Introduction to FEM

7
FEM Modeling:
Mesh, Loads
and BCs

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 1
 Introduction to FEM

Topics in Chapter 8

General Modeling Rules

Finite Element Mesh Layouts

Distributed Loads
NbN Lumping
EbE Lumping

Displacement BCs
suppressing rigid body motions
taking advantage of symmetry and antisymmetry

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 2
 Introduction to FEM

General FEM Modeling Rules

● Use the simplest elements that will do the job

● Never, never, never use complicated or

special elements unless you are absolutely
sure of what you are doing

● Use the coarsest mesh that will capture the

dominant behavior of the physical model,
particularly in design situations

3 word summary: Keep It Simple

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 3
 Introduction to FEM

Another Justification for Simplicity

In product design situations

several FEM models of increasing refinement
will be set up as design evolves

Ergo, do not overkill at the beginning

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 4
 Introduction to FEM

Where Finer Meshes Should be Used

entrant corners

Cutouts Cracks
Vicinity of concentrated (point)
loads, and sharp contact areas
weld

Load transfer
(bonded joints,
welds, anchors, Abrupt thickness Material
reinforcing bars, etc.) changes interfaces

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 5
 Introduction to FEM

Avoid 2D/3D Elements of Bad Aspect Ratio

Good Bad

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 6
 Introduction to FEM

Elements Must Not Cross Interfaces

No OK

Physical interface

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 7
 Introduction to FEM

Element Geometry Preferences

Other things being equal, prefer

in 2D: Quadrilaterals over Triangles

in 3D: Bricks over Wedges

Wedges over Tetrahedra

(Elements do not file discrimination suits)

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 8
 Introduction to FEM

Node by Node (NbN) Distributed

Load Lumping
Nodal force f3 at 3 is set to P, the
magnitude of the crosshatched area Distributed load

;;;
under the load curve. This area intensity (load acts
goes halfway over adjacent downward on boundary)
element sides

;;;
;;;
;;;
f3 = P
Boundary
1 2 3 4 5 6

Finite element
mesh

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 9
 Introduction to FEM

Element by Element (EbE) Distributed

Load Lumping

;;;
Force P has magnitude of Distributed load
crosshatched area under load intensity (load acts
C

;;;
curve and acts at its centroid. downward on boundary) f 2e = (b/L)P f3e = (a/L)P

;;;
2 P 3
a b

;;;
(e) centroid C of
crosshatched area
L=a+b
f2
(e)
P f3(e)
Boundary Details of element
force computations
1 2 3 4 5 6

Finite element
mesh

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 10
 Introduction to FEM

Boundary Conditions (BCs)

The most difficult topic for FEM

program users


 Essential
Two types
 Natural

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 11
 Introduction to FEM

Boundary Conditions
Essential vs. Natural

Recipe:
1. If a BC involves one or more DOF in a
direct way, it is essential and goes to the
Left Hand Side (LHS) of Ku = f

2. Otherwise it is natural and goes to the

Right Hand Side (RHS) of Ku = f

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 12
 Introduction to FEM

Minimum Support Conditions to

Suppress Rigid Body Motions in 2D

y
;;;;
(b) y (c)
;
(a)

;
;;
;;
;;
B

;;; ;
B B
;

A
;;; x ;
;;;; x

;
A A

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 13
 Introduction to FEM

Minimum Support Conditions

to Supress Rigid Body Motions in 3D

;;
y

;;
;; ;
B

;
;;;; ;;;
; ;;
;
D
;;
;;
;;;
;;;;
;;;
;;; ;;
A C x

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 14
 Introduction to FEM

Visualizing Symmetry and

Antisymmetry Conditions in 2D

Symmetry Antisymmetry
(a) line (b) line

A' A" A' A"

A A
loads
displacement
vectors

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 15
 Introduction to FEM

Example of Application of Symmetry BCs

y
(a)

A B

C D x

(b) ;; A B

C D
;;
;
;
;
;

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 16
 Introduction to FEM

Example of Application of Antisymmetry BCs

y
(a)
A B

x
D
C

;;
;; A B

;;
;;
;;
;;
(b)

;;
;;
;;
;;
D
C
Vertical (y) motion of one
node such as C or D may be
constrained to suppress y-RBM

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 17
 Introduction to FEM

"Breaking Up" Point Loads at Symmetry BCs

y
(a)

A B
P C D P x

(b)
P/2 P/2 ;; (c)

P/2 P/2
;;;
; ; P/2

;
;
;
;

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 18
 Introduction to FEM

"Breaking Up" Point Loads at Antisymmetry BCs

y
(A trickier problem)

A B
P P
C D x

;; ;;
2P

; ;
;;;;

;;
;;
;;
;;
;;

;;
;;;;
P/2
;

;
;

;
P/2

IFEM Ch 7 – Slide 19