Infinite to Finite

Introduction

The infinite degree of freedom continuum system/problem (the number of independent variable
required to describe the state of the system) is reduced to finite degree of freedom
system/problem using some approximations. The complex continuum region is discretized into
finite number of small domains called elements connected through nodes and then analyzed.
 History of Finite Element Method
Introduction

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was first developed in 1943 by R. Courant, who utilized the Ritz
method of Numerical Analysis and Minimization of Variational Calculus to obtain approximate
solution. There after in 1956 Turner, Clough, Martin and Topp established a broader definition of
Numerical Analysis By the early 1970’s Finite Element Technology was further enhanced by
Zeinkiewicz, Cheung, Hinton and Crisfield being the major contributor.
Basic Background Requirement
Area of Interest
a) Structural/Solid Mechanics

b) Fluid Dynamics

c) Heat Transfer

d) Electrostatic

e) Electromagnetic etc..

Numerical Analysis

Matrix Algebra

Computers

Software
 Introduction to Numerical Methods/Techniques
Numerical Methods

Numerical methods are the mathematical methods that are used to approximate the
solution of complicated problems so that the solution consists of only four basic algebraic
operation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

• Matrix Algebra

• Gauss Elimination Method

• Gaussian Quadrature Rule

 Matrix Algebra
Matrices

In mathematics, a matrix (plural: matrices) is an array of numbers, symbols or expression arranged in

rows and columns. Matrices are represented by an alphabet within a parenthsis. Size of the matrices are
idendified by the number of rows and columns in it

Square parenthsis [ ] are used to represent a rectangalur or square matrices and flower parenthsis { } is
always used to represent a column vector and { }T is used to represent row vector.

[A] is rectangular matrix in which i referes the number of rows and j referes the number of columns.
ixj

In a matrices i rows are horizontal and the j columns are vertical. Each element of a matrix is often
denoted by a variable with two subscripts. For example, in a matrix [A], a23 represents the element at the
second row and third column of a matrix A.
 Solution of Linear Algebraic Equations
Gauss Elimination Method
An ‘N’ simultaneous equations when written in the matrix form will be as [A]{X} = {B}
in which the matrix [A] is a square matrix of (n x n) matrix {X} and {B} are the column matrices
of (n x 1). Then the solution of the ‘N’ set of simultaneous equations are determined by most
popular method which is easy to implement on the computer i.e. Gauss Elimination Method.
Gauss elimination method has basically two major steps ( i ) Elimination Process
and ( ii ) Back substitution Process.
In the Elimination Process
a11x1 + a12x2 + a13x3 = b1 x1 + a’12x2 + a’13x3 = b’1
a21x1 + a22x2 + a23x3 = b2 is transformed to x2 + a’’23x3 = b’’2
a31x1 + a32x2 + a33x3 = b3 x3 = b’’’3
In the Back Substitution Process xn is known from the last equation which is then substituted
into the last but one equation and so on one can determine all the other unknowns.
 Numerical Integration
Gaussian Quadrature Rule
INTEGRATION is the process of finding a function, given its derivative, is called anti-
differentiation (or integration). If F'(x) = f(x), we say F(x) is an anti-derivative of f(x). Integrals
arise when we wish to determine the change in a quantity ‘y’ whose rate of change with respect
to another variable ‘x’ is described as a function f(x).

Consider the definite integral I = a∫b f(x) dx …… (1)

We frequently come across the limits of integral in actual problem varying from a to b. But in
Finite Element Analysis the problems are formulated using natural coordinates systems whose
value varies from -1 to +1. As the limits of integral a to b in x domain of equation has to be
changed/mapped onto x domain from -1 to +1 by means of the transformation given by
x = (b - a)x/2 + (b + a)/2
dx = (b-a)dx/2
 Numerical Integration
Gaussian Quadrature Rule
Thus one method of dealing with this is to transform the actual problem to one which does have
the limit from -1 to +1 as

a∫ -1∫ f(x) dx ……… (2)

I= b f(x) dx = +1

In which x and dx as in equation (1) and is replaced by x and dx in integral of equation (2).

Then Gaussian Formula is expressed in the form

I = ∫ab f(x) dx = ∫-1+1 f(x) dx = ∑ n Wg f(xg)
g=1

= W1f(x1) + W2f(x2) + W3f(x3) + W4f(x4) + W5f(x5) + ……. + Wnf(xn)

Where W1, W2, W3…....Wn are weight functions and x1, x2, x3 …… xn are the Gaussian Points
 Methodology, Engineering Problems / Application
Classical Method (Analytical Solution) Example for Solid/Structural Mechanics Problems
• Solving Equations involving Algebraic Equation, Differentiation and Integration by Conventional Method
• Energy Methods
• Displacement Approach
• Stiffness and Flexible Influence Coefficient
 Introduction to Finite Element Method.
Infinite to Finite
• The infinite degree of freedom continuum problem (the number of independent variable
required to describe the state of the system) is reduced to finite degree of freedom problem
using some approximations. The complex continuum region is discretized into finite
number of small domains called elements and then analyzed.

• Transformation from Global (X) Coordinate to 1 2

x
Natural (x) Coordinate system and vice versa can x = -1 x = +1

be achieved from the relation

0 x1 x2 X

x = [2(x – x1)/(x2 – x1)] - 1

 Why Finite Element Method?
Advantages of FEM?
• Handles non homogeneous and anisotropic complex materials

• Handles complex and irregular geometries

• Handles multiple loading conditions

• Handles various kinds of boundary conditions

• Handles structural interactions

• Handles linear and non-linear problems

• Handles coupled field problems.

 Why Finite Element Method?
Disadvantages of FEM?
• Error Free Input Data

• Interpretation of Output Results

• Economically Costlier
 Types of Elements
Selection of Basic Unknown ( Displacement is basic unknown in Solid/Structural Mechanics)
• Pascal Triangle
• Iso-parametric Formulation.
• Sub-parametric Formulation.
• Super-parametric Formulation.

Shape of the Elements

• One Dimensional Element – Line Element
• Two Dimensional Element – Triangle and Quadrilateral
• Three Dimensional Element – Tetrahedron, Hexahedron
 Steps in Finite Element Method
Six Steps in Finite Element Method
• Discretization of the given Continuum.
• Approximation of the Basic Unknown.
• Element Characteristic Equation.
• Assembly of Characteristic Equation for overall Continuum.
• Solution of the basic unknown.
• Computation of the other unknown.
Thank You!