Rbe Cae-4,6,7 (Feafem)

FEA/FEM overview
Session Speaker
Mr. Balappa B. U.
1
Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
• At the end of this session, student will be able to
– Explicate FEA concept and its scope in engineering
analysis
– Explicate pre-processing or modeling the structure,
analysis, post processing
– Describe the need and methods of discretization
– Describe the need and formulation of structural
(beams and shell) elements
2
FEA Solution
FEA solution involves three steps

• Pre-process or modeling the structure
• Analysis
• Post processing
3
Responsibilities of design
engineers
Past
Drafting Designing FEA analysis
Present
Solid FEA analysis
modeling Designing
4
Engineering Analysis
It is part of Engineering Design process which takes
preliminary design as input and gives final design as output
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FINAL

DESIGN ANALYSIS DESIGN
Engineering analysis deals with different parameters Like

deflection, strain, stress, stiffness, natural frequencies, mode
shapes, temperature distribution, temperature gradients, heat
flux
5
FEA as a design tool
 Design is nowadays created using CAD tools

 CAD model is the starting point for FEA.
 FEA is concurrent with the design process
6
Traditional design process FEA driven
product design
process
Design CAD FEA
Prototype Prototyping
Testing Testing
Production Production
7
Pre-process or modeling the structure
• The structure is modeled using a CAD program that either
comes with the FEA software or provided by another
software vendor.
• The final FEA model consists of several elements that
collectively represent the entire structure.
• The elements not only represent segments of structure,
they also simulate it’s mechanical behaviour and
properties.
8
Analysis
• In this step, the geometry, constraints, mechanical
properties and loads are applied to generate matrix
equations for each element.
• These element equations are assembled to generate a
global matrix equation of the structure.
• The global equation is solved to obtain displacement.
• Using displacement values, strain, stress and reactions
are calculated.
9
Post processing
• This is the last step in Finite Element Analysis.
• The results obtained through analysis are usually in the
form of raw data and difficult to interpret.
• In this step a CAD program is utilized to manipulate the
data for generating deflected shape of the structure,
creating stress plots, animation etc.
• A graphical representation is very useful in
understanding behaviour of the structure.
10
FEA - works within software
• The given structure is graphically divided into small
elements so that each and every elements’ mechanical
behaviour can be defined by set of differential equations.
• The differential equations are converted into algebraic
equation and then into matrix equations, suitable for a
computer aided solution.
• The element equations are combined and a global
structural equation is obtained.
• Appropriate load and boundary conditions supplied by
the user are incorporated into the structural matrix.
11
FEA - works within software
• The structural matrix is solved and deflections of all the
nodes are calculated.
• A node can be shared by several elements and the
deflection at the shared node represents deflection of the
sharing elements at the location of the node.
• The deflection at any other point in the element is
calculated by interpolation of all the node points in the
element.
• An element can have a linear or higher order
interpolation function.
12
FEA works: User’s interaction
• Create the geometry, representing the structure

• Provide the material properties, loads, constraints
etc.
• Analyze the result data.
13
Bottom-up and Top-down approach
• Creating a FEA model bottom-up approach refers to
creation of model by defining the geometry of the
structure with nodes and elements.
• Nodes and elements represent the physical structure.
Creating FEA model using this procedure is known as
bottom-up approach.
• Procedure for creating FEA mesh. and approach requires a
substantial investment in time and skill.
• When this method is employed, most of the analyst’s time
is devoted to creation of the mesh and only a fraction of
time is spent for analysis and results interpretation.
14
Bottom-up and Top-down approach
• Top-down approach refers to creation of FEA mesh by first
building a solid model, using a CAD program and then
dividing the model into nodes and elements.
• The top-down approach requires building of a geometric
model of the structure and then using it to create FEA
mesh.
• The advantages of the top-down approach are obvious
because there is no need to define the geometry of
individual elements in the structure, which is time
consuming.
15
Discretization of a structure
• In FEA an engineering structure is divided into small
elements.
• These elements coincide with the geometry of the
structure and represent the geometry and mechanical
properties in the regions.
• Selection of elements to represent the structure is a
matter of engineering judgment and prior experience
with FEA procedure.
16
Element types
• Elements that have geometric shape similar to the real
structure or region of the structure that is being modeled.
• One geometric shape can not represent all possible
engineering structural shapes.
• Need elements that look like a plate, beam, cylinder etc.
• However in FEA almost all structures can be approximated
by the following basic elements
17
Element types
• Line elements: Elements consisting of two nodes
Example: Truss and Beam elements
18
Element types
• 2D solid elements: Elements that have geometry similar
to a flat plate.
• Example: Plane stress, plane strain, plates, shells and axi
symmetric elements
• 2D solid elements are plane elements with constant
thickness and have either a triangular or quadrilateral
shape with 3 or 4 nodes as shown below.
19
Element types
• 3-D Solid elements: Elements that have a 3-D geometry
Example: Tetrahedron and hexahedron elements
20
Element types
 For an accurate analysis in FEA, selection of the proper
elements is very important.
 Selected elements must represent the engineering structure
as close to the original structure as possible.
 In addition to these basic elements, there are some special
application elements e.g., mass element and contact
element.
 Almost all these special elements can be derived from the
three basic groups of the elements described above.
21
Simulation Process
3 2 kN
1. Build CAD Model 2. Mesh 3. Apply Loads

and Boundary
Conditions
4. Computational Analysis 5. Visualization

22
Meshing
 Discretization of a physical geometry is known as
meshing/griding
 Mesh generation is an inter-disciplinary area,
mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers from many
disciplines are involved in mesh generation
23
Importance of meshing
 Finite element models are used to simulate behaviors of
complex systems. A system in this sense is any physical
material or group of materials
 The first step in FEA, is constructing a finite element model
of the structure to be analyzed
 The input of a topological description of the structure's
geometric features is required in most FEA packages
 This can be in either 1D, 2D, or 3D form, modeled by line,
shape, or surface representation, respectively
 The primary objective of the model is to realistically
replicate the important parameters and features of the real
model
24
Need for Meshing
 Once the finite element geometric model has been created,
a meshing procedure is used to define and break up the
model into small elements
 In general, a finite element model is defined by a mesh
network, which is made up of the geometric arrangement of
elements and nodes
 Nodes represent points at which features such as
displacements are calculated
 FEA packages use node numbers to serve as an identification
tool in viewing solutions in structures such as deflections
25
Need for Meshing
 Elements are bounded by sets of nodes, and define
localized mass and stiffness properties of the model
 Elements are also defined by mesh numbers, which allow
references to be made to corresponding deflections or
stresses at specific model locations
 Due to the large number of elements that can exist in a
model, software programs are often used to create the
model and to execute the simulation
 Pre-processing consumes the vast majority of man-hours
for any analysis (75-90%)
26
Importance of Meshing
 In the aerospace and automotive industries, finite element
analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
analysis are frequently used to solve a wide range of
engineering problems
 Mesh generation is a critical starting point for FEA/CFD
 The solutions are depended on mesh, the quality of mesh
dictates the results of the analysis
 A good mesh can give fairly accurate results even if the
solver is not robust and a robust solver can give wrong
results when used a mesh of bad quality
27
Ansys
 Platform: Windows, UNIX (SGI, HP, IBM, DEC, SUN, Cray)
 Input: Native, IGES, SAT
 Direct conection products for UG, Pro/Engineer, CADDS, SAT, STEP
 Engineering Discipline: Structural, CFD, Thermal, Electro Magnetic
 Elements: Triangle, Quadrilateral, Tetrahedra, Hexahedra, Pyramid,
Wedge (Prism)
 Surface Meshing: Yes
 Tri/Tet Method:Tri - Advancing Front, Tet - Delaunay or Advancing Front
 Quad/Hex Method: Advancing Front, Indirect, Sweeping, Mapped
Meshing
 Quad - Indirect method (combine triangles) or Q-Morph (Indirect
advancing front method); Hex -mapped meshing, sweeping in a
volume, extrusion
28
Ansys
 Element Sizing Method: Manual, Automatic based on feature sizes
 Smart Sizing (Automatic feature-based element sizing), global
element size or manual sizing
 Other Features: Boundary Layers, Adaptivity, Refinement, Mesh
Improvement
– Clean-up/Improve tet meshes imported from other applications
– Crack-tip meshing (fan mesh around singularity with ¼ point
midnodes)
– Hard points
– Automatic pyramid transitions between hex and tet elements
– Tet mesh from boundary facets
– Custom element shape checking
– Rotate, drag, and extrude
– P- and h-element meshing
29
Hypermesh
 Platform: Windows, UNIX (sgi, hp, sun, ibm)
 Input: IGES, CATIA direct, Unigraphics direct, STL
 Engineering Discipline: Structural Analysis, Auto industry
 Elements: Triangle, Quadrilateral, Tetrahedra, Hexahedra, Wedge
(Prism)
 Surface Meshing: Yes
 Tri/Tet Method: Advancing Front
 Quad/Hex Method: Advancing Front, Sweeping, Mapped Meshing
extruding
 Element Sizing Method: Manual global size parameter with
interactive control over element density on every surface edge.
 Other Features: Good support for explicit crash codes such as LS-
DYNA3D, PAM-CRASH, RADIOSS
30
Hypermesh
Hyper Mesh is a high performance and general pre-processor
for generating finite element (FE) models for engineering
simulation and analysis
31
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
of Engineering & of Applied Sciences
Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
Hypermesh
Mesh refinement (Human pelvis FE model)
32
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Hyper mesh
Dummy FE Model
33
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Hyper mesh
Mesh quality checks
34
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Mesh Examples
35
Finite Element Model
Finite Element Method
 The actual structure is visualized as an assembly of
simple geometric shapes called elements
 Continuous structural member
 Elements are defined by corner points called nodes and
connected to each other only at the nodes.
36
For linear static analysis F= KD, force is known,
displacement unknown and stiffness is characteristic
property of element,
Formulate stiffness matrix for a given shape like line ,
quadrilateral or tetrahedron then analysis of any
geometry could be performed by descritizing it and then
solve the equation F= KD. For ROD Element
No of nodes 2
1 Dof at each node Rod element
A = Area of C/S i j
E= Modulus of elasticity
L
37
ui  0
u j  0
F X  0; Fi  F j  0; Fi   F j
F u
x ;  
A L
 x  E ; F  Eu ;
A L
Statics
F X  0;  M X  0
F X  0;  M Y  0
F Z  0;  M Z  0
AE
Fi   ui
L
Fj   Fi   AE / L ..........
a
38
39
Rod element support only tension or compression and no shear force,

bending moment and torque. in the equation order of stiffness matrix is 2*2,
no of unknowns = 2
And no of unknowns = no of dofs - no of dofs constraint by single point
constraint
( at fixed nodes dofs are specified as zero)
So Order of stiffness matrix = total dof * total dof
Dof/node = 6
Total dofs = 6*4= 24
Order of stiffness matrix =24*24
Which means to solve a single quad 4 element , the soft ware will have
to solve 24 equations internally
40
Finite
Tetra 10 element:
Element Model
Dof/node = 3
Total dofs = 3*10= 30
Order of stiffness matrix =30*30
For a given finite element model how many equations

software solves?
assume there are 20000 nodes for a discretised model
consisting of thin shell elements means to say 6 dof/node
Then total dofs = 20000 *6 = 120000
Stiffness matrix order = 120000*120000
So no of equations FEA tool will solve internally 120000
41
Critical areas
Critical areas are high stress locations fine mesh and
structured mesh
Areas away from critical areas are general areas so
coarse mesh
Reduce total Dof’s and solution time
42
3D Elements
 Extrude
 Drag
 Spin
 Linear solid
 Solid mesh
 Solid map
43
Bolted joint modelling
 Minimum two Layers around a bolt hole means 1.5 to 2.0
times the core diameter representing washer/bolt head
 12 to 16 elements on circular hole
 Aim is to analyse parent structure and not bolts,
techniques for the bolt simulation are based on
representation of bolt by equivalent stiffness modeling , 1-d
or RBE2,RBE3 elements
44
Beam element
Centre of bolt is connected to inner and outer layers, via
beam elements of diameter equal to d and 2 times d (d= core
diameter )
RBE2 and RBE3 elements are created shank modeled using
beam element. Washers are layers
45
Modeling of bolt threads
Shank portion of a beam is to split in to multiple beam
elements or rigid elements that is RBE2 connected to shell
layers at an angle = thread helix angle
46
Pre -load/Bolt torque
 Applying bolt torque either by directly specify the torque
or otherwise equivalent axial force produced due to
torque,
 To calculate equivalent compressive axial force , the
slandered formulas available in design data could be used
 T= K*F*D ( K= 0.15to 0.2, Force= KN, Dia = mm, T= N.m)
Ref-Mechanical engineering design by Joseph E Shigley ,McGraw-Hill Book

company page no 309 47
Temperature method:
To achieve axial compression beam element( representing shank) is
subjected to thermal loading ( negative temperature ) the negative
temperature causes compression of beam .
Temperature required to produce equivalent compressive force is
calculated as
Hooks Law: σ =Eε
l
Thermal strain :  thermal 
L
t  (  coefficientoflinearthermal exp ansion
 F
 thermal    t
E AE
F
t 
( AE )
48
Direct force application: Clamping force is directly applied
on washer areas
Bolts are simulated 3d elements as per the actual

geometry and analysis is carried out by defining contact
between threads of mating parts and bolt head and resting
surface
49
Torque is bending moment applied parallel to axis of shaft
(MX ),
The torque or MX causes shear stresses and angular
deformation while the effect of other moments(My Mz ) is
normal stress and longitudinal deformation
Centre node is connected to outer edge node via rigid
element (one to multiple RBE2) The torque is applied at
the centre node
50
Computer Aided Engineering
“Computer-aided Engineering analysis (often referred to as

CAE) is the application of computer software in engineering to
analyze the robustness and performance of components and
assemblies. It encompasses simulation, validation and
optimization of products and manufacturing tools”
-- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_engineering
51
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
“So many things (to design) – So little time”
52
Methods involved in system development
• Development of conceptual design

• Understanding of functional requirements
• Understanding of operational requirements
• Development of geometrical design
• Assessment of the design
• Hand calculations
• Testing
• Simulation
“A simulation is an imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation
Imitation of Physics
53
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
How to simulate? Basis for assessment?
Quantification
Quantification “covers all those acts which quantify

observations and experiences by converting them into
numbers through counting and measuring. It is thus the basis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantification
for mathematics and for science.”
Mathematical modelling
A mathematical model is an abstract model that uses

mathematical language to describe the behaviour of a
system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_model
54
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Why Analysis in system Design?
• Functional Requirements
• Durability Requirements
• Safety Requirements
• Operational Requirements
How to do it? Cost?
When to do it? Development time?
How about Strength of Material approach?
55
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Examples of simple loadings
PL
P
A, L, E
P

AE
P
PL3 Mc
E, L, I
 , 
48EI I
56
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Sources of Complexity
Geometry
57
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Computer Aided Engineering
Analyse the functional and performance characteristics
Structural: Fluids Flow:
Strength Pressure
Stiffness Velocity
Durability Temperature
Thermal
(under given loads) Mixing
Kinematics Characteristics
(under given motion input)
Other application areas:
electro-magnetics, multibody dynamics
Bio-medial applications, weapons, weather
58
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
How to deal with Complexity?
Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and
necessary to resolve it.
- Rene Descartes
“Divide and Conquer”

Analysis
 The separation of an intellectual or material whole into
its constituent parts for individual
 The study of such constituent parts and their

interrelationships in making up a whole.
59
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Application
Finding the perimeter and area of a circle
n Perimeter/2R Area
0 0 0
1 1.22515E-16 -1.22515E-16
2 2 1.22515E-16
4 2.828427125 2
8 3.061467459 2.828427125
16 3.121445152 3.061467459
32 3.136548491 3.121445152
Pi  2 R sin(  i / 2 ) 64 3.140331157 3.136548491
128 3.141277251 3.140331157
1 2 256 3.141513801 3.141277251
Ai  R sin  i 512 3.14157294 3.141513801
2 1024 3.141587725 3.14157294
60
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Extension to Finite Element Method
• Write down the equation for • Understand the nature
calculation of quantities of (underlying Physics) of the
interest problem
• Use the formula to calculate • Try to mimic the behavior to

the quantities of interest over be modeled over small entities
small regions
• Through collection of small
• Add up the value of the
entities, mimic the behavior of
quantities to be calculated
the whole quantity
over all the small elements
• Find the value of the • Solve the simplified
quantities of interest directly representation of the problem
or after some calculations
61
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
FEM – Idealisation
Idealisation
62
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
FEM – Discretisation
63
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
FEM – Assembly and Solution
64
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Continuous to Discrete system
65
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Statics Dynamics
Study of phenomena with Study of phenomena with
negligible inertia component significant inertia component
• Static (time dependence is explicitly
•Quasi-static considered)
Non-Linear
Linear
Response of the structure is Response of the structure is
proportional to the applied not proportional to the
loads applied loads & is load path
dependent
66
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Classification of Solid-Mechanics Problems
Analysis of solids
Static Dynamics
Elementary Advanced
Behavior of Solids Stress Stiffening

Large Displacement
Geometric
Instability
Linear Nonlinear Fracture
Plasticity
Material
Viscoplasticity
Geometric
Classification of solids
Skeletal Systems Plates and Shells Solid Blocks
1D Elements 2D Elements 3D Elements
Trusses Plane Stress
Cables Plane Strain Brick Elements
Pipes Ax symmetric Tetrahedral Elements
Plate Bending General Elements
Shells with flat elements
Shells with curved elements
67
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Finite Element Technique – A History
Year Event
1943 Courant (variational methods)
1956 Turner, Clough, Martin and Topp (stiffness)
1960 Clough (Finite element, plane problems)
1963 Zienkiewicz extended Finite Element field problems
1967 First book on the FEM by Zienkiewicz & Chung
1970s Applications on main frame computers, Commercial
Software
1980s Microcomputers, pre-and postprocessors
1990s Analysis of large structural systems & Metal forming
simulations
68
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Finite Element Technique – Applications
• Problems in Solid Mechanics
- Structural Mechanics with application in Civil and
Aerospace engineering etc (e.g. Trusses, scaffoldings,
bridges, airframes, etc)
- Continuum Mechanics with application in Mechanical, Materials,
civil and Aerospace Engineering, etc.(e.g. machine components,
manufacturing processes, including metal forming)
• Problems in Fluid Mechanics with applications in
Mechanical, Civil, and Aerospace Engineering, etc
(lubrication, turbo machinery, aerodynamics, etc.)
• Problems in Heat Conduction with applications in
Mechanical Engineering, etc (nuclear reactors, boilers,
engines, etc)
• Medical Science etc.
69
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
SYSTEMS
CONTINOUS DISCRETE
Response is described by Response is described by

variables at an INFINITE variables at a FINITE number
number of points. of points.
Set of differential equations Set of algebraic equations

a1u1  a2u2  ...  anun  f1
 2u b1u1  b2u2  ...  bnun  f 2

 c u
2 2
........................................
t 2
z1u1  z 2u2  ...  z nun  f n
70
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Finite Element Analysis -- Process
Change of physical problem
Physical problem
Idealised model Improve mathematical

model
FE solution of FE Solution
mathematical model Refine mesh, solution
parameters etc.
Assessment of accuracy
Interpretation of results Refine analysis
Design
improvements/optimization
71
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
“Introduction to Finite Element Method”, Carlos A. Felippa, University of Colorado, Boulder
72
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
“Introduction to Finite Element Method”, Carlos A. Felippa, University of Colorado, Boulder
73
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Process of Finite Element Analysis
Mathematical model
Governed by differential
equations
Assumptions on
• Geometry
• Kinematics
• Material law
• Loading
• Boundary conditions
74
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Process of Finite Element Analysis
Finite element solution
Choice of
• Finite element
• Mesh density
• Solution parameters
Representation of
• Loading
• Boundary conditions
75
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Implementation of Finite Element Analysis
Start Stop
Analysis and design

Problem decision
Postprocessor
Preprocessor
1. Prints and plots contours for state
1. Reads control parameters.
variables.
2. Reads or generates nodal
2. Returns element domain &
coordinates.
calculates flux & other variables.
Processor
3. Reads or generates element
3. Prints and plots contours for flux
data.
and other physical conditions.
4. Reads material constants.
4. Evaluates and prints error bounds.
5. Reads boundary conditions
76
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Implementation of Finite Element
Start Stop
Analysis
Analysis and design
Problem Processor decision
1. Generates element shape

functions.
Preprocessor 2. Calculates master element Postprocessor
equations.
3. Calculates transformation
matrices.
4. Maps element equations into
global system.
5. Assembles element equations.
6. Introduces boundary conditions.
7. Performs solution procedures.
77
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Six Steps of Finite Element Analysis
Creation of Finite Element model (Pre-Processing)
a) Idealize the structure and discretize it into a collection of Elements
connected at Nodes.
b) Specify Material properties, Boundary conditions and Loading
conditions.
Analysis with the Finite Element Program (Solver)

a) Generate element stiffness equations and assemble them.
b) Modify global equations to suit BC and Loads
c) Solve resulting set of equations for primary unknowns.
Finite Element Program Results (Post-Processing)

a) Using the nodal values of primary unknowns (displacement, temperature
etc.) calculate and check the values of the primary derived variables.
78
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Definitions and Terminology
Degrees of Freedom
Minimum number of independent coordinates required to
determine completely the positions of all parts of a system
at any instant of time
Continuous System
Systems with an infinite number of degrees of freedom
are called continuous or distributed system (PDEs)
Discrete System
Systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom are
called discrete or lumped parameter systems (ODEs)
79
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Boundary Conditions
“Interaction of the body with the surroundings”
• Geometric or Essential Boundary Conditions
– Kinematic Constraints or Displacement Boundary
Conditions
– Ux,; Uy; Uz; Rx; Ry; Rz;
The order of the derivative in the essential boundary
conditions is in a Cm-1problem at most m-1
• Natural or Forced Boundary Conditions
– Correspond to prescribed forces
– Fx; Fy; Fz; Mx; My; Mz;
The order of the derivative in these boundary conditions
are of order m to 2m-1
80
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Geometric Boundary Conditions
Homogeneous=> All Heterogeneous=> All

isplacements are zero displacements are not zero
Skewed Boundary
Normal Boundary Conditions- Constrained
Conditions- Constrained components are at an
components are parallel angle to Global
to Global coordinate coordinate System
System
81
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Advantages of FEM
• Can readily handle complex geometry:
• The heart and power of the FEM
• Can handle complex analysis types:
• Vibration ,Transients , Nonlinear
• Heat transfer ,Fluids
• Can handle complex loading:
• Node-based loading (point loads).
• Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial
forces).
• Time or frequency dependent loading.
• Can handle complex restraints:
• Indeterminate structures can be analyzed
82
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Advantages of FEM
• Can handle bodies comprised of no homogeneous materials:
• Every element in the model could be assigned a different
set of material properties.
• Can 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.
83
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Disadvantages of 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.
84
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Disadvantages of FEM
• Numerical problems:
• Computers only carry a finite number of significant
digits. Round off and error accumulation.
• Can help the situation by 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. 85
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Alternatives to FEM
• Other numerical solution methods:
– Finite differences
» Approximates the derivatives in the differential equation using
difference equations.
» Useful for solving heat transfer and fluid mechanics problems.
» Works well for two-dimensional regions with boundaries
parallel to the coordinate axes.
» Cumbersome when regions have curved boundaries.
– Weighted residual methods (not confined to a small subdomain):
» Collocation, Subdomain, Least squares*
» Galerkin’s method*, Variational Methods* (not confined to a
small subdomain),(* Denotes a method that has been used to
formulate finite element solutions.)
86
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Alternatives to FEM
• Prototype Testing
» Reliable. Well-understood.
» Trusted by regulatory agencies (FAA, DOT, etc.)
» Results are essential for calibration of simulation software.
» Results are essential to verify modeled results from simulation.
» Non destructive testing (NDT) is lowering costs of testing in general.
» Expensive, compared to simulation.
» Time consuming.
» Development programs that rely too much on testing are
increasingly less competitive in today’s market.
» Faster product development schedules are pressuring the quality of
development test efforts.
» Data integrity is more difficult to maintain, compared to simulation.
87
©M. S. Ramaiah
Faculty University
Finite Element Approach
• Engineering system
• Develop a simple mathematical model for the
system
• Develop the finite element model
• Solve the problem using ANSYS or any other FEM
code
• mathematical model gives ,physically meaningful
results. If not, revise model and perform analysis
to improve the results
88
Summary
• Importance of discretisation decisions

• Need and importance of meshing has been
explained
• Mesh generation software has been discussed
along with their advantages and disadvantages
89

Rbe Cae-4,6,7 (Feafem)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rbe Cae-4,6,7 (Feafem)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FEA/FEM overview

FEA solution involves three steps

PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FINAL

Engineering analysis deals with different parameters Like

 Design is nowadays created using CAD tools

• Create the geometry, representing the structure

1. Build CAD Model 2. Mesh 3. Apply Loads

4. Computational Analysis 5. Visualization

Rod element support only tension or compression and no shear force,

For a given finite element model how many equations

Ref-Mechanical engineering design by Joseph E Shigley ,McGraw-Hill Book

Bolts are simulated 3d elements as per the actual

“Computer-aided Engineering analysis (often referred to as

• Development of conceptual design

Quantification “covers all those acts which quantify

A mathematical model is an abstract model that uses

How to do it? Cost?

When to do it? Development time?

How about Strength of Material approach?

“Divide and Conquer”

 The study of such constituent parts and their

• Use the formula to calculate • Try to mimic the behavior to

Behavior of Solids Stress Stiffening

Response is described by Response is described by

Set of differential equations Set of algebraic equations

 2u b1u1  b2u2  ...  bnun  f 2

Idealised model Improve mathematical

Interpretation of results Refine analysis

“Introduction to Finite Element Method”, Carlos A. Felippa, University of Colorado, Boulder

“Introduction to Finite Element Method”, Carlos A. Felippa, University of Colorado, Boulder

Analysis and design

1. Generates element shape

Analysis with the Finite Element Program (Solver)

Finite Element Program Results (Post-Processing)

Homogeneous=> All Heterogeneous=> All

• Importance of discretisation decisions

You might also like