ABSTRACT

In the previous chapter we considered the mathematics behind some of the PAFEC-FE elements and in particular the various types of beam elements. We now look again at those beam elements and identify the circumstances in which they might be used. Whereas Chapter 1 used a simple beam struc­ ture to illustrate the finite element method we now consider more general beam structures. In particular we consider the PAFEC-FE analysis of a threedimensional crane structure.