The Mathematical Theory Of Finite Element Methods

A rigorous and thorough mathematical introduction to the subject; A clear and concise treatment of modern fast solution techniques such as multigrid and domain decomposition algorithms; Second edition contains two new chapters, as well as many new exercises; Previous edition sold over 3000 copies worldwide

This introduction to the theory of Sobolev spaces and Hilbert space methods in partial differential equations is geared toward readers of modest mathematical backgrounds. It offers coherent, accessible demonstrations of the use of these techniques in developing the foundations of the theory of finite element approximations. J. T. Oden is Director of the Institute for Computational Engineering & Sciences (ICES) at the University of Texas at Austin, and J. N. Reddy is a Professor of Engineering at Texas A&M University. They developed this essentially self-contained text from their seminars and courses for students with diverse educational backgrounds. Their effective presentation begins with introductory accounts of the theory of distributions, Sobolev spaces, intermediate spaces and duality, the theory of elliptic equations, and variational boundary value problems. The second half of the text explores the theory of finite element interpolation, finite element methods for elliptic equations, and finite element methods for initial boundary value problems. Detailed proofs of the major theorems appear throughout the text, in addition to numerous examples.

This book gives an introduction to the finite element method as a general computational method for solving partial differential equations approximately. Our approach is mathematical in nature with a strong focus on the underlying mathematical principles, such as approximation properties of piecewise polynomial spaces, and variational formulations of partial differential equations, but with a minimum level of advanced mathematical machinery from functional analysis and partial differential equations. In principle, the material should be accessible to students with only knowledge of calculus of several variables, basic partial differential equations, and linear algebra, as the necessary concepts from more advanced analysis are introduced when needed. Throughout the text we emphasize implementation of the involved algorithms, and have therefore mixed mathematical theory with concrete computer code using the numerical software MATLAB is and its PDE-Toolbox. We have also had the ambition to cover some of the most important applications of finite elements and the basic finite element methods developed for those applications, including diffusion and transport phenomena, solid and fluid mechanics, and also electromagnetics.​

An accessible introduction to the finite element method for solving numeric problems, this volume offers the keys to an important technique in computational mathematics. Suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, it outlines clear connections with applications and considers numerous examples from a variety of science- and engineering-related specialties.This text encompasses all varieties of the basic linear partial differential equations, including elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic problems, as well as stationary and time-dependent problems. Additional topics include finite element methods for integral equations, an introduction to nonlinear problems, and considerations of unique developments of finite element techniques related to parabolic problems, including methods for automatic time step control. The relevant mathematics are expressed in non-technical terms whenever possible, in the interests of keeping the treatment accessible to a majority of students.

The objective of this book is to analyze within reasonable limits (it is not a treatise) the basic mathematical aspects of the finite element method. The book should also serve as an introduction to current research on this subject. On the one hand, it is also intended to be a working textbook for advanced courses in Numerical Analysis, as typically taught in graduate courses in American and French universities. For example, it is the author’s experience that a one-semester course (on a three-hour per week basis) can be taught from Chapters 1, 2 and 3 (with the exception of Section 3.3), while another one-semester course can be taught from Chapters 4 and 6. On the other hand, it is hoped that this book will prove to be useful for researchers interested in advanced aspects of the numerical analysis of the finite element method. In this respect, Section 3.3, Chapters 5, 7 and 8, and the sections on “Additional Bibliography and Comments should provide many suggestions for conducting seminars.

This book provides good coverage of the powerful numerical techniques namely, finite element and wavelets, for the solution of partial differential equation to the scientists and engineers with a modest mathematical background. The objective of the book is to provide the necessary mathematical foundation for the advanced level applications of these numerical techniques. The book begins with the description of the steps involved in finite element and wavelets-Galerkin methods. The knowledge of Hilbert and Sobolev spaces is needed to understand the theory of finite element and wavelet-based methods. Therefore, an overview of essential content such as vector spaces, norm, inner product, linear operators, spectral theory, dual space, and distribution theory, etc. with relevant theorems are presented in a coherent and accessible manner. For the graduate students and researchers with diverse educational background, the authors have focused on the applications of numerical techniques which are developed in the last few decades. This includes the wavelet-Galerkin method, lifting scheme, and error estimation technique, etc. Features: • Computer programs in Mathematica/Matlab are incorporated for easy understanding of wavelets. • Presents a range of workout examples for better comprehension of spaces and operators. • Algorithms are presented to facilitate computer programming. • Contains the error estimation techniques necessary for adaptive finite element method. This book is structured to transform in step by step manner the students without any knowledge of finite element, wavelet and functional analysis to the students of strong theoretical understanding who will be ready to take many challenging research problems in this area.

This is the third and yet further updated edition of a highly regarded mathematical text. Brenner develops the basic mathematical theory of the finite element method, the most widely used technique for engineering design and analysis. Her volume formalizes basic tools that are commonly used by researchers in the field but not previously published. The book is ideal for mathematicians as well as engineers and physical scientists. It can be used for a course that provides an introduction to basic functional analysis, approximation theory, and numerical analysis, while building upon and applying basic techniques of real variable theory. This new edition is substantially updated with additional exercises throughout and new chapters on Additive Schwarz Preconditioners and Adaptive Meshes.