A First Course in the Finite Element Method

A First Course in the Finite Element Analysis provides a simple, basic approach to the finite element method that can be understood by both undergraduate and graduate students. It does not have the usual prerequisites (such as structural analysis) required by most available texts in this area. The book is written primarily as a basic learning tool for the undergraduate student in civil and mechanical engineering whose main interest is in stress analysis and heat transfer. The text is geared toward those who want to apply the finite element method as a tool to solve practical physical problems. This revised fourth edition includes the addition of a large number of new problems (including SI problems), an appendix for mechanical and thermal properties, and more civil applications.

Daryl L. Logan is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Illinois -- Chicago. He has been a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Tau Beta Pi - National Honor Society, and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He holds a Professional Engineer's License in the state of Indiana.