Combining finite and infinite elements: Why do we use infinite idealizations in engineering?

This contribution sheds light on the role of infinite idealization in structural analysis, by exploring how infinite elements and finite element methods are combined in civil engineering models. This combination, I claim, should be read in terms of a 'complementarity function' through which the repr...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Synthese Vol. 196; no. 5; pp. 1733 - 1749
Autor principal: De Bianchi, Silvia
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature May2019
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This contribution sheds light on the role of infinite idealization in structural analysis, by exploring how infinite elements and finite element methods are combined in civil engineering models. This combination, I claim, should be read in terms of a 'complementarity function' through which the representational ideal of completeness is reached in engineering model-building. Taking a cue from Weisberg's definition of multiple-model idealization, I highlight how infinite idealizations are primarily meant to contribute to the prediction of structural behavior in Multiphysics approaches.