Review of FELIPE version 3

FELIPE (Finite Element learning Package) is a software package designed to enable students of engineering and mathematics understand the finite element method. It consists of a suite of executable programs together with the Fortran 77 source code to solve a variety of finite element problems. FELIPE was developed by Dr Martin Reed of the Department of Biological Sciences, Brunel University… The full package consists of: an interactive graphics pre-processor to enable the generation, refinement and renumbering of two-dimensional finite element meshes. The reviewer was pleased and surprised to see in amongst the standard element types a number of semi-infinite elements as these are often not included in basic packages; Nine executable programs to perform a range of mathematical analyses: Poisson’s equation, plane stress/plane strain, beam/frame, elastoplasticity, viscoplasticity, thermoelasticity and soil consolidation; A post-processor to enable stress contours, temperature contours, displacement plots to be produced; The Fortran 77 source code of the nine executable programs; Sample input and output files; and, a manual describing the operation of the program together with a summary of the theory used in developing the Fortran code…