Finite Element Method - Structure Analysis by Simulation

Finite element method has proved, in recent years, to be a powerful tool for structure analysis by engineers. Many finite element programs have been developed for this purpose by universities and research institutes using very large, powerful computers and relatively small computers. This resulted in the development of both, small special purpose programs that solve specialized problems, and giant general purpose programs that can solve static, dynamic, thermal, etc., structural problems with laboratory tested accuracy.

This is a discussion of our experience in the selection and application of one of such finite element computer programs named Structure Analysis Program, or SAP.