Outline

A Simple Example
The Ritz Method Galerkins Method The Finite-Element Method

FEM Definition Basic FEM Steps

Example
Problem Statement
=0 (x) = (x+1) C/m3 =1

x=0

x=1m

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Example
Differential equation:

Boundary condition:

Solution:

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Example
A. The Ritz method
Vartiational solution:

Proof:

=0

=0

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Example
Expand Apply BC:

Functional:

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Example
B. Galerkins method
Weighted residual: Expansion: Weighting: Solution:

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Example
C. Another method
1
x=0

4
x=1

Linear interpolation:

Boundary condition:

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Example
Apply the Ritz method:

Integration:

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Example
Apply Galerkins method:
Weighting:

Integration by parts:

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Example
Numerical solution:

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FEM Definition
The above solution procedure The finite element method
The Ritz variational FEM The Galerkin FEM

Equivalent for self-adjoint problems

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Basic FEM Steps

1. Discretization/subdivision of solution domain
1-D: 2-D: 3-D:

2. Selection of interpolation schemes

Linear or higher-order polynomials

3. Formulation of the system of equations

Using either the Ritz or Galerkin method

4. Solution of the system of equations

Using either a direct or iterative method