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Tensor objects in finite element programming
Author(s) -
Jeremić Boris,
Sture Stein
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0207(19980115)41:1<113::aid-nme277>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - finite element method , object oriented programming , computer science , programming language , fortran , nonlinear programming , tensor (intrinsic definition) , nonlinear system , matrix (chemical analysis) , computational science , algebra over a field , theoretical computer science , mathematics , geometry , structural engineering , pure mathematics , engineering , physics , materials science , quantum mechanics , composite material
This paper describes a novel programming tool, nDarray , which is designed using an Object Oriented Paradigm (OOP) and implemented in the C++ programming language. Finite element equations, represented in terms of multidimensional tensors are easily manipulated and programmed. The usual matrix form of the finite element equations are traditionally coded in FORTRAN, which makes it difficult to build and maintain complex program systems. Multidimensional data systems and their implementation details are seldom transparent and thus not easily dealt with and usually avoided. On the other hand, OOP together with efficient programming in C++ allows building new concrete data types, namely tensors of any order, thus hiding the lower level implementation details. These concrete data types prove to be quite useful in implementing complicated tensorial formulae associated with the numerical solution of various elastic and elastoplastic problems in solid mechanics. They permit implementing complex nonlinear continuum mechanics theories in an orderly manner. Ease of use and the immediacy of the nDarray programming tool in constitutive driver programming and in building finite element classes will be shown. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.