 The term forms a part of a descriptive taxonomy of terms relating directly to various particulars relating to the additive CAD-CAM manufacturing processes, originally established as a part of the research conducted by architect Thomas Modeen into the application of the aforementioned 
techniques in the context of architecture.Gradient of elastic modulus essentially changes the fracture toughness of adhesive contacts.Numerical methods have been developed for modelling the mechanical response of FGMs, with the finite element method being the most popular one.