Electromagnetics through the finite element method. A simplified approach using Maxwell's equations (Q2825289)

This book is an introduction to electromagnetism and the application of finite element methods for solving certain electromagnetic problems. The target audience consists of electrical engineering undergraduates and other first time learners, for which the subject is presented with minimal mathematical formalism.NEWLINENEWLINEOne third of the book, Chapters 2, Fundamentals of electromagnetism, and 3, Maxwell's equations, is devoted to a survey on the development and history of electromagnetic sciences, completed by a discussion of Maxwell's equations in integral and differential forms and boundary conditions.NEWLINENEWLINEThe other chapters are devoted to simple finite element discretizations of typical electromagnetic problems. The author describes in great detail discretizations derived solely from the direct integration of Maxwell's equations applied to first-order elements. This should maintain the physical sense of the approximation method and help students and professionals in electrical engineering to understand easier more advanced FE discretization methods. The author concentrates mainly on plane problems (electro- and magnetostatic in 2d- and axisymmetric cases, quasistatic and wave guide problems). The assembling of the FE matrices requires only elementary geometrical relations for triangles and is provided in great detail. Additionally, the 3d-discretization of electrostatic problems with linear elements on tetrahedrons is explained. The material is suitable for teaching electrical engineering students at the undergraduate level, though some inconsistencies in notation and numbering of figures and formulas can obstruct the understanding of explanations.NEWLINENEWLINEUnfortunately, the book title is somewhat misleading, since it covers only one aspect of finite element modeling of electromagnetic problems, whereas other problems like mesh generation, solution methods for the discrete equations or postprocessing are mentioned only marginally by referring to other books or software packages.