Transfinite element methodology towards a unified thermal/structural analysis

This paper describes the computational developments towards thermal/structural modeling and analysis via a generalized common numerical methodology for effectively and efficiently interfacing these interdisciplinary areas. The proposed formulations use transform methods in conjunction with finite element developments, for each of the heat transfer and structural disciplines respectively. This, therefore provides avenues for effectively formulating both disciplines for obtaining the structural response due to thermal effects. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternate methodology for unified thermal/structural analysis and therein outline the potential of the approach in comparison with conventional schemes and existing practices. Highlights and characteristic features of the approach are described via general formulations and applications to several problems. Results obtained demonstrate excellent agreement in comparison with analytic and/or conventional finite element schemes accurately and efficiently.