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A drafting program for isoparametric finite elements
Author(s) -
Hofmeister Lawrence D.
Publication year - 1978
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/nme.1620120311
Subject(s) - plotter , finite element method , engineering drawing , software , computer science , mechanical engineering , engineering , computational science , structural engineering , programming language , computer graphics (images)
Considerable effort has been invested lately in the application of isoparametric finite elements for numerical solution of a wide range of applied mechanics problems. In fact, several general purpose computer programs are now available which are based upon such finite elements. In the present paper, a new application of the isoparametric finite element concept is introduced which significantly extends its usefulness for many practical structural configurations. In this application, final working or architectural drawings of the structure are made from the same (or similar) finite element model as was utilized in a structural integrity analysis. The hardware necessary to produce such drawing, a computer driven plotter or automated drafting machine, is available commercially or through most data centres, and the software concepts required are described herein.