Files
JuliaFEM.jl/docs/book
Jukka Aho 31ecd6c0dc docs(book): Update Lagrange basis generation references
- Changed generator path: scripts/generate_lagrange_basis.jl → src/basis/lagrange_generator.jl
- Updated execution command: now run directly with julia --project=.
- Consolidated "See Also" section: removed duplicate generator reference
- Clarified generator role: symbolic engine AND generation script in single file
- Updated comment explaining basis functions are pregenerated (not runtime)
2025-11-09 08:27:18 +02:00
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title, subtitle, description, date, author, categories, keywords, audience, level, type, status
title subtitle description date author categories keywords audience level type status
The JuliaFEM Book A comprehensive manual mixing theory, software design, and personal experience Deep dive into FEM theory, design philosophy, and research directions 2025-11-09 Jukka Aho
theory
research
philosophy
fem theory
contact mechanics
design philosophy
research
researchers and theory enthusiasts expert book work in progress

The JuliaFEM Book

Audience: Advanced researchers, theory nerds, those who want to understand the "why" and "how" at a deep level. And Jukka.

This is the JuliaFEM Bible - a comprehensive manual mixing theory, philosophy, software design, and personal experience. It's educational, opinionated, and unapologetically deep.

What's Here

  • Mathematical Foundations: Lagrange basis functions, weak forms, contact mechanics
  • Design Philosophy: Why JuliaFEM exists, what problems it solves (and doesn't)
  • Technical Vision: Strategic mistakes from 2015-2019, lessons learned
  • Research Directions: Experimental ideas (nodal assembly, matrix-free, etc.)
  • Personal Notes: The journey, the failures, the "aha!" moments
  • Theory + Code: How mathematics becomes software

What's NOT Here

  • "How do I install?" (see docs/user/)
  • "How do I add a feature?" (see docs/contributor/)
  • Short answers (everything here is DEEP)

Philosophy

"Let me show you how I think about FEM."

This is:

  • Educational: Teach FEM through implementation
  • Personal: Written in Jukka's voice, reflecting 8+ years of experience
  • Opinionated: Strong views on what works and what doesn't
  • Comprehensive: From first principles to cutting-edge research
  • Honest: Documents failures as much as successes

We assume you:

  • Love mathematics AND programming
  • Want to understand WHY, not just HOW
  • Have time to read deeply
  • Are curious about unconventional approaches
  • Might be me, 5 years from now, trying to remember why I did this

Structure

Part I: Foundations

  • Finite Element Method (brief review)
  • Lagrange Basis Functions (deep dive)
  • Assembly and Solving
  • Contact Mechanics

Part II: Software Design

  • Type Stability and Performance
  • Zero-Allocation Design
  • Immutability and Composition
  • Field System Architecture

Part III: History and Vision

  • Strategic Mistakes (2015-2019)
  • Why JuliaFEM is Different
  • Contact Mechanics Focus
  • Laboratory Philosophy

Part IV: Research

  • Nodal Assembly (experimental)
  • Matrix-Free Methods
  • Automatic Differentiation
  • GPU Acceleration

Part V: The Journey

  • Personal Reflections
  • Lessons Learned
  • Future Directions
  • Open Questions

Reading Guide

  • For Theory: Start with Part I
  • For Design Rationale: Start with Part II
  • For History: Start with Part III
  • For Research Ideas: Start with Part IV
  • For Philosophy: Read Part V first, then everything else

Start here: Mathematical Foundations | Strategic Mistakes | Why JuliaFEM?