Books published by Nafems

This book aims to provide practical guidance on the application of FEA to the seismic analysis of structures and equipment, and to inform the reader generally about seismic analysis. The intended audience is the practicing engineer (and to a lesser degree engineering managers). It is assumed that the reader has some understanding and experience of seismic engineering and FEA. Examples of actual applications of FEA to safety critical structures and plant are used to illustrate some of the techniques and guidelines given within this document. There is much literature on the subject of FEA, including other NAFEMS publications, and there is an abundance of literature on the subject of seismic engineering. In particular, the reader is referred to ASCE 4-98 [Ref 1], and its successor document ASCE/SEI 43-05 [Ref 2]. Although geared to seismic analysis of safety related nuclear structures, this publication offers good practical guidance that is generally applicable to seismic analysis.

Optimisation has been used in industrial design for several decades. In particular, structural optimisation has made a major impact. Many of the general optimisation problems addressed in the past have been of a tactical nature rather than strategic. However, in recent years computing power and analysis capabilities have developed to the point where designs can now be assessed morecomprehensively than ever before, with optimisation as an integral part of the design cycle. Moreover there is increasing industrial pressure to provide productswhose cost, performance, durability and customer appeal have been refined and balanced to maximise market return.

The main aim of this 'How To' book is to explain the issues involved in designing suitable meshes and selecting appropriate elements for solving such problems. The emphasis is on using the more popular types of element in elastic conditions, although the techniques and mechanics of actual mesh generation software are not covered.