There are some books that target the theory of the finite element, while others focus on the programming side of things. Introduction to Finite Element Analysis Using MATLAB® and Abaqus accomplishes both. This book teaches the first principles of the finite element method. It presents the theory of the finite element method while maintaining a balance between its mathematical formulation, programming implementation, and application using commercial software. The computer implementation is carried out using MATLAB, while the practical applications are carried out in both MATLAB and Abaqus. MATLAB is a high-level language specially designed for dealing with matrices, making it particularly suited for programming the finite element method, while Abaqus is a suite of commercial finite element software. Includes more than 100 tables, photographs, and figures Provides MATLAB codes to generate contour plots for sample results Introduction to Finite Element Analysis Using MATLAB and Abaqus introduces and explains theory in each chapter, and provides corresponding examples. It offers introductory notes and provides matrix structural analysis for trusses, beams, and frames. The book examines the theories of stress and strain and the relationships between them. The author then covers weighted residual methods and finite element approximation and numerical integration. He presents the finite element formulation for plane stress/strain problems, introduces axisymmetric problems, and highlights the theory of plates. The text supplies step-by-step procedures for solving problems with Abaqus interactive and keyword editions. The described procedures are implemented as MATLAB codes and Abaqus files can be found on the CRC Press website.

This book gives Abaqus users who make use of finite-element models in academic or practitioner-based research the in-depth program knowledge that allows them to debug a structural analysis model. The book provides many methods and guidelines for different analysis types and modes, that will help readers to solve problems that can arise with Abaqus if a structural model fails to converge to a solution. The use of Abaqus affords a general checklist approach to debugging analysis models, which can also be applied to structural analysis. The author uses step-by-step methods and detailed explanations of special features in order to identify the solutions to a variety of problems with finite-element models. The book promotes: • a diagnostic mode of thinking concerning error messages; • better material definition and the writing of user material subroutines; • work with the Abaqus mesher and best practice in doing so; • the writing of user element subroutines and contact features with convergence issues; and • consideration of hardware and software issues and a Windows HPC cluster solution. The methods and information provided facilitate job diagnostics and help to obtain converged solutions for finite-element models regarding structural component assemblies in static or dynamic analysis. The troubleshooting advice ensures that these solutions are both high-quality and cost-effective according to practical experience. The book offers an in-depth guide for students learning about Abaqus, as each problem and solution are complemented by examples and straightforward explanations. It is also useful for academics and structural engineers wishing to debug Abaqus models on the basis of error and warning messages that arise during finite-element modelling processing.