CEng: 6502 - Finite Elements Method in Structures [3]

Course Contents
1. Introduction to Finite Element Method (FEM):
- Numerical methods, Disretization/Finite Elements, FE Analysis Procedures, FE Formulation
Rayleigh-Ritz & Galerkin's Methods, Basic Equations of Continuum Mechanics in FEM.
2. Basic Component - Single Finite Element:
- Introduction to 1-D, 2-D & 3-D Finite Elements (FE), Displacement Models, Convergence
Requirements, Nodal Degrees of freedom, Isoparametric Elements, Natural Coordinate
Systems, Interpolation Functions.
3. One-Dimensional Problems:
- FE modeling, Shape Functions, FE Formulation Element Stiffness Matrix & Force Vectors,
Assembly of Global Stiffness Matrix & Load Vector, FE Equations & Boundary conditions,
Temperature Effects.
4. Finite Element Analysis of Truss Structures:
- Two-dimensional (Plane) Trusses: Local & Global Coordinate Systems, Transformation Matrix,
Element Stiffness Matrix, Element Stresses, Temperature Effects; and
- Three-dimensional (Space) Trusses: Local & Global Coordinate Systems, Transformation
Matrix, Element Stiffness matrix, Element Stresses & Element Temperature Load Expressions.
5. Two-Dimensional Problems using Constant Strain Triangles (CST):
- FE Modeling, Constant-Strain Triangle (CST), Isoparametric Representation, FE Formulation
Element Stiffness Matrix & Force Vectors, Global Stiffness Matrix & Force Vector, Stress
Calculations, Temperature Effects, Problem Modeling and Boundary Conditions, 2D Problems
with Orthotropic Materials.
 CEng: 6502 - Finite Elements Method in Structures [3] --Cont’d
Course Contents --Cont’d
6. Axisymmetric Solids Subjected to Axisymmetric Loading:
- Axisymmetric Formulation, FE Modeling Triangular Element, Element Stiffness Matrix &
Force Vectors, Global Stiffness Matrix & Force Vector, Stress Calculations, Temperature
Effects, Problem Modeling & Boundary Conditions.
7. Two-Dimensional Isoparametric Elements & Numerical Integration:
- Four-node Quadrilateral Element, Shape Functions, Element Stiffness Matrix & Force
Vectors, Numerical Integration, Stress Calculations, Higher Order Elements 9-node & 8-node
Quadrilaterals, 6-node Triangle, 4-node Quadrilateral for Axisymmetric Problems.
8. Beams and Frames:
- FE Formulation of Beam-Elements, Element Stiffness Matrix, Load Vector, Shear Force &
Bending Moment, Beams on Elastic Supports, Plane Frames, Three-Dimensional Frames.
9. Three-Dimensional Problems in Stress Analysis:
- FE Formulation of Tetrahedral Elements, Element Stiffness Matrix & Force Vectors, Stress
Calculations, Mesh Preparation, FE Formulation of Hexahedral & Higher Order Elements,
Problem Modeling.
10. Additional Topics (Reading Assignments of Recommended FE-Books):
- Plates in Bending and Shells, Nonlinear FE Formulation (both Material and Geometric Non-
Linearities), Stability and Structural Dynamics Problems.
 CEng: 6502 - Finite Elements Method in Structures [3] --Cont’d
References
1. “Finite Element Modeling for Stress Analysis”, by Robert D. Cook, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., New York, 1995.
2. “Finite Element Procedures”, by K.J. Bathe, Prentice Hall, Pearson Education,
Inc., New Jersey, 1996.
3. “Introduction to Finite Elements in Engineering”, 3rd Ed., by T.R. Chandrupatla
and A.D. Belegundu, Prentice Hall, Inc., New Jersey, 2002.
4. “Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis”, 3rd Ed., by R.D. Cook,
D.S. Malkus and M.E. Plesha, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1989.
5. “Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis”, by David V. Hutton, McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc., New York, 2004.
6. “Introduction to the Finite Element Method”, by C.S. Desai and J.F. Abel, CBS
Publishers & Distributers, New Delhi, 1987.
7. “Finite Element Method -Vol.1: The Basis”, 5th Ed., by O.C. Zienkiewicz and
R.L. Tayor, Published by Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000.
8. “Finite Element Method -Vol.2: Solid Mechanics”, 5th Ed., by O.C. Zienkiewicz
and R.L. Tayor, Published by Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000.
9. “Introduction to Linear and Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis: computational
approach”, by Prem K. Kythe and Dongming Wei, Published by Springer
Science, New York, 2004.
 CEng: 6502 - Finite Elements Method in Structures [3] --Cont’d
References --Cont’d
10. “Introduction to the Finite Element Method”, 2nd Ed., by J.N. Reddy,
McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, 1993.
11. “Introduction to Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis”, 1st Ed., by J.N. Reddy,
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004.
12. “Introduction to Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis”, 2nd Ed., by J.N. Reddy,
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015.
13. “Computer Methods in Structural Analysis”, by J.L. Meek, CRC Press, E & FN
Spon, 1991.
14. “Finite Element Analysis-Theory and Programming”, 2nd Ed., by C.S. Krishnamoorthy,
Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, 1995.
 Chapter-1: Introduction
1.1 General:
• Analytical solutions are not possible for many eng’g problems, possible
only for certain simplified situations. Whereas numerical methods provide
approximate, but acceptable solutions only at a number of discrete points
of body. The process of selecting these discrete points in the body can be
termed as discretization.
• Discretization divides computational domain of continuous system into
finite number of sub-regions connected to finite number of points. This
computational domain can be 1-D, 2-D or 3-D continuum.
• One ways to discretize a body is to divide into equivalent system of smaller
bodies (units). The assemblage of such unit represents the original body.
• Instead of solving the problem for entire body in one step, solutions in
numerical methods are formulated for each unit and then combined to
obtain solution of original body.
• Numerical methods that can be adopted for computer solutions are finite
difference method & finite element method. Finite element method (FEM)
is the most preferred because program can be written systematically to
accommodate complex & difficult problems.

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 Chapter-1: Introduction --Cont’d
• FEM has become a powerful tool for numerical solution of a wide range of
boundary value problems in engineering. In these problems, a solution is
found in the region of body while values of dependent variables (or their
derivatives) are prescribed on boundaries of region.
• Applications of FEM range from deformation & stress analysis of buildings/
other structures to field analysis of heat flux, fluid flow, magnetic flux,
seepage, and other flow problems. The majority of applications are in area
of solid mechanics (including structural, soil and rock mechanics).
• Problems in FEM can be tackled by displacement- or equilibrium-methods.
Displacements are primary unknown quantities in displacement-method;
and Stresses are primary unknown quantities in equilibrium-method.
Majority of FEM literature has been written using displacement-method
since FEM is suited for systematic writing of computer program.
• In FE analysis, a complex region of continuum is discretized into simple
geometric shapes called finite elements. Material properties & governing
relations considered for these elements are expressed in terms of
unknown values at element nodes. Considering appropriate loadings &
constraints, assembly process results in a set of equations. Solution of
these Eqns. gives the approximate behaviour of continuum. 2
 Chapter-1: Introduction --Cont’d
• FE analysis procedure in setting up & solving any equilibrium problem are
summarized as follow:
1. Discretization of Continuum: a process in which body is subdivided into
equivalent system of finite elements. Finite elements may be triangles, or
quadrilaterals for 2-D continuum; and tetrahedra, rectangular-prisms or
hexahedra for 3-D continuum.
2. Selection of Displacement Models: a polynomial function is commonly
assumed for displacement model. There are 3 inter-related factors which
influence selection of a displacement model. (1) Degree of model must be
chosen. (2) Displacement magnitudes that describe the model must be
selected. These are displacements of nodal points (may include derivatives
of displacements at nodes). (3) Model should satisfy certain requirements
that ensure numerical results approach the correct solution.
3. Derivation of Element Stiffness Matrix: element stiffness matrix consists
of coefficients derived from material & geometric properties of element;
and obtained by energy or Galerkin methods. It relates displacements to
applied forces at nodal points; and is expressed as a set of simultaneous
linear algebraic equations given by, k.q = f
Element Stiffness matrix depends on (1) displacement model, (2) geometry
of element, and (3) local material properties or constitutive relations.
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 Chapter-1: Introduction --Cont’d
4. Assembly of Algebraic Eqns. for Entire Continuum: this process includes
assembly of global stiffness matrix for entire body from element stiffness
matrices, and global force vector from element nodal force vectors. Direct
stiffness method can be used for assembly; and the basis is that the nodal
interconnections require displacements at a node to be the same for all
elements adjacent to that node. Equilibrium relations b/n total stiffness
matrix, total load vector, and nodal displacement vector for the entire
body is expressed as a set of simultaneous Eqns. given by, K.Q = F
These Eqns. cannot be solved until geometric BC’s are taken into account
by appropriate modification of Eqns.
5. Solutions for Unknown Displacements: Eqns. assembled in step-4 are
solved for unknown displacements. This is straightforward application of
matrix algebra techniques for linear equilibrium problems. For nonlinear
problems however, desired solutions are obtained by a sequence of steps,
each step involving modification of stiffness matrix and/or load vector.
6. Computation of Element Strains/ Stresses: element strains/ stresses are
computed in terms of nodal displacements of element. Their values are
usually taken as some average value at center of element.
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 Chapter-1: Introduction --Cont’d
• FEM uses Potential Energy (Rayleigh-Ritz) or Variational (Galerkine’s)
methods for formulation & solution of elasticity problem.
1.2 Potential Energy & Equilibrium; Rayleigh-Ritz Method:
• Total potential energy  for elastic body is

This total potential energy can be used to find approx. solution of elasticity
problem based on principle of minimum potential energy.
• Rayleigh-Ritz method assume kinematically admissible displacement field
in terms of unknown coefficients and the corresponding strains/stresses,
substitute these into the total potential energy and get

For potential energy minimum, the extremum with respect to ‘ai’ yields
set of r-eqns. to solve for unknown coefficients (then displacements) as

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 Chapter-1: Introduction --Cont’d
1.3 Galerkin's Method:
• The approximate method revolve around setting the residual (L.û-P)
relative to a weighting function  reduced to zero. It is given by
--(1)
 is chosen from basis function used for constructing approximate û.
• Treating Eq.(1) using integration by part, Galerkin's equilibrium equation
of variational form for 3-D stress analysis is obtained as
--(2)
where  is an arbitrary displacement consistent with specified boundary
conditions of displacement.
Eq.(2) gives set of n-Eqns. for approx. solution of boundary value problem.
• Since Galerkin's method works directly from differential equation and it is
preferred to Rayleigh-Ritz method for problems where a corresponding
function to be minimized is not obtainable.
1.4 Basic Equations from Solid Mechanics:
• Refer Materials in Handout (section 1.4) or read Theory of Elasticity Notes.
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