A Finite Element Primer for Beginners: The Basics

The purpose of this primer is to provide the basics of the Finite Element Method, primarily illustrated through a classical model problem, linearized elasticity. The topics covered are:

• Weighted residual methods and Galerkin approximations,

• A model problem for one-dimensional linear elastostatics,

• Weak formulations in one dimension,

• Minimum principles in one dimension,

• Error estimation in one dimension,

• Construction of Finite Element basis functions in one dimension...