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and forecasting physical events with quantified uncertainty. The second edition covers the main conceptual and algorithmic aspects of predictive computational science pertinent to solid mechanics. The formulation and application of design rules for mechanical and structural components subjected to cyclic loading are used for illustration.

      Another objective in writing the first edition was to make some fundamentally important results of research in the field of applied mathematics accessible to the engineering community. Speaking generally, engineers and mathematicians view the finite element method very differently. Engineers see the method as a way to construct a numerical problem the solution of which is expected to provide quantitative information about the response of some physical system, for example a structural shell, to some form of excitation, such as the application of loads. Their view tends to be element‐oriented: They tend to believe that sufficiently clever formulation of elements can overcome the various shortcomings of the method.

      Mathematicians, on the other hand, view the finite element method as a method for approximating the exact solution of differential equations cast in a variational form. Mathematicians focus on a priori and a posteriori error estimation and error control. In the 1970s adaptive procedures were developed for the construction of sequences of finite element mesh such that the corresponding solutions converged to the exact solution in energy norm at optimal or nearly optimal rates. An alternative way of achieving convergence in energy norm through increasing the polynomial degrees of the elements on a fixed mesh was proven in 1981. The possibility of achieving exponential rates of convergence in energy norm for an important class of problems, that includes the problem of elasticity, was proven and demonstrated in 1984. This required the construction of sequences of finite element mesh and optimal assignment of polynomial degrees.

      Superconvergent methods of extraction of certain quantities of interest (such as the stress intensity factor) from finite element solutions were developed by 1984.

      Quantification of uncertainty involves the application of methods of data analysis. A brief introduction to the fundamentals of data analysis is presented in this second edition.

      We recommend this book to students, engineers and analysts who seek Professional Simulation Engineer (PSE) certification.

      We would like to thank Dr. Ricardo Actis for many useful discussions, advice and assistance provided over many years; Dr. Börje Andersson for providing valuable convergence data relating to the solution of an interesting model problem of elasticity, and Professor Raul Tempone for guidance in connection with the application of data analysis procedures.

       Barna Szabó and Ivo Babuška

      There are many books on the finite element method today. It seems appropriate therefore to say a few words about why this book was written. A brief look at the approximately 30‐year history of the finite element method will not only help explain the reasons but will also serve to put the main points in perspective.

      The 1980s brought another important development: superconvergent methods for the extraction of engineering data from finite element solutions were developed and demonstrated. At the time of writing good understanding exists regarding how finite element discretizations should be designed and how engineering data should be extracted from finite element solutions for optimal reliability and efficiency.

      The knowledge which allows construction of advanced finite element computer programs, that work efficiently and reliably for very large classes of problems, and all admissible data that characterize those problems, is well established today. It must be borne in mind, however, that finite element solutions and engineering data extracted from them can be valuable only if they serve the purposes of making correct engineering decisions.

      Our purpose in writing this book is to introduce the finite element method to engineers and engineering students in the context of the engineering decision‐making process. Basic engineering and mathematical concepts are the starting points. Key theoretical results are summarized and illustrated by examples. The focus is on the developments in finite element analysis technology during the 1980s and their impact on reliability, quality assurance procedures in finite element computations, and performance. The principles that guide the construction of mathematical models are described and illustrated by examples.

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