8

Finite Element Method

8.1 INTRODUCTION

In the previous chapters (Chapters 3, 4, and 6), we explained the method of idealizing/simulating a continuous system as an assemblage of multiple masses, springs, and damper elements to obtain (at least) a first-level evaluation of natural frequencies, mode shapes, and the response of the system to a given system of excitation forces. However, at times, such approximation, which uses lumped masses, springs, and dampers does not yield a reasonably-acceptable/satisfactory result.

While dealing with the analysis of vibrations of beams for various conditions of fixity, we have seen that the solutions are in the form of infinite series, and larger is the number of terms we consider in the series, higher ...

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