1st Edition

MATLAB and C Programming for Trefftz Finite Element Methods

By Qing-Hua Qin, Hui Wang Copyright 2008
    464 Pages 92 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Although the Trefftz finite element method (FEM) has become a powerful computational tool in the analysis of plane elasticity, thin and thick plate bending, Poisson’s equation, heat conduction, and piezoelectric materials, there are few books that offer a comprehensive computer programming treatment of the subject. Collecting results scattered in the literature, MATLAB® and C Programming for Trefftz Finite Element Methods provides the detailed MATLAB® and C programming processes in applications of the Trefftz FEM to potential and elastic problems.

    The book begins with an introduction to the hybrid-Trefftz (HT) FEM that covers basic concepts and general element formulations of the method. It then concentrates on both the essentials and subroutines of MATLAB and C programming. The next few chapters present applications of T-elements to potential problems and linear plane elasticity, discuss how to solve body force in elasticity through radial basis functions, and examine how special purpose functions can be constructed. The final chapter explores advanced topics, such as the construction of Trefftz p-elements, dimensionless transformation, and an alternative formulation to HT FEM.

    Unifying the computer programming aspects of the Trefftz FEM, this book will stimulate the development and application of this novel method in many facets of practical engineering.

    Introduction to Trefftz Finite Element Method
    Historical background
    Trefftz FE procedure
    Variational principles
    Concept of the T-complete solution
    Comparison of Trefftz FEM and conventional FEM
    Comparison of T-elements with boundary elements
    Foundation of MATLAB Programming
    Introduction
    Basic data types in MATLAB
    Matrix manipulations
    Control structures
    M-file functions
    I/O file manipulation
    Vectorization programming with MATLAB
    Common built-in MATLAB functions
    C Programming
    Data types, variable declaration, and operators
    Control structures
    Advanced array and pointer action
    Functions and parameter transfer
    File manipulation
    Create and execute C codes in visual C++ platform
    Common library functions and related head files
    Commonly Used Subroutines
    Introduction
    Input and output
    Numerical integration over element edges
    Shape functions along element edge
    Assembly of elements
    Introduction of essential boundary conditions
    Solution of global stiffness equation
    Potential Problems
    Introduction
    Basic equations of potential problems
    Trefftz FE formulation
    T-complete functions
    Computation of H and G matrix
    Computation of equivalent nodal load
    Program structure for HT FEM
    MATLAB programming for potential problems
    C computer programming
    Numerical examples
    Plane Stress/Strain Problems
    Introduction
    Linear theory of elasticity
    Trefftz FE formulation
    T-complete functions
    Computation of H and G matrix
    Evaluation of equivalent nodal loads
    MATLAB functions for plane elastic problems
    C computer programming
    Numerical examples
    Treatment of Inhomogeneous Terms Using RBF Approximation
    Introduction
    Radial basis functions (RBFs)
    Non-homogeneous problems
    Solution procedure of HT FEM for non-homogeneous problems
    Particular solutions in terms of RBFs
    Modification of the program structure
    MATLAB functions for particular solutions
    C programming
    Numerical examples
    Special Purpose T-Elements
    Introduction
    Basic concept of special Trefftz functions
    Special purpose elements for potential problems
    Special purpose elements for linear elastic problems
    Programming implementation
    MATLAB functions for special T-elements
    C programming for special T-elements
    Test examples
    Advanced Topics for Further Programming Development
    Introduction
    Construction of Trefftz elements
    Dimensionless transformation
    Nodal stress evaluation-smooth techniques
    Generating intra-element points for outputting field results
    Sparse matrix generation and solving procedure
    An alternative formulation to HT FEM
    Appendix A: Format of Input Data
    Appendix B: Glossary of Variables
    Appendix C: Glossary of Subroutines
    Appendix D: Plane Displacement and Stress Transformations
    Index
    References appear at the end of each chapter.

    Biography

    Hui Wang, Qing-Hua Qin

    "The book begins with an introduction to the hybrid-Tretz (HT) FEM that covers basic concepts and general element formulations of the method. It then concentrates on both the essentials and subroutines of MATLAB and C programming. The next few chapters present applications of T-elements to potential problems and linear plane elasticity, discuss how to solve body force in elasticity through radial basis functions, and examine how special purpose functions can be constructed. The final chapter explores advanced topics, such as the construction of Tretz p-elements, dimensionless transformation, and an alternative formulation to HT FEM. Unifying the computer programming aspects of the Tretz FEM, this book will stimulate the development and application of this novel method in many facets of practical engineering."
    Zentralblatt MATH