these computer based analysis tools as black boxes and accept results without being aware of the real significance of the information obtained. The analysis principles developed in Energy Methods in Structural Mechanics are founded on a few fundamental energy theorems and proceed to show how these theorems can be used to provide practical analyses methods. The development presents a uniform yet consistent approach in which the reader is introduced, through variational principles, to the equilibrium equations for beams, plates and the initial buckling of struts. The book emphasises the alternative approach of solving practical problems through the minimisation of energy functionals by means of trial functions for approximate analysis. The finite element method is introduced as an extension of the method of trial functions. The analysis procedures are illustrated by application to example structures such as beams, trusses, frames and plates.