Nemec, I: Finite Element Analysis of Structures

The content of this book is primarily addressed to structural engineers in civil engineering. Therefore many issues that are typical in the field, e.g. structure-soil interactin, shape and material orthotropy and stability of structures are covered in detail. The book attempts to cover Finite Element Method sufficiently so that structural engineers will be able to understand and utilize it in creating computational models of buildings, bridges and other civil engineering structures.The main purpose of the book is to help structural engineers, especially in the area of civil engineering, to understand the theory of the Finite Element Method and to create mathematical models of civil engineering structures for computer processing. Unlike other Finite Element books this book also covers in detail some problems, that are typical for civil engineering such as structure-soil interaction or the shape orthotropy of plates. Every civil engineering structure is built on subsoil, therefore buildings should be calculated together with its subsoil and not separately. Therefore the problem of structure-soil interaction is fundamental for civil engineers. Also many civil engineering structures are built with precast beams or panels. These blocks usually have hollows or ribs. Since it is not practical to model such structures according to its real shape it must be modelled as orthotropic plates or shells. The conversion of the shape orthotropy into material orthotropy is not an easy task and therefore this problem is covered in detail. Other subjects the book covers are nonlinear mechanics and the linear and nonlinear dynamics of structures, as well as linear and nonlinear stability. The book will also help developers of Finite Element software, lecturers and students. The presented theory is implemented in the RFEM software package by the Dlubal company and the verification examples are calculated by this program.