Compulers & Slmcturcs Vol. 12, pp.

657-667
@ Pcrgamon Press Ltd.,1980.Printed in tical Britain

PROSPECTS OF FINITE ELEMENT PROGRAMS IN

DET NORSKE VERITAS

BJORNKRAKELANDand OLAV MO
A. S. Computas-Det norske Veritas, Oslo, Norway

(Received I November 1979; received for publication 29 January 1980)

Abstract-The paper gives a brief survey of the present status of F.E. programs in Det norske Veritas and
discusses some aspects related to development and use of such programs in the next five to ten years.
As background material some of the present and future needs for structural engineering services are discussed.
In view of future computers with steadily decreasing price/performance, the man costs involved in data
preparation and presentation of analysis results represent the most important part of the total costs. For this reason
pre- and post-processors which reduce the man costs and elapsed time for the analysis will be a considerable part
of the development of new program systems.
In order to maintain flexibility and reduce maintenance costs the application programs should be developed from
thoroughly documented and tested programming systems. Programming systems available for structural analysis
programs are DASA (data for structural analysis), NORSAM (finite element programming system) and ELLIB
(element library).
The advantages and inconveniences by using such systems are discussed.

1. INTRODUCTION In view of the future trends with increasing man costs

In the last ten to fifteen years the lucky marriage of
powerful computers and the finite element method has
put a new dimension to structural analysis and design.
The development of finite element computer programs
has been guided along two distinct avenues. The one is
the development of large and general purpose programs
suitable of solving problems with broad variations in
geometry, loading and boundary conditions and with few
limitations with respect to problem size and complexity.
Such programs which are often commercially based have
an inherent complexity which requires man-years of
development and extensive maintenance costs. The other
avenue covers smaller and special purpose programs
designed to solve a typical problem or a class of prob-
lems. As compared to the general purpose programs the
smaller special purpose programs may yield more
efficient computation provided the features of the pro-
gram are sufficient for solving the actual problem. On the
other hand the special prupose programs which are often
developed for research purposes may contain restrictive
limitations regarding both program features and problem
size.
In Det norske Veritas efforts have been directed
mainly in the development of general purpose programs
capable of analysing a wide specter of structural prob-
lems for the institution and its clients. The present pro-
gram system SESAM-69 which is based on the multilevel
superelement technique turned out to be very efficient
for the analysis of large static and dynamic problems. In
order to meet the advantages of the special purpose
programs SESAM-69 consists of separate modules of
tailor made application programs for pipes, beams,
membranes, shells and solid structures. Except for the
piping program, these programs may be combined in the
superelement program for the modelling of complex
structures consisting of different types of structural
parts. Smaller special purpose programs have been util-
ized for some nonlinear analysis which require high
computational efficiency in the solution of the nonlinear
equations, (e.g. geometrically nonlinear problems).
657
and decreasing price/performance of computers, the
development of efficient pre- and post-processors
becomes steadily more important.
The future finite element programs in Det norske
Veritas will be equipped with interactive graphic pre-
processors for easy generation and control of input data.
It is an accepted philosophy that the total program
should have a modular subdivision into preprocessor,
analysis program and post-processor, allowing for
separate execution of tasks in different parts and pos-
sible on different computers.
The analysis programs will be developed from
thoroughly tested and documented programming systems
such as DASA, NORSAM and ELLIB. These systems
have been developed as joint projects between Nor-
wegian companies and research institutions. In order to
account for current development of analysis techniques,
solution methods and computer hardware technology the
programming systems will be currently modified and
further developed.
2. PRESENT
nATUS OF F.E.PROGRAMS
IN
DETNOR!XEVERITAS
2.1 Programs for structural strength analysis
The main objective of Det norske Veritas is to work
for safety of life, property and environment through
quality control of structures, systems and equipment. In
this perspective the structural strength analysis becomes
an important part. The finite element method was intro-
duced in the institution in early l%os and to-day finite
element programs are widely in use.
The most important finite element program system
developed in Det norske Veritas is SESAM-69, Ref. [l].
The namcstands for Super Element Structural Analysis
program Modules and 69 for the year when the first part
of the system became operative. Since then a consider-
able development work has taken place, resulting in the
application programs which shown in Fig. 1, are opera-
tive to-day. The main characteristics of the SESAM-69
system are:
658 BJ@RN KR~KELAND and OLAV MO
PREPROCESSOR
~INEARANALYSIS: , , j sEsAfm
j ,
THICK WELC
L-l L-_-J
LOAD
LINEAR AND NONLINEAR
ANALYSIS
POSTPROCESSOR
Fig. I. SESAM-69 programs.
-multilevel superelement technique, allowing for
efficient modeiling and computation of large scale static,
dynamic and field problems;
-User oriented and separate pre- and post-processors
for interactive and batch specifications, and with print
and plot of generated data and results.
The development and modi~cation work of SESAM-69
which has continued for more than ten years, has in-
volved about 70 man-years and nearly 20 mill Nkr. of
costs. The Users documentation of the program system
is given in Ref. [2].
2.2 Auxiliary programs
To obtain efficient structural analysis it is essential that
programs for different types of load caIcuiat~ons exist
which can be coupled to the programs for analysis of
structura1 response. In Det norske Veritas, programs for
wave load calculations are available for different types of
ships and fixed and floating offshore structures, see Fig.
2. Via automatic storage devices the load data produced
by some of these programs (including geometry data) are
transferred to the SESAM~9 programs. The system
allows for easy linking of programs for load and struc-
tural response calculations. For instance a program
package for stochastic fatigue analysis of jacket type
structures has been developed by combination of three
separate program parts. The program NV426 calculates
loads (real and imagin~y components) from regular
waves with different directions and frequencies,
(Morisons equation). The SESAM-69 programs
(NV336/NV337 and the postprocessing program NV151)
calculate transfer functions for stresses at selected hot
spots, and program NV432 calculates usage factors (life
time) for each hot spot based on given S-N material
curves and wave data (short term/long term statistics).
, SUPERELEMENT
PROGRAM
DIRECT ANALYSIS
PROGRAMS
TRANSF. TEMPERATURE SEPARATE
FIELDS
PROGRAMS
NV423 NY610
SUPERELEMENT
PROGRAMS
DIRECT ANALYSIS
PROGRAM
In addition to the general post-professing program
(NV340) to SESAM-69 which prints and plots selected
analysis results (displacements, stresses, etc.), routines
for checking of results against building codes, rules and
regulations have been included in the analysis programs
or in special post-processors.
3. FINITE BEGAT ANALYSiS AS AN
INTEGRATED PART OF STRUCTURAL ENG~~NG
SERVICES
By tradition the knowledge of strength and safety of
structures has emerged from at least three sources.
These are application of analytical methods of statics
and dynamics (with assumed material properties and
loading), model testing, and observations from in service
performance of the structures, (full scale measurements).
Due to insufficient structural analysis methods, the last
two sources of information probably were the most
important for many structures until rather recently, and
these sources created corrective feedback to the analy-
tical methods and budding codes regarding, e.g. load
dist~bution and choice of material and load factors. Due
to lack of service experience for new structures, the
evaluation of design for huge and complex structures
(e.g. ships) had to be taken in small steps.
The development of the finite element method with the
possibility of accounting more closely for the real
material behaviour and loading has completely changed
this situation and made it possible to design and con-
struct new and complex structures before service
experience has been accumulated. Of course, experience
from in service performance including reports on
damages and failures still gives valuable information
which are used to adjust structural design and analysis
procedures.
Prospects of finite element programs in Det norske Veritas 659

1 7
A I
660 BJ~RNKRAKELAND~~~ OLAVMO
Up to now it has been customary to design structures
to have acceptable safety for the normally occuring
loading (design loads). The dimensioning of the struc-
tures is frequently based on linear finite element
methods. In present and future design work of many
structures including ships and offshore platforms, ac-
count has to be taken of structural behaviours due to
abnormal loading caused by illegal operations and ac-
cidents. Although, these loading conditions are uncertain
by nature, the ultimate capacity calculations which
determine the survival condition most often require
nonlinear analysis and represent a challenge to nonlinear
finite element programs with different sources of non-
linearities included. Examples of accidental loading are
fires, explosions, and collisions and grounding of ships
and offshore structures. Another example is earthquake
which may be important also for North sea offshore
structures (probably north of 62). In future, offshore
activity is likely to take place in areas of increased water
depth and with loading from ice. These complicating
factors may lead to development of new structural
design on the basis of extensive finite element static and
dynamic analysis.
The rough environmental conditions for off-shore
structures together with requirements of high safety
level and acceptable costs, represent a special challenge
to Norwegian engineers and structural analysts. For Det
norske Veritas as a classification society the application
of efficient and reliable finite element programs are
required in order to control the safety of the structures
and this explains the interest of the institution to con-
tinuous research and development of finite element pro-
grams.
This conference has shown a lot of applications of the
finite element method. Examples of structures which
have been analysed by Det norske Veritas and which are
not treated in this conference are ships for transport of
reactive chemicals and liquified gasses. Future analyses
will include prediction of structural damages due to ship
collisions and ground&s and the consequences from
fires and explosions on ships, offshore structures and
onshore industrial installations. The determination of the
spread of gasses and other wind (or water) driven parti-
cles is also of great interest, and in future the finite
element method probably will be a competitive candidate
in the spatial description for simulation of such pro-
cesses.
In addition to finite element activities of primary
concern to DnV, AS. Computas is responsible for the
international marketing of finite element programs. The
company also performs finite element analyses on com-
mision of clients within a broad class of industries.
Examples of analyses which have been performed by
Computas are transient thermal and stress analyses of
gas turbine wheels and components of nuclear reactors,
analyses of car bodies and different types of fracture
mechanics analyses. Examples also include nonlinear
analyses of various membrane, shell and solid structures.
4.FUTUREFINITE
ELEMENTPROGRAMS
4.1 General remarks
This chapter summarizes the plans which have been
worked out for development and use of F.E. programs in
Det norske Veritas in the next three to five years.
Some figures may illustrate the present F.E.M. activity
in the institution. The annual R&D budget of F.E. pro-
grams is in the order of 5.5 mill Nkr. In addition, im-
plementation and maintenance costs amount to ap-
proximately 1.5 mill Nkr. About one hundred persons are
engaged in F.E. analysis and development within Det
norske Veritas, and our program system SESAM-69 is
distributed and supported at about 50 different computer
installations worldwide. In the next three to five years there
is likely to be an investment in F.E. software of the order of
40-70 man-years.
To support the high activity of F.E. applications within
the institution it is necessary to have thorough know-
ledge of the programs, and this justifies the great efforts
of program development. However, there is also a con-
siderable contribution of externally developed F.E.
software in the institution, and Det norske Veritas will
continue the efforts to establish national and inter-
national cooperative ventures on F.E.M. research and
development.
4.2 Programs for structural static and dynamic analysis
Based on the experience with SESAM-69 it is the
plans of Det norske Veritas to develop a new generation
of general purpose F.E. programs for static and dynamic
analysis. The system will be called SESAM-80, and the
intention is to cover the basic needs for structural
analysis tools in the 1980s. Due to different program
requirements there will be a division into programs for
linear and nonlinear analysis. The programs for linear
static and dynamic analysis will be more general and
nearly open ended with respect to problem size, whereas
nonlinear programs will require better computational
efficiency which is obtained at the expense of generality.
Also for nonlinear applications limitations of problem
size are more easily accepted.
In the following the programs for linear analysis will
be discussed first. These programs will cover static and
dy~~~;easnalysis of:
-Frames;
-Membranes;
-Shells;
-Solids.
The analysis methods will be based on the multilevel
superelement technique and for dynamic analysis reduc-
tion based on both the master slave technique and
component modal synthesis (mode shapes as general-
ized coordinates) will be available. Both simultaneous
iteration and direct Jacobis and Householders methods
will be used for solving the eigenvalue problem.
Forced vibration analysis including the effect of foun-
dation exitation will be based on both the modal super-
position technique and direct integration of the coupled
system of equations. The possibility of general
specification of damping (viscous) will be included. The
general Newmark-Wilson family of methods is used for
the time integration of the dynamic equations. In the
frequency domain the solution may also be obtained with
the direct frequency response method (i.e. solution of the
complex system of equation for each frequency).
The development of methods and new programs for
dynamic analysis has continued in the institution for
more than one year and the first application programs
will be available in the beginning of 1980.
Special emphasis will be put on developing the pro-
grams to be efficient also for static analysis.
A number of auxiliary programs are needed in order to
obtain input load data and direct coupling to soil and
fluid media. The most important wave load and related
 Prospectsof finite element programs in Det norske Veritas
programs (for calculation of added mass and damping
coefficients etc.) are shown in Fig. 2, and these programs
will Lx further developed. The direct analysis of fluid-
structure and soil structure interaction will require cal-
culation of load, stiffness, mass and damping coefficients
from the s~oundi~s, which are then added to the
matrices of the structure. In future program development
boundary solution techniques will also be considered for
the simulation of infinite environmental media.
Nonlinear structural behaviour results from two
sources, namely geometric and material nonlinearities. In
Det norske V&as, programs are available for elasto-
plastic static analysis of membrane and three-dimen-
sional solid structures, Refs. [3-51. Programs have also
been developed for static and dynamic analysis of
stiffened shells considering combined elasto-plastic and
geometric nonlinear effects, Refs. 16-81.
In most analysis of material nonlinearities the non-
linear ~haviour is confined to only small parts of the
structure. The superelement technique is extremely
efficient for such analyses as the size of the nonlinear
problem can be reduced by keeping the plastic zones
within a few superelements which need to be updated
during the nonlinear solution process. The surrounding
elastic superelements remain unchanged and may be
considered as elastic boundaries attached to the small
zones in which yielding occurs, For problems involving
geometric nonlinearities, subdivision into linear and non-
linear structural parts is less obvious.
In future, methods and programs for nonlinear static
and dynamic analyses will be further developed.
Adequate material formulations are essential for all
nonlinear analyses, and efforts will be made to improve
the present formulations and include new theories. In
particular viscous phenomena and thermo-elasto-plastic
behaviours are important for many structures subjected
to extreme loading from fires and explosions and for
normally occuring loading on machinery and reactor
components. It is not the intention of Det norske Veritas
to take actively part in the extensive research work that
is in progress worldwide in developing mathematical
material theories. However, our interest is to select
among the adequate theories and implement them in
practical applications.
4.3 Other pTogla~s for st~ctu~al and field aaulysis
In Det norske Veritas there will be further develop-
ment of programs for fracture mechanics and fatigue
analysis. A program for linear fracture mechanics analy-
sis is available which calculates stress intensity factors
and propagation of elliptic cracks in three-dimensional
solids, Ref. 191. There is also a growing interest of
programs for analysis of nonlinear fracture mechanics.
The program NV615 for analysis of station~y and
nonlinear transient heat conduction in 3-D solids is
treated in the paper of this conference by Hagen and
SandsmarkllOl. In future such programs will be available
also for 2-D and axisymmetric problems.
tA measureof the efficiency of the data generator is the ratio
Number of input cards
c=
Number of elements + number of nodes
which for typical SESAM-69applicationsis i/2-1/20as opposed
to at least 1.0 for pro~ams without data generator.
661
4.4 Control and evaluation of analysis results
The manual work involved in checking and evaluation
of analysis results, (displacements, stresses etc.) may for
huge and complex analyses be both time consuming and
costly. The general postprocessors described in the next
section provide the user with tools for selection and
presentation of analysis results. However, the judgment
whether the results are acceptable or should lead to a
redesign of the structure will be left to the engineer.
For this reason specially developed subroutines for
checking of analysis results against predefined require-
ments and regulations, (e.g. DnV rules and national build-
ing codes) are highly desirable. Such checking is included
in many of the existing SESAM-69 programs, and in future
it will be further developed to include new requirements.
There will also be further development of programs for
structural dimensioning based on analysis results. Such
programs may calculate necessary reinforcements in sec-
tions of concrete beams, plates and shells, etc.
Further steps in the direction of computer aided struc-
tural design will not be treated here, but it obviously lies
a great challenge in developing programs which can treat
a major part of the structural design work.
5. GENERALPRFZ-ANDPOST-PROCIESSORS
FOR
F.E. PROGRAMS
5.1 general remarks
A crucial factor in all F.E. analysis is the large number
of input data required and the numerous of output
results, some of which have to be digested by the
analyst or the structural engineer.
The purpose of a general preprocessor is to:
-Minimize the amount of input data to be specified by
the user;
-Ensure reliability of input data;
-Reduce the total elapsed time for the analysis.
Correspondingly, postprocessing programs shall give
simple means to present and interpret analysis results.
For a typical analysis with an existing program it is
reasonable to believe that about 60% of the costs are
spent in the model definition and input specification
phase, 20% relates to the computer costs for solving the
problem, and 20% is used in the presentation and inter-
pretation of analysis results.
In view of future trends will steadily decreasing
price~pe~ormance of computers and increasing man
costs, it obviously is good economy to develop tools
which reduce the man efforts spent in the analysis. It is
believed that the input specification task is the most
attractive to attack because this is where most of the
engineering time is spent. The development of efficient
pre- and post-processors is not only a matter of good
economy, but it compensates for the predicted shortage
of capable engineers by increasing their pr~uctivity.
5.2 Preprocessors
The need for efficient preprocessors including
automatic input data generators has been realized in Det
norske Veritas from the beginning of F.E. applications.
Conside~ble efforts have been made in developing batch
preprocessors which generate all necessary input data
from a minimum of input card images. Input devices for
transfer of previously calculated data (from other-
programs) are also available. Automatic checking of in-
put data, print and plot of generated data (e.g. geometry
and element mesh) are included in SESAM-69. Although,
batch data generators turned out to be e~cient,~ it was
662 BJORNKRAKELAND~II~OLAVMO
believed that the input specification could be made still
easier by applying interactive graphics. This belief lead
to the development of IGT/SESAM-69 which is a tool
for interactive specification of
-Nodal coordinates and element mesh;
-Material and element data for I-, 2- and 3-D ele-
ments;
-Assembly of superelements.
Although all phases of the program are not yet com-
pleted, fruitful experience has been gained from various
applications. For huge and complex models it is neces-
sary to have a high degree of modularity or link between
the batch and interactive specifications. Probably the
most efficient use of interactive graphic preprocessors is
for the editing of data.
The following requirements are essential and will guide
the development of general interactive and batch pre-
processors:
-The preprocessor should be able to work both in
batch mode and in interactive mode handling input data
from keyboard and graphic input devices. The selection
of mode should be controlled by a special command in the
input stream;
-Interactive commands and batch card-images should
correspond closely;
-The preprocessor should contain efficient 3-D
geometry generator, and interface to computer aided
design (CAD) systems for geometry data should be
available;
-The interactive routines communicating with the
user, should supply the user with sufficient instructions
on request.
One of the main points in the design of F.E. programs
is to have a standardization of the data structure between
the preprocessor and the analysis programs so that the
preprocessor can be used for different types of analysis,
and even be linked to different F.E. programs, By this
procedure we are aiming at a standardization of the input
data to all commonly used F.E. programs in Det norske
Veritas. This is attractive because the user needs only be
familiar with one input system with which he can have
access to different analysis programs. The idea has been
brought forth by F.E. software developers worldwide.
As example of a preprocessor which has been linked to
different analysis programs is FEMGEN [ 1I]. However,
it seems that none of the available systems offer
sufficient generality.
5.3 Postprocessors
The aim of the postprocessors described here is to
provide users of F.E. programs with tools for selection
and presentation of analysis results (displacements,
stresses etc.) in the form of printed tables, drawings,
interactive graphics etc.
For the further discussion it may be suitable to dis-
tinguish between:
-General postprocessors, i.e. programs which are
applicable for many types of problems and for different
structures;
-Application dependent postprocessors, i.e. programs
which are unique to a specific problem, or to a specific
structure (dependent on type of industry).
The general postprocessors should have the properties
of
-Presentation of computed quantities or field vari-
ables in the form of;
(a) Diagrams, isoplot, arrow plot, etc.
(b) Selected printout, e.g. stresses above given level,
displacements at certain nodes etc;
-Scaling and combination of analysis results from
different load cases and different analyses.
For the further development in Det norske Veritas, the
program NV340 (General postprocessor to SESAM-
69),[121forms the most important basis. According to the
above requirements the program performs print and plot
of analysis results for frames, membrane-, shell- and
solid-structures.
In the next generation of general postprocessors it will
be possible to select and present analysis results also
from interactive graphic terminals. This gives efficient
means of scanning through the analysis results before
selecting data for permanent print and plot. Thus it will
be possible for the designer of the structure to directly
access and present analysis results, and hence the cor-
responding data base may serve as an easily accessible
permanent data storage. Normally it will be advan-
tageous to perform pre- and post-processing on mini-
computers, and hence easy transfer of data between
different computers should be provided.
An experience gained from practice is that the
requirements of the postprocessors may be application
dependent (type of industry) and may also be unique to
specific projects. For this reason special purpose post-
processors are frequently developed either separately or
by modification of the general programs.
In order to facilitate the development of special post-
processors a thorough documentation of the data struc-
ture and special programs to handle transfer of these
data are required.
An interesting problem arises in displaying results
from dynamic and nonlinear analysis which have varia-
tions with respect to a given parameter (time or load
level). The easiest and most widely used method is to
present the results by a series of separate or frozen
pictures in the deformation path corresponding to the
steps in the solution process. An alternative procedure is
to present the dynamic behaviour by movies obtained by
animation of the results computed at different instants of
time. This method which has been demonstrated by
Christiansen[ 131 is very instructive, however, its value
for the structural design work may be doubted.
It will neither be desirable nor possible for Det norske
Veritas to develop all software of pre- and post-proces-
sors that are needed in the institution. For this reason we
will actively go into cooperation with other institutions
and companies in order to shear costs of development
and try to implement existing software into the system.
6.F.E.
PROGRAMSBASEDON GENERAL
PROGRAMMINGSYSTEMS
6.1 Definition
With few exceptions the development of F.E. pro-
grams in Det norske Veritas is based on existing standard
software or F.E. programming systems. The program-
ming systems contain blocks or routines already
thoroughly tested which have to be built together to form
the F.E. application program. This program may be
general purpose or tailor-made to fit a special problem.
The programming system which forms the most im-
portant basis for F.E. program development in Det nor-
ske Veritas consists of, [14]:
-NORSAM-F.E. programming system;
-DASA-Programming system for pre- and post-
processors;
 Prospects of finite element programsin Det norske Veritas
-ELLIB-F.E. library.
Together they form the subroutine library for data
generation, matrix operations, generation of element
matrices and presentation of analysis results. In addition
auxiliary service routines are included like subroutines
for transfer of data between central memory and
peripheral storage. The system defines a unified open
ended data structure which is complete but which also
allows inclusion of additional data that the user may
desire. The modules of the programmi~ system have
been developed as joint research projects between
different Norwegian institutions, (see Table 1 which also
gives additional information). The experience from
development and use of SESAM-69 forms an important
basis for the development of the programming system.
A short description of the modules of the programming
system is given in the following. For more comprehen-
sive treatments, see Refs. [14-181.
NORSAM contains the necessary routines for merge
of element matrices such as stiffness-, load-, mass- and
damping matrices and routines for eigenvalue and linear
equation solutions. The degrees of freedom of an ele-
ment are defined as specified (given displacement),
retained (super degrees of freedom) and internal, and the
output matrices from the merge process are ordered in
blocks of submatrices corresponding to the types defined
above. The numerical operations in NORSAM are car-
ried out in terms of matrices on two levels,
-in core matrices (submatrices) and
-out of core matrices (supermatrices),
and they are accomplished by two packages of routines
for matrix operations, namely:
-SUBMAT;
-SUPERMAT.
The solution of linear equations (or matrix inversion)
is based on either Crout or Cholesky decomposition, or
iterative solution with conjugated gradients. Linear
symmetric eigenvalue problems may be solved by either
Householders or Jacobis methods. Simultaneous (sub-
space) iteration with shifts is also available.
For superelements NORSAM performs reduction
(elimination of internal degrees of freedom) of the
stiffness-, load- and mass matrices. For dynamic prob-
lems the reduction is based on the master-slave and
component mode synthesis techniques. NORSAM also
contains routines for retracking operations, i.e. retrieve
of internal displacements and forces (stresses) for the
superelement.
In addition to some simple elements which are in-
cluded in NORSAM, ELLIB contains the most success-
ful commonly used one-, two- and three-dimensional
elements for structural analysis. For each element type
the following matrices are computed:
-Element stiffness matrix;
-Element stress matrix;
-Consistent element load vectors from surface
forces, volume forces and forces due to initial strain;
-Element mass matrix, consistent and lumped;
-Geometrical (initial stress) element stiffness matrix
(not for all elements).
DASA contains the necessary routines for data
generation and presentation of analysis results. The pro-
jamming system which operates in batch mode forms the
alternative to the currently developed interactive graphic
preprocessor described in the previous section. Both print
and plot of generated data (element model, loads, boundary
conditions etc.) and analysis result (displacements, stres-
ses etc.) are available.
663
Figure 3 shows a macro-flowchart of a F.E. program
built up from modules of DASA, ELLIB, NORSAM and
the interactive graphic modules for pre- and post-
processing described in Section 5.
Instead of using the data generation facilities of the
preprocessor, node coordinates, boundary conditions,
loads, etc. (from loading programs) may be transferred
directly to the database via input data devices.
The su~ivision of the program and data structure into
modules of preprocessors, analysis programs and post-
processors makes it possible to execute the different
tasks separately and on different computers. For instance
minicomputers may be attractive for pre- and post-
processing, whereas main-frame computers may still be
preferable for running the analysis program.
6.2 Requirements and experiences from use of the pro-
gramming systems
The requirements of a general programming system
used as a tool-kit for the programmer of special or
general purpose F.E. programs will of course depend on
the type of problem to be solved and the application of
the system. The importance of the different features of
the pro~amming system will depend on which are the
most desired in the application programs. However,
ideally a programming system for general purpose F.E.
programs should be: [ 14,151
-versatile (machine independent);
-general;
-capable of handling any problem size;
-efficient;
-reliable;
-easy to use and maintain;
-easy to modify and extend (open ended).
In the following the experience with the pro~amming
systems (mainly NORSAM) will be discussed with
reference to the list above. The experience is gained
from development of more than ten application pro~ams
covering the fiefds of linear static and dynamic
analysis [ 19-221, geometric nonlinear analysis of
pipes [23], linear buckling analysis [24], elasto-plastic sta-
tic analysis [3-51, elasto-plastic and geometric nonlinear
static and dynamic analysis (mainly DASA), [6-81, and
analysis of heat conduction [10,25,26].
Versatility, At present NORSAM, DASA and ELLIB
have only been implemented on Univac computers in the
IlOO-series, so little experience on the machine in-
dependence has been gained. However, all but a few of the
NORSAM subroutines are written in a low level FOR-
TRAN IV (Compatible with ASA FORTUNE.
The machine dependent (assembler) coding, some of
which is necessary and some of which is desirable to
increase efficiency, has been kept at a minimum and it is
isolated in a few modules. In addition there are FOR-
TRAN versions (backup) of all assembler subroutines
that could be coded in FORTRAN.
Generality. This criterion was given high priority in
the development of NORSAM, DASA and ELLIB.
Experience from the analysis programs indicated above
shows that NORSAM really is very general.
No restrictions have been found as to the number or
type of elements, the number of nodes or degrees of
freedom, the number or combinations of load cases, the
transformations of degrees of freedom or elements, the
boundary conditions, etc.
The stiffness matrices and load vectors may easily be
 Table 1. Pro~amming stytems

rogramning :ost of
Released Xveloped by Size Documentation
;ystem levelopment

JORSAM April 1973 The Aker Group, Oslo, Norway About 250 ipproximatel User's Manual Part I -.
subroutines L3 man-year General Description
D$t norske Veritas, Oslo, (FORTRAN or (Approximately 260 pages)
Norway assembler)
or 33 000 cards User's Manual, Part II.
The Norwegian Building Research Subroutine Descriptions
Institute, Oslo, Norway (Approximately 850 pages)

The Norwegian Institute of Maintenance Manual

Technology, Trondheim, Norway (Approximately 625 pages)

The Engineering Research Foundation

at the Norwegian Institute of
Technology, Trondheim, Norway

lASA April 1976 The Aker Group, Oslo, Norway About 200 \pproximatel General Description
subroutines 1,s man-year (Approximately 325 pages)
Det norske Veritas, Oslo, Norway or 30 000 cards user's Subroutine Description
(Approximately 500 pages)

SLLIB 1976 Det norske Veritas, Oslo, Norway About 130 approximate] User's Manual
subroutines 1 man-year (Approximately 700 pages)
The Engineering Research Foundation or 30 500 cards
at the Norwegian Institute of Maintenance Manual
Technology, Trondheim, Norway (Approximately 350 pages)

The development of NORSAM, DASA and

ELLIB was given a substantial
economic support by the Royal
Norwegian Council of Scientific
and Industrial Research, Oslo, Norway
 Prospects of finite element programs in Det norske Veritas 665

s Input/datachrck devices

NORSAM -data

8i
8i
4
(L

NORSAM
phase
bl MERGE

Output devices

- Program "?oduleS
operative
____ Program mcduks under development

Fig. 3. F.E. Program developed from general programming systems.

modified. For instance, in the case of elasto-plastic prob-
lems it was easy to introduce different solution al-
gorithms ranging from the initial stress method to the
modified Newton-Raphson and true Newton-Raphson
iteration schemes.
The complete dynamic manner in which data are
stored on peripheral storage also adds to the generality
and flexibility of the system.
Problem size. In principle the programming systems
do not impose any limitations on the size of the problem
(number of unknowns) and the only real limitations have
proved to be:
-the peripheral storage capacity;
-the available computing time and;
-numerical rounding errors.
The multilevel superelement technique adopted in
NORSAM has shown its capability to make realistic
analyses of really large problems feasible,[27].
Eficiency. It is difficult to satisfy simultaneously the
requirements of generality and efficiency. Normally, in
case of conflict generality has been given the higher
priority. The numerical operations are, however, per-
formed efficiently. All key operations are carried out by
assembler coded routines (FORTRAN versions are also
available). For small problems (especially small nonlinear
geometric problems with many iterations during the
solution process) the efficiency of NORSAM has left
some to be desired. The main reasons for this are the
general approach and large amount of data transfer in
NORSAM. In addition the supermatrices and the equa-
tion solution in NORSAM do not fit all special problems,
for example small problems with a narrow band structure
of the coefficient matrix. However, for medium and large
problems NORSAM is very efficient and the system will
be further developed to improve the efficiency also for
small and special problems.
Reliabilify. The programming systems consist of a
large number of relatively small, well-defined modules
(subroutines and functions) each of which has been
thoroughly tested.
In order to detect incorrect input data to the subrou-
666 BJ@RN
KR~~KELAND
and OLAV Mo
tines, a number of tests are performed. Input parameters
are checked against their limit values, consistency of
input data is controlled, etc. The detection of an error is
always accompanied by a printed message which will
help to pinpoint the error. Errors in hardware or operat-
ing system, are, of course, not the responsibility of a
programming system. Nevertheless, these kinds of errors
do occur and in order to safeguard against them the
saving system included in the data handling system
(DHS) of NORSAM has been used in some of the
application programs.
Another aspect of reliability is the numerical precision
and errors due to rounding and/or truncation. Partial
double precision is available, in that matrix inner-
products may be accumulated in double precision arith-
metic (at submatrix level). The numerical accuracy of
results may be checked by computing the residuals
(equilibrium check).
Use and maintenance. Large and general programming
systems, like NORSAM, DASA and ELLIS may seem
difficult to use. However, the documentation is stringent
and has shown to give thorough descriptions of the
organization and the features of the systems.
The modularity and generality of NORSAM proved to
be very valuable in the development of the nonlinear
programs described in Refs. [3-51. Different solution
algorithms were easily included in the programs.
In addition to the reliability of NORSAM, the large
number of checks and error messages as well as the
systems for selective print of intermediate results and
information (the amount of print from an individual
module is controlled by the value of a print switch) have
proved to be very useful when debugging the application
programs.
Modifications and extension. A general programming
system will never, due to its very nature, be complete.
New applications may call for modifications and the
applicability will depend on the success with which the
weakness of the system may be improved.
The programming systems, NORSAM, DASA and
ELLIB were designed to be open-ended and (up to now)
modifications and extensions have proved to be easily
incorporated.
7. CONCLUSION
In this presentation it has been possible to give only a
brief survey of the present status and future plans for
F.E. programs in Det norske Veritas.
From the experiences with development and ap-
plication of SESAM-69 during the last ten years the
institution has started the development of a new package
of general purpose F.E. programs. The purpose of this
development is to satisfy the requirements of efficient
analysis tools in the 1980%.
The advantages and inconveniences by using general
programming systems in the F.E. program development
are discussed with reference to the systems NORSAM,
DASA and ELLIB.
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