<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert on the subject . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . Consider associating this request with a WikiProject . (October 2010) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert on the subject . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . Consider associating this request with a WikiProject . (October 2010) </Td> </Tr> <P> The finite element method (FEM) is a powerful technique originally developed for numerical solution of complex problems in structural mechanics, and it remains the method of choice for complex systems . In the FEM, the structural system is modeled by a set of appropriate finite elements interconnected at discrete points called nodes . Elements may have physical properties such as thickness, coefficient of thermal expansion, density, Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio . </P> <P> The origin of finite method can be traced to the matrix analysis of structures where the concept of a displacement or stiffness matrix approach was introduced . Finite element concepts were developed based on engineering methods in 1950s . The finite element method obtained its real impetus in the 1960s and 1970s by John Argyris, and co-workers; at the University of Stuttgart, by Ray W. Clough; at the University of California, Berkeley, by Olgierd Zienkiewicz, and co-workers Ernest Hinton, Bruce Irons; at the University of Swansea, by Philippe G. Ciarlet; at the University of Paris; at Cornell University, by Richard Gallagher and co-workers . The original works such as those by Argyris and Clough became the foundation for today's finite element structural analysis methods . Earlier books such as by Zienkiewicz and more recent books such as by Yang give comprehensive summary of developments in finite - element structural analysis . Implementing the method in software is described in the classic text by Smith, Griffiths and Margetts . </P>

What is finite element analysis in structural engineering
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