ABSTRACT
The displacement-based finite element method is closely related to the matrix stiffness methods that were developed in the late 1950’s in order to exploit the newly-arrived digital computers. Many of the procedures that are important in finite element analysis can be illustrated clearly and simply using these methods. In this chapter, the simple bar element is, developed and it is shown how a matrix equation can be constructed to represent the behaviour of an assembly of bars. Aspects of the numerical solution of this equation are also discussed.
