Use of formulae in finite element post processing

The finite element postprocessor is often expected to draw equipotential contours plots and to compute a set of predefined quantities and only those quantities. Its main drawback is the necessity to add new instructions to evaluate initially unintended but nevertheless useful quantities. A formula technique for this purpose is presented. The user expresses the wanted quantities in terms of basic quantities such as the space coordinates, the state variables, and the physical characteristics. The method allows a wide range of postprocessing calculations and has been implemented in the authors' CAD system FLUXLAB 2D/3D.<>