Finite Element Method in

Geotechnical Engineering
Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + Dynamics
Boulder, Colorado
January 5-8, 2004
Stein Sture
Professor of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Boulder

Contents

Steps in the FE Method

Introduction to FEM for Deformation Analysis
Discretization of a Continuum
Elements
Strains
Stresses, Constitutive Relations
Hookes Law
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Solution of Equations

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Steps in the FE Method

1.

Establishment of stiffness relations for each element. Material

properties and equilibrium conditions for each element are used in this
establishment.

2.

Enforcement of compatibility, i.e. the elements are connected.

3.

Enforcement of equilibrium conditions for the whole structure, in the

present case for the nodal points.

4.

By means of 2. And 3. the system of equations is constructed for the

whole structure. This step is called assembling.

5.

In order to solve the system of equations for the whole structure, the
boundary conditions are enforced.

6.

Solution of the system of equations.

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Introduction to FEM for

Deformation Analysis

General method to solve

boundary value problems in an
approximate and discretized way

Often (but not only) used for

deformation and stress analysis

Division of geometry into finite

element mesh

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Introduction to FEM for

Deformation Analysis

Pre-assumed interpolation of main

quantities (displacements) over
elements, based on values in
points (nodes)
Formation of (stiffness) matrix,
K, and (force) vector, r
Global solution of main quantities
in nodes, d
dD
KD=R
r R
kK

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Discretization of a Continuum

2D modeling:

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Discretization of a Continuum

2D cross section is divided into element:

Several element types are possible (triangles and quadrilaterals)

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Elements

Different types of 2D elements:

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Elements
Example:

Other way of writing:

ux = N1 ux1 + N2 ux2 + N3 ux3 + N4 ux4 + N5 ux5 + N6 ux6
uy = N1 uy1 + N2 uy2 + N3 uy3 + N4 uy4 + N5 uy5 + N6 uy6
or
ux = N ux and uy = N uy (N contains functions of x and y)

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Strains
Strains are the derivatives of displacements. In finite elements they are
determined from the derivatives of the interpolation functions:
ux
N
a1 2a3 x a4 y
ux
x
x
u
N
yy y b2 2b4 x b5 y
uy
y
y
u u
N
N
xy x y (b1 a2 ) (a4 2b3 )x (2a5 b4 )y
ux
uy
y x
x
y
xx

or

Bd

(strains composed in a vector and matrix B contains derivatives of N )

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Stresses, Constitutive Relations

Cartesian stress tensor, usually
composed in a vector:
Stresses, , are related to strains :
= C
In fact, the above relationship is used
in incremental form:
C is material stiffness matrix and
determining material behavior

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
For simple linear elastic behavior C is based on
Hookes law:
1

1
E
C

0
0
(1 2 )(1 ) 0
0
0
0

0
0
0

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0
0
1

0
0
0

0
0

1
2

0
0

0
0

Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Basic parameters in Hookes law:
Youngs modulus E
Poissons ratio

Auxiliary parameters, related to basic parameters:

Shear modulus
E
G
2(1 )

Bulk modulus
E
K
3(1 2 )

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Oedometer modulus
E(1 )
E oed
(1 2 )(1 )

Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters

E 1
2
in axial compression

3
1

in axial compression

E oed

axial compression

1D compression

in 1D compression
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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters

p
K
v

in volumetric compression

xy
G
xy
in shearing

note:

xy xy

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Summary, Hookes law:
xx
1

yy

zz

1
E

0
0
xy (1 2 )(1 ) 0
yz
0
0
0

0
0
0
zx

1
2

0
0

0
0

0
1

xx

yy
0 zz

0 xy
0 yz

1

zx
2
0
0

Hookes Law
Inverse relationship:
xx
1

yy

zz
1

xy E 0
yz
0

0
zx

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0
0

0
0

1
0

0
2 2

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

2 2
0

0 xx

0 yy
0 zz

0 xy
0 yz

2 2 zx

Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix

Formation of element stiffness matrix Ke

K e BT CBdV

Integration is usually performed numerically: Gauss integration

n

pdV p
i

(summation over sample points)

i1

coefficients and position of sample points can be chosen such that the integration is exact

Formation of global stiffness matrix

Assembling of element stiffness matrices in global matrix

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix

K is often symmetric and has a band-form:
#

#
0

0
0

0
0
0

0
0

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#
#

0
#

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

#
0

#
#

#
#

0
#

0
0

0
0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

#
0
0
0

#
#
0
0

#
#
#
0

0
#
#
#

0
0

0
0

0
0
0

#
#

(# are non-zeros)

Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Solution of Equation
Global system of equations:
KD = R
R is force vector and contains loadings as nodal forces
Usually in incremental form:
Solution:

KD R

D K R
n

D
D
i1

(i = step number)

Solution of Equations
From solution of displacement

D d

Strains:

i Bui

Stresses:

i i1 Cd

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Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering