ES 128

Computational Solid and

Structural Mechanics

ES128 - Computational Solid & Structural

Mechanics

Introduction to Finite Elements

Focus on computer analysis using the commercial code ABAQUS

Tuesday-Thursday: 1 pm- 2.30 pm + computer lab

Cruft 309

Introducing ourself
Instructor: Katia Bertoldi
Email: bertoldi@seas.harvard.edu
Office: Pierce 311
Office hours: Thursday 3 pm - 4 pm

TF: Johannes (Bas) Overvelde

Email: overvelde@seas.harvard.edu
Office: Pierce 404
Office hours: Wednesday 5 pm - 6 pm

Introducing yourself

Introduction

What do l learn in ES128?

Why is ES128 important for me?

How is ES128 organized?

What do I learn in ES128?

Prerequisite: ES120 and ES123
You will learn computational techniques for the simulation
of a large variety of engineered systems. The application
to real engineering applications are stressed throughout.
Introduction to finite element methods for analysis of steadystate and transient problems in solid, structural, fluid
mechanics, and heat transfer.
We will model problems involving fluids and solids and learn
how to interpret the numerical results.

What do I learn in ES128?

Focus on computer analysis using the finite-element method.
In computer implementation, you will develop simple finiteelement analyses using Matlab and the general-purpose
program ABAQUS.
You will do a project addressing a significant problem
arising in engineering, biomechanics or earth science

Why is ES128 important?

Many engineering problems can be described in terms of
partial differential equations
The finite element method is a numerical approach to solve
approximately these partial differential equations
FEM is used by million of scientist worldwide.

Why is ES128 important?

In engineering practice, analysis is largely performed with
the use of finite element computer programs (such as
ABAQUS, NASTRAN, ANSYS, ADINA, SIMULIA, COMSOL
etc)
These analysis programs are interfaced with computeraided design ( CAD) programs Catia,g ) p g , SolidWorks,
Pro/Engineer, NX, etc.

Why is ES128 important?

Computations are everywhere in engineering problems.
Many problems are resolved with the aid of computers and
dedicated programs today. It is important to be able to
implement numerical algorithms

How is ES128 organized?

Spring 2010: Tue Thu 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Lab session: weekly to be organized
Office hours: Katia Thu 3 pm -4 pm
Bas Wednesday 5 pm 6 pm
Textbook: A First Course in Finite Elements
Jacob Fish, Ted Belytschko

Lab session

When?

How?

How is ES128 organized?

The grade comes from four components
Each component contributes to the course grade.
Homework (25%)
One assignment week (assigned and due on Thursday).
Combination of problem sets and computer exercises
Project (25%)
2 Midterms (25% each)

ES 128 Project
You will work in a group of 2-3 students on a project that
addresses a phenomenon or engineering design
issue, and
involves serious use of FEM.
(Step 1) Each student presents a project proposal (Feb 20 in class)
5 minute presentation. On 2 slides you should explain
What is the project? What are the goals? Use at least one figure.
How does FEM contribute to the project
(Step 2) Katia and Bas will use your proposals to formulate N projects
(Step 3) You form groups of 2-3 students and choose a project
(Step 4) Intermediate report + presentation (April 1 in class)
(Step 5) Final report + presentation (Reading Period)

ES 128 Project
The project contributes 25% of the grade, distributed as
follows:
10 % April 1, in class. Intermediate presentation (10
minutes) + report.
15%: Reading period Final 15 minute project presentation.
Final project report is due

Some previous project titles

Diffusion and pattern formation in biology

Analysis of a goat pen gate
Blast loading on sandwich beam structure
Wind turbine blade
Analysis of human femur
Rejection seats
Gas gun

Engineering Design
Physical Problem
Question regarding the problem
...how large are the deformations?
...how much is the heat transfer?
Mathematical model
Governed by differential
equations

Assumptions regarding
Geometry
Kinematics
Material law
Loading
Boundary conditions
Etc.

Engineering Design
The mathematical model is often too complicated to solve by
hand. We therefore solve it using a numerical technique - the
finite element method.
Physical Problem
Mathematical model
Governed by differential
equations

Numerical model
e.g., finite element
model

Engineering Design
Change
physical
problem

Physical Problem
Mathematical
Model

Improve
mathematical
model

Numerical model

Does answer
make sense?

YES!

No!
Refine analysis
Design improvements
Structural optimization

Finite element method

Preprocessing
Step 1

Analysis

Step 2
Step 3

Postprocessing

Preprocessing
The problem domain is subdivided into finite elements

Analysis
Step 1: Element formulation - development of equations for the
elements
Element
Node

Step 2: Assembly from equations of a single elements to

equations of the entire system
Step 3: Solution of the equations
A x= b

Postprocessing
Determination of quantities of interest (such us stress and strain
and their visualization)

140

Nominal Stress [kPa]

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

Nominal Strain

0.08

0.1

Comments
The numerical solution is only as accurate as the
mathematical model

For a well-posed mathematical problem the numerical

technique should always, for a reasonable discretization,
give a reasonable solution which must converge to the
accurate solution as the discretization is refined.

Well start from..Trusses

Bridge

How does the bridge deform under theses applied forces?

P1

P2