SET OF EQUATIONS OF AFEM AND PROPERTIES OF ADDITIONAL FINITE ELEMENTS

Abstract

The paper considers the action of additional finite elements on the main set of linear equations when developed Additional Finite Element Method (AFEM) is used for analysis of structures with several nonlinear properties at limit states and failure models. AFEM is a variant of Finite Element Method (FEM) which adds to traditional sequence of solution of problem by FEM the units of two well-known methods of structural analysis: method of additional loads and method of ultimate equilibrium. AFEM suggests the additional finite elements and additional design diagrams for gradually transformation of the main set of equilibrium equations at the first step of loading to this set at the last one according to ideal failure model of structure.