Natural Element Method for the Simulation of Structures and Processes

Abstract

The Natural Element Method (NEM) is halfway between meshless methods and the finite element method. This book presents a recent state of the art on the foundations and applications of the meshless natural element method in computational mechanics, including structural mechanics and material-forming processes involving solids and Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The purpose of this text is to describe the natural element technique in its context, i.e. compared to the finite element-type techniques, which have proved reliable for many years, but also compared to other techniques with and without meshes. Both advantages and disadvantages of the technique have been listed. It has been written with a teaching purpose in mind, to be used by both professionals and students at Master's level.