Peter Jahn

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in finite element analysis, reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization, with a particular focus on computational aspects and questions of accuracy. It also presents a one-click reanalysis, a new technique that allows instantaneous modifications to a structure to be made by clicking on single elements. Lastly, the book features four programs that can be downloaded for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames.

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in finite element analysis, reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization, with a particular focus on computational aspects and questions of accuracy. It also presents a one-click reanalysis, a new technique that allows instantaneous modifications to a structure to be made by clicking on single elements. Lastly, the book features four programs that can be downloaded for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames.

The book teaches engineers many new things about a classical topic which suddenly is again in the center of interest because of its relevance for finite element analysis, for the accuracy of computational methods.It shows that influence functions play a fundamental role in the finite element analysis of structures and practically all of linear computational mechanics. It also strives to add new and important insights into modern structural analysis and into computational mechanics by establishing the central role of influence functions for the numerical analysis and to lay a new foundation to the energy and variational principles.