Why serendipity elements are called serendipity?

[feynman1]

title

 

[Baluncore]

Sri Lanka.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity#Etymology

 

[FEAnalyst]

From "Introduction to the Finite Element Method" by N. Ottosen and H. Petersson:

Even though we have presented a systematic approach for the establishment of the element shape functions, these functions were originally formulated by inspection (Ergatoudis et al., 1968). The eight-node element is therefore called a serendipity element after the famous princes of Serendip noted for their chance discoveries (Horace Walpole, 1754).

From "The Finite Element Method for Engineers" by K.H. Huebner:

The terminology, coined in reference 13 [Ergatoudis et al.], stems from a fairy tale of old Ceylon (once called Serendip), where there were once three princes "who in their travels were always discovering, by chance or by sagacity, (agreeable) things they did not seek".

 

[Vanadium 50]

title

lazy.
It's also not 100% clear what you asking - is it the etymology of the word, or is it why this word is used over a synonym?

 

[feynman1]

From "Introduction to the Finite Element Method" by N. Ottosen and H. Petersson:

Even though we have presented a systematic approach for the establishment of the element shape functions, these functions were originally formulated by inspection (Ergatoudis et al., 1968). The eight-node element is therefore called a serendipity element after the famous princes of Serendip noted for their chance discoveries (Horace Walpole, 1754).

From "The Finite Element Method for Engineers" by K.H. Huebner:

The terminology, coined in reference 13 [Ergatoudis et al.], stems from a fairy tale of old Ceylon (once called Serendip), where there were once three princes "who in their travels were always discovering, by chance or by sagacity, (agreeable) things they did not seek".

resolved thanks a lot

 

[feynman1]

lazy.
It's also not 100% clear what you asking - is it the etymology of the word, or is it why this word is used over a synonym?

etymology :)