Lecture….

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Dr. M. Waqar Akram, Dept. of FMP, UAF

 Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique for finding
approximate solutions to boundary value problems for partial differential
equations.

In simple terms, FEM is a method for dividing up a very complicated problem

into small elements that can be solved in relation to each other.

Useful for problems with complicated geometries, loadings, and material

properties where analytical solutions can not be obtained.
 How Does Finite Element
Analysis Work?
 FEA uses a complex system of points called nodes which make a grid called a mesh.

 This mesh is programmed to contain the material and structural properties which define
how the structure will react to certain loading conditions.

 Nodes are assigned at a certain density throughout the material depending on the anticipated
stress levels of a particular area.

 Regions which will receive large amounts of stress usually have a higher node density than
those which experience little or no stress. Points of interest may consist of: fracture point of
previously tested material, fillets, corners, complex detail, and high stress areas.

 The mesh acts like a spider web in that from each node, there extends a mesh element to
each of the adjacent nodes. This web of vectors is what carries the material properties to the
object, creating many elements.
Specific applications of FEM in three major categories of
boundary value problems
I. equilibrium or steady-state or time-independent problems,
II. eigenvalue problems, and
III. propagation or transient problems.

 In an equilibrium problem, we need to find the steady-state

displacement or stress distribution if it is a solid mechanics problem,
temperature or heat flux distribution if it is a heat transfer problem,
and pressure or velocity distribution if itis a fluid mechanics problem.
 In eigenvalue problems also, time will not appear explicitly. In these
problems, we need to find the natural frequencies or buckling loads and
mode shapes, if it is a solid mechanics or structures problem, stability of
laminar flows, if it is a fluid mechanics problem, and resonance
characteristics.

 The propagation or transient problems are time-dependent problems. This

type of problem arises, for example, whenever we are interested in
finding the response of a body under time-varying force in the area of
solid mechanics and under sudden heating or cooling in the field of heat
transfer.
CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
 Equilibrium problems: Static analysis of trusses,frames,
folded plates, shell, roofs, shear walls, bridges, and
prestressed concrete structures.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural frequencies and modes of
Structures, stability of structures.
 Propagation problems: Propagation of stress waves,
response of structures to aperiodic loads
AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES
 Equilibrium problems: Static analysis of aircraft wings,
fuselages, fins, rockets, spacecraft, and missile structures.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural frequencies, flutter, and
stability of aircraft, rocket, spacecraft, and missile structures
 Propagation problems: Response of aircraft structures to
random loads; dynamic response of aircraft and spacecraft to
aperiodic loads
HEAT CONDUCTION
 Equilibrium problems:
Steady-state temperature distribution in solids and fluids.
 Propagation problems:

Transient heat flow in rocket nozzles, internal combustion

engines, turbine blades, fins, and building structures
 GEOMECHANICS
 Equilibrium problems: Analysis of excavations, retaining
walls, underground openings, rock joints and soil– structure
interaction problems; stress analysis in soils, dams, layered
piles, and machine foundations.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural frequencies and modes of
dam–reservoir systems and soil–structure interaction problems.
 Propagation problems: Time-dependent soil–structure
interaction problems; transient seepage in soils and rocks;
stress wave propagation in soils and rocks
HYDRAULIC AND WATER RESOURCES
ENGINEERING; HYDRODYNAMICS
 Equilibrium problems: Analysis of potential flows, free surface
flows, boundary layer flows, viscous flows, transonic
aerodynamic problems; analysis of hydraulic structures and
dams.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural periods and modes of shallow
basins, lakes, and harbors; .
 Propagation problems: Analysis of unsteady fluid flow and wave
propagation problems;transient seepage in aquifers and porous
media; rarefied gas dynamics;
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
 Equilibrium problems: Analysis of nuclear pressure
vessels and containment structures; steady-state
temperature distribution in reactor components.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural frequencies and stability
of containment structures; neutron flux distribution.
 Propagation problems: unsteady temperature distribution in
reactor components; thermal and viscoelastic analysis of
reactor structures
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
 Equilibrium problems:
Stress analysis of eyeballs, bones, and teeth; load-bearing
capacity of implant and prosthetic systems; mechanics of heart
valves.
 Propagation problems:

Impact analysis of skull; dynamics of anatomical structures

 MECHANICAL DESIGN
 Equilibrium problems: Stress concentration problems; stress analysis of
pressure vessels, pistons, composite materials, linkages, and gears.
 Eigenvalue problems : Natural frequencies and stability
of linkages, gears, and machine tools.
 Propagation problems:Crack and fracture problems under dynamic loads
ELECTRICAL MACHINES & ELECTROMAGNETICS
 Equilibrium problems: Steady-state analysis of synchronous and
induction machines, eddy current, and core losses in electric machines,
magnetostatics.

 Propagation problems:Transient behavior of electromechanical devices

such as motors and actuators, magnetodynamics
Types Of Engineering Analysis
 Structural Analysis :
Structural Analysis consists of linear and non-linear models.
Linear models use simple parameters and assume that the
material is not plastically deformed. Non-linear models consist
of stressing the material past its elastic capabilities. The stresses
in the material then vary with the amount of deformation.
 Vibrational Analysis :
It is used to test a material against random vibrations, shock, and
impact. Each of these incidences may act on the natural vibrational
frequency of the material which, in turn, may cause resonance and
subsequent failure.

Analysis of
vibrations in
bridges
 Fatigue Analysis :
Fatigue analysis helps designers to predict the life of a material
or structure by showing the effects of cyclic loading on the
specimen. Such analysis can show the areas where crack
propagation is most likely to occur. Failure due to fatigue may
also show the damage tolerance of the material.

Analysis of fatigue in
frames of a
locomotive
 Heat Transfer Analysis :
Heat transfer analysis models the conductivity or thermal fluid
dynamics of the material or structure . This may consist of a steady-
state or transient transfer. Steady-state transfer refers to constant
thermal properties in the material that yield linear heat diffusion.

ThermalAnalysis
of Shell & Tube
Heat exchanger
How can FEM Help Design Engineer?
The FEM offers many important advantages to the design engineer:

•Easily applied to complex, irregular-shaped objects composed of several

different materials and having complex boundary conditions.

• Applicable to steady-state, time dependent and eigenvalue problems.

• Applicable to linear and nonlinear problems.

•One method can solve a wide variety of problems, including problems in solid
mechanics, fluid mechanics, chemical reactions, electromagnetics, biomechanics,
heat transfer and acoustics, to name a few.
How can FEM Help Design Organization?
Simulation using the FEM also offers important business advantages to the design
organization:

•Reduced testing and redesign costs thereby shortening the product development
time.

• Identify issues in designs before tooling is committed.

•Refine components before dependencies to other components prohibit changes.

•Optimize performance before prototyping.

•Discover design problems before litigation.

Basic Steps & Phases Involved In FEA:
Steps :

 Discretization
 Selection of approximation of functions
 Formation of elemental stiffness matrix
 Formation of total stiffness matrix
 Formation of element loading matrix
 Formation of total loading matrix
 Formation of overall equilibrium equation
 Implementation of boundary condition
 Calculation of unknown nodal displacements
 Calculation of stresses and strains
Phases:
 Pre–Processing:
Here a finite element mesh is developed to divide the given geometry into subdomains
for mathematical analysis and the material properties are applied and also the boundary
conditions.

 Solution:
In this phase governing matrix equations are derived and the solution for the primary
quantities is generated.

 Post-Processing:
In the last phase, checking of the validity of the solution generated , examination of the
values of primary quantities such as displacement and stresses,errors involved is carried
out.
Advantages of FEA :
 Can readily handle complex geometry.

 Can handle complex analysis types like vibration ,heat transfer ,fluids etc.

 Can handle complex loading:

i. Node-based loading (point loads).
ii. Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial forces).
iii. Time or frequency dependent loading.

 Can handle complex restraints: Indeterminate structures can be analyzed.

 Can handle bodies comprised of nonhomogeneous materials: Can handle bodies

comprised of non-isotropic materials: Orthotropic & Anisotropic.

 Special material effects are handled such as temperature dependent properties ,

plasticity , creep , swelling etc.
Disadvantages of FEA :
 A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem.

 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.

 Numerical errors such as the limitation of the number of significant digits, rounding –off
occur very often.

 Fluid elements with boundaries at infinity can be computed and treated by using boundary
element method.
Software Packages for FEA :
• ANSYS
• SimScale
• NASTRAN
• COMSOL
• Abaqus
• HYPERMESH
• CATIA
• Pro-E(CREO)
• SOLID WORKS
• Others
THANKYOU

Dr. M. Waqar Akram, Dept. of FMP, UAF