Introduction to FEM

• The FEM is a numerical procedure for obtaining approximate solutions to many of

the problems encountered in engineering analysis.

• In the FEM, a complex region defining a continuum is discretized into simple

geometric shapes called elements.

• The properties and the governing relationships are assumed over these elements
and expressed mathematically in terms of unknown values at specific points in the
elements called nodes.

• An assembly process is used to link the individual elements to the given system.
When the effects of loads and boundary conditions are considered, a set of linear
or nonlinear algebraic equations is usually obtained.

• Solution of these equations gives the approximate behaviour of the continuum or

system.
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• The continuum has an infinite number of degrees-of-freedom (DOF), while the
discretized model has a finite number of DOF. This is the origin of the name, finite
element method.
• The number of equations is usually rather large for most real-world applications of
the FEM, and requires the computational power of the digital computer. The FEM
has little practical value if the digital computer were not available.
• Advances in and ready availability of computers and software has brought the
FEM within reach of engineers working in small industries, and even students.
• It is difficult to document the exact origin of the FEM, because the basic concepts
have evolved over a period of 150 or more years.
• The term finite element was first coined by Clough in 1960. In the early 1960s,
engineers used the method for approximate solution of problems in stress analysis,
fluid flow, heat transfer, and other areas.
• The first book on the FEM by Zienkiewicz and Chung was published in 1967.
• In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the FEM was applied to a wide variety of
engineering problems.

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• The 1970s marked advances in mathematical treatments, including the
development of new elements and convergence studies.
• Most commercial FEM software packages originated in the 1970s (ABAQUS,
ADINA, ANSYS, MARK, PAFEC) and 1980s (FENRIS, LARSTRAN ‘80, SESAM
‘80.)
• The FEM is one of the most important developments in computational methods to
occur in the 20th century.
• In just a few decades, the method has evolved from one with applications in
structural engineering to a widely utilized and richly varied computational approach
for many scientific and technological areas

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• The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical approximation method. It is a
method of investigating the behavior of complex structures by breaking them down
into smaller, simpler pieces.
• These smaller pieces of structure are called (finite) elements. The elements are
connected to each other at nodes.

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 Element types

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 One dimensional Element

• 1D beam elements are used to model long, slender structural members as

demonstrated in this communications tower finite element model

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 Two dimensional Element

• 2D plate elements are used to model thin structural members such as aircraft fuselage skin
or car body

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 Three dimensional Element

• 3D solid elements are used to model thick components such as the piston head
show below

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 Procedure followed in FEM

• A given problem is discretized by dividing the original domain into simply shaped
elements. Elements are connected to each other by node.

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• Each node is capable of moving in six independent directions: three translations
and three rotations. These are called the degrees of freedom (DOF) at a node.

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• The relationship between an element and its surrounding node can be
described by the following equation: [ k ]e{ u }e= { f }e
• The elemental stiffness matrix [ k ]e is derived from geometry, material
properties, and element properties.
• The elemental load vector { f }e describes the forces acting on the
element.
• The displacement vector { u }e is the unknown in this equation. It
describes how the nodes are moving as a result of the applied forces.

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• Next the elemental stiffness matrices are assembled into a global stiffness matrix.
The loads are also assembled into a global load vector. This results in the following
matrix equation for the overall structure: [ K ] { u } = { F }

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• Next apply the boundary condition to the model (constrain the model).
Mathematically this is achieved by removing rows and columns corresponding to
the constrained degrees of freedom from the global matrix equation.

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• Finally the global matrix equation is solved to determine the unknown nodal
displacements.
• Element strains and stresses are then computed from the nodal displacements.

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 Summary of the procedure

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 Merits of using FEM

• Handle complex geometry:

» The heart and power of the FEM.
• Handle complex analysis types:
» Vibration
» Transients
» Nonlinear
» Heat transfer
» Fluids
• Handle complex loading:
» Node-based loading (point loads).
» Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial forces).
» Time or frequency dependent loading.
• Handle complex restraints:
» Indeterminate structures can be analyzed

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• Handle bodies comprised of nonhomogeneous materials:
» Every element in the model could be assigned a different set of material
properties
• Handle bodies comprised of nonisotropic materials:
» Orthotropic
» Anisotropic
• Special material effects are handled:
» Temperature dependent properties
» Plasticity
» Creep
» Swelling
• Special geometric effects can be modeled:
» Large displacements
» Large rotations
» Contact (gap) condition

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 Demerits of using FEM

• A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem. A general closed-

form solution, which would permit one to examine system response to changes in
various parameters, is not produced.

• The FEM is applied to an approximation of the mathematical model of a system

(the source of so-called inherited errors.)

• Experience and judgment are needed in order to construct a good finite element
model.

• A powerful computer and reliable FEM software are essential.

• Input and output data may be large and tedious to prepare and interpret.

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• Numerical problems:
» Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits
» Round off and error accumulation
» Not attaching stiff (small) elements to flexible (large) elements
• Susceptible to user-introduced modeling errors:
» Poor choice of element types
» Distorted elements
» Geometry not adequately modeled
• Certain effects not automatically included:
» Buckling
» Large deflections and rotations
» Material nonlinearities
» Other nonlinearities

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