Programming the Finite Element Method in Java and Android

This book provides an introduction to programming the finite element method in Java for students, researchers and engineers who are reasonably familiar with the finite element method and want to learn how to write their own finite element code using Java. This book is written as an introductory text and it is assumed that the reader has little or no knowledge of object‐oriented programming or Java. By concentrating on line elements, specifically structural trusses, it is possible to make the code very simple and relatively easy to understand. The philosophy of the book is to teach the reader how to write a very simple object‐oriented finite element code in Java, with the understanding that once the reader has these skills they should easily be able to extend the code to more complex problems. As newcomers to programming find dealing with command line executed software frustrating and challenging; the Android operating system is used to develop a graphical user interface to allow the reader to interact with their Java code. Android provides a relatively simple (and very well supported) platform for coding a user interface and means that the finished application will work on any Android device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) The book is supported by a webpage which contains the source code for the Android app and other helpful material. The Android app that is detailed in the book is also available for download.