Finite Element Program Combining MATLAB and Spreadsheets

In this project, we implement a finite element program that leverages the combined capabilities of MATLAB and spreadsheets. The spreadsheet component serves as the preprocessing interface where users can define geometric parameters, material properties, and boundary conditions through tabular data organization. MATLAB then reads this structured input data to perform core finite element computations including stiffness matrix assembly, equation solving, and stress-strain calculations. During the preprocessing phase, we implement validation algorithms to ensure input data integrity through dimensional consistency checks and boundary condition verification. The computational phase employs MATLAB's matrix operations for efficient solving of linear systems using sparse matrix techniques and iterative solvers. Finally, during postprocessing, MATLAB generates comprehensive visualizations including deformation plots, stress contours, and result animations using built-in graphical functions like contourf and quiver. Throughout the process, we adhere to scientific computing best practices with error handling routines and result validation checks to ensure methodological reliability.