ABSTRACT
In finite element analyses of problems with complex geometrical shapes, simple rectangular and triangular elements can still be used but a large number of elements will be required to minimize the geometrical error. To reduce the number of elements used, Taig suggested the mapping of the geometry into simpler shapes by coordinate transformation. The boundaries of a structure can adopt different forms of curves, such as straight lines, circles, parabolas, spirals, etc. To define the geometry of a structure, one has to describe these boundary curves accurately and conveniently. Parametric representations, which permit description of various forms of curves by using the same set of algebraic equations by varying the coefficients, are definitely very attractive. Some geometrical errors are inevitable for complex curves but it has been proven that acceptable accuracy can still be achieved.
