The finite element method is based on the representation of a body by an assemblage of subdivisions called finite elements. These elements are considered to be connected at nodes. Displacement functions are chosen to approximate the variation of displacements over each finite element. Equilibrium equations for the entire body are formulated by combining the equations for the individual elements so that the continuity of displacements is preserved at the nodes. The resulting equations are solved satisfying the boundary conditions in order to obtain the unknown displacements.