A Plane Stress FEA Problem For Which Students Can Write A Modest Computer Program

摘要

This paper proposes and then describes a modest finite element computer program which a student can write using almost any computer programming language. The types of finite element models which can be handled by this computer program, called PLANESTR, are described. The program steps required for the single element PLANESTR program are described. This program is capable of calculating the tensile stresses and shear stresses, at various locations within the element, based upon the applied forces at the element node points. The finite element stiffness subroutine is presented, since it is crucial to the calculation of stresses for the finite element models. An extension to the single element finite element program is presented which describes the steps involved in the multi-element PLANESTR program.