Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers

Boundary Element Method

(BEM)
Finite Element Method (FEM)
Finite difference Method (FDM)

01-Oct-13 Dr. Walid Al-Awad 1

 BEM
As a numerical method, the boundary element
method, or BEM, is a more recently developed
numerical method used to find approximate
solutions to boundary value problems.
Concept Analyst uses a technique called the
Boundary Element Method, or BEM, to compute the
stresses and displacements in an object subjected to
some loading.

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 BEM

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 Idea of BEM

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 Advantages of BEM
 Concept Analyst uses a technique called the
Boundary Element Method, or BEM, to compute
the stresses and displacements in an object
subjected to some loading.
 1) Reduction of problem dimension by 1
 Less data preparation time.
 Easier to change the applied mesh.
 Useful for problems that require re-meshing.

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 BEM
 Looking at Fig.1 it might not be obvious, that the
dimension of BEM problems is reduced by one
order in respect of the FEM. While the FEM uses
two-dimensional elements (areas) to discretize
two-dimensional problems, the BEM uses one-
dimensional elements (lines).

Fig.1

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 Advantages of BEM
2) High Accuracy
Stresses are accurate as there are no approximations

imposed on the solution in interior domain points.

Suitable for modeling problems of rapidly changing

stresses.
3) Less computer time and storage
For the same level of accuracy as other methods
BEM uses less number of nodes and elements.

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 Advantages of BEM
 4) Filter out unwanted information.
 Internal points of the domain are optional.
 Focus on particular
internal region.
 Further reduces
computer time.

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 Advantages of BEM
 Reduction of problem dimension by 1.
 High Accuracy.
 Less computer time and storage.
 Filter out unwanted information and so
focus on section of the domain you are
interested in.
BEM is an attractive option.

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 BEM
Here are the similarities between the FEM and the
BEM
-they both work by dividing the geometry into

'elements'
-they both work by placing 'node' points on elements

and using these to approximate the geometry,

displacement, stress, etc. over the element

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 BEM
- they both work by describing the
stress/displacement behavior of the object
mathematically as a matrix equation
- they both give you deformed geometry plots,
contour plots of stresses over the object, etc.

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 BEM
While the Finite Element Method (FEM) is known to
almost every engineer, the Boundary Element
Method (BEM) is rather unknown. The BEM has
advantages to the FEM in certain application fields.

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
FEM: Method for numerical solution of field problems.
Description: FEM cuts a structure into several elements

(pieces of the structure).

- Then reconnects elements at “nodes” as if nodes were pins
or drops of glue that hold elements together.
- This process results in a set of simultaneous algebraic
equations.

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 Fundamental Concepts

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 Fundamental Concepts
 Select element type

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 Fundamental Concepts(FEM)
 primary line elements(consist of bar (or truss)
and beam elements)
 The simplest line element (called a linear element)
has two nodes, one at each end

 These elements are often used to model

trusses and frame structures

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 Fundamental Concepts
 The basic two-dimensional (or plane)
elements(plane stress or plane strain conditions).

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 Fundamental Concepts
 three-dimensional elements

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 Fundamental Concepts
 The axisymmetric element

 Various types of simple lowest-order finite elements with

corner nodes only and higher-order elements with
intermediate nodes

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
A mesh of finite elements over a rectangular region
having a central hole.

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
Discretized railroad control tower (28 nodes, 48 beam elements) with typical degrees of
freedom shown at node 1
Discretized model of an underground
box culvert (369 nodes, 40 bar
elements, and 333 plane strain elements

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 Two-dimensional analysis of a hydraulic cylinder
rod end (120 nodes, 297 plane strain triangular
elements)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 Finite element model of a chimney
 stack section (end view rotated 45)
 (584 beam and 252 flat-plate
elements)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 personal computer programs for solving problems
by the finite element method
1. Algor
2. Abaqus
3. ANSYS
4. COSMOS/M
5. GT-STRUDL
6. Robot Structural analysis
7. MSC/NASTRAN
8. NISA
9. Pro/MECHANICA
10. SAP2000
11. STARDYNE

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 Applications of the Finite Element Method
The finite element method can be used to analyze
both structural and nonstructural
problems. Typical structural areas include
1. Stress analysis, including truss and frame
analysis, and stress concentration problems
typically associated with holes, fillets, or other
changes in geometry in a body

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
2. Buckling
3. Vibration analysis
Nonstructural problems include
1. Heat transfer
2. Fluid flow, including seepage through porous
media
3. Distribution of electric or magnetic potential

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 General Steps of the Finite Element Method
• Step 1: Discretize and Select the Element Types
• Step 2 Select a Displacement Function
• Step 3 Define the Strain= Displacement and Stress=Strain
Relationships
• Step 4 Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations
• Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the
Global or Total Equations and Introduce Boundary
Conditions

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 Step 6 Solve for the Unknown Degrees of
Freedom (or Generalized Displacements)
 Step 7 Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
 Step 8 Interpret the Results

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)
 Finite Element Modeling
 Sizing of Elements and the h and p Methods of
Refinement

Examples of h refinement
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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

Examples of p refinement

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

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 Finite Element Method (FEM)

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 Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers

The End

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