A compiler for generating the global stiffness matrix for symbolically-defined regular finite element analysis grids

A MAPLE system compiles definitions of regular grids into a custom FORTRAN program. These regular grids are defined in terms of symbols which represent the geometry of the object being analyzed. The FORTRAN program takes as input, the numeric values for these symbols. It generates the global stiffness matrix, K. This is solved for the displacement vectors in the equation Kx = B. This system produces the same displacements as NASTRAN and has been benchmarked favorably against this commercial product.