Finite Element Method in

Geotechnical Engineering
Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + Dynamics
Boulder, Colorado
January 5-8, 2004

Stein Sture
Professor of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Boulder
Contents
Steps in the FE Method
Introduction to FEM for Deformation Analysis
Discretization of a Continuum
Elements
Strains
Stresses, Constitutive Relations
Hookes Law
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Solution of Equations
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Steps in the FE Method
1. Establishment of stiffness relations for each element. Material properties
and equilibrium conditions for each element are used in this
establishment.

2. Enforcement of compatibility, i.e. the elements are connected.

3. Enforcement of equilibrium conditions for the whole structure, in the
present case for the nodal points.

4. By means of 2. And 3. the system of equations is constructed for the
whole structure. This step is called assembling.

5. In order to solve the system of equations for the whole structure, the
boundary conditions are enforced.

6. Solution of the system of equations.
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Introduction to FEM for
Deformation Analysis
General method to solve boundary
value problems in an approximate
and discretized way

Often (but not only) used for
deformation and stress analysis

Division of geometry into finite
element mesh
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Pre-assumed interpolation of main
quantities (displacements) over
elements, based on values in
points (nodes)
Formation of (stiffness) matrix, K,
and (force) vector, r
Global solution of main quantities
in nodes, d
d D K D = R
r R
k K
Introduction to FEM for
Deformation Analysis
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Discretization of a Continuum
2D modeling:
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Discretization of a Continuum
2D cross section is divided into element:








Several element types are possible (triangles and quadrilaterals)
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Elements
Different types of 2D elements:
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Elements
Other way of writing:
u
x
= N
1
u
x1
+ N
2
u
x2
+ N
3
u
x3
+ N
4
u
x4
+ N
5
u
x5
+ N
6
u
x6
u
y
= N
1
u
y1
+ N
2
u
y2
+ N
3
u
y3
+ N
4
u
y4
+ N
5
uy
5
+ N
6
u
y6
or
u
x
= N u
x
and u
y
= N u
y
(N contains functions of x and y)
Example:
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Strains
Strains are the derivatives of displacements. In finite elements they are
determined from the derivatives of the interpolation functions:






or


(strains composed in a vector and matrix B contains derivatives of N )



c
xx
=
cu
x
cx
= a
1
+ 2a
3
x + a
4
y =
cN
cx
u
x
c
yy
=
cu
y
cy
= b
2
+ 2b
4
x + b
5
y =
cN
cy
u
y

xy
=
cu
x
cy
+
cu
y
cx
= (b
1
+ a
2
) + (a
4
+ 2b
3
)x + (2a
5
+ b
4
)y =
cN
cx
u
x
+
cN
cy
u
y

c = Bd
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Stresses, Constitutive Relations
Cartesian stress tensor, usually
composed in a vector:

Stresses, o, are related to strains c:
o = Cc

In fact, the above relationship is used
in incremental form:

C is material stiffness matrix and
determining material behavior
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Hookes Law
For simple linear elastic behavior C is based on
Hookes law:

C=
E
(12v)(1+v)
1v v v 0 0 0
v 1v v 0 0 0
v v 1v 0 0 0
0 0 0
1
2
v 0 0
0 0 0 0
1
2
v 0
0 0 0 0 0
1
2
v









(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Hookes Law
Basic parameters in Hookes law:
Youngs modulus E
Poissons ratio v
Auxiliary parameters, related to basic parameters:
Shear modulus Oedometer modulus



Bulk modulus


G =
E
2(1+v)

K =
E
3(12v)

E
oed
=
E(1v)
(12v)(1+v)
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters


in axial compression



in axial compression



in 1D compression

E =
co
1
co
2

v =
cc
3
cc
1

E
oed
=
co
1
cc
1
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
axial compression 1D compression
Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters


in volumetric compression



in shearing


note:

K =
cp
cc
v

G =
co
xy
c
xy

o
xy
t
xy
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Hookes Law
Summary, Hookes law:

o
xx
o
yy
o
zz
o
xy
o
yz
o
zx
|
\







|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
=
E
(12v)(1+v)
1v v v 0 0 0
v 1v v 0 0 0
v v 1v 0 0 0
0 0 0
1
2
v 0 0
0 0 0 0
1
2
v 0
0 0 0 0 0
1
2
v









(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
c
xx
c
yy
c
zz
c
xy
c
yz
c
zx
|
\







|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hookes Law
Inverse relationship:

c
xx
c
yy
c
zz
c
xy
c
yz
c
zx
|
\







|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
=
1
E
1 v v 0 0 0
v 1 v 0 0 0
v v 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 2 + 2v 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 + 2v 0
0 0 0 0 0 2 + 2v









(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
o
xx
o
yy
o
zz
o
xy
o
yz
o
zx
|
\







|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Formation of element stiffness matrix K
e


Integration is usually performed numerically: Gauss integration

(summation over sample points)

coefficients o and position of sample points can be chosen such that the integration is exact

Formation of global stiffness matrix

Assembling of element stiffness matrices in global matrix


}
= dV
T e
CB B K

pdV = o
i
p
i
i=1
n
}
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
K is often symmetric and has a band-form:





(# are non-zeros)


# # 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
# # # 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 # # # 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 # # # 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 # # # 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 # # # 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 # # # 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 # # # 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # # #
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # #















(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
Solution of Equation
Global system of equations:
KD = R
R is force vector and contains loadings as nodal forces

Usually in incremental form:
Solution:


(i = step number)

KAD= AR

AD= K
1
AR
D= AD
i=1
n

Solution of Equations
From solution of displacement


Strains:


Stresses:

AD Ad

Ac
i
=BAu
i

o
i
=o
i1
+CAd
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering