2.

Introduction to FEA
&
General Steps of FEA
2.1. Definitions
2.2. Typical Steps In F.E. Analysis
2.3. Modeling Requireents for FE
What is Finite Element?

T!e Finite Eleent Met!od

A CAE technique in which a model of physical
configuration is developed. It permits computer modeling
prior to prototype building.
2.1. Definitions
Finite Eleent Analysis
A group of numerical methods for approximating the solution of
governing equations of any continuous system.
E"aple of pro#les t!at can #e treated #y FE:

tructural Analysis

!eat "ransfer

#luid #low

$ass "ransport

Electromagnetic %otential

Acoustic

&ioengineering
2.1. Definitions
T!e priary coercial FE codes

'A"(A' for aircraft industry

A') for nuclear industry

A&A*+

$A(C

A%

A,I'A $I"

%A"(A'
2.1. Definitions
Steps 1 $ % are typically perfored in sequence
using &oputer Aided Engineering tools.
T!e flo' c!art of t!e process using &AE tools
is(
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
)re$)rocessor
Sol*er
)ost$)rocessor
5 steps in*ol*ed in t!e procedure
1. &oputer odeling+ es!
generation
2. Definition of aterials properties.
3. Asse#le of eleents
,. -oundary conditions and loads
defined
%. Solution using t!e required sol*er
and display results.data
1. Di*ide . discreti/e t!e structure or
continuu into finite eleents.
T!is is typically done using es!
generation progra+ called pre$processor.
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
2. Forulate t!e properties of eac! eleent.
E".( 0odal loads associated 'it! all eleents+
deforation states t!at are allo'ed.
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
3. Asse#le eleents to o#tain FEA odel
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
,. Specify t!e load and #oundary conditions.
&onstraints+ force+ 1no'n teperatures+ etc.
%. Sol*e siultaneous linear alge#raic equations
to o#tain t!e solutions.
2.2. Typical Steps in FE
1. Model geometry
2. Material Properties
3. Meshing (s)
4. Load Cases
5. Boundary conditions
2.3. Modeling Requirements
siplify fro actual diensions

Is it necessary to odel all t!e details of t!e

coponents2

T!e pro#le can #e reduced to part$odeling *ia

syetry2
1. Model 3eoetry
2.3. Modeling Requirements
2. Material )roperties
Standard or #ased on test data

&an 'e use standard data for t!e selected aterials2

Elastic odulus+ poisson ratio+ t!eral conducti*ity+

electroagnetic perea#ility+ etc.

If it is not standard aterials+ do 'e need to confir t!e

properties first t!roug! testing2

&oposite aterials+ ne' types of alloys+ !oneyco#

structure+ etc.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing

practical considerations in t!e es!ing can lead to
#etter accuracy of results and efficient coputation.

Aspect ratio

Eleent s!ape

4se of syetry

Mes! refineent
2.3. Modeling Requirements
2$D es!ing
3$D es!ing
3. Mes!ing 5e"aples6
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
7 Aspect Ratio

is defined as the ratio of the longest dimension

to the shortest dimension of a quadrilateral element.

as t!e aspect ratio increases+ t!e inaccuracy

of t!e solution increases.
8arge aspect ratio oderate aspect ratio good aspect ratio
2.3. Modeling Requirements
Aspect Ratio+ 5AR6 9 longest diension.s!ortest diension
e"act solution
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FEA results
2 , : ; 1< 12 1, 1: 1; 2< 22 2, 2: 2; 3<
AR
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
7 Aspect Ratio
7 Eleent s!ape

An eleent yields #est results if its s!ape is

copact and regular.

Eleents 'it! poor s!apes tend to yield

poor results.

in general try to(

1. Maintain aspect ratio as lo' as
possi#le 5closest to 16
2. Maintain t!e corner angles of
quadrilateral near =<>.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
?ery large and *ery
sall corner angles
Triangular quadrilateral
@it! 8arge and sall angles
8arge aspect ratio
E"aples of eleents 'it! poor s!ape
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
7 Eleent s!ape
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
7 Eleent s!ape
4se of Syetry
T!e use of syetry allo's us to consider a reduced pro#le
instead of t!e actual pro#le.
T!en 'e can eit!er(
Model t!e pro#le 'it! less nu#er of eleents.
4se a finer es!ing 'it! less la#or and coputational cost.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
E"aple on application of syetry
F -F
,og bone specimen
2.3. Modeling Requirements
4se of Syetry
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
Modeling !alf of t!e flo' o*er a circular pipe
&FD of !alf car
2.3. Modeling Requirements
4se of Syetry
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
-rea1ing up t!e load
2.3. Modeling Requirements
4se of Syetry
'ot only the
geometry-
the forces as well
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
Mes! refineent

4se a relati*ely fine discreti/ation in regions '!ere you e"pect

a !ig! gradient of strains and.or stresses.

Regions to 'atc! out for !ig! stress gradients are(

A 0ear entrant corners or s!arply cur*ed edges.
A In t!e *icinity of concentrated 5point6 loads+ concentrated
reactions+ crac1s and cutouts.

In t!e interior of structures 'it! a#rupt c!anges in t!ic1ness+

aterial properties or cross sectional areas.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
Mes! refineent
Examples.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
3. Mes!ing 5)ractical &onsiderations6
Mes! refineent
Examples
Refine es! use near internal !ole and s!arp angle
#EA model of welding .oints
4. Load Cases

s it point load or distri!uted load"

s the #orce applied to the $hole !ody " (nertia%

gra&ity)

'hat is the estimated magnitude o# #orces (and

direction)
100 N
point load
distri#uted load+ (no$ on a sur#ace
2.3. Modeling Requirements
2.3. Modeling Requirements
,. 8oad &ases

In practical structural pro#les+ distri#uted loads are

ore coon t!an concentrated 5point6 loads.
Distri#uted loads ay #e of surface or *olue type.

Distri#uted surface loads are associated 'it! actions

suc! as 'ind or 'ater pressure+ sno' 'eig!t on roofs+ lift
in airplanes+ li*e loads on #ridges+ and t!e li1e. T!ey are
easured in force per unit area.

?olue loads 5called #ody forces in continuu

ec!anics6 are associated 'it! o'n 'eig!t 5gra*ity6+
inertial+ centrifugal+ t!eral+ pre$stress or
electroagnetic effects. T!ey are easured in force per
unit *olue.
2.3. Modeling Requirements
,. 8oad &ases
Examples
)ressure ?essel 5Surface 8oad6 Sno' on t!e roof 5Surface 8oad6
Structure deforation due to gra*ity 5?olue load6
5. Boundary conditions

(upport locations and point o# contacts.

)ypes o# support.

*ully constraints or #ree to

translate+rotate in
certain direction"

*riction"

)emperatures distri!ution at the

!oundaries"

*lo$ parameters at inlets and outlets.

2.3. Modeling Requirements
2.3. Modeling Requirements
Numerical Method?

"he finite element method is a numerical method for

solving problems of engineering and mathematical
physics.

In #EA- the continuum is divided into finite number of elements

and the governing equations are represented in matrix form.

$ethod for solutions developed to solve complex mathematical

problems:
(unge/0utta- 1auss/eidel- 1aler2in- (ayleigh- (it3- #orward
,ifference- etc.
4. %hysical problem
5. 1lobal tiffness $atrix
6. 1overning Equations

In obtaining the approximate solution- the continuum is

discreti3ed into finite elements.

+seful for problems with complicated geometries-

loadings- and material properties where analytical
solutions can not be obtained.
!!ro"imation?

#inite element analysis is broadly defined as a group of

numerical methods for approximating the governing
equations of any continuous system.

#or a regular types bodies7surfaces 8constant cross section-

cylinder- square- etc9 - it might be possible to find closed/loop
analytical solution.

#or irregular types bodies7surfaces- the boundaries are irregular

and the analytical solution might not exist.
Discreti#e?

In obtaining the approximate solution- the

continuum is discreti3ed into finite elements.

"he structure7parts7components are divided into

finite number of elements.

"he selection of elements types are based on

many factors : geometry- processing power- types
of loadings- etc.
4. Actual geometry ; loading 5. ,iscreti3ation 8$eshing9 6. olution 8<on $ises tress9
Discreti#e?

"he elements are interconnected at points common to

two or more elements 8nodes or nodal points9 and7or
boundary lines and7or surfaces.

"he transfer of load 8force- displacement- heat flux- etc9

between elements occurred at the common nodes
between elements.
Elements
Node
Discreti#e?

"he transfer of load 8force- displacement- heat flux- etc9 between

elements occurred at the common nodes between elements.
Primary Assumptions in
FEA
Typical Steps in FEA
Matri !peration "e#ie$
$ectors % Matri"
Examples
6 x 4: vector = x =: matrix

=
0 & ' (
3 ( 1 2
0 & ' (
( ) 0 1
* + ,

=
2 . 3
2
1
- u .
"he elements of a matrix are defined by their row and their column
position:
'ote- the 4
st
subscript is the row position and the 5
nd
subscript is the
column position.
"herefore- is the element in the i
th
row and the .
th
column.

=
22 21
12 11
/ /
/ /
* / ,
Matri" Definition
i0
/
If the matrix elements are defined as:
&
4-4
>4- &
4-5
>6- &
5-4
>=- &
5-5
>?
"he matrix & is:

=
1 &
3 1
* 2 ,
Element Definition
$atrices can be multiplied by another matrix- but only if the left-
hand matrix has the same number of columns as the right hand
matrix has rows.
A@&>C

=
( 2 1
3 & 1
A

=
10 )
1' 11
12 3
B

=
13( 111
3& 3'
C
Matri" Multi!lication
"he product of a $atrix- A- and itAs inverse- A
/4
is the identity matrix- I. Bnly
square matrices can be inverted.
'ot all square matrices are invertible. A matrix has an inverse if and only if it
is nonsingular 8its determinant is non3ero9

2 1
2
1
2
3
1
A

=
3 2
1 &
A

1 0
0 1
4
1
A A

=
1 0
0 1
I
5dentit6 Matri"
Announcement
7ecture % 7a8

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