An Analysis of the Finite Element Method

by Gilbert Strang, George Fix

This second edition has two parts. The first part is the complete classic by Gilbert Strang and George Fix, first published in 1973. The original book demonstrates the solid mathematical foundation of the finite element idea, and the reasons for its success. The second part is a new textbook by Strang. It provides examples, codes, and exercises to connect the theory of the Finite Element Method directly to the applications. The reader will learn how to assemble the stiffness matrix K and solve the finite element equations KU=F. Discontinuous Galerkin methods with a numerical flux function are now included. Strang's approach is direct and focuses on learning finite elements by using them.

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2008

About the author

William Gilbert Strang (born November 27, 1934), usually known as simply Gilbert Strang or Gil Strang, is an American mathematician, with contributions to finite element theory, the calculus of variations, wavelet analysis and linear algebra. He has made many contributions to mathematics education, including publishing seven mathematics textbooks and one monograph. Strang is the MathWorks Professor of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He teaches Introduction to Linear Algebra and Computational Science and Engineering and his lectures are freely available through MIT OpenCourseWare.