Computer AIDED DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Module-V

Finite Element Method (FEM) or Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method for solving problems of
engineering and mathematical physics. It is also referred to as finite e lement analysis (FEA).
Typical problem areas of interest include structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow, mass
transport, and electromagnetic potential. The analytical solution of these problems generally
requires the solution to boundary value problems for partial differential equations. The finite
element method formulation of the problem results in a system of algebraic equations. The
method yields approximate values of the unknowns at discrete number of points over the
domain. To solve the problem, it subdivides a large problem into smaller, simpler parts that
are called finite elements. The simple equations that model these finite elements are then
assembled into a larger system of equations that models the entire problem. FEM then uses
variational methods from the calculus of variations to approximate a solution by minimizing
an associated error function.
The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical technique for solving problems
which are described by partial differential equations or can be formulated as functional
minimization. A domain of interest is represented as an assembly of finite elements.
Approximating functions in finite elements are determined in terms of nodal values of a
physical field which is sought. A continuous physical prob lem is transformed into a
discretized finite element problem with unknown nodal values. For a linear problem a
system of linear algebraic equations should be solved. Values ins ide finite elements can be
recovered using nodal values. Two features of the FEM are worth to be mentioned:
i) Piece- wise approximation of physical fields on finite elements provides good
precision even with simple approximating functions (increasing the number of elements we
can achieve any precis ion).
ii) Locality of approximation leads to sparse equation systems for a discretized
problem. This helps to solve problems with very large number of nodal unknowns.
The finite element method is a computational scheme to solve field problems in
engineering and science. The technique has very wide application, and has been used on
problems involving stress analys is, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, diffusion, vibrations,
electrical and magnetic fie lds, etc. The fundamental concept involves dividing the body
under study into a finite number of pieces (sub-domains) called elements (see Figure).
Particular assumptions are then made on the variation of the unknown dependent variable(s)
across each element using so-called interpolation or approximation functions. This
approximated variation is quantified in terms of solution values at special element locations
called nodes. Through this discretization process, the method sets up an algebraic system of
equations for unknown nodal values which approximate the continuous solution. Because
element size, shape and approximating scheme can be varied to suit the problem, the method
can accurately simulate solutions to problems of complex geometry and loading and thus
this technique has become a very useful and practical tool.

Xty Page 1
COMMON FEA APPLICATIONS
♦ Mechanical / Aerospace / Civil / Automotive Engineering
♦ Structural / Stress analysis
 Static / Dynamic
 Linear / Nonlinear
♦ Fluid flow
♦ Heat Transfer
♦ Electromagnetic fields
♦ Soil mechanics
♦ Acoustics
♦ Biomechanics

1. Mathematical Model
(1) Modeling

Xty Page 2
 (2) Types of solution
Exact Eq. Approx. Eq.
Exact Sol. ◎ ◎
Approx. Sol. ◎ ◎

(3) Methods of solution

FINITE ELEM ENT M ETHOD OR ANALYSIS

Xty Page 3
Xty Page 4
Xty Page 5
Xty Page 6
 {F} = [K] {U}
[K] = Stiffness or Property Matrix
{U} = Nodal Displacement Vector
{F} = Nodal Force Vector

Xty Page 7
Development of Finite Element Equation
• The Finite Element Equation Must Incorporate the Appropriate Physics of the
Problem
• For Problems in Structural Solid Mechanics, the Appropriate Physics Comes from
Either Strength of Materials or Theory of Elasticity
• FEM Equations are Commonly Developed Using Direct, Variational- Virtual Work
or Weighted Residual Methods
Direct Method
Based on physical reasoning and limited to simple cases, this method is worth
studying because it enhances physical understanding of the process.
Variational- Virtual Work Method
Based on the concept of virtual displacements, leads to relations between internal
and external virtual work and to minimization of system potential energy for equilibrium
Weighted Residual Method
Starting with the governing differential equation, special mathematical operations
develop the “weak form” that can be incorporated into a FEM equation. This method is
particularly suited for problems that have no variational statement. For stress analys is
problems, a Ritz- Galerkin WRM will yie ld a result identical to that found by variational
methods.

Xty Page 8
Xty Page 9
ONE DIM ENSIONAL ELEMENT

Xty Page 10
Xty Page 11
Xty Page 12
Xty Page 13
Xty Page 14
Xty Page 15
Xty Page 16
Xty Page 17
Xty Page 18
Xty Page 19
Xty Page 20
Xty Page 21
Xty Page 22
Xty Page 23
Xty Page 24
Xty Page 25
Xty Page 26
Xty Page 27
Xty Page 28
Xty Page 29
Xty Page 30
Xty Page 31
 Module-V- Problems

Note: Simple problems with axial bar element (Structural Problems only)

Xty Page 32
Xty Page 33
Xty Page 34
Xty Page 35
Xty Page 36
Xty Page 37
Xty Page 38
Xty Page 39
Xty Page 40
Xty Page 41
Xty Page 42
Xty Page 43
Xty Page 44
Xty Page 45
Xty Page 46
Xty Page 47
Xty Page 48
Xty Page 49
Xty Page 50
Xty Page 51
Xty Page 52
Xty Page 53