ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on complete finite element programs and on related issues such as the role of finite element analysis in engineering design, mesh generation, modeling techniques and the associated errors. The treatment is not meant to be exhaustive, as several texts have been written that are devoted to programming and implementation of the finite element method. Every finite element analysis is comprised of three phases: preprocessing phase; solution phase; and, postprocessing phase. The chapter discusses the makeup of finite element analysis programs and the computational aspects related to the development of mathematical models for finite element analyses. It examines the issues related to the numerical implementation of the finite element method and on techniques used to create valid mathematical models. The chapter summarizes the role of mathematical modeling and finite element analysis in the design process graphically. It concludes with a discussion of errors associated with the use of computer programs to perform finite element analyses.
