Basic Concepts

 The basic idea in the finite element method is to find the solution of a complicated
problem by replacing it by a simpler one. Since the actual problem is replaced by a
simpler one in finding the solution,

 In the finite element method, the solution region is considered as built up of many small,
interconnected sub regions called finite elements. As an example of how a finite element
model might be used to represent a complex geometrical shape are;
Concept
 Introduction

 The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique to find approximate

solutions of partial differential equations.
 It was originated from the need of solving complex elasticity and structural analysis
problems in Civil, Mechanical and Aerospace engineering.
 In a structural simulation, FEM helps in producing stiffness and strength visualizations.
It also helps to minimize material weight and it’s cost of the structures.
 FEM allows for detailed visualization and indicates the distribution of stresses and
strains inside the body of a structure.
 FE software are powerful, yet complex tool meant for professional engineers with the
training and education necessary to properly interpret the results.
 FEM packages include specific components such as fluid, thermal, electromagnetic and
structural working environments.
 FEM allows entire designs to be constructed, refined and optimized before the design is
manufactured.
 Introduction

 Finite element analysis (FEA) involves solution of engineering problems using

computers.
 Engineering structures that have complex geometry and loads, are either very difficult
to analyze or have no theoretical solution. However, in FEA, a structure of this type
can be easily analyzed..
 Commercial FEA programs, written so that a user can solve a complex engineering
problems without knowing the governing equations or the mathematics; the user is
required only to know the geometry of the structure and its boundary conditions. FEA
software provides a complete solution including deflections, stresses, reactions, etc.
 Introduction

 The fast improvements in computer hardware technology and slashing of cost of

computers have boosted this method, since the computer is the basic need for the
application of this method.
 A number of popular brand of finite element analysis packages are now available
commercially.
 Some of the popular packages are STAAD-PRO, GT-STRUDEL,NASTRAN,
NISA, ANSYS and ABAQUS. Using these packages one can analyze several
complex structures.
What is FEM ?
 Many physical phenomena in engineering and science can be described in terms
of partial differential equations.
 In general, solving these equations by classical analytical methods for arbitrary
shapes is almost impossible.
 The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical approach by which these partial
differential equations can be solved approximately.
 From an engineering standpoint, the FEM is a method for solving engineering
problems such as stress analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow and electromagnetics by
computer simulation.
 Millions of engineers and scientists worldwide use the FEM to predict the
behaviour of structural, mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical systems for
both design and performance analyses.
 Its popularity can be gleaned by the fact that over $1 billion is spent annually in the
United States on FEM software and computer time.
 A 1991 bibliography (Noor, 1991) lists nearly 400 finite element books in English and
other languages.
 A web search (in 2006) for the phrase ‘finite element’ using the Google search engine
yielded over 14 million pages of results.
 Mackerle (http://ohio.ikp.liu.se/fe) lists 578 finite element books published between
1967 and 2005.