# Chapter A. Introduction

#### **Chapter A. Introduction**

When performing a FE calculation of a structure, the modeling assumptions as well as the objectives must be defined. Those goals generally consist of solving:

- the displacements caused by a static loading (permanent) quasi-static (without inertial effects) or dynamic (fast-loading,)
- internal state, such as stresses, damages inflicted (cracking, etc.)

 Among the modeling hypotheses, it is preferable to handle chronologically:

- the choice of the general formulation,
- the dimensionality of the model,
- the choice of the elements,
- the definition of the interactions with the environment.

**A1. A general formulation for linear elastic calculations**

[<span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">A1. A general formulation for linear elastic calculations</span>](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a1-general-formulation-for-linear-elastic-calculations "A1. General formulation for linear elastic calculations")

**A2. The dimensionality of the model**

[<span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">A2. The dimensionality of the model</span>](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a2-the-dimensionality-of-the-model "A2. The dimensionality of the model")

**A3. The choice of the FE**

[<span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">A3. The choice of the FE</span>](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a3-choosing-the-finite-elements "A3. Choosing the finite elements")

**A4. Interaction between the structure and its environment**

[<span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">A4. Interaction between the structure and its environment</span>](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a4-interaction-between-the-structure-and-its-environment "A4. Interaction between the structure and its environment")

**A5. Estimation of the quality of the approximated numerical solution**

[<span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">A5. Estimation of the quality of the approximated numerical solution</span>](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a5-estimation-of-the-quality-of-the-approximated-numerical-solution "A5. Estimation of the quality of the approximated numerical solution")