Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1983
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Rong-Yaw Chen
Second Advisor
Charles E. Wilson
Third Advisor
Bernard Koplik
Abstract
In the design of structure, the engineer seeks to determine the distribution of stresses throughout the structure or the displacements at certain points of the structure. The finite element method is a numerical analysis technique for obtaining approximate solutions to engineering problems that are not amenable to closed form solutions.
In this work the triangular element and the rectangular element in plane stress are employed in the development of the formulation of element stiffness equations. The effect of the number of elements on the convergence to the analytical solution was investigated. Similar study using rectangular elements was also carried out for the simply supported beam. It was also found that the rectangular element method is slightly more accurate than the triangular element method for the beam investigated.
A complex structural problem was also studied using rectangular elements. It has clearly demonstrated that the finite element method is a powerful tool for engineers to solve complex structural problems.
Recommended Citation
Chang, Gwo-Tar, "Accuracy and convergence of finite element approximations" (1983). Theses. 3507.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/3507
