1-D Elements

1 Introduction
Where are we headed? We will be examining straight-line elements (i.e., 1-D) that contain an
unknown variable.
Ex: Heat Transfer from a Fin

We will represent the spatial variation of the unknown variable (e.g., temperature) using the fol-
lowing functions:
• Linear Functions (e.g., T = Ax + B)
• Quadratic Functions (e.g., T = Ax2 + Bx + C)
• Cubic Functions (e.g., T = Ax3 + Bx2 + Cx + D)
We will also examine:
1. Coordinate systems
2. Special Elements called Isoparametric
3. Numerical Integration

2 Linear Elements
Returning to the heat transfer fin, Let’s approximate the temperature distribution with a combi-
nation of linear functions.

Note:
• More elements...more accuracy (and more time)
• Elements do not need to be the same length so make elements shorter on the left side (large
gradient)

1
2.1 The Element
Approximate temperature within an element as
a linear function

T (e) = c1 + c2 X

B.C.’s:
T = Ti at X = Xi
T = Tj at X = Xj

Substitute B.C.’s into equation and solve simultaneously to obtain:

Ti Xj − Tj Xi Tj − Ti
c1 = c2 =
Xj − Xi Xj − Xi

Substituting
Ti Xj − Tj Xi Tj − Ti
T (e) = + X
Xj − Xi Xj − Xi
As with Axial Elements, T (e) is the temperature in the element at any location X.
Rearranging: ( ) ( )
(e) Xj − X X − Xi
T = Ti + Tj
Xj − Xi Xj − Xi
If shape functions are:
Xj − X Xj − X X − Xi X − Xi
Si = = and Sj = =
Xj − Xi ℓ Xj − Xi ℓ

Then: T (e) = Si Ti + Sj Tj

In matrix form, { }
(e)
[ ] Ti
T = Si Sj
Tj
Notice how this whole derivation is analogous to the axial elements derivation.

2.2 General Linear Elements

The preceding derivation using temperature can be used for any unknown variable where an ap-
proximate linear function is desired, such as temperature, deflection, or velocity.
Assuming an unknown variable, Ψ (Psi):

Ψ(e) = c1 + c2 X
Xj − X X − Xi
Si = Sj =
ℓ ℓ
{ }
[ ] Ψi
Ψ(e) = Si Sj
Ψj

2
3 Properties of Shape Functions
These properties seem trivial now, but will be very useful later :
1. Each shape functions has a value of 1 at its corresponding node. (i.e., Si = 1 at X = Xi and
Sj = 1 at X = Xj )

2. All shape functions have a value of 0 at is adjacent node. (i.e., Si = 0 at X = Xj and

Sj = 0 at X = Xi )

3. All shape functions, when added, equal to 1. (i.e., Si + Sj = 1)

dSi dSj
4. For linear shape functions the sum of the derivatives with respect to X is zero. (i.e., dX + dX =
0)

4 Quadratic Elements
• The accuracy of our finite element model can be increased via two different methods:
– Increasing the number of linear elements
– Using a higher order approximating function.

• Returning to the heat transfer fin, let’s approximate the temperature distribution with a
combination of quadratic elements.

• 1-D quadratic elements . . .

– Require three nodes to define the element
– Need 3 B.C.’s for the 3 unknown coefficients

Ex:

4.1 The Element

Node k is located in the middle of the element
Approximate temperature as a quadratic
function
T (e) = c1 + c2 X + c3 X 2
B.C.’s:
T = Ti at X = Xi
T = Tj at X = Xj
T = Tk at X = Xk

Substituting B.C.’s creates 3 algebraic Equations.

Ti = c1 + c2 Xi + c3 Xi2

Tj = c1 + c2 Xj + c3 Xj2
Tk = c1 + c2 Xk + c3 Xk2
Solving for c1 , c2 , and c3 simultaneously and then substituting back in, we get:
[ ] [ ] [ ]
2 2 −4
T = 2 (X − Xj )(X − Xk ) Ti + 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xk ) Tj + 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xj ) Tk
(e)
ℓ ℓ ℓ
3
If shape functions are:
2
Si = (X − Xj )(X − Xk )
ℓ2
2
Sj = 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xk )
ℓ
−4
Sk = 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xj )
ℓ
Then: T (e) = Si Ti + Sj Tj + Sk Tk

In matrix form:  
[ ]  Ti 
T (e) = Si Sj Sk Tj
 
Tk

4.2 General Quadratic Elements

This derivation works for any unknown variable. Assume unknown variable, ψ (psi)

Ψ(e) = c1 + c2 X + c3 X 2

The shape functions:

2
Si = (X − Xj )(X − Xk )
ℓ2
2
Sj = 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xk )
ℓ
−4
Sk = 2 (X − Xi )(X − Xj )
ℓ

In matrix form:  
[ ]  Ψi 
Ψ(e) = Si Sj Sk Ψj
 
Ψk
Notice the results of the shape functions at each node:

1. Si = 1 at X = Xi , Sj = 1 at X = Xj , Sk = 1 at X = Xk

2. Si = 0 at X = Xj & Xk , Sj = 0 at X = Xi & Xk , Sk = 0 at X = Xi & Xj

3. Si + Sj + Sk = 1

5 Cubic Elements
• We can achieve even more accuracy using a higher order approximation function.

• Let’s approximate temperature distribution in the heat transfer fin using a combination of
cubic elements.

• One-dimensional cubic elements require four nodes to define the element. (Need 4 B.C.’s for
the 4 unknown coefficients.)

4
Ex:

5.1 The Element

The 4 nodes are equally spaced, ℓ/3.
Approximate temperature as a cubic function

T (e) = c1 + c2 X + c3 X 2 + c4 X 3

Using B.C.’s to solve for c1 , c2 , c3 and c4 .

T = Ti at X = Xi
T = Tj at X = Xj
T = Tk at X = Xk
T = Tm at X = Xm

Resulting Equation
T (e) = Si Ti + Sj Tj + Sk Tk + Sm Tm

Where the shape functions are:

−9
Si = (X − Xj )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ3
9
Sj = 3 (X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ
27
Sk = 3 (X − Xi )(X − Xj )(X − Xm )
2ℓ
−27
Sm = (X − Xi )(X − Xj )(X − Xk )
2ℓ3
Again, T (e) is the temperature in the element at any location X.

5.2 General Cubic Elements

This derivation works for any unknown variable.
Assume unknown variable, ψ (Psi)

Ψ(e) = c1 + c2 X + c3 X 2 + c4 X 3

The shape functions are:

9
Si = − (X − Xj )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ3
9
Sj = (X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ3
27
Sk = 3 (X − Xi )(X − Xj )(X − Xm )
2ℓ
−27
Sm = (X − Xi )(X − Xj )(X − Xk )
2ℓ3
5
In matrix form:  

 Ψi 

[ ]  Ψj 
Ψ(e) = Si Sj Sk Sm

 Ψk 

 
Ψm
Notice the results of the shape functions at each node:

1. Si = 1 at X = Xi , Sj = 1 at X = Xj ,
Sk = 1 at X = Xk , Sm = 1 at X = Xm

2. Si = 0 at X = Xj , Xk , & Xm , Sj = 0 at X = Xi , Xk , & Xm ,
Sk = 0 at X = Xi , Xj , & Xm , Sm = 0 at Xi , Xj & Xk

3. Si + Sj + Sk + Sm = 1

6 Lagrage Interpolation Functions

• Higher order approximating functions: much more cumbersome and difficult to obtain the
shape functions

• Lagrange Method
– Keeps us from solving for c1 , c2 , c3 , c4 etc. by using simultaneous equations
– Instead, we directly write shape functions by multiplying several linear functions.

General Lagrange Polynomial formula for developing shape functions:

∏
N
X − XM omitting (X − XK ) (X − X1 )(X − X2 ) · · · (X − XN )
SK = =
XK − XM omitting (XK − XK ) (XK − X1 )(XK − X2 ) · · · (XK − XN )
M =1

for an (N - 1)-order polynomial. Therefore, for a 3rd -order polynomial, N = 4; for a 5t h-order
polynomial, N = 6.

Example
Use the Lagrange Polynomial formula to find the shape functions for the cubic element.

N − 1 = 3 ∴ N = 4, K = 1, 2, 3, 4

∏
N
X − XM omitting (X − XK )
SK =
XK − XM omitting (XK − XM )
M =1

For node i, K = 1:

(X − X2 )(X − X3 )(X − X4 ) (X − Xk )(X − Xm )(X − Xj )

S1 = =
(X1 − X2 )(X1 − X3 )(X1 − X4 ) (Xi − Xk )(Xi − Xm )(Xi − Xj )

(X − Xj )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
Si =
( −ℓ −2ℓ
3 )( 3 )(−ℓ)
−9
Si = (X − Xj )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ3
For node k, K = 2:

(X − X1 )(X − X3 )(X − X4 ) (X − Xi )(X − Xm )(X − Xj )

S2 = =
(X2 − X1 )(X2 − X3 )(X2 − X4 ) (Xk − Xi )(Xk − Xm )(Xk − Xj )

(X − Xi )(X − Xm )(X − Xj )
Sk =
( 3ℓ )( −ℓ −2ℓ
3 )( 3 )
6
 27
Sk = (X − Xi )(X − Xm )(X − Xj )
2ℓ3
For node m, K = 3:

(X − X1 )(X − X2 )(X − X4 ) (X − Xi )(X − Xm )(X − Xj )

S3 = =
(X3 − X1 )(X3 − X2 )(X3 − X4 ) (Xm − Xi )(Xm − Xk )(Xm − Xj )

(X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xj )
Sm = ℓ −ℓ
( 2ℓ
3 )( 3 )( 3 )
−27
Sm = (X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xj )
2ℓ3
For node j, K = 4:

(X − X1 )(X − X2 )(X − X3 ) (X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )

S4 = =
(X4 − X1 )(X4 − X2 )(X4 − X3 ) (Xj − Xi )(Xj − Xk )(Xj − Xm )
(X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
Sj =
(ℓ)( 2ℓ ℓ
3 )( 3 )
9
Sj = (X − Xi )(X − Xk )(X − Xm )
2ℓ3
Notice shape function properties are retained:

1. Value of 1 at its corresponding node

2. Value of 0 at its adjacent nodes

3. Sum of shape functions equal to 1

7 Introduction to Natural Coordinates and Isoparametric Elements

Local Coordinates in 1-D

X = Xi + x
Linear shape functions in Local Coordinates
Xj − X X − Xi
Si = Sj =
ℓ ℓ
Xj − (Xi + x) (Xi + x) − Xi
Si = Sj =
ℓ ℓ
x x
Si = 1 − Sj =
ℓ ℓ
Notice: 0 ≤ x ≤ ℓ
7
8 5.4 Natural Coordinates in 1-D
• Natural Coordinates are basically local coordinates in a dimensionless form.
• Natural Coordinates simplify numerical integration
• Notation is ξ, lower case Xi
• The objective is for ξ to be −1 at i and 1 at j.

2x ℓ
ξ= − 1 or x = (ξ + 1)
ℓ 2
at x = 0 → ξ = −1
at x = ℓ → ξ = 1
Let’s see what Linear Shape Functions look like in natural coordinate form:
x x
Si = 1 − Sj =
ℓ ℓ
( ) ( )
1 ℓ 1 ℓ
Si = 1 − (ξ + 1) Sj = (ξ + 1)
ℓ 2 ℓ 2
1 1
Si = 1 − (ξ + 1) Sj = (1 + ξ)
2 2
1 1
Si = 1 − ξ −
2 2
1
Si = (1 − ξ)
2
Notice shape function properties are retained for natural coordinates:
1. Si = 1 at X = Xi (ξ = −1)
Sj = 1 at X = Xj (ξ = 1)

2. Si = 0 at X = Xj (ξ = 1)
Sj = 0 at X = Xi (ξ = −1)

3. Si + Sj = 1

9 5.5 Isoparametric Elements

We can use the same parameters (Si , Sj ) to describe several different variables such as displacement,
temperature, and velocity.
Ex:
u(e) = Si ui + Sj uj T (e) = Si Ti + Sj Tj
1 1 1 1
u(e) = (1 − ξ)ui + (1 + ξ)uj T (e) = (1 − ξ)Ti + (1 + ξ)Tj
2 2 2 2
• Since all these variables all use the same finite element formulation it is common to call it an
Isoparametric formulation or Isoparametric element.
8
• Iso means “same.” Therefore Isoparametric means “same parameters.”
• This same formulation with local and natural coordinates can be performed on quadratic and
cubic elements.
• These are summarized in Table 5.1