The Finite Element Method: Linear Static and Dynamic Finite Element Analysis

by Thomas J.R. Hughes

This text is geared toward assisting engineering and physical science students in cultivating comprehensive skills in linear static and dynamic finite element methodology. Based on courses taught at Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology, it ranges from fundamental concepts to practical computer implementations. Additional sections touch upon the frontiers of research, making the book of potential interest to more experienced analysts and researchers working in the finite element field.


In addition to its examination of numerous standard aspects of the finite element method, the volume includes many unique components, including a comprehensive presentation and analysis of algorithms of time-dependent phenomena, plus beam, plate, and shell theories derived directly from three-dimensional elasticity theory. It also contains a systematic treatment of "weak," or variational, formulations for diverse classes of initial/boundary-value problems.


Directed toward students without in-depth mathematical training, the text incorporates introductory material on the mathematical theory of finite elements and many important mathematical results, making it an ideal primer for more advanced works on this subject.

Genres: Engineering, Mathematics, Textbooks

1129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 1987

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insane to me how good this book is in 2023. Sure, the field has progressed a little, but not as much as you might think.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having worked with Tom for half a dozen years, I cannot claim to be an impartial judge, but I honestly believe that there is no better or more self-contained resource on finite elements than this book. While there are other solid, more specific books that contain material that this one does not (The Finite Element Method for Elliptic Problems by Ciarlet comes to mind, as does Ted Belytschko's Nonlinear Finite Elements for Continua and Structures) no other book stands as the single starting point for learning the subject. This is a practitioner's finite element book. A motivated novice graduate student with a gun to his head could write a working finite element code armed with only this book and a computer (ask me why I know this); none of the competing texts can make the same claim. The breadth of the book is also quite impressive. Many (embarassingly many) times as a graduate student I found myself at an impasse and was forced to ask Tom for help only to get the answer "I'm pretty sure that's fully worked out in my book." Without fail it was worked out there, fully and clearly. It is simply an excellent resource for anyone working in the field.

[Xian zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a long journey

[Carter Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to finite elements. Having started knowing nothing about them, the first few chapters of this provided enough information to code up a basic solver for incompressible Stokes from scratch. One of the few textbooks I've deemed worth buying lately.