This book is a concise, self-contained treatment of the finite element method and all the computational techniques needed for its efficient use and practical implementation. The book describes the process of transforming the physical problem into a mathematical model, the reduction of the mathematical model to numerically solvable computational form, and many practical engineering analysis solution techniques applied in various industries.

The first edition of this book was published in 2004, two decades ago. Since then, finite element analysis (FEA) has become a fundamental component of product development software tools (CAD, CAE, CAM) used in many industrial fields of engineering, particularly in mechanical and aerospace engineering. It has also become a popular text in CSE (Computational Science in Engineering) and applied mathematics courses in academia, one of the reasons for the new edition.

Key Features:

Contains additional physics application areas of heat transfer, wave propagation and fluid dynamics. Extension of structural optimization into the topology optimization, an advancing engineering approach. Provides a complete numerical example of a simple structure to aid the teaching of the method from the book.

Dr. Louis Komzsik is an engineer and mathematician, whose career spanned two continents and five decades. During his career he researched, implemented and applied finite element analysis techniques in the shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive and energy industries, as well as taught it at universities in California and Hungary. His experience is presented in this book hoping to aid a new generation of students and users of this technology.