Design procedures are developed that combine both the finite element method and the transfer matrix method in design. These procedures were drawn up as a result of the analysis of a large continuous mining machine to be produced by Fairchild International. Combining the methods allowed the analysis to be split into smaller jobs. Two examples are given. The first example divides the machine into a number of separate finite element analyses where the internal loads on each component are determined by the transfer matrix method. The second example analyzes the transition region between each of the separate finite element analysis. Utilizing both methods in design reduced computer usage costs. / Master of Science