Abstract <p>The paper investigates geometric nonlinearities produced by large deformations by using element free Galerkin method (EFGM) based on total Lagrangian approach. EFGM is one of the meshfree methods that has evolved as a potential numerical tool for modelling different engineering problems. This novel technique eliminates the mesh distortion issues faced while modelling large deformations in engineering components. Moving least square approximations have been used to approximate the displacement fields in engineering components. Large deflections have been modelled by the total Lagrangian approach which uses the initial undeformed configuration as the reference state for analysis. Deformation gradient is used to map data from current deformed configuration to the initial undeformed states. Mathematical models developed on EFGM have been coded in MATLAB to solve different large deformation problems. The accuracy and fidelity of developed MATLAB codes have been established by comparing the results with linear analytical solutions available in literature. The results obtained in the current work clearly demonstrate the potential and applicability of the proposed method and MATLAB codes for solving large deformations in engineering components.</p>