This book introduces the finite element method applied to the resolution of industrial heat transfer problems. Starting from steady conduction, the method is gradually extended to transient regimes, to traditional non-linearities, and to convective phenomena. Coupled problems involving heat transfer are then presented. Three types of couplings are discussed: coupling through boundary conditions (such as radiative heat transfer in cavities), addition of state variables (such as metallurgical phase change), and coupling through partial differential equations (such as electrical phenomena).  A review of the various thermal phenomena is drawn up, which an engineer can simulate. The methods presented will enable the reader to achieve optimal use from finite element software and also to develop new applications.

Jean-Michel Bergheau is presently Director of Research at Ecole Nationale d'ingenieurs de Saint-Etienne and head of the Computational Mechanics research group of the Laboratory of Tribology and Systems Dynamics. His research interests concern the modeling of coupled physical phenomena applied to the numerical simulation of manufacturing processes such as welding, heat treatment and machining, and the understanding of the mechanical phenomena involved in interfaces.

Roland Fortunier conducted research abroad, in Germany and Canada, of the nuclear and the steel industry. He was appointed Professor of the Ecole des Mines in France in 1995.