ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the procedural steps in finite element method (FEM) along with the nuances of its implementations such as system of FEM equations and its solution, refinement and acceptability of FEM mesh and sources of error in FEM. In the early 1960s, FEM was used for approximate solution of problems in stress analysis, fluid flow, heat transfer and some other areas. Using the FEM, the region of interest is discretized into smaller sub-regions called elements. Mapping between natural and global coordinates is an important issue in FEM, as all calculations are performed in natural coordinates. Such mapping results in geometric transformation of the elements. In FEM the continuous domain is replaced by a series of simple, interconnected elements whose field variable characteristics are comparatively easy to compute. FEM is a demanding tool, in that the analyst must be proficient not only in subject being solved, but also in mathematics, computer applications and especially the FEM itself.
