Finite Element Methods

• About the Course

The course aims to cover basic theory and principles of finite element methods procedure and
apply finite element methodology to solve structural, thermal, fluid flow and dynamic problems

• Description of the Course

Finite element analysis is a widely used technique that is essential for engineering graduate
students / teachers / technical staff / design engineers in solving problems hence they should
have the basic knowledge of the theory and applications of this technique. We believe that
training graduate students/design engineers to use a specific software package without
providing knowledge of the underlying theory is a disservice to the students/design engineers
and can be dangerous for their future/present employers. Thus, attending this course engineers
will gain theoretical knowledge of finite element method and its application with the ability to
identify and rectify the errors while solving engineering problems and interpret the results from
the analysis.

Objectives of this Course (Learning Objectives / What Students

will learn) Benefit of the Course:
1. Understand and acquire the fundamental knowledge of finite element method
2. Apply finite element method to most relevant problems in mechanical engineering
domain
3. Demonstrate finite element analysis for solving a diversity of mechanical engineering
problems.
4. Ability to identify and rectify the errors while solving engineering problems
5. Knowledge to interpret the results from the analysis.

• Target Audience
Design Engineers/CAE Engineers/Engineers working in Mechanical, automotive, aerospace,
railways, defence, nuclear energy, thermal power, wind, medical equipment, electrical and
electronics etc, and related Industry involving design analysis can participate.
• Pre-Requisites
The prerequisites required are basic knowledge of mathematics, numerical techniques, static
and dynamics in solid/structural mechanics, thermal engineering, fluid mechanics and fluid dynamics
and general mechanical engineering related topics.

• Topics for this Course

Part A: THEORY
Sl. Session Title of the Topic Duration
No. in Hours
1 1 Basic Background Requirement to FEM 1 Hrs
2 2 and 3 Static Analysis – Solid and Structural Mechanics 4 Hrs
3 4 Introduction to FEM 2 Hrs
4 1 Types of Elements and their Properties 1 Hrs
5 5 Steps in Finite Element Method 2 Hrs
6 6 and 7 One Dimension Bar/Rod Element 4 Hrs
7 8 and 9 Finite Element Formulation of Beams and Frames 4 Hrs
8 10 to12 Finite Element Formulation of Two-Dimensional Problems 6 Hrs
9 13 and 14 Finite Element Formulation of Three-Dimensional Solid and 4 Hrs
Structural Mechanics Problems
10 15 and 16 Dynamic Analysis 4 Hrs
11 17 and 18 Heat Transfer Analysis 4 Hrs
12 19 and 20 Fluid Flow Analysis 4 Hrs
Total Duration of the Theory 40 Hrs

• Details of Topic
Part A: THEORY
Sl. Session Title of the Topic Duration
No. in Hours
Basic Background Requirement to FEM: - Matrix Algebra, Gauss
1 1 Elimination Method, Numerical Integration - Gaussian Quadrature Rule. 1 Hrs
Conformal Mapping, Jacobian Matrix.
Static Analysis - Solid and Structural Mechanics: - Basic of Solid
Mechanics: Approximation of Displacement Function, Strain-
Displacement, Hook’s Law, Stress-Strain Relations, Strain Energy, Work
2 2 and 3 Done, Total Potential. Principle of Minimum Potential Energy. Euler - 4 Hrs
Lagrange equation for bar, Euler - Lagrange equation for beam, Raleigh’s
Ritz method, Simple Problems on Springs, Bars and Beams using
Rayliegh's Ritz's method.
Introduction to FEM: - Introduction, Infinite to Finite, Coordinate
System – Global, Local and Natural Coordinates System, Coordinates
Transformation. Shape functions describing the unknown variable,
3 4 Pascal Triangle, Iso-parametric, Sub-parametric and Super-parametric
4 Hrs
formulation. Symmetric conditions – Planar, Axisymmetric, Cyclic and
Repetitive Symmetry.
 Types of Elements and their Properties: Different types of basic
elements, Higher order elements, Simplex, Complex and Multiplex
4 1 elements and special elements. Interpolation functions, Convergence 1 Hrs
Criteria, Patch test, Conform and Non-conform Elements. Co and C1
continuity elements.
Steps in Finite Element Method: Discretization, Approximation of the
Basic unknown, Elemental Characteristic Equation, Assembly of the
5 5 Overall Continuum, Solution of the Basic unknown, Computation of the 2 Hrs
other unknown. Treatment of Boundary Conditions: Elimination
Approach, Penalty Approach and Multi Point Constraint Approach.
One Dimension Bar/Rod Element: Finite Element Formulation of 1-D
(Basic and Higher Order) bar Element, Problems on uniform, tapered and
stepped bars subjected to different types of loading and boundary
6 6 and 7 conditions including Thermal Load. Formulation of Plane and Space 4 Hrs
Truss Element, Problems on Plane and Space Trusses subjected to
different types of loading and boundary conditions. Formulation of 1-D
Torsion Element.
Finite Element Formulation of Beams and Frames: Basics of Beam
Theory Hermite shape functions, Derivation of elemental stiffness matrix
and load vectors for different types of Loading. Numerical problems on
7 8 and 9 beams subjected to concentrated loads, linearly varying loads, uniformly 4 Hrs
distributed load and bending moments. Finite Element Formulation of
plane and space Frame Structures. Numerical problems.

Finite Element Formulation of Two-Dimensional Problems:

Introduction to Two Dimension Elasticity - Plane Stress and Plane Strain:
Stress-Strain Relations. Constant Strain Triangular (CST) membrane
element (TRIM3), Linear Strain Triangular (LST) membrane element
(TRIM6). Four node quadrilateral membrane element (QUAM4), Eight
8 10 to 12 node quadrilateral membrane element (QUAM8). Axisymmetric
6 Hrs
Elements- three node triangular axisymmetric element (TRIAX3), six
node triangular axisymmetric element (TRIAX6), Four node
quadrilateral axisymmetric element (QUAX4), Eight node quadrilateral
axisymmetric element (QUAX4).
Finite Element Formulation of Three-Dimensional Solid Mechanics
Problems: Three Dimension Elasticity: Hook's Law, Stress - Strain
13 and 14
9 Relationship. Solid Element - Four node Tetrahedron elements 4 Hrs
(TETRA4). Eight node Hexahedron Element (HEXA8). Twenty node
Hexahedron Element (HEXA20).
Dynamic Analysis: - Finite Element Formulation for Dynamic Analysis
– Extracting Eigen Value and Eigen Vectors. One Dimensional Finite
Element Formulation for Longitudinal Vibration, Problems on
15 and 16
10 Longitudinal Vibration. One Dimensional Finite Element Formulation 4 Hrs
for Lateral Vibration and Problems on Lateral Vibration. One
Dimensional Finite Element Formulation for Torsional Vibration.
Numerical Problems on Torsional Vibration
Heat Transfer: Basic equations of heat transfer: Energy balance
17 and 18 equation, Rate equation: conduction, convection, radiation, 1D finite
11 element formulation using vibration method, Problems with temperature
4 Hrs
gradient and heat fluxes, heat transfer in composite sections, straight fins.
Fluid Flow: Flow through a porous medium, Flow through pipes of
12 19 and 20 uniform and stepped sections, Flow through hydraulic networks.
4 Hrs
Total Duration of the Theory 40 Hrs
• Textbook/s
1. Logan, D. L., “A first course in the Finite Element Method “, Cengage Learning, 6th
Edition, 2016.
2. Rao, S. S., “Finite Element Method in Engineering “, Pergaman Int. Library of Science,
5th Edition, 2010.
3. Chandrupatla T. R, “Finite Elements in Engineering “, PHI, 2nd Edition, 2013

• Reference Books
1. J. N. Reddy, “Finite Element Method”, McGraw -Hill International Edition
2. Bathe K. J, “Finite Elements Procedures”, PHI
3. Cook R. D., et al., “Concepts and Application of Finite Elements Analysis” Wiley & Sons,
4th Edition, 2003

Further Details for Online/Offline Course Contact

Director R & D
Office: +91 80 49539628,
Mobile: +91 9900138009

DHIO Research & Engineering Pvt Ltd., # 28 (Old No 619/1), 2nd Floor, 36th Cross,
2nd Block, Rajajinagar, Next to Srinivasa Kalyana Mantapa, Bangalore-560010 India