Personal computer aided finite element method using block wave front LDU decomposition with memory area division of decomposition matrix.

Abstract

This paper presents a personal computer aided finite element method using the combination of the following three methods: (1) the block wave front method to compose the stiffness matrix, (2) the block LDU decomposition method of the stiffness matrix, and (3) the block memory area division of the LDU decomposition matrix. A calculation using the finite element method (FEM) is carried out by utilizing personal computer disk memory equipment such as hard and floppy disks. Therefore, this FEM is applicable to an analysis of the two-dimensional elastic strip with additional semicircular notches. Moreover, the FEM is available for an analysis of structures of large size matrix required for larger memory capacity than that of the machine itself. This FEM also contributes to the decrease of memory capacity in comparison with the conventional FEM. Therefore, the combination of the three methods is effective for personal computer aided FEM.