From the Finite Element Analysis to the Isogeometric Analysis
in an Object Oriented Computing Environment
Daniel Rypl, Bořek Patzák
Department of Mechanics
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Czech Technical University in Prague
Thákurova 7, 166 29 Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract:
During the last decades, the finite element method has become the most
powerful tool for structural analysis massively used in practical
engineering. However, recently the isogeometric analysis has been
introduced as a viable alternative to the standard, polynomial-based
finite element analysis. Moreover, it has been shown that it may
outperform the classical finite element method in many aspects.
This paper presents how the isogeometric analysis can be integrated
within an object oriented finite element environment. The class
hierarchy and corresponding methods are designed in such a way, that
most of the existing functionality of the finite element code is
reused. The missing data and algorithms are developed and
implemented in such a way that the object oriented features, such as
modularity, extensibility, maintainability, and robustness, are fully
retained. The performance of the implemented isogeometric analysis
methodology is presented on two- and three-dimensional examples.