FINITE ELEMENT

METHOD
 Finite element method is used for the
solution of complex structures.

 A brief reference to the matrix method will be

made in order to under stand the similarities
b/w the matrix method and finite difference
method.
Assemblage of discrete elements

 Consider the plane truss as show in above figure

which contains seven elements.
 Using matrix stiffness method we first determine the
stiffness matrices of seven elements or members then
build up the overall stiffness matrix.
Next we determine the nodal displacements using the
following equation.
P = Ks x Δ
 Next we determine the member forces/stresses and
then reactions.
 Assemblage of discrete
10
elements
8
5
6 4 6
5 11 13
1 3 9 7
3 2 7
1 12 14

2 4
Pyj,Δyj

Y Pxj,Δxj
j
Pyi,Δyi

Pyk,Δyk
Pxi,Δxi
i
k Pxk,Δxk

O X
 Assemblage of discrete elements
 In the previous figure which is also an assemblage of
seven discrete elements connected at nodes only,
except the members are not line members rather they
are rectangles and triangles.
Provided the stiffness matrix of each individual
element can be determined we can build up the overall
structure stiffness matrix and can analyze the structure
in the same way as we can analyze the plane truss.
 For 2-D element each element stiffness matrix relates
the nodal forces acting on that element to the nodal
displacements.
 We are assuming pin connection at the nodes
therefore at each node there are two displacements
components and two nodal force components one in “x”
direction and other in “y” direction.
 Assemblage of discrete elements
 Hence we may write in the following equation for the
solution of system. P=KxΔ

Pxi Δxi Kxi,xi Kxi,yi ………..Kxi,yk

Pyi Δyi
Kyi,xi Kyi,yi ………..Kyi,yk
P= Pxj Δ= Δxj K=
Pyj Δyj

…..

…..
…..
Pxk Δxk Kyk,xi Kyk,yi ………..Kyk,yk
Pyk Δyk
 Elastic Continua

 This section deals with the different type of structures which are
not discrete elements but a continuous medium or continuum.
Consider a steel plate as shown above with the in-plane forces
acting on the steel plate.
 It would seem to be impossible to apply the previous techniques
to solve the above structure.
Turner, Argryis, Clough and others developed a finite difference
method which enables these standard techniques to be applied to
continua.
 Finite element analysis of a continua consist of three steps.
 Elastic Continua
Step – 1
Structural idealization where the continuum is idealized as
an assemblage of a number, often a large number, of discrete
elements connected at the nodes only.

Step – 2
Specifying the relation b/w the internal displacements of
each element and its nodal displacements. This is done by using a
displacement function to specify the pattern in which the element is
to deform. On th basis of this displacement function, we derive the
element stiffness matrix which relates the element nodal forces to
the element nodal displacements.
Step – 3
The structural analysis of the idealized assembalage of
discrete elements. This analysis is carried out by the standard
matrix stiffness procedure studied previously.
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4

9 1 2 3 4

19

32

40 41 42

53
50 55 56
We shall now relate the three steps to the steel plate in above
figure. Suppose the plate is loaded by number of in plane loads
at internal and external points and we wish to analyze the plate
with the following aims.
a) To determine displacements at any point on the structure due
to loads.
b) To determine all internal stresses and strains.
c) To determine all support reactions.
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
9

19

32

40 41 42

50 53 55 56

Step-1
• First subdivide the plate by imaginary lines into number of discrete
elements, such that there is a node at every point where a concentrated
load or reaction is acting.
•These discrete elements are assumed to be connected at nodes only.
•We have chosen 42 rectangular elements and more element shall be
made for more accuracy.
•We have chosen rectangular elements but other than rectangular
elements may be used such as triangular or any other shape/sizes.
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
9

19

32

40 41 42

50 53 55 56

Step-1
• In practice we tend to choose elements which are of convenient shapes
for presenting boundaries of the structure.
•We have divided the steel plate into 42 rectangular elements.
• In assemblage of discrete elements we assume that these elements are
not made of steel but made of such an imaginary material that the elements
have stiffness characteristics as specified in Step-2
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
9

19

32

40 41 42

50 53 55 56

Step-2
• In order to ensure that load behavior in each of the discrete element is
same than each discrete element is required gto deform reasonably
similarly to the deformation developed in the corresponding region of the
steel plate.
• We also want the solution of finite element to converge to true solution as
the number of plate element successively increased.
• The true solution may be obtained by chosing a suitable displacement
function i.e. by suitably specifying the patterns in which deformations of the
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
9

19

32

40 41 42

50 53 55 56

Step-2
• The choice of suitable displacement function can be a very difficult
problem but reduced due to available function for regular shapes
• We will discuss only the triangular and rectangular shapes only
• Once a displacement function is chosen we determine the element
stiffness matrix , the element stress matrix and the element strain matrix for
eeach of the 42 elements (method explained later)
 Elastic Continua
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
9

19

32

40 41 42

50 53 55 56

Step-3
• 42 known element stiffness matrices to build up the overall stiffness
matrix for the whole structure, i.e. for idealized assemblage of discrete
elements.
• Assembly process is same as discussed earlier.
• Similarly the nodal displacements and support reactions will be
determined by the frame structures method.
• From the forces the stress matrix and eelement strain matrix can be
generated to develop the stresses and strains at any point in each element.
 Triangular element for plane stress
Y
k (xk,yk)

v
O X (x,y) u
i
(xi,yi)
j (xj,yj)

• Consider a trianglular element ijk, with nodal co-ordinates (xi,yi),(xj,yj),

(xk,yk).
• The displacement at any pint (x,y) has two components “u” and “v” in the
x and y directions respectively.
•The displacements “u” and “v” uniquely define the internal displacements
of the element.
•For triangular element suitable displacement function assumed is
u = α1 + α2 x + α3y
(1)
v= α4 + α5 x + α6y
 Triangular element for plane stress
Y
k (xk,yk)

v
O X (x,y) u
i
(xi,yi)
j (xj,yj)

• Where α1 to α6 are constants whose values depend on the nodal

displacements.
• All the displacement functions has to satisfy the following conditions.
a) Displacement function and its first derivative shall be continuous within
the element.
b) Displacement function shall allow nodal displacements and caused by
rigid body translations and rotations to occur without straining the
element i.e. without changing the strain energy in the element.
 Triangular element for plane stress
Y
k (xk,yk)

v
O X (x,y) u
i
(xi,yi)
j (xj,yj)

c) The displacement function should allow for all states of uniform strain
within the element.
d) The displacement function should satisfy internal compatibility within the
element, and should also maintain compatibility of displacements
between adjacent elements at the nodes and along the boundaries . If
all such compatibilities conditions are satisfied , the displacement
function is said to be a conforming function.
 Triangular element for plane stress
Y
k (xk,yk)

v
O X (x,y) u
i
(xi,yi)
j (xj,yj)

CONDITION #1

• The displacement function in eq-1 obviously satisfies the condition#1

 Triangular element for plane stress
Y
k (xk,yk)

v
O X (x,y) u
i
(xi,yi)
j (xj,yj)

CONDITION #2
• To satisfy the condition # 2 , let us consider the nodal displacements
and internal strains.
• From eq-1 the displacements at each node are found by substituting in
the nodal coordinates. The, the x-component of the displacement at
node “i” is :

Δxi = α1 + α2xi + α3 yi

Proceeding in the similar manner, we have for all nodes

 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #2

Δxi 1 xi yi 0 0 0 α1

Δyi 0 0 0 1 xi yi α2

Δ= Δxj = 1 xj yj 0 0 0 α3 (2)
Δyj 0 0 0 1 xj yj α4
Δxk 1 xk yk 0 0 0 α5

Δyk 0 0 0 1 xk yk α6

Hence we may write Δ=Axα (3)

 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #2
The strains at point (x,y) are

0 1 0 0 0 0
εx ∂u/∂x α1
0 0 0 0 0 1
α2

εy = 0 0 1 0 1 0 α3
ε= = ∂v/∂y
α4

γxy Where u and v are given by Eq-1 α5

∂u/∂y + ∂v/∂x
α6

(4)

Hence we may write ε = B α (5)

Also using equation -3 we can also write the relation ship b/w stress and
displacement as follows.
ε = B A-1 Δ Where BA-1 is called element strain matrix
 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #2

Now consider the particular case when α2 = α6 = 0 and α5 = -α3. From eq

-2 we can write nodal displacements are

Δxi α1 + α3yi

Δyi α4 - α3xi
(6)
Δ= Δxj = α1 + α3yj
Δyj α4 - α3xi
Δxk α1 + α3yk
Δyk α4 - α3xk

These nodal displacements correspond to a rigid body translation of α1 in

the x- direction , α4 in the y- direction, and a rigid body rotation of α3
radians clock wise.
 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #2
If α3 is zero, the motion is pure rigid body translation .
If α1 and α4 are zero , it is pure rigid body rotation . Also from eq-4 the
internal strains are

εx α2

Δ= εy = α6 = 0

γxy
α3 + α5

Hence the coshesn displacement function does not cause strains in the
element , when the nodal displacement are due solely to rigid body
motion. Hence condition #2 is satisfied.
 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #3
The strains at point (x,y) are

0 1 0 0 0 0
εx ∂u/∂x α1
0 0 0 0 0 1
α2

εy = 0 0 1 0 1 0 α3
Δ= = ∂v/∂y
α4

γxy Where u and v are given by Eq-1 α5

∂u/∂x + ∂v/∂y
α6

(4)

In above matrices we see that the internal strains ε are in fact

independent of the coordinates (x,y), i.e. they are uniform thourghout the
element .
Hence condition #3 is satisfied.
 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #4
The strains at point (x,y) are

0 1 0 0 0 0
εx ∂u/∂x α1
0 0 0 0 0 1
α2

εy = 0 0 1 0 1 0 α3
Δ= = ∂v/∂y
α4

γxy Where u and v are given by Eq-1 α5

∂u/∂x + ∂v/∂y
α6

(4)
For condition #4 the following equation for internal compatibility shall be
satisfied.
∂2εx/∂y2 + ∂2εy/∂x2 = ∂2γxy/ ∂x ∂y
 Triangular element for plane stress
CONDITION #4

Since element are connected at the nodes which remain connected

during deformation of the structure, nodal compatibility is automatically
guaranteed.
From eq-1 we see that the chosen displacement function specifies that
displacement at all points vary linearly in two perpendicular directions “x”
and “y”. Then any straight line in the undeformed element will remain
straight during deformation and consequently the element boundaries will
remain in contact as the elements deform. Hence condition #4 is satisfied
and the displacement function in eq-1 is therefore a conforming function
and when such a conforming function is used the element is conforming
element.
 Determination of element stiffness matrix

Suppose the triangular element in Figure -2 is subjected to arbitrary

nodal displacements “Δ”, and nodal forces required to produce these
nodal displacements are “p”

Δxi Pxi

Δyi Pyi
(8) (9)
Δ= Δxj P= Pxj
Δyj Pyj
Δxk Pxk
Δyk Pyk

Now P = K x Δ (10)

Where “K” is the element stiffness matrix yet to be determined.

 Determination of element stiffness matrix

Also from equation -5, the nodal displacements Δ would cause internal
strains ε in the element, where
ε = B A-1Δ (11)

For plane stress in an isotropic material of Young’s moudulus “E” and

Poisson’s ratio “ν” stresses and strains are related by Eq-11 ,namely

σx 1 ν εx
0

ν 1 0 εy
σy
= E/(1-ν2)

0 0 (1-ν)/2 γxy
Τxy
 Determination of element stiffness matrix
i.e σ = D x ε = DB A-1Δ ( From eq -11) (12)

These internal stresses “σ” are caused by nodal displacements “Δ”

ε’ = B A-1Δ’ (13)

Hence the virtual strain energy in the element is

∫v ε’T σ dV
Where “V” is the volume of the triangular element.
Substituting equation -13 and equation - 12
Virtual strain energy = ∫v (B A-1Δ’)T DB A-1Δ dV
(14)
= ∫v A Δ’ B DB A Δ dV
-T T T -1

In this equation Δ’ and Δ are independent of “x” and “y” and can therfore be taken
out of integration sign. Also equations 2 and eq-3 show that matrix “A” contains
nodal coordinates and constan terms only and is hence ndependent of “x” and
“y” . Similarly eq-4 and eq-5 show that for a triangulare lement, B also contains
constant terms only. Hence we may write equation -14 as

Virtual strain energy = A-TΔ’T ∫v (BTDB dV) A-1Δ

 Determination of element stiffness matrix

= Δ’T (A-T BT D B A-1 V) Δ (15)

External work done = Δ’T P = Δ’T K Δ

Also we may write Ext. W.D = Internal W.D

Δ’T K Δ = Δ’T (A-T BT D B A-1 V) Δ (16)

Since the above equality holds for any virtual nodal displacements Δ’ and
for a any real nodal displacements Δ we know from the theroy of matrix
algebra that the following equality must exsist.
(17)
K=A B DBA V
-T T -1

It can be shown by coordinate geometry that if the nodal coordinates of

the triangular element are (xi,yi),(xj,yj) and (xk,yk) and the thickness is t,
then its volume is given by the following determinental equation:
 Determination of element stiffness matrix

1 xi yi

1 xj yj
V= t

1 xk yk

Hence for a triangular element with the displacement function in Eq-1,

the element stiffness matrix is
K =1/2 A-T BT D B A-1 {(xiyj-xjyi) + (xjyk – xkyj) + (xkyi – xiyk)} x t
(18)