ERROR ESTIMATION IN FINITE-ELEMENT TRANSIENT DYNAMIC ANALYSIS USING MODAL SUPERPOSITION

Presents a method of obtaining an optimal mesh in the finite element a nalysis of two-dimensional linear elastodynamic problems under transie nt dynamic loading, which is based on a generalization of the Z-Z crit erion for discretization error estimation for time-dependent problems. The optimal mesh limits the error due to discretization within a pres cribed value, and studies of all other possible errors involved in fin ite element transient dynamic analysis are carried out systematically. Also proposes methods to study and limit the modal truncation error. Numerous examples show the capabilities of the proposed methods and th e importance of the optimal mesh and modal truncation error in finite element transient dynamic analysis.