After a numerical solution has been obtained from a FEM model, it must be interpreted, in order to fully understand it's meaning. Each type of element has it's own solution characteristics, which vary with the element type. Below is an overview of the solution characteristics for the one-dimensional beam element and the assembled element mesh or assemblage.
| Solution Variable | Variation over Element | Element Continuity |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Displacement (v) | Cubic Polynomial | Continuous |
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Rotation  |
Quadratic Polynomial | Continuous |
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| Moment (m) | Linear Polynomial | Continuous |
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| Shear Force (f) | Constant | Continuous |
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| Solution Variable | Variation over Assemblage | Inter-Element Continuity |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Displacement (v) | Piecewise Cubic Polynomial | Continuous |
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| Rotation |
Piecewise Quadratic Polynomial | Continuous |
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| Moment (m) | Piecewise Linear Polynomial | Discontinuous |
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| Shear Force (f) | Piecewise Constant | Discontinuous |
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