Spline-Based FEM Approach

Numerical dispersion in 1-D cases as well as numerical anisotropy in 2-D and 3-D cases, but most of all the presence of frequency band gaps in the calculated spectra of the frequencies of free vibrations, are the primary reasons for the development of a new FEM approach, which could help to minimise their negative influence on the computational properties of discrete numerical models, which were discussed in previous sections. Since the presence and the impact of these features on calculated dynamic responses in FEM or its clones are directly linked to the properties of the shape functions employed, a search for a new FEM approach should start just from introducing new shape functions.