Finite Element Method

Variational roots of the method

This NPTEL course, taught by Prof. Biswanath Banerjee and Prof. Amit Shaw of IIT Kharagpur, runs 60 lectures and begins with the calculus of variations. That foundation leads to the strong and weak forms of a problem and to the Rayleigh-Ritz method.

Methods and examples

• Elements of calculus of variations across three lectures
• Strong form and weak form
• Rayleigh-Ritz and weighted residual methods, with worked examples
• The concept of an element, applied to an axial bar problem

Where to start

Four of the opening lectures are introductory, so the methods begin after the first stretch of the course. It suits learners who want the mathematical framework of the finite element method.