ME469.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

N Jinesh

Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Rajiv Gandi Institute Of Technology, Kottayam

June 7, 2021

N Jinesh
Elastic Bar element

The linear spring can represent in various system in Engineering

applications. One direct application is the elastic bar which is a axial
member.
Consider an axial bar of length L, uniform cross section A and elastic
modulus E. The elongation or displacement u of the bar subjected to
an axial force F is computed from.
FL
u= (1)
AE
Rewriting the equation 1 gives
AE
F = u (2)
L
As a result equivalent spring constant for the axial bar is
AE
k= (3)
L

N Jinesh
Elastic Bar element
Consider a two nodded bar element and its equivalent spring system
as shown in Figure 1.

A, E

u1 u2
1 2
F1 F2

le

AE
1 k= le 2

Figure :

N Jinesh
Elastic Bar element

The equilibrium equations in matrix form can be written as

    
k −k u1 F1
= (4)
−k k u2 F2
AE
− AE
         
le le u1 F1 AE 1 −1 u1 F1
= = = (5)
− AE
le
AE
le
u2 F2 le −1 1 u2 F2
Thus element stiffness
 
AE 1 −1
ke = (6)
le −1 1

N Jinesh
Axial members represented by a equivalent spring

N Jinesh
Axial members represented by a equivalent spring

N Jinesh
Coordinate system in FEM

The following coordinate system are commonly used in FEM

1 Global coordinate system
2 Local coordinate system
3 Natural Co ordinate System

N Jinesh
Global coordinate system

It is a co ordinate system to define the whole system (entire

structure) under consideration. Figure 2 shows the global system used
for the some of the typical cases.

2 4 6
4 8

y
1 3 5 7 9 11

1 7 x
2 3 6 5 10

Figure : Global coordinate system

N Jinesh
Local coordinate system
It is a co ordinate system to define the each element or any suitable
sub-assembly separately as shown in Figure 3 which is convenient of
deriving element properties in FEM . However the final equations are
to be formed in the Global coordinate system.

x0

y0
(1)
y0
(2)
1 x0

Figure : Local coordinate system

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system

It is a special type of co ordinate system which permits the

specification of a point within the element by a set of
dimensionless numbers whose magnitude never exceeds unity.

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system

It is a special type of co ordinate system which permits the

specification of a point within the element by a set of
dimensionless numbers whose magnitude never exceeds unity.
It is obtained by assigning weights to the nodal coordinates in
defining the coordinate of any point inside the element.

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system

It is a special type of co ordinate system which permits the

specification of a point within the element by a set of
dimensionless numbers whose magnitude never exceeds unity.
It is obtained by assigning weights to the nodal coordinates in
defining the coordinate of any point inside the element.
Hence such system has the property that ith coordinate has unit
value at node i of the element and zero value at all other nodes.

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system

It is a special type of co ordinate system which permits the

specification of a point within the element by a set of
dimensionless numbers whose magnitude never exceeds unity.
It is obtained by assigning weights to the nodal coordinates in
defining the coordinate of any point inside the element.
Hence such system has the property that ith coordinate has unit
value at node i of the element and zero value at all other nodes.
The use of natural coordinate is in advantages of assembling
element properties since closed form integration formula are
available when the expression are natural coordinate system

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system in one dimension

Consider the two noded line element as shown in Figure let the
natural coordinates of point P be (L1 , L2 ) and the Cartesian
coordinate be x. Node 1 and node 2 have the cartesian coordinates x1
and x2 .

P (L1 , L2 )
1 2
∗ X
x1 x2
x

x − x1 x2 − x

Figure : Natural coordinate system in one dimension

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system in one dimension

In natural coordinate, weightage are given to the nodal coordinates

and total weightage is unity i.e
L1 + L2 = 1 and also
L1 x1 + L2 x2 = x

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system in one dimension

In natural coordinate, weightage are given to the nodal coordinates

and total weightage is unity i.e
L1 + L2 = 1 and also
L1 x1 + L2 x2 = x
i.e In matrix form     
1 1 L1 1
= (7)
x1 x2 L2 x

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system in one dimension

In natural coordinate, weightage are given to the nodal coordinates

and total weightage is unity i.e
L1 + L2 = 1 and also
L1 x1 + L2 x2 = x
i.e In matrix form     
1 1 L1 1
= (7)
x1 x2 L2 x
   −1     
L1 1 1 1 1 x2 −1 1
∴ = = (8)
L2 x1 x2 x x2 − x1 −x 1 1 x
   
L1 1 x2 − x
∴ = (9)
L2 x2 − x1 −x1 + x
It may be noted that x2 − x1 is the length of the element, say l and
can write    x2 −x 
L1 l
∴ = x−x (10)
L2 l
1

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate system in one dimension
The variation of L1 and L2 is shown in Fig 5. L1 is 1 (one) at node 1
and is zero at node 2 where as L2 is zero when referred to node 1 and
is 1 (one) when refereed to node 2. The variation is linear
1 2

(a)Variation of L1

(b)Variation of L2
N Jinesh
Natural coordinate ξ
In one dimensional problem, following types of natural coordinate is
also used where the co ordinates of any point in a system lies between
-1 and +1. The natural coordinate ξ for any point in the element
shown in Fig and it can be defines as
PC
ξ= x2 −x1

(11)
2

where P is the point referred and C is the center point of nodes 1 and
2.
C P
1 2
∗ ∗ X
x1 x2
x1 +x2 x
2

ξ = −1 ξ=0 ξ ξ=1

Figure : Natural coordinate ξ

N Jinesh
Natural coordinate ξ
x − xc
ξ= l

(12)
2
where l is the length of element=x2 − x1
2 x2 + x1
2 x2 − x1 + 2x1

ξ= x− = x− (13)
l 2 l 2
2 l + 2x1
2 l

ξ = x− = x − x1 − (14)
l 2 l 2
l l
ξ = x − x1 − (15)
2 2
or
l
(1 + ξ) = x − x1 (16)
2
It may be noted that , at node 1 where x = x1 ,
l
(1 + ξ) = x1 − x1 = 0 (17)
2
∴ ξ = −1 (18)
N Jinesh
Natural coordinate ξ
and at node 2 where x = x2 ,,we get
l
(1 + ξ) = x2 − x1 = l (19)
2
∴ξ=1 (20)
The variation of local coordinate ξ is as shown in Fig 7

1 0 2

Figure : Variation of ξ

N Jinesh
Shape functions

The aim of the FEM analysis is to find the field variables at

nodal points.
It is assumed that at any point inside the element, basic variable
is a function of values at nodal point.

N Jinesh
Shape functions

The aim of the FEM analysis is to find the field variables at

nodal points.
It is assumed that at any point inside the element, basic variable
is a function of values at nodal point.
This function which relate the field variable at any point within
the element to the field variable of nodal points is called shape
functions.

1 2

x=0 le x = le

Figure : 1 D element

N Jinesh
Shape functions

The field variable u(x) can be approximated as following first degree

of polynomial function.

u(x) = ao + a1 x

N Jinesh
Shape functions

The field variable u(x) can be approximated as following first degree

of polynomial function.

u(x) = ao + a1 x

At node 1, u = u1 hence u1 = a0 and at node 2 , u = u2 , hence

u2 = a0 + a1 le . Therefore above equation can be written as follows

(u2 − u1 )
u(x) = u1 + x
le
x x
u(x) = (1 − )u1 + u2
le le

N Jinesh
Shape functions

The field variable u(x) can be approximated as following first degree

of polynomial function.

u(x) = ao + a1 x

At node 1, u = u1 hence u1 = a0 and at node 2 , u = u2 , hence

u2 = a0 + a1 le . Therefore above equation can be written as follows

(u2 − u1 )
u(x) = u1 + x
le
x x
u(x) = (1 − )u1 + u2
le le

u(x) = N1 (x)u1 + N2 (x)u2

Where

N Jinesh
Shape functions

x
N1 (x) = 1 −
le
x
N2 (x) =
le
are shape functions or interpolating or basis functions of 1-D bar
element. The unknown field variable within an element is interpolated
by linear distribution as shown in Figure 9.
1 1
N1 (x) N2 (x)

le

Figure : 1 D element

N Jinesh
Properties of Shape functions

The properties of shape functions are.

1 Number of shape functions of an element depends on the number
of nodes and degree of freedom in the element.

N Jinesh
Properties of Shape functions

The properties of shape functions are.

1 Number of shape functions of an element depends on the number
of nodes and degree of freedom in the element.
2 Each shape function has a value of one at its own node and zero
at the other
( node as shown in Figure 9.
1 at node i
Ni (x) =
0 at other nodes

N Jinesh
Properties of Shape functions

The properties of shape functions are.

1 Number of shape functions of an element depends on the number
of nodes and degree of freedom in the element.
2 Each shape function has a value of one at its own node and zero
at the other
( node as shown in Figure 9.
1 at node i
Ni (x) =
0 at other nodes
3 The sum of all the shape functions isPequal to one.
n
N1 (x) + N2 (x) = 1. In general it is i=1 Ni = 1 and i is the
node number
4 The shape function are always polynomial of the same type as
the original interpolation equation

N Jinesh
Properties of Shape functions

The properties of shape functions are.

1 Number of shape functions of an element depends on the number
of nodes and degree of freedom in the element.
2 Each shape function has a value of one at its own node and zero
at the other
( node as shown in Figure 9.
1 at node i
Ni (x) =
0 at other nodes
3 The sum of all the shape functions isPequal to one.
n
N1 (x) + N2 (x) = 1. In general it is i=1 Ni = 1 and i is the
node number
4 The shape function are always polynomial of the same type as
the original interpolation equation
5 The accuracy of the result can be improved by increasing the
order of the polynomial

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

CST are most used two dimensional element which has three nodes
and are also known as Linear Displacement Triangle.

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

CST are most used two dimensional element which has three nodes
and are also known as Linear Displacement Triangle. Consider a
typical CST element as shown in Figure. Let the nodal variables are
u1 , v1 , u2 , v2 , u3 , v3 . i.e two dimensional displacement vector are

{q T } = {u1 , v1 , u2 , v2 , u3 , v3 }

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

CST are most used two dimensional element which has three nodes
and are also known as Linear Displacement Triangle. Consider a
typical CST element as shown in Figure. Let the nodal variables are
u1 , v1 , u2 , v2 , u3 , v3 . i.e two dimensional displacement vector are

{q T } = {u1 , v1 , u2 , v2 , u3 , v3 }

Use polynomial functions and consider the compatibility and

completeness, following displacement model is selected

u = a0 + a1 x + a2 y
v = a3 + a4 x + a5 y

N Jinesh
y

(x3 , y3 )
3
C
B
2 (x2 , y2 )

1
(x1 , y1 )
A

Figure :

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

Let us first consider the displacement vector {u}

∴ u1 = a0 + a1 x1 + a2 y1
u2 = a0 + a1 x2 + a2 y2
u3 = a0 + a1 x3 + a2 y3

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

Let us first consider the displacement vector {u}

∴ u1 = a0 + a1 x1 + a2 y1
u2 = a0 + a1 x2 + a2 y2
u3 = a0 + a1 x3 + a2 y3

    
u1  1 x1 y1 a0 
i.e u2 = 1 x2 y2  a1
u3 1 x3 y3 a2
   
   −1  
a0  1 x1 y1 u1 
∴ a1 = 1 x2 y2  u2
a2 1 x3 y3 u3
   

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

Adj
Since inverse of a matrix is Determinant and Adj = Cof actorT . Hence
   
1 x1 y1   1 1 1 
  
1 x2 y2  = x1 x2 x3  = 2A
   
1 x3 y3   y1 y2 y3 

Where A is the area of the triangle with vertices at (x1 , y1 ), (x2 , y2 )

and (x3 , y3 ) i.e determinant is equal to 2× Area of triangle. Adjoint
or co-factor of matrix is
 
x2 y3 − x3 y2 y2 − y3 x3 − x2
x3 y1 − x1 y3 y3 − y1 x1 − x3 
x1 y2 − x2 y1 y1 − y2 x2 − x1

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

   T  
a0  x y − x3 y2 y2 − y3 x3 − x2 u1 
1  2 3
a1 = x3 y1 − x1 y3 y3 − y1 x1 − x3  u2
  2A
a2 x1 y2 − x2 y1 y1 − y2 x2 − x1 u3
 

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element

   T  
a0  x y − x3 y2 y2 − y3 x3 − x2 u1 
1  2 3
a1 = x3 y1 − x1 y3 y3 − y1 x1 − x3  u2
  2A
a2 x1 y2 − x2 y1 y1 − y2 x2 − x1 u3
 
 T     
α β1 γ 1 u1  α α2 α3 u1 
1  1 1  1
= α2 β2 γ2  u2 = β1 β2 β3  u 2
2A   2A
α3 β3 γ3 u3 γ1 γ2 γ3 u3
 

where α1 = x2 y3 − x3 y2 α2 = x3 y1 − x1 y3
α3 = x1 y2 − x2 y1
β1 = y2 − y3 β2 = y 3 − y 1
β3 = y3 − y1
γ1 = x3 − x2 γ2 = x1 − x3
γ3 = x2 − x1

N Jinesh
Shape function:Constant strain Triangle (CST) element
    
  a0    1 α1 α2 α3 u1 
u= 1 x y a1 = 1 x y  β1 β2 β3  u 2 (21)
2A
a2 γ1 γ2 γ3 u3
   
 
 α1 +β1 x+γ1 y α2 +β2 x+γ2 y α3 +β3 x+γ3 y
 u1 
u= 2A 2A 2A
u2 (22)
u3
 
 
  u1 
u = N1 N2 N3 u2 = [N ]{qu }e (23)
u3
 

where [N ] = [N1 N2 N3 ] and

N1 = α1 +β2A
1 x+γ1 y
N2 = α2 +β2 x+γ2 y
2A
α3 +β3 x+γ3 y
N3 = 2A
Similarly for v
 
   v1 
v = N1 N2 N3 v2 = [N ]{qv }e (24)
v3
 

N Jinesh
The displacement vector is  

 u1 

u2 

 
   

 

u(x, y) N1 N2 N3 0 0 0 u3

q(x, y) = = =
v(x, y) 0 0 0 N1 N2 N3 
 v1 

 v2 

 
 
 
v3

 
N 0
{q}e
0 N

N Jinesh
Polynomial shape function

Polynomial are commonly used as shape functions. The reasons are

They are easy to handle mathematically. i.e differentiation and
integration of polynomial is easy
Using polynomial any function can be approximated reasonably
well. If a function is highly nonlinear , approximate with higher
order polynomial
General one dimensional polynomial shape function of nth order
u(x) = a0 + a1 x + a2 x2 + a3 x3 + .... + an xn
Thus in one dimensional nth order complete polynomial there are
m = n + 1 terms

N Jinesh
Polynomial shape function

General two dimensional polynomial shape function of nth order

u(x, y) = a0 + a1 x + a2 y + a3 x2 + a4 xy + a5 y 2 + .... + am y n
v(x, y) =
am+1 + am+2 x + am+3 y + am+4 x2 + am+5 xy + am+6 y 2 + .... + a2m y n
In 2D , total number of terms m in a complete nth degree
polynomial is m = (n+1)(n+2)
2
(1+1)(1+2)
first order polynomial n=1 ∴ m = 2 = 3
second order polynomial n=2 ∴ m = (2+1)(2+2)
2 =6

N Jinesh
Polynomial shape functions:Pascal triangle concept

Figure : Pascal Triangle

N Jinesh
Iso parametric formulation

FEM analysis of irregular geometry (take care of curved

boundaries) using the direct regular element is very difficult and
in such case iso parametric formulations are used.

N Jinesh
Iso parametric formulation

FEM analysis of irregular geometry (take care of curved

boundaries) using the direct regular element is very difficult and
in such case iso parametric formulations are used.
The iso parametric formulations are convenient for numerical
integration and commonly used in commercial codes.

N Jinesh
Iso parametric formulation

FEM analysis of irregular geometry (take care of curved

boundaries) using the direct regular element is very difficult and
in such case iso parametric formulations are used.
The iso parametric formulations are convenient for numerical
integration and commonly used in commercial codes.
This method brought out the concept of mapping regular
triangular and rectangular or solid elements in natural coordinate
system (parent element) to arbitrary shapes (with curved edge or
surfaces) in global system.
Iso parametric elements using a mathematical mapping from
natural coordinate system ((ξ, η, ζ)) to physical coordinate
system ((x, y, z))

N Jinesh
Iso parametric Concept

Figure : Concept of Mapping in isoparametric elements

N Jinesh
Iso parametric Concept

N Jinesh
Coordinate Transformation

Use of shape function for coordinate transformation form natural

local coordinate system to global Cartesian system and
successfully achieved in mapping parent element to required
shape in global system.
Thus the Cartesian coordinate of a point in an element may be
expressed as
x = N1 x1 + N2 x2 + Nn xn
y = N1 y1 + N2 y2 ... + Nn yn
z = N1 z1 + N2 z2 ... + Nn zn

N Jinesh
Iso parametric Concept

In FEM , define nodal displacement

Pn at any pointPin the element
n
in nodal displacement as u = i Ni ui and v = i Ni vi
i = 1, 2...n where N is shape function and
Cartesian coordinate of a point in an element may be represented
as x = Ni xi and y = Ni yi , It is nothing but a geometry or
boundary coordinate.

N Jinesh
Iso parametric Concept

In FEM , define nodal displacement

Pn at any pointPin the element
n
in nodal displacement as u = i Ni ui and v = i Ni vi
i = 1, 2...n where N is shape function and
Cartesian coordinate of a point in an element may be represented
as x = Ni xi and y = Ni yi , It is nothing but a geometry or
boundary coordinate.
Thus in FEM with iso parametric elements , same order of shape
functions are used for defining the geometry as well as
displacements.

N Jinesh
Iso parametric Concept

In FEM , define nodal displacement

Pn at any pointPin the element
n
in nodal displacement as u = i Ni ui and v = i Ni vi
i = 1, 2...n where N is shape function and
Cartesian coordinate of a point in an element may be represented
as x = Ni xi and y = Ni yi , It is nothing but a geometry or
boundary coordinate.
Thus in FEM with iso parametric elements , same order of shape
functions are used for defining the geometry as well as
displacements.
If the shape functions defining the boundary and displacements
are the same, the element is called as iso parametric element.

N Jinesh
Iso parametric,super parametric and sub-parametric
Concept

Figure : Concept of Mapping in isoparametric elements

N Jinesh
Iso parametri,super parametric and subparametric
Concept

The element in which more number of nodes are used to define

geometry compared to the number of nodes used to define
displacement are known as super parametric element

N Jinesh
Iso parametri,super parametric and subparametric
Concept

The element in which more number of nodes are used to define

geometry compared to the number of nodes used to define
displacement are known as super parametric element
The element in which less number of nodes are used to define
geometry as compared to the number of nodes used to define
displacement are known as sub parametric element

N Jinesh
One dimensional (1-D) Iso parametric element

1 2
ξ
ξ = −1 ξ=1

Figure : 1 D element in Natural coordinate ξ

Two nodes are located at ξ = −1 and ξ = 1

1−ξ 1+ξ
Shape functions are N1 (ξ) = 2 and N2 (ξ) = 2

1 2
x
x1 , u1 x2 , u2

Figure : 1 D linear element in Physical coordinate x

In physical coordinate system, element has two coordinate values

x1 and x2 with corresponding nodal variables u1 and u2
N Jinesh
One dimensional (1-D) Iso parametric element

Any point between ξ = −1 and ξ = 1 in natural coordinate

system can be mapped on to a point between x1 and x2 in the
physical coordinate system using the shape function
x = N1 (ξ)x1 + N2 (ξ)x2
The same shape function are also used to interpolate the variable
u within the element. u = N1 (ξ)u1 + N2 (ξ)u2
If the same shape function are used for the geometric mapping as
well as nodal variable interpolation , the element is called iso-
parametric element.

N Jinesh
Quadrilateral element

Consider a four noded quadrilateral elements

Figure : Typical isoparametric quadrilateral element

The element shape is a square in the natural coordinate system , it

can be mapped into a general quadrilateral shape with distortion

N Jinesh
Quadrilateral element

For element in natural coordinate system , (rectangular element),

shape functions are Ni = (1+ξξi )(1+ηη
4
i)

(1−ξ)(1−η)
N1 = 4
(1+ξ)(1−η)
N2 = 4
(1+−ξ)(1+η)
N3 = 4
(1−ξ)(1+η)
N4 = 4

N Jinesh
Quadrilateral element

For element in natural coordinate system , (rectangular element),

shape functions are Ni = (1+ξξi )(1+ηη
4
i)

(1−ξ)(1−η)
N1 = 4
(1+ξ)(1−η)
N2 = 4
(1+−ξ)(1+η)
N3 = 4
(1−ξ)(1+η)
N4 = 4
Above same shape functions are used for defining the displacement as
well as for the geometry of any point within the element in terms of
nodal values. Hence it is a iso parametric element. .

N Jinesh
Numerical Integration:Gauss Quadrature

In FEM analysis Gauss Quadrature is a preferred numerical

integration technique

N Jinesh
Numerical Integration:Gauss Quadrature

One Dimension
An interval having limits x = x1 and x = x2 can be transformed to an
integral having limits ξ = −1 and ξ = 1. Thus integrand
Z x2 Z 1
I= f (x)dx becomes I = f (ξ)dξ
−x1 −1

Quadrature formula for 1-D

Z 1 n
X
I= f (ξ)dξ ' Wi f (ξi )
−1 i=1

N Jinesh
Numerical Integration:Gauss Quadrature

where n= Number of integration point, ξi =location of Sampling

points and Wi is called weighting function
The location of Gauss sampling points(ξ) and corresponding
weight functions for different order of Gaussian integration
schemes are shown in the Table

N Jinesh
Table : Sampling point locations and weight factors for Gauss Quadrature
over the interval ξ = −1 to ξ = 1
Order(n) Sampling point locations ξ Weight functions Wi
1 ξ1 =0 W1 =2
2 ξ1 = −0.57735; ξ2 = 0.57735 W1 = W2 =1
3 ξ1 = −0.77459667; ξ2 = 0 W1 = W3 =0.55555
ξ3 = 0.77459667 W2 = 0.88888
4 ξ1 = −0.86113631; ξ4 = 0.86113631 W1 = W4 =0.34785485
ξ2 = −0.33998; ξ3 = 0.33998 W2 = W3 =0.652145

N Jinesh
Numerical Integration:Gauss Quadrature

Two Dimension
Multi dimensional problems can be solved by successive application of
one -dimensional Gauss rules. Consider the two dimensions,
Z x2 Z y2 Z 1Z 1
I= f (x, y)dxdy becomes I = f (ξ, η)dξdη
−x1 −y1 −1 −1

and Integrand I is
Z 1 Z 1 n X
X n
I= f (ξ, η)dξdη ' Wi Wj f (ξi , ηj )
−1 −1 i=1 j=1

For two dimensional problem order=2, has 2 × 2 = 4 Gaussian points

whereas order=3, has 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 points

N Jinesh