Course Instructor:

Atique Ahmad
‫عتیق احمد‬
Contact:
atiq@pieas.edu.pk

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering

and Applied Sciences
1
Chapter – 6
Interpolation Functions for General
Element Formulation
Introduction

●
The structural elements in previous chapters were formulated on the
basis of known principles from mechanics of materials theory.
●
This chapter examines the requirements for interpolation functions in
terms of solution accuracy and convergence of a finite element
analysis to the exact solution of a general field problem.
●
Interpolation functions for various common element shapes in one,
two, and three dimensions are developed, and these functions are used
to formulate finite element equations for various types of problems.

●
But first, a little terminology …

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Continuity

●
A problem has C n - continuity, if the derivatives of the field variable
up to and including nth-order derivatives are continuous across element
boundaries.

●
Thus a bar element is C 0 continuous, since across element boundary
only the field variable (displacement) itself is continuous.

●
Whereas the beam element is C 1 continuous, since across element
boundary the slope (1st derivative of displacement) is also continuous.

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Compatibility

●
Along element boundaries, the field variable and its partial derivatives
up to one order less than the highest-order derivative appearing in the
integral formulation of the element equations must be continuous.
●
Of course, this condition must be met by the chosen interpolation
functions.
●
This ensures, in structural problems, that there are no gaps or voids and
also no ‘kinks’ in case of beam elements.
●
In heat transfer problems, this ensures that there are no sudden jumps in
temperatures, which would be physically unacceptable.

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Completeness

●
In the limit as element size shrinks to zero in mesh refinement, the
field variable and its partial derivatives up to, and including, the
highest-order derivative appearing in the integral formulation must be
capable of assuming constant values.
●
For structural problems, this allows for rigid body motion; in beam
problems this allows for rigid body rotation.
– This leads to constant strain elements.
●
For heat transfer problems, this allows for no heat flux cases.

●
These conditions, although important w.r.t. convergence of FEM, are
neither rigorous nor fully detailed. Theoretical depth is not part of
undergrad courses but for post-graduate courses and research.

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Polynomial Forms – 1D Elements

●
Formulation of finite element requires repeated use of calculus.
●
Polynomials are most easily differentiated and integrated, thus are first
choice for interpolation functions.
●
For one-dimensional problems, 1st degree polynomial was used for bar
elements: u(x)=a0 + a1 ( x)

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 Constant Strain Triangle

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 Rectangular Element
Serendipity Coordinates

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Rectangular Element, Physical Coordinates (x, y)

●
Nodes are numbered counter-clockwise.
●
A four-term polynomial is needed to satisfy four
end conditions at the four nodes.
ϕ ( x , y )=a 0 +a1 x+a 2 y +a3 x y
Note the symmetry ensuring geometric isotropy.
–
●
The field variable: ϕ ( x , y )=[1 x y x y ]{a}
●
Applying end conditions:
1 x1 y1 x1 y 1 a1

{}[ ]{ }
ϕ1
ϕ2 = 1 x 2 y 2 x2 y 2 a2
ϕ3 1 x3 y3 x 3 y 3 a3
ϕ4 1 x4 y 4 x4 y 4 a4 1 x1 y1 x1 y 1
−1

[ ]{}
ϕ1
1 x2 y2 x2 y2 ϕ 2 =[ N ( x , y )]{ϕ }
●
Thus: ϕ ( x , y )=[ 1 x y x y] i i
1 x3 y3 x3 y3 ϕ3
1 x4 y4 x4 y 4 ϕ4

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Rectangular Element, Natural Coordinates (r, s)

●
Orienting our local CS at the centroid, such that:
x− x̄ y− ȳ
r= , s=
x 2 −x 1 y 4− y 1
●
Both r and s vary from –1 to +1.
●
Apply the end-conditions on the four nodes,
essentially by inspection, shape functions are:
1
N 1 (r , s)= (1−r)(1−s)
4
1
N 2 (r , s)= (1+r)(1−s)
4
1
N 3 (r , s)= (1+r)(1+ s)
4
1
N 4 (r , s)= (1−r)(1+ s)
4
●
Finally:
ϕ ( x , y )= ϕ (r , s)=N 1 (r , s) ϕ 1 + N 2 (r , s) ϕ 2 + N 3 (r , s) ϕ 3 + N 4 (r , s) ϕ 4

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Rectangular Element, Natural Coordinates (r, s)

●
As in case of triangular element we had much simple area coordinates,
similarly these (r, s) coordinates are much simpler for derivation of
shape functions, which are then easy to integrate.
●
Triangular element can be extended to three-dimensional tetrahedral
element with volume coordinates in place of area coordinates.
●
Also, rectangular elements can be extended to 8-node brick elements.
●
Such formulation can be extended to higher order (usually quadratic)
elements with additional mid-side nodes.

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Irregular Shaped Elements

●
Simple regular shape elements, such as rectangular or
brick elements, are not very suitable to model a
complex shape domain.
●
A quarter circle can be modeled using either triangular
elements, but shapes become distorted in some places.
●
If using rectangular elements, it is very difficult to
follow curved boundary.
●
It would be better to have rather loosely shaped
quadrilateral elements along the curved boundary
along with rectangular elements in other regions.

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Isoparametric Formulations

●
Derived as a mapping from quadrilateral (parent) element on to a
natural coordinates rectangular element:
4 4

x=∑ G i ( x , y) x i x=∑ N i (r , s) x i
i=1 i=1
4 4

y=∑ G i ( x , y) y i y=∑ N i (r , s) y i
i=1 i=1

● Ni(x, y) are geometric interpolations between physical coordinates.

● Ni(x, y) are same interpolation functions as in rectangular element.
4
●
Field variable: ϕ ( x , y )= ϕ (r , s)= N (r , s) ϕ
∑
i=1
i i

●
Significance …
●
Without delving deeper in mathematics.

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Integration in Natural Coordinates, Quadrature

●
Gauss-Legendre Quadrature formula:
x2 1 m
I =∫ g( x )dx=∫ f (r) dr=∑ W i f (r i )
x1 −1 i=1

●
In two-dimensions, quadrature formula becomes:
1 1 m n
I =∫ ∫ f (r , s)dr ds=∑ ∑ W j W i f (r i , s j )
−1 −1 j=1 i=1
●
Extending to three-dimensions:
1 1 1 l m n
I =∫ ∫ ∫ f (r , s , t )dr ds dt =∑ ∑ ∑ W k W j W i f (r i , s j , t k )
−1 −1 −1 k=1 j=1 i=1
●
Increasing number of quadrature points increases accuracy.

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 Application of Finite Elements in
Solid Mechanics
Case Study – Plane Stress

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Plane Stress – A Review

●
The body is small in one coordinate direction
(z direction by convention) in comparison to
the other dimensions; the dimension in the z
direction (thickness t) is either uniform or
symmetric about the xy plane; t < 1/10th of the
smallest dimension in the xy plane.
●
Loading only in the xy plane. E
σ x= 2
( ε x − νε y )
1− ν
●
The material of the body is linearly elastic,
E
isotropic, and homogeneous. σ y= 2
( ε y − ν εx )
1− ν
●
From mechanics of materials: E
τ xy = γ xy =G γ xy
1 ν 0 2(1+ ν )
σx
{}
σy =
τ xy
E
1− ν
2
[0 0
ν 1 0
]{ }
εx
ε y ⇒ {σ }=[ D ]{ε }
1− ν γ
2
xy

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Plane Stress – Strain Energy per Element

●
Strain energy per unit volume:
1 T 1 T
ue = {ε } {σ }= {ε } [ D ] {ε }
2 2
●
Total strain energy of an element of volume V becomes
1 T
U e= ∫∫
2 V
∫ {ε } [ D ] {ε }dV

●
Plane stress elements have a constant thickness t: dV = t dA = t dx dy
t T
U e = ∫∫ {ε } [ D ]{ε }dx dy
2x y

●
After this constitutive relation, we apply the interpolation functions of
a constant strain triangle as a starting example.

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Plane Stress – CST’s Strain-Displacement Matrix

●
The field variable is the two-component displacement,
u( x , y)=N 1 ( x , y)u1 +N 2 ( x , y)u 2 + N 3 ( x , y)u3
v ( x , y )= N 1 (x , y )v 1 +N 2 ( x , y) v 2 +N 3 ( x , y) v 3
●
First, we calculate strains as the derivatives of displacements, i.e.,
∂u ∂ N1 ∂ N2 ∂ N3
εx = = u+ u+ u
∂x ∂x 1 ∂x 2 ∂x 3
∂ v ∂ N1 ∂N2 ∂ N3
ε y= = v+ v + v
∂y ∂y 1 ∂y 2 ∂y 3
∂ u ∂ v ∂ N1 ∂ N2 ∂ N3 ∂ N1 ∂ N2 ∂ N3
γ xy = + = u1 + u2 + u3 + v 1+ v2 + v3
∂ y ∂x ∂ y ∂y ∂y ∂x ∂x ∂x
●
This is written in easy to remember matrix form as:
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂ N3 u1

[ ]{ }
0 0 0
∂x ∂x ∂x u2
εx ∂ N1 ∂N2 ∂N3 u3
{ }
{ε }= ε y =
γ xy
0
∂N1 ∂N2
0 0
∂ N3
∂y
∂ N1
∂y
∂N2
∂y
∂N3
v1
v2
=[ B ]{δ(e )}

∂y ∂y ∂y ∂x ∂x ∂x v3

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Plane Stress & CST – Strain Energy

●
The strain energy expression shown earlier is now written as:
1 (e) T T (e)
U e= ∫∫
2 V
∫ {δ } [B ] [ D][ B]{δ }dV

●
In fact, this is the generally applicable relationship for all solid and
structural elements by employing the appropriate forms and sizes of
the matrices [B], [D] and the column vector [δ(e)].
●
Typically for 2D plane stress elements, it reduces to:
t (e) T T (e)
U 2 D= ∫ ∫
2 x y
{δ } [B ] [ D][ B]{δ }dx dy

●
And for constant strain triangle, all terms are constant within the
element, thus
t A (e) T T (e)
U CST = {δ } [ B ] [ D][ B]{δ }
2

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Plane Stress CST – Stiffness Matrix [k]

●
As with the beam elements, all of the loads are applied
at the nodes only; here as two component forces.
●
We consider point loads only for now. Distributed loads
are replaced by work-equivalent forces on a similar
concept applied to beams.
●
Applying the principle of minimum potential energy:
∂ Π = ∂(U e −W ) =0 i=1, 6
∂ δi ∂ δi
∂ t A {δ(e) }T [ B]T [ D ][ B] {δ(e) }−{δ }T {f } =0
(
∂ δi 2 )
t A [B]T [ D ][B ]{δ(e) }={f }

[k ] {δ }={f }
●
Stiffness matrix for a constant strain triangle:
[ k (e) ]=tA [B ]T [ D ][ B]

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Finite Element Calculations

●
There is no need to derive the full form of the stiffness matrix in terms
of shape functions and material properties.
●
In computer codes (and hand calculations as well) it is much easier to
actually use matrix algebra only.
●
Matrix algebra expressions are not only easy to memorize, these are
less prone to errors.
●
In general, stiffness matrix for solid elements of any size and shape
can be written in matrix for as: (e)
(e)
T (e)
[ k ]=∫ [ B ] [ D ][B ]dV
V
●
In 2D, transforming into natural coordinates is easy as:
1 1
(e) T
[k ]2 D =t ∫ ∫ [ B] [ D ][ B]|J|dr ds
−1 −1

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Calculating Strains and Stresses

●
As with truss elements, calculations of strains and stresses is a
sequential process, starting with derivatives of nodal displacements.
(e)
{ε }=[B]{δ }
●
Note that strains are functions of spatial coordinates, i.e., ε = f (x, y)
●
Next, calculate stresses as:
(e)
{σ }=[ D ]{ε }=[ D ][B ]{δ }
●
Strains and stresses are within the element only.
●
An important stress parameter is the famous von Mises stress also
called the equivalent stress; calculated as:
( σ 1− σ 2 )2 +( σ2 − σ 3 )2 +( σ3 − σ 1 )2

●
σ eqv =
√ 2
σeqv > 0 and must be less than material’s yield stress Sy to avoid failure.

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Some Practical Considerations

●
Select the appropriate element type.
●
Solid, Plate, Shell, Beam, Truss, etc. Read the help.
●
Order of polynomial; usually quadratic by default is OK.
●
Spend ample time to generate a good mesh.
●
Although many FEA software can import CAD geometries, it is strongly
discouraged. Create your own geometry in the FEA software.
●
Automatic meshing in most commercial software is never ideal, since
the analyst is not in direct control.
●
Always try to create a geometry that can be mapped meshed. This is
never easy. If free mesh is the only choice, try hard to generate a mesh
that has smooth variations in element size and shapes. Read the software
documentation.
●
Post-processing is very important. Generate presentation quality plots.
●
Zoom in on critical areas. Highlight important numbers. Views in 3D
must carry significant information.
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 Only you are responsible for your work.
You simply cannot blame the computer.
Spend time to read software’s documentation.
Never be lazy.
Learn new software;
ANSYS is just one among many.

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 ‫قوتمغرب نہ از چنگ و رباب‬ ‫ِ‬
‫دخترانبے حجاب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬
‫رقص‬ ‫نے ز‬
‫ساحراناللہ روست‬
‫ِ‬ ‫سحر‬
‫ِ‬ ‫نے ز‬
‫قطع موست‬
‫ِ‬ ‫نے ز عریاں ساق و نے از‬
‫قوتافرنگ از علم و فن است‬ ‫ِ‬
‫از ہمین آتش چراغش روشن است‬
‫حکمت از قطع و بری ِد جامہ نیست‬
‫جوانشوخ و شنگ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫علم و فنرا اے‬
‫ِ‬
‫ملبوسفرنگ‬ ‫مغز میباید نہ‬

‫‪ME-516‬‬
‫‪ME-516‬‬ ‫‪ME-424‬‬
‫‪ME-424 Finite‬‬
‫‪Finite Element‬‬
‫‪ElementAnalysis‬‬
‫‪Analysis‬‬ ‫‪1/3/21‬‬
‫‪1/3/21‬‬