GENERALIZED FINITE ELEMENT METHODS — MAIN IDEAS, RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVE

This paper is an overview of the main ideas of the Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM). We present the basic results, experiences with, and potentials of this method. GFEM is a generalization of the classical Finite Element Method — in its h, p, and h-p versions — as well as of the various forms of meshless methods used in engineering.