Unit: Heat Transfer

FINITE ELEMENT METHODS (16 ME 64)

Compiled by: Dr P R Venkatesh
Associate Professor
ME Dept, RVCE, Bengaluru-59

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Basic Concepts
Heat: A form of energy
Temperature: Degree of hotness or coldness of a
body
Heat Transfer: Transfer of energy from one region
to another due to temperature difference till the
equality of temperature or thermal equilibrium is
attained.
Basically, there are three modes of heat transfer;
1. Conduction
2. Convection
3. Radiation
 Heat Transfer by Conduction
Conduction:
• Heat conduction is a mechanism of heat transfer
from a region of high temperature to a region of
low temperature within a medium. (Solid, liquid
or gas)
• It can also take place between two bodies in
physical contact, without much appreciable
motion of molecules forming the substance.
Pure conduction is found only in solids.
Fourier law of Heat Conduction
(Joseph Fourier was a French mathematician)
Fourier law states that Rate of heat
conduction ‘Q’ is proportional to the A
area ‘A’ measured normal to the T1 T1 > T2
direction of heat flow and to the
temperature gradient (dT/dx) in that Q

direction. T2

 dT   dT 
Q   A   Q  kA 
x

 dx   dx 
where Q = heat flux (Watt or J / s)
2dT
A = Area in m , =Tempr gradient Kelvin / meter
dx
k = Thermal conductivity in W / m - K, ( ve sign indicates
that temperature decreases in direction of heat flow)
 Heat Transfer by Convection
Free stream
T Ts  T

Moving fluid Q Ts

Wall
 Newton’s law of cooling
• The rate of heat transfer by convection between the fluid at
temperature T and the solid surface at temperature TS is
given by ‘Newton’s law of cooling’.
Q  hA Ts  T  where 'h' (W / m 2 K) is the convective
heat transfer coefficient which depends on the fluid flow
but not a property of the material. A = Surface Area in m 2
Ts = Temperature of the surface, K
T = Temperature of the fluid, K
• Convection is possible only in a fluid medium. Effectiveness
of convection depends largely on the mixing motion of the
fluid.
 Stefan-Boltzmann Law Of Radiation
• A black body is a hypothetical perfect absorber and radiator
of energy, with no reflecting power.
• Stefan-Boltzmann Law states that “the emissive power of a
black body is directly proportional to the fourth power of its
absolute temperature”.
Q  T4  Q   AT 4 where  = Stefan  Boltzmann constant
 = 5.669  10 8 W / m 2 K 4 , A  Surface area of the body in m 2
T  Absolute temperature in Kelvin
*When there is a radiation exchange between two black bodies at
temperatures T1 & T2 , then Q =  A(T14  T24 )
** Real surfaces do not radiate as much energy as black bodies.
They are called grey bodies with emissivity ' ' such that
Q =  A (T14  T24 )
 Finite Element formulation for heat transfer problems

1-D Heat transfer problem is analogous to 1 D bar element in structural analysis.

 u   T 
1) Strain   in structural anlysis is replaced by temperature gradient  
 x   x 
2) The stiffness matrix  k  is replaced by thermal conductivity matrix  k t 
3) Nodal displacement vector u is replaced by nodal temperature vector T 
4) The load vector is replaced by heat generated /conducted/convected in from
the element.
5) Displacement/force bc's are replaced by bc's of specified temperature/heat flux.
6) The shape functions, stiffness matrix & [B] matrix remains same.
7) Either Elimination approach or Penalty approach may be used for solving
the equilibrium equation.

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

Points to be remembered :
Ak  1 1
1) Thermal conductivity matrix  kc  =  1 1 
l  
0 0 
2) If there is convection at free end,  kh end  hA  
 0 1 
Ak  1 1 0 0 
Then,  k    kc    kh end     hA  
l  1 1   0 1 
0 
3) Force vector due to free end convection  Fh end =AhT  
1 
4) If there is convection from surface of the fin & end insulated
hpl  2 1 
 kh     where p = perimeter of the fin
6 1 2 
Ak  1 1 hpl  2 1 
Then,  k    kc    kh   
l  1 1  6 1 2 
 
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
Points to be remembered
5) Force vector if there is internal heat generation
qAl 1
Fq   2 1 where q is the heat generated per unit volume

6) Force vector due to surface convection of a fin
hT pl 1
Fh  
2 1
qAl 1 hT pl 1
 Global force vector  F     
2 1 2 1
7) The equilibrium equation is  K T   F

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

Boundary conditions in Thermal problems :
Mainly there are three kinds of boundary conditions;
(i) Specified temperature boundary conditions :
Consider the wall of a furnace or tank containing hot liquid at
a temperature To and the outer surface exposed to atmosphere
at temperature T . Let the outside surface of the wall be maintained
at TL as shown in fig. The boundary conditions are; A

T@ x 0  To  h

q@ x  L  hA(TL  T )  k

To

𝑇∞

TL

L
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
(ii) Specified heat flux (or insulated)boundary conditions :
Let the inner surface of the wall be insulated and the outer surface
is exposed to atmpsphere for convective heat transfer. The bc's are;
q@ x 0  0 
 A
q@ x  L  hA(TL  T ) 
h
Insulated k

𝑇∞

TL

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

(iii) Convective boundary conditions :
Let To be the root or base temperature of a fin with an insulated tip.
(i.e. heat going out of the tip is negligible). The bc's are;
T  To @ x  0 

q0@xL 

T0 Insulated tip

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Problem 1
Determine the temperature distribution through the
composite wall shown in fig.

T1 h 2
=900 W/m - 0C
20 0C 0
k2 =25 W/m - C

T1 h 20
=900 W/m - C
20 0C 0
k2 =25 W/m - C

T2 k1 =10 W/m2- C
0
T2
𝑇∞ = −100 𝐶
k1 =10 W/m2-
0
C T3

0.08 m 0.06m

T3

0.08 m 0.06m
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
Here, two elements are to be considered, only end convection
prevails with no internal heat generation. Also Area A  1 m 2
Element thermal conductivity matrices :
Ak1  1 1 1  10  1 1  1 1
Element 1 :  k   
(1)
=125 
l1  1 1  0.08  1
 
1  1 1 

Element 2 : As there is end convection from node 3,
Ak2  1 1 0 0  1  25  1 1 0 0 
k 
( 2)
  hA    900  1 
l2  1 
1  0 1 
 0.06 
 1 1 
  0 1 

 1 1 0 0   416.67 416.67 
 k   416.67 
( 2)
    
 1 1   0 900   416.67 1316.67 
(Taking 125 as common factor so as to easily add the matrices 1 & 2)
 3.33 3.33
 k   125 
( 2)

 3.33 10.53 
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
 1 1 0 
Global conductivity matrix  K   125  1 4.33 3.33
 
 0 3.33 10.53 
For no heat generation, & only end convection,
F   0 0 hT   0 0 9000
T T

Equilibrium equation is :  K T    F 

1 1 0  T1   0 
   
 125  1 4.33 3.33 T2    0 
 0 3.33 10.53  T3  9000 
Using elimination approach with specified temeperture T1  20o C ,
the load vector becomes; (0  k11T1 ) (0  k21T1 ) ( 9000  k31T1 )
T

  F   (0  125  20) 0  (125  20) 9000  0  20

T

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

F   2500 2500 9000
T

Now,eliminating first row & first column,

 4.33 3.33 T2   2500  T2   0.84 
125       
 3.33 10.53  T3  9000  T3   7.1 
The temperature distribution is T  = 20 -0.84 -7.1
T o
C

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Problem 2
Determine the temperature distribution through the
composite wall shown in fig.
k1  25 W / moC
k2  35 W / m oC

h
To k3  55 W / m C
o
k1 k2 k3
Ti h  30 W / m 2 o C
Ti or T  9000 C
To or T4  250 C
0.4 m 0.2 m 0.2 m

Composite wall
Area A  1 m 2

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 h T1 T2 T3 T4
To 1 2 3
h k1 k2 k3 Ti
Ti
FE model of composite wall

0.4 m 0.2 m 0.2 m

Composite wall

Here, 3 elements are to be considered, only end convection prevails at node 1

with no internal heat generation.
Element thermal conductivity matrices :
Element 1 : As there is end convection to node 1,
Ak1  1 1 1 0  (1) 1  25  1 1 1 0   92.5 62.5
k  (1)
  hA  k    30  =
l1  1 
1 
0 0 
 
0.4  1 1   
 0 0   62.5 62.5 
Ak2  1 1 1  35  1 1  175 175
Element 2 :  k    
( 2)
 1  0.2  1 1   175 175 

l2  1
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
 Ak3  1 1 1  55  1 1  275 275
Element 3 :  k    
(3)

l3  1 1  0.2  1 1   275 275 

Global conductivity matrix is;
 92.5 62.5 0 0  T1 
 62.5 237.5 175  T 
0  2
  
K    Temperatures  T   
0 175 450 275 T3 
  T4 
 0 0 275 275 
Load vector (only end convection is prevailing at node 1)
1  1  27000 
0  0   0 
     
F  hAT    30 1 900     
0  0   0 
0  0   0 
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
Equilibrium equation is :  K T    F 
 92.5 62.5 0 0  T1  27000 
 62.5 237.5 175 0    0 
    
T2  
 
 0 175 450 275  T3   0 
   
 0 0 275 275  T4   0 
Using elimination approach with T4  20o C , load vector becomes;

F   (27000  k14T4 ) (0  k24T4 ) (0  k34T4 ) (0  k34T4 )

T

F   27000 0 (0  (275  20) (0  275  20)

T

  F   27000 0 5500 5500 Now eliminating row 4 & column 4,

T

 92.5 62.5 0  T1  27000 

 62.5 237.5 175 T    0 
  2  
 0 175 450  T3   5500 
T1 = 400.14 o C , T2 = 160.22 o C, T3 = 74.53 o C
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
 Problem 3
Determine the temperature distribution in the
rectangular fin as shown in fig. Assume steady state
heat conduction & the heat generated inside the fin as
400 W/m3

k=7000 W/m-K
0
140 c 0.01 m
0.05 m
0.02 m

Here, A  b  t  0.02  0.01  2 104 m 2

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

Here, a single element may be considered, no convection ( h  0)
prevails and there is internal heat generation q  400 W / m3
Element thermal conductivity matrix :
Ak  1 1 2  104  7000  1 1
 28 28
k         
l  1 1  0.05  1 1   28 28 
Force vector due to internal heat generation
qAl 1 400  2 104  0.05 1 0.002 
F        
2 1 2 1 0.002 
 28 28 T1  0.002 
Equilibrium equation is  K T    F       
 28 28  T2  0.002 
As T1 = 140 o C, for elimination approach, the load vector may be
modified as;  F  = 0.002  (28 140) 0.002  ( 28 140
T

  F   3920 3920
T

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

Equilibrium equation is  K T    F 
 28 28 T1  3920 
    
 28 28  T2   3920 
Eliminating first row & first column, 28T2  3920
 T2 = 140 0 C
The temperature distribution is T   140 140
T o
C

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Problem 4
Determine the temperature distribution in a 1 D fin as
shown in fig. Ignore the heat convection from the end of
the fin, and consider heat loss from lateral surface only.
0
Tair = 50 0 C h = 6 W/cm2 C

T1 = 1500C 0
 =2 cm
k = 80 W/cm C

6 cm

Note : As there is convection from lateral surface of the fin and ignoring
the heat loss from the end of the fin;  k    kc    kh 
Ak  1 1 hpl  2 1  hT pl 1
k    1 1   6 1 2  and Load vector F  2 1 where p   d
l     
Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE
Here, a single element may be considered, convection prevails
and there is no internal heat generation.
Element thermal conductivity matrix : (including convection)
 1 1 hpl  2 1 
Ak
 k    kc    k h  
 1 1   6 1 2 
 l   
 d 2   22
where Area A    3.14 cm 2 , p   d    2  6.28 cm
4 4
3.14  80  1 1 6  6.28  6  2 1   117.23 4.187 
k         
6  1 1  6  1 2   4.187 117.23 
hT pl 1 6  50  6.28  6 1 5652 
and load vector F      
2 1 2 1 5652 

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

Equilibrium equation is  K T    F 
 117.23 4.187  T1  5652 
    
 4.187 117.23  2 
T 5652 
As T1 = 150 o C, the load vector may be modified as;
F  = 5652  (117.23 150) 5652  (4.187 150)  11932 6280.05
T T

 117.23 4.187  T1   11932 

    
 4.187 117.23  2 
T 6280.05 
Eliminating first row & first column, 117.23T2  6280.05
 T2 = 53.57 0 C
The temperature distribution is T  = 150 53.57 
T o
C

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Problem 5
Determine the temperature distribution in a 1 D fin as
shown in fig. Assume steady state heat conduction &
the heat generated inside the fin as 400 W/m3. Diameter
of the circular rod is 0.02 m.
Insulation

T1 = 80 0C k = 300 W/m0C  =0.02 m

0.08 m
3
Q= 400 W/m

Ans : The temperature distribution is T   80 78

T o
C

Dr P R Venkatesh, ME Dept RVCE

 Problem 6
A composite wall consists of three materials, as shown in Fig.
The outer temperature is To= 200C. Convection heat transfer
takes place on the inner surface of the wall with temperature
8000C and h = 25 W/m2°C. Determine the temperature
distribution in the wall.
Solution: A three-element
finite element model of the
wall is shown in Fig. The
element conductivity matrices
are;
Note: The boundary condition T4= 20oC can also be handled by the
elimination approach. The fourth row and column of K is deleted, and R
is modified, the resulting equations are;

which yields
 Problem 7
A metallic fin, with thermal conductivity k =360 W/m°C, 0.1 cm
thick, and 10 cm long, extends from a plane wall whose
temperature is 235°C. Determine the temperature distribution
and amount of heat transferred from the fin to the air at 20°C
with h = 9 W/m2 -°C. Take the width of fin to be 1 m.