ON GENERAL PURPOSE PROGRAMS FOR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GEOMETRIC AND MATERIAL NONLINEARITIES

A summary of the state-of-the-art in nonlinear finite element analysis is made by describing a nonlinear theory and presenting some case studies. The formulation is applicable to problems of large displacement and small strains.

The paper then focuses on the general purpose program. The concept and development of a general purpose program is described. A discussion is then made of the different sizes of problems which can be solved by such a program. These sizes are dependent on the available computer core. The conclusion is made that the general purpose program is a powerful means of implementing finite element analysis over a wide spectrum of problems in structural mechanics.