The Finite Element Method, shortly FEM, is a widely used computational
tool in structural engineering. For basic design purposes it usually suf
ces to apply a linear-elastic analysis. Only for special structures and
for forensic investigations the analyst need to apply more advanced
features like plasticity and cracking to account for material
nonlinearities, or nonlinear relations between strains and displacements
for geometrical nonlinearity to account for buckling. Advanced analysis
techniques may also be necessary if we have to judge the remaining
structural capacity of aging structures. In this book we will abstain
from such special cases and focus on everyday jobs. Our goal is the
worldwide everyday use of linear-elastic analysis, and dimensioning on
basis of these elastic computations. We cover steel and concrete
structures, though attention to structural concrete prevails. Structural
engineers have access to powerful FEM packages and apply them
intensively. Experience makes clear that often they do not understand
the software that they are using. This book aims to be a bridge between
the software world and structural engineering. Many problems are related
to the correct input data and the proper interpretation and handling of
output. The book is neither a text on the Finite Element Method, nor a
user manual for the software packages. Rather it aims to be a guide to
understanding and handling the results gained by such software. We
purposely restrict ourselves to structure types which frequently occur
in practise.
