NASTRAN Primer: A Step-by-Step Guide to NASTRAN Finite Element Analysis Paperback – August 8, 2024

The media could not be loaded. This book is a great tool for folks who wish to learn NASTRAN.It takes the reader thru the steps to create a simple finite element model, to understand the inputs, outputs, and other key information reported by NASTRAN.It then studies the most common elements, CROD, CBAR, CBEAM, CQUAD4, & CSHEAR in simple finite element models, and teaches the user how to properly define the inputs and to interpret the outputs.It teaches how to perform linear structural analysis, linear buckling analysis, nonlinear gap analysis, and nonlinear material analysis.It also provides an appendix of the most common NASTRAN commands and their usage.Experienced users who have trouble properly interpreting CROD, CBAR, CBEAM, CQUAD4 & CSHEAR data will also find this a valuable resource.Readers are encouraged to leave their own review, and/or to contact the author with ideas for inclusion in the next edition.

This is a good into to NASTRAN, as a first time learner of the subject I find this a useful reference for basic NASTRAN problems. Right now it is missing a few cards in the appendix but it is possible to work without the included functions and the ones included are very well detailed.

The examples of the book are mostly compatible with the MSC NASTRAN program. The Autodesk Inventor NASTRAN version does not have the replication capabilities described in Section A.1.11, which will not allow you to simulate the examples in the book that use it.Overall very organized text, and includes plenty examples to follow along. In combination with the in-person lectures it provides a good guide to complete the homework of the course, as well as problems section of the additional textbook.Thanks Dr. Coburn!

Great book for learning FEA beyond the software.

I'm using this book to learn NASTRAN and it has been very helpful. It thoroughly explains key concepts by using simple models that can be backed up by hand analysis. This is only a first version, so there are some spelling mistakes here and there, but nothing that gets in the way of understanding. I have no doubt that Dr. Coburn's next update to this text will be even better and that I will likely get that version too.

I used this book in the author's ARO4080 (Finite Elements) class. It does a good job of explaining, with examples, how to write a Nastran input file for common use cases. I think that there are some parts that could be expanded upon and explained in more detail but it's perfectly usable as is for the class.

Written with MSC Nastran in mindDr. Coburn, intends to add more chapters and cards in a future update, which would make the manual more complete.

This book is great for any prospective structural analyst who wants to have a firm footing in Finite Element Analysis, specifically in creating Finite Element Models. As a novice, I was able to read this book and easily follow along. The book guides the reader step by step, explaining each card and their respective applications. The handbook provides plenty of examples with inputs, outputs, and diagrams. I see myself continuing to refer to this book in industry.