The finite element method since its development in the 1950's has been used extensively in solving complex problems involving partial differential equations. The conventional finite element methods use piecewise Lagrange interpolation functions for approximating displacements. The aim of this research is to explore finite element analysis using B-spline interpolation. B-splines are piecewise defined polynomial curves which provide higher continuity of derivatives than piecewise Lagrange interpolation functions. This work focuses on the implementation and comparison of the B-spline finite elements in contrast with the conventional finite elements. This thesis observes that the use of B-spline interpolation functions can reduce the computational cost significantly. It is an efficient technique and can be conveniently implemented into the existing finite element programs.

This book is intended as a study aid for the finite element method. Based on the free computer algebra system Maxima, we offer routines to symbolically or numerically solve problems from the context of two-dimensional problems. For this rather advanced topic, classical ‘hand calculations’ are difficult to perform and the incorporation of a computer algebra system is a convenient approach to handle, for example, larger matrix operations. The mechanical theories focus on the classical two-dimensional structural elements, i.e., plane elements, thin or classical plates, and thick or shear deformable plate elements. The use of a computer algebra system and the incorporated functions, e.g., for matrix operations, allows to focus more on the methodology of the finite element method and not on standard procedures. Furthermore, we offer a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate the model definition. Thus, the user may enter the required definitions in a source code manner directly in wxMaxima or use the GUI which is able to execute wxMaxime to perform the calculations.