Strain Energy of Bézier Surfaces

Bézier curves and surfaces are used to great success in computer-aided design and finite element modelling, among other things, due to their tendency of being mathematically convenient to use. This thesis explores the different properties that make Bézier surfaces the strong tool that it is. This requires a closer look at Bernstein polynomials and the de Castiljau algorithm. To illustrate some of these properties, the strain energy of a Bézier surface is calculated. This demands an understanding of what a surface is, which is why this thesis also covers some elementary theory regarding parametrized curves and surface geometry, including the first and second fundamental forms.