faster

aOPERTIES OF THE SHAPE FUNCTION

properties
of the shape function are
The
1. The v
value of a shape function at a specified point is unity and other than at the specified
value its zero
oint it
der a bar element having two nodes and having shape function N, at node 1 and N, at
E x - C o n s i d e r

Node 2.

-1 = 1
2

Fig. 5.14:1-D bar element

We know that, N, = N and N,= X-

X XX
To find the values of shape function N,
At node 1, x = . N, =
x, = 1 and

At node 2, x =
X, N, = x = 0
=00

To find the values of

shape function N,
At node 1,x = X1 N, = =0
At node 2, XX
x =
X, N, =
=1
 234-Finite Element Methods

Hence the statement.

functions is equal to unity
2 Sum of the shape
I
N, +
N, =

i.e..

The derivative of the shape function is a constant

3.
dN dN2
Constant
constant and
1.e. dx
dx

5.7 ISOPARAMETRIC FORMULATION

5.7.1 Necessity of Isoparametric Formulation

With the fim establishment of the principles of finite element analysis, it is found that the develonman
nent
of element characteristics will follow a prescribed path once the shape functions have been chosen
For instance in the analysisofplane stress or strain once the functions describing the displacemenus
within the element in terms of the nodal values are known, standard expressions can be used and
the element properties are uniquely defined. The possibilities of improvement of approximation are
thus confined to devising alternative element configurations and developing new shape functions
In two-dimensional analysis the simplest element shapes are obviously a triangle and a rectangle,
defined by three or four nodes respectively. The first has rightly become most popular due to the
ease with which the subdivision can be graded and boundary shapes approximated. The rectangular
shape places much greater constraints on these factors and has a very limited applicability. Both
elements present the lowest possible forms of approximation and are of limited accuracy
An obvious improvement is the addition of a number of nodal points along the sides of such elements
thus permiting a smaller number of variables to be used for solution of practical problems witha
given degree of accuracy. Unfortunately the number of elements required is often governed the by
need to represent boundary configurations reasonably. Here, with a smaller number of more
complicated elements, the straight sides of the elements mentioned are a distinct drawback. Hence,
for the analysis of any irregular geometry, it is difficult to use such elements directly. Forexample
the continuum having curve boundary as shown in the figure 5.15(a) has been discretised into a

mesh of finite elements in three ways as shown.

(a) The Continuum to be discretised (b) Discretisation using Triangular Elements

 235
Higher Order Elements

Discretisa using rectangular elements (d) Discretisation usinga combination of

e)
rectangular and quadrilateral elements
Fig. 5.15: Discretization of a continuum using different elemenis
Figure5.15(b)
. I5(b presents a possible mesh using triangular elements. Though, triangular elements ca
mate the circular boundary of the continuum, but the elements close to the center
Suitable a p p r o x i m a

becomesslenderandihence affect the accuracy of finite element solutions.One possible solution to

the
problem
is to reduce the height of each row of elements as we proach to the center. But,
ecessary refining of the continuum generates relatively large number of elements and thus
unneces

heredses computation time. Alternatively, when meshing is done using rectangular elements as
shown in figure 5.15(©). the area ofcontnuum excluded from the finite element model is significantuy

adeauate to provide incorect results. In order to improve the accuracy of the result one can
enerate mesh using very small elements. But, this will significantly increase the computation time.
Anather possible way is to use a combination of both rectangular and triangular elements as discussed
earier. But such types of combination may not provide the best solution in terms of accuracy. since
diferent order polynomials are used to represent the field variables for different types of elements.
Also the triangular elements may be slender and thus can affect the accuracy. In figure 5. 15(d). the
same continuum is discretised with rectangular elements near center and with four-node quadrilateral
elements near boundary. This four-node quadrilateral element can be derived from rectangular
elements using the concept of mapping. Using the concept of mapping regular triangular, rectangular
or solid elements in natural coordinate system (known as parent element) can be transformed into
Cartesian coordinate system having arbitrary shapes (with curved edge or surfaces) is known
s isoparametric formulation. Figure 5. 16 shows the parentelements in natural coordinate system
and the
mapped elements in global Cartesian system
(0.0.1)

(1,0,0) (0. 1.0)

4(-11) 3(1.1) (XY)

p(x.y)\

I(-1,-1) 2(1-1) 2(x,. y)

236-Finite Element Methods

P(x,y)6

10 9
4.
10 P(x. y)

12
X

L0

(a) Natural Coordinate

System (b) Global Coordinate Syste m
Fig. 5.16: Mapping of isoparametric elements in global coordinate
coordinate system
512 Coordinate Transformation
6.7.2

of an el
The
geometry an
element may be Higher Order Elements 237
expressed in terms of
the
X = interpolation functions as follows
N,x+N,K2 t+
+N,x,,=N ,X,
y= Ny+N,y2 +.
+N,y, =N,y
I

z =
N +
N3t +N,, =N,Z
Where. n i=
=
Number of nodes
N Interpolation functions
p
Coordinates of nodal
points of the element
One can also express the field variable
variation in the element as

5.7.31s0-, Sub- and Super parametric element

un.=N,n.u, i

Isoparametric elements
Iforder the shape function used to define the
used to define the geometry are equal to the orderof the
displacement, then such elements are known
shape function
shown in figure (5.17). as
isoparametric elements as
L.&.,
N= N
Sub parametric elements

l order the shape function used to define displacement is

greater than order of the shape function
USed to define geometry, then such elements are known as sub parametric elements
figure (5.18). as shown in

N > N
uper parametric elements
or r the shape function used to define displacement is less than order of the shape function used
e
to defin
me geometry, then such elements are known as super parametric elements as shown in figure
519).
N <N
238-Finite Element Methods

Fig. 5.18S Fig. 5.19

Fig. 5.17

O Nodes for displacement

O Nodes for Geometry

N Shape function for Geometry
N Shape function for displacement