Commercial finite element packages demand an advanced understanding of the theory. This book is an aid for studying the finite element method (FEM). The authors use a free computer algebra system to avoid any license issues since the software can be freely downloaded for all common operating systems. The free computer algebra system Maxima allows to check classical “hand calculations” and to understand the computer implementation of the FEM. The computer algebra system gives the possibility to focus attention of students on the methodology of the FEM.
Chapter 2 contains the description of the computer system Maxima. The descriptions of different finite elements and stiffness matrices for rods and trusses, Euler-Bernoulli beams and frames, Timoshenko beams and frames are presented in Chapters 3, 4, 5. Useful examples, appropriate Maxima modules, classical and generalized finite elements are also described. Chapter 6 contains Maxima source codes which can be used by the readers for solving their own problems. Appropriate routines are optimized for the Maxima graphical user interface. Other necessary programs of Maxima can be downloaded from the links presented in the Table 2.1 of the book. The book is based on [Finite elements for truss and frame structures. An introduction based on the computer algebra system Maxima. Cham: Springer (2019; Zbl 1425.74002)] by the same authors.