Z SIMSCAL Beseemsineaecontetnvinensncicontig Documentation Search documentation a Serle bomen orem » Sn Platform Introduction httoswwsimscalecomvdocspatform/) ‘CAD Preparation and Upload htps:www simscalecom/docsfead-preparation) ‘Analy Types sew siscale.comidocslanalysis-types!) Simulation etuo sun siscale.comidocssimlation setup) Post-Processing (hitosuwmvesinscale.comidoespost-racessing/ ‘SinScale Tutorials and User Guides (Mtps/won simscale comidoes/tutoras) Validation Cases htps/wwnsimscalecomiéorsvaiation cases) Sin Wik (hetpstwwwsimsealecom/ocssimwsi) Hetpand Support tps: simscalecom/docs/elp-ané-support) Collaboration (hts wwwsimscalecomidcesplttorm/caliaboration) Knowledge Base ites: simscalecomiocs/krowledge-base) What Is FEA | Finite Element Analysis? The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) isthe simulation of any given physical phenomenon using, the numerical technique called Finite Element Method (FEM). Engineers use FEA software to reduce the number of physical prototypes and experiments and optimize components in their design phase to develop better products faster while saving on expenses. Itisnecessary to use mathematics to comprehensively understand and quantify any physical phenomena such as structural or fluid behavior, thermal transport, wave propagation, the growth of biological cells, etc. Most of these processes are described using Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). However, for a computer to solve these PDEs, numerical techniques have been developed over the last few decades, and one of the prominent ones, today, is the Finite Element Analysis.Differential equations not only describe natural phenomena but also phy encountered in engineering mechanics. These partial differential equations (PDEs) are ‘complicated equations that need to be solved in order to compute relevant quantities of a structure (like stresses (c), strains (¢), etc) in order to estimate the structural behavior under given load. Itis important to know that FEA only gives an approximate solution to the problem and is a numerical approach to getting the real result of these partial differential equations. ‘Simply, FEA is a numerical method used for the prediction of how a part or assembly behaves under given conditions. It is used as the basis for modern simulation software and helps engineers find weak spots, areas of tension, etc, in their designs. The results of a simulation based on the FEA method are usually depicted via a color scale that shows, for example, the pressure distribution over the object. Finite element method - Gilbert Strang Depending on one's perspective, FEA can be said to have its origin in the work of Euler as early as the 16th century. However, the earliest mathematical papers on Finite Element ‘Analysis can be found in the works of Schellbach [1851] and Courant [1943] FEA was independently developed by engineers in diferent industries to address structural mechanics problems related to aerospace and civilengineering. The development of FEA for real-life applications started around the mid-1950s, as papers by Turner, Clough, Martin & Topp 1956, Argyris[19571, and Babuska & Aziz [1972] show, The books by Zienkiewicz [1971] and Strang & Fix [1973] also laid the foundations for future developments in FEA software (https:/www.simscale.com/product/structural-mechanics/.TZ, SIMSCAL Bessie contete/inensni contig (ntti simscale com/wp-contentploads/2020/04/istor-rod-1jo8) Figure 1: FEA Simulation of apiston rod, The different colors are indicators of variable values that help predict mechanical benavor, Divide and Conquer: Approximations for FEA Tobe able to make simulations, a mesh consisting of up to millions of small elements that together form the shape of the structure needs to be created. Calculations are made for every single element. Combining the individual results gives us the final result of the structure. ‘The approximations we just mentioned are usually polynomials and, in fact, interpolations over the element(s). This means we know values at certain points within the element but not at every point. These ‘certain points’ are called nodal points and are often located at the boundary of the element. The accuracy with which the variable changes is expressed by ‘some approximation, for example, linear, quadratic, and cubic. In order to get a better understanding of approximation techniques, we will look at a one- dimensional bar. Consider the true temperature distribution T(x) along the bar in the picture below: — 2 {httpstwiewsimscale com/wp-contentploads/2020/04/Temperaturedistibution-t pe) Figure 2: Temperature cstribution along bar length with linear approximation between the nodal values.ZSIMSCA [freee eS ARBRE AUTR.2E is haat fve specific positions (Numbers 1-5 in Fillustratian). Haw can we predict the temperature between these points? A linear approximation is quite good, but there are better possibilities to represent the real temperature distribution. sayiargapagearation the temperature stribution along thebaris much sal SLPS that irrespectivé UF He Bon tar dlp RS ceRIR” ‘over the rod is known once we know the values at the nodal points. |fwe had an infinite bar, we would have an infinite amount of unknowns (DEGREES OF FREEDOM (DOF}). But in this case, we have a problem with a “finite” number of unknowns. Assystem with a finite number of unknownsis called a discrete system. system with an infinite number of unknowns is called a continuous system. For the purpose of approximations, we can find the following relation fora field quantity u(2) u(z) = u"( +el2) i) Where w(x) is the approximation, which differs from the real solution u(2),and e( x) is the error term, which is not known before. De facto, this error term has to vanish so that the approximate solution u*(2) becomes valid, The question that arises ishow w(z) can be parametrized in a discrete function space. One possible solution is to express u*() asa sum ‘of shape function ¢, (x) with coefficients cx (2). we) = adle) @) 2 ‘The line illustrated at the top shows this principle for a 1D problem. u can represent the ‘temperature along the length of a rod that is heated in a non-uniform manner. In our case, there are four elements along the x-axis, where the function defines the linear approximation of the temperature illustrated by dots along the line. One of the biggest advantages of using the Finite Element Analysis is that we can either vary the discretization per element or discretize the corresponding basis functions. De facto, ‘we could use smaller elements in regions where high gradients of u are expected, For the purpose of modeling the steepness of the function, we need to make approximations. Partial Differential Equations (PDE) Before proceeding with the FEA itsel tis important to understand the different types of PDEs and their suitability for FEA. Understanding this is important to everyone, irrespective of one’s motivation to use finite element analysis. One should constantly remind oneself that FEA software (https://wwrwsimscale.com/product/structural-mechanics/ isa tool, and any tool is only as good as its user. PDEs can be categorized as: + Elliptic: they are quite smooth ‘+ Hyperbolic: they support solutions with discontinuities, ‘+ Parabolic: they describe time-dependent diffusion (/docs/simwiki/efd- computational-fluid-dynamics/what-is-diffusion-ficks-laws/) problemsTZ SIMSC A psesehiowtnssnelsrenta enuatins neunday condos Iifsimecale com/nesisimwiki/nuimeries-hackgreuind/what-are-houindary-conditians/) and/or initial conditions need to be provided. Based on the type of PDE, the necessary inputs ‘can be evaluated. Examples of PDEs in each category include the Poisson equation (Elliptic), ‘Wave equation (Hyperbolic) and Fourier law (Parabolic) {https simscale com/wp-contentploats/2020/04/Laplacesequation.on.an.anoules-Lipe) Figure 3: Laplace equation analysis on an annulus; sometric view lft) and top view right) ‘There are two main approaches to solving elliptic PDEs ~ Finite Difference Analysis (FDA) and Variational (or Energy) Methods. FEA falls into the second category of variational methods. Variational approaches are primarily based on the philosophy of energy minimization. Hyperbolic PDEs are commonly associated with jumps in solutions. The wave equation, for instance, s a hyperbolic PDE. Owing to the existence of discontinuities (or jumps) in solutions, the original FEA technology (or Bubnov-Galerkin Method) was believed to be unsuitable for solving hyperbolic PDEs. However, over the years, modifications have been developed to extend the applicability of FEA software (https://wwwsimscale.com/product/structural-mechanics/ and technology. It is important to consider the consequence of using a numerical framework that is Unsuitable for the type of PDE that is chosen. Such usage leads to solutions that are known 2s “improperly posed”. This could mean that small changes in the domain parameters lead to large oscillations in the solutions, or the solutions exist only on a certain part of the domain ‘or time, These are not reliable. ‘Well-posed solutions are defined with a unique one that exists continuously for the defined data. Hence, considering reliability, itis extremely important to obtain them. The Weak and Strong Formulation ‘The mathematical models of heat conduction /docs/simwiki/heat-transfer-thermal- analysis/what-is-conduction/) and elastostatics covered in this series (https:/wwwsimscale.com/forum/t/the-fnite-element-method-fundamentals-phy:DZ SIMS CA Epesea28eee consist naialeliterentiakgavatios with inital and boundary Eaiditinns. This is also referred ta as the sn-ralled Strang Farm of the problem A few ‘examples of “strong forms" are given in the table below. 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