SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

18MEE305T - FINITE ELEMENT

METHOD
UNIT : I
SESSION : 2&3
PREPARED BY : S.ESAKKIYAPPAN ALIAS GURUSAMY
 CONTENTS
2.1 Variational Problems Euler’s Equation
2.2 Specification of Continuum Problems
3.1 Minimum Potential Energy and
Rayleigh-Ritz method Problems in Differential
Equation
 2.1 Variational Problems
• In this method, the Finite Element Analysis is
simplified as an Approximate Method.
• Most Physical and Engineering problems can be
formulated in variational form, FEM is readily
available for the approximate solutions.
• Example:
1
Simply supported beam with UDL
 2.1 Variational Problems
• A major limitation of the method, Physical and
Engineering problems can not formed in all the
cases.
• Example
2
Design of Aircraft body in structural analysis
 2.2 Specification of Continuum
Problems
• Two ways to represent continuum problems.
• In first way , a variational principle valid over
the whole domain of the problem is postulated
and an integral I is defined in terms of the
unknown parameters and their derivatives.
• The solution of the problem is that minimizes
the integral I.
 2.2 Specification of Continuum
Problems
• In another ways, Differential equations
governing the behavior of a typical
infinitesimal domain are given along with the
boundary conditions.
• The result of two ways are exact solution using
mathematical calculations.
 2.2 Specification of Continuum
Problems
• Differential equation approach is more popular
in solving Physical and Engineering problems.
• But the variational approach will be of special
interest in studying the FEM.
• Variational approach is significantly used in
different branches of engineering.
 Exact and Approximate Solution
φ2
Approximate Solution

Exact Solution

φ1
 Advantages of Variational
Formulation
• The functional I usually possesses a clear
physical meaning in most practical problems.
• The functional I contains lower order
derivatives of the field variables compared to
the governing differential equation and hence
approximate solution can be obtained using a
larger class of functions.
 Advantages of Variational
Formulation
• Sometimes the problem may possess a dual
variational formulation, either minimum or
maximum function.
• It is used to prove the existence of solution in
some cases.
• Variational formulation permits us to treat
complicated boundary conditions as natural or
free boundary conditions.
 Advantages of Variational
Formulation
• Sometimes the problem may possess a dual
variational formulation, either minimum or
maximum function.
 3.1 Potential Energy and
Equilibrium Rayleigh Ritz
Method
z
w

y
y
x

v
Pi
u

V-
S -Volume
Surface
 3.1 Potential Energy and
Equilibrium Rayleigh Ritz
Method
•

Π = Strain energy + Work Potential.

 3.1 Potential Energy and
Equilibrium Rayleigh Ritz
Method
•
 Principle of Minimum
Potential Energy
• For conservative systems, of all the
kinematically admissible displacement fields,
those corresponding to equilibrium extremize
the total potential energy, if the extreme
condition is a minimum the equilibrium state is
stable.
• Kinematically admissible displacements are
those that satisfy the single value nature of
displacement (compatibility) and the boundary
conditions
Discrete Connected
System
 Discrete Connected System
•
 Discrete Connected System
•
 3.1 Rayleigh – Ritz Method
•
 3.1 Rayleigh – Ritz Method
•
One Dimension Rod
•
 One Dimension Rod
• Let us consider a polynomial function
u = a1 + a2x + a3x2 ---------- 1
• BCS
u = 0, at x = 0
u = 0, at x =2
So equation 1
0 = a1
0 = 2a2 + 4 a3
a2 = -2 a3
•
 REFERENCES

• Tirupathi Chandrupatla R, Ashok D. Belegundu, Introduction

to Finite Elements in Engineering, Third Edition. New Jersey ,
U S. Prentice Hall
Course Committee Members
Course faculty /
S.No Members campus
Coordinator
1 Mr.S.Balamurugan Course Coordinator Kattankulathur
2 Dr.Sandipan Roy Course faculty Kattankulathur
3 Dr. Srihari Dodla Course faculty Kattankulathur
4 Mr.D.Raja Course faculty Kattankulathur
5 Dr.P.V.Jeyakarthikeyan Course faculty Kattankulathur
6 Mr.J.Daniel Glad Stephen Course faculty Kattankulathur
7 Mr.K.Jegadeesan Course faculty Kattankulathur
8 Mr.P.Susai Manickam Course faculty Kattankulathur
9 Mr.M.Sachidhanandam Course faculty Kattankulathur
Mr. Esakkiyappan alias
10 Course Coordinator Ramapuram
Gurusamy S
11 D.K.Mohan Kumar . Course faculty Ramapuram
12 Mr. Arunraj Course faculty Ramapuram
13 Mr.Ravikumar Course Coordinator Vadapalani
14 Mr. Arunnath Course faculty Vadapalani
Thank you