EFESTS: Educational finite element software for truss structure. Part II: Linear static analysis

Abstract

This article presents a complete guide from the linear static finite element theory to the software development of the educational finite element software for truss structure (EFESTS). First, linear static formulations of truss structure are summarized, including the element formulation, element assembly and solution. Object-oriented programming is introduced to design the software architecture. Furthermore, the relations between the classes and their instances are clearly described using the static class diagram and the dynamic sequence diagram, respectively. Finally, the linear static solver is intuitively verified by the deformable configuration and stress contour of a 50-bar truss structure. More importantly, a visualization of graphical user interfaces is developed to dynamically assemble the element matrix into the truss matrix, which used to be one of the most difficult skills for students to master. Finally, this software is free for educational research and can be downloaded from the website: http://www.zuowenjie.net/ efests.html. In the future, we will develop the geometric nonlinear static analysis solver for the truss structure.

Comparison of gradient and nongradient algorithms in the structural optimization course

“…Additionally, the EFESTS software is free for educational research, which can be downloaded from the corresponding author's ResearchGate website: https://www.research gate.net/profile/Wenjie_Zuo. The linear static finite element includes three main classes: BarElement, Domain, and Solver, which were discussed in Zuo et al 22,23…”

EFESTS: Educational finite element software for truss structure – Part 3: Geometrically nonlinear static analysis

“…The procedures assembling the element tangent stiffness matrix K into the truss structure stiffness matrix are identical with the linear analysis. 8…”

“…In the series of articles, we had studied the preprocess 7 and linear static analysis. 8 In this article, geometrically nonlinear finite element formulations for truss structure are derived based on total Lagrange (TL) form. And then, the obtained nonlinear equations are solved by the Newton–Raphson method.…”

An effective teaching strategy for engineering mechanics to develop structural optimization modeling skills of undergraduates

“…Existing studies [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] generally focus on developing the course of mechanics modeling. Jensen 9 proposed a project to enhance mechanics education by incorporating experiments using photo-elastic stress analysis and finite element analysis within the existing curricula.…”

“…Lee and Ahn 12 presented an instructional module for studying Mohr's circle on the basis of stress data obtained from finite element analysis whereas arbitrarily assumed numerical values are employed in other programs. Zuo et al 13,14 introduced a complete guide from the linear static finite element theory to the software development of the educational finite element software for truss structure, and it further extended to the problem of geometrical nonlinearity. 15 The proposed software can enhance the engineering abilities of students to a great extent.…”