An object-oriented approach to calculation control in finite element programs

A new object-oriented approach to calculation control in finite element ana lysis is presented. The approach is designed to facilitate the demands plac ed on finite element analysis by user interaction. The calculation control system was implemented for three calculation methods: (i) standard linear s olution, (ii) sub-structure based calculations, and (iii) concurrent proces sing. The same strategy worked in all three cases, and was implemented with out requiring changes to the underlying objects of the system. The strategy is both flexible and efficient. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.