Computational aspects of heat transfer in structures via transfinite element formulations

The paper presents a generalized Transform Method based Finite Element methodology for thermal analysis with emphasis on the computational aspects of heat transfer in structures. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternate methodology for thermal analysis of structures and therein outline the advantages of the approach in comparison with conventional finite element schemes and existing practices. The overall goals of the research, however, are aimed first toward enhanced thermal formulations and therein to provide avenues for subsequent interdisciplinary thermal/structural analysis via a common numerical methodology. Basic concepts of the approach for thermal analysis is described with emphasis on a Laplace Transform based finite element methodology. Highlights and characteristic features of the approach are described via generalized formulations and applications to several problems. Results obtained demonstrate excellent agreement in comparison with analytic and/or conventional finite element solutions with savings in computational times and model sizes. Potential of the approach for interdisciplinary thermal/structural problems are also identified.