# Table of contents **EDITORIAL** [Finite Element (FE) calculations – a paradigm shift](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/finite-element-fe-calculations-a-paradigm-shift "Finite Element (FE) calculations – a paradigm shift") [Words from the Scientific and Technical Counsel](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/preface-words-from-the-scientific-and-technical-council "Preface - Words from the Scientific and Technical Council") --- **FOREWORD** [Recommendations and Advice Content – The list of authors ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/recommendations-and-advice-content-the-authors "Recommendations and Advice Content – The authors") [Let us know about your comments and feedback to improve the website!](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/leave-us-a-comment-for-us-to-improve-the-website "Leave us a comment for us to improve the website") --- **INTRODUCTION** [A short and broad introduction – Structural analysis and finite elements](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a-short-and-broad-introduction-of-the-recommendations-and-advice "A short and broad introduction of the Recommendations and Advice") --- ** PART 1 – THEORETICAL ELEMENTS** **Chapter A. General Observations** [Chapter A - General Observations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-a-introduction "Chapter A. Introduction") **Chapter B. Structural Dynamics** [Chapter B - Structural Dynamics](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-b-structural-dynamics "Chapter B. Structural Dynamics") **Chapter C. Static non-linear calculations** [Chapter C - Static non-linear calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-c-static-non-linear-calculations "Chapter C. Static non-linear calculations") **Chapter D. Civil Engineering ** [Chapter D - Civil Engineering](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-d-civil-engineering "Chapter D. Civil Engineering") **Chapter E. Typical post-treatment of Civil Engineering** [Chapter E - Typical post-treatment of Civil Engineering](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-e-typical-post-treatment-in-civil-engineering "Chapter E. Typical post-treatment in Civil Engineering") **Chapter F. Geotechnical calculations** [Chapter F - Geotechnical calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/chapter-f-geotechnical-calculations "Chapter F – Geotechnical calculations") --- ** PART 2 – USEFUL ELEMENTS** **Chapter A. Understanding the finite elements** [A.1. What does a finite element software do? Example of framed structures.](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a1-what-does-the-software-do-in-a-finite-element-calculation-the-example-of-beam-structures "A1. What does the software do in a finite element calculation? The example of beam structures") [A.2. Explicitly, what is a finite element?](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/a2-what-is-a-finite-element "A2. What is a finite element?") **Annex 1 – File of the matrix calculation example ** **Chapter B. Computational objectives and necessary characteristics of the tool ** Creating a finite element computational model includes several steps. The choice of the tool is critical and depends on various criteria. A successful model requires good organization and preparation. [B.1 to B6 Criteria to be considered ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/b-calculation-objectives-and-necessary-tool-characteristics "B. Calculation objectives and necessary tool characteristics") [B.7 Organization of the computational model](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/b7-organization-of-the-calculation "B.7 Organization of the calculation") **Chapter C. Good practices to create a model** The different levels of analysis and the complexity associated with the model have already been defined in the previous chapter before the modeling stage. This chapter highlights the simplifications that can be used to create a model that is structurally representative of the real-life structure and the loads it is subjected to. [C.1 Input data and units](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c1-input-data-and-units "C1. Input data and units") [C.2 Modelling of the main elements](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c2-modeling-of-the-main-elements "C2. Modeling of the main elements") [C.3 Finite elements and meshing](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c3-fe-and-meshing "C3. FE and meshing") [C.4 Modelling of the non-structural elements or the equipment](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c4-modeling-the-non-structural-elements-or-equipment "C4. Modeling the non-structural elements or equipment") [C.5 Boundary conditions](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c5-boundary-conditions "C5. Boundary Conditions") [C.6 Connections – links – assembly ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c6-connections-links-assembly "C6. Connections - links – assembly") [C.7 Eccentricity ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c7-offsets "C7. Offsets ") [C.8 Combined cross-sections (beam/deck)](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c8-composite-sections-beamsslabs "C8. Composite Sections (Beams/Slabs) ") [C.9 Materials](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c9-materials "C9. Materials") [C.10 Behaviors specific to shear and torsion](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c10-specific-behavior-in-shear-and-torsion "C10. Specific behavior in shear and torsion") [C.11 Loads modeling](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c11-modeling-the-loading "C11. Modeling the loading") [C.12 Further information related to volumetric elements ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c12-more-about-solid-elements "C12. More about solid elements") [C.13 Further information related to non-linear calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c13-more-about-non-linear-calculations "C13. More about non-linear calculations") [C.14 Further information related to prestress ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c14-more-about-prestressed-concrete "C14. More about prestressed concrete") [C.15 Further information related to phase calculation](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c15-more-about-phased-calculations "C15. More about phased calculations") [C.16 Further information related to structural dynamics and seismic calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/c16-more-about-dynamic-and-seismic-calculations "C16. More about dynamic and seismic calculations") ** Chapter D. Analysis and processing of the results ** [D.1 General information about numerical calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d1-general-information-on-numerical-calculations "D1. General information on numerical calculations") [D.2 Load combinations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d2-load-combinations "D2. Load combinations ") [D.3 Results processing ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d3-data-processing "D3. Data processing") [D.4 Validation rules: the behavior of concrete elements](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d4-normative-verifications-the-behavior-of-reinforced-concrete-elements "D4. Normative verifications: the behavior of reinforced concrete elements") [D.5 Understanding and analyzing the peaks (case study about concrete)](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d5-understanding-and-analyzing-the-peaks-case-study-about-concrete "D5. Understanding and analyzing the peaks (case study about concrete)") [D.6 Understanding and analyzing the peaks (case study about steel assembly)](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d6-understanding-and-analyzing-the-peaks-case-study-about-steel-assembly "D6. Understanding and analyzing the peaks (case study about steel assembly)") [D.7 Further information specific to dynamic calculations](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/d7-further-information-specific-to-dynamic-calculations "D7. Further information specific to dynamic calculations") **Chapter E. How to ensure quality?** Below are some simple advice to assess the quality of the finite element calculations. The principal challenges are: § The proper use of the software § The appropriate modeling of the structural behavior § The traceability of the modeling hypotheses and results The advice below covers the engineer’s or the team’s handling of the software, the verification controls that must imperatively conduct any engineer at the end of its modeling, and the tracing of the minimum items so that the work can be completed thereafter. [E.1 Starting with a new software](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/e1-starting-with-a-new-software "E1. Starting with a new software") [E.2 Model validation using self-checking](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/e2-model-validation-using-self-checking "E2. Model validation using self-checking") [E.3 Traceability and group work](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/e3-traceability-and-group-work "E3. Traceability and group work") **Chapter F. How to properly present the finite element calculation note?** This paragraph introduces the fundamental elements that must be present in a note to provide a clear description of a FE computational model. [F. How to properly present the finite element calculation note?](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/f-how-to-properly-present-the-finite-element-calculation-note "F. How to properly present the finite element calculation note?") --- **PART 3 – EXAMPLES AND COMPLETE CASE STUDIES ** This part contains modeling examples for simple and more complex objects. They are presented as a complete or partial study or even a comparison of different models of the same structure. If you happen to have an example that you wish to share with us of a complexity or paradox noticed on a part of a model, please send it to the following address: elements.finis@afgc.fr. (It could be a note about a real project rendered anonymously.) **Example A – Modelling a complex high-rise building** [Example A – Modelling a complex high-rise building](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-a-modeling-a-complex-high-rise-building "Example A - Modeling a complex high-rise building") **Example B – Modelling of composite bridges** [Example B – Modelling of composite and steel bridges](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-b-mixed-and-steel-girders "Example B - Mixed and Steel Girders") **Example C – Modelling of beam grids** [Example C – Modelling of beam grids ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-c-beam-grillage-modeling "Example C - Beam Grillage Modeling") **Example D – Simple example: modeling of a Br wheel **[\[CH1\]](#_msocom_1) [Example D – Modelling of a Br wheel](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-d-simple-example-modeling-of-a-br-wheel "Example D - Simple example: modeling of a Br wheel") **Example E – Transverse bending of a prestressed concrete box girder** [Example E – Transverse bending of a prestressed concrete box girder ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-e-transverse-bending-of-a-prestressed-concrete-box-girder "Example E - Transverse bending of a prestressed concrete box girder") **Example F – Dynamic calculations of tanks** [Example F – Dynamic calculations of tanks](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-f-dynamic-calculations-of-tanks "Example F – Dynamic calculations of tanks") **Example G – Cable-stayed bridges** [Example G – Cable-stayed bridges](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/page/example-g-cable-stayed-bridges "Example G – Cable-stayed bridges") --- **BIBLIOGRAPHY** [Link to the bibliography](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/chapter/bibliography "BIBLIOGRAPHY") --- **FOLLOW-UP OF ADDS-UP AND MODIFICATIONS** [List of adds-up and modifications ](https://wiki.afgc.asso.fr/books/finite-element-modeling-and-computations-in-the-field-of-civil-engineering/chapter/follow-up-of-adds-up-and-modifications "FOLLOW-UP OF ADDS-UP AND MODIFICATIONS")