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Theory Of The Finite Element Method

With One Dimensional Examples

1.1 Solution of Boundary Value Problems BVP

A boundary value problem is one which is governed by one or more


differential equations within a specified domain, and by boundary conditions on
the periphery of that domain. The solution may be obtained by extremising a
functional, or a set of functional, over the whole domain. As an example, structural
analysis problems are governed by following equations:

(i) Computability, or strain displacement relations.


(ii) Stress strain relations.
(iii) Equilibrium equations.
The solution may be obtained by minimizing the total potential
energy of the structure.
Generally speaking, in order to solve a BVP,
one of the following methods may be used.

Exact or closed form

Approximate

solution
Direct

solutions

integration
Seperation of

Trial function

variables
Laplace

Methods

transform
Infinite series, ,
etc.

Finite
difference

Method. FDM
Finite Element Method
FEM
Boundary Element Method
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BEM

1.2 Approximate Solutions

(i)

Finite Difference Method (FDM):

The problem domain to be discretised point wise and the value of the field
function at any point is to be determined in terms of its value at some of the
surrounding points.
Therefore, in this method the governing differential equation (s)
is transformed into a set of simultaneous (linear or non linear)
algebraic equations, which may be solved directly or iteratively. The
FDM is difficult to use for problems with unusual types of boundary
conditions. However, the FDM is still a reliable technique for
computational fluid mechanics.

FD modeling

(ii)

Trial Function Methods:


A solution is assumed in terms of unknown parameters, for a 2

dimensional problems.
2

u~x, y a1 a2 x a3 y a4 x 2 a5 xy a6 y 2 ... etc

To obtain such a unknown parameters


(

Extremis a functional over the whole domain variational

approach.
minimum

functiona

extremum

maximum

example:

function of

stationar

(x,y)

2u 2u

0
x 2 y 2

[Governing Differential Equation GDE].

The solution is that which satisfies

u~ 2 u~
2
x
y
domain

dxdy extremum {variations statement}.

Hence 0 1st variation

i.e.

0 where
ai

i 1,2,...

This procedure is known as the Rayleiyh Ritz method

( b ) Minimize the weighted error obtained by substituting the


assumed solution in the differential equation.

for

2u 2u
2 u~ 2 u~

0 Error 2 2
x 2 y 2
x
y

W x, y Error
i

if

dxdy 0 i 1,2,...

i u~ uexact

where Wi (x,y) = Weighting functions


This procedure is known as the Weighted Residual Method.

Disadvantages of the trial function method:

(1) Assuming a single solution, valid for the whole domain may required
an excessive number of terms which may in turn, lead to high
rounding off errors.
(2) It is difficult to satisfy general boundary conditions.
Finite Element Method FEM:
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This method is based upon trial function method once their


difficulties have been overcomes as follows:

- Piecewise discretization is employed in order to simplify the


assumed trial function. The domain is divided into a number of subdomains finite elements and the equations for each sub-domain can
be derived. The equations for the whole domain can therefore be
assembled from those of sub-domains.
- To facilitate the satisfaction of boundary conditions, pointwise
discretization is used. The solution can be expressed in terms of
nedal values and interpolation shape functions.

Point wise

Piecewise

discretization

discretization

RITZ METHOD EXAMPLES


Example 1

The bar is of one metre long and is fixed on the left. On the right it is subjected to a
force.
Consider the PDE

In 1-D case (as shown in the diagram above) with no body forces it reduces to

Hookes law in 1-D is

Thus we have
The BC on the left is
And on the right the force BC is

Constructing the potential energy expression for the bar


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We now select a linear approximation function

Since we have a BC

Substituting our trial function (with


we get

in the boundary term) into the functional

Performing the differentiation within the brackets

Minimising the potential energy (which is equivalent to the first variation or the integral
statement with your trial function substituted) gives

Substituting in the values of E and


And
Since the 1-D problem is solved exactly by the linear approximation function, this
approximation function is the exact solution of our DE.
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Example 2
The tapered rod is subjected to a constant load P.

Example 3
The bar below is subjected to a concentrated end force.

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Assuming the following approximation functions

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12

13

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But EBC is fulfilled

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