Finite Element Methode

Z X

Sungging Pintowantoro, PhD

MT 209
sungging@mat-eng.its.ac.id
The Finite Element Method
History
Brief Description
General Steps
Advantages
Commercial Software
 Definition
• Many problems in engineering and applied
science are governed by differential or integral
equations.

• The solutions to these equations would provide an

exact, closed-form solution to the particular
problem being studied.

• However, complexities in the geometry,

properties and in the boundary conditions that are
seen in most real-world problems usually means
that an exact solution cannot be obtained or
obtained in a reasonable amount of time.
 Definition (cont.)
• Current product design cycle times imply that
engineers must obtain design solutions in a ‘short’
amount of time.

• They are content to obtain approximate solutions

that can be readily obtained in a reasonable time
frame, and with reasonable effort. The FEM is one
such approximate solution technique.

• The FEM is a numerical procedure for obtaining

approximate solutions to many of the problems
encountered in engineering analysis.
 Definition (cont.)
• In the FEM, a complex region defining a continuum is
discretized into simple geometric shapes called elements.

• The properties and the governing relationships are assumed

over these elements and expressed mathematically in terms of
unknown values at specific points in the elements called nodes.

• An assembly process is used to link the individual elements

to the given system. When the effects of loads and boundary
conditions are considered, a set of linear or nonlinear algebraic
equations is usually obtained.

• Solution of these equations gives the approximate behavior of

the continuum or system.
 Definition (cont.)
• The continuum has an infinite number of degrees-of-freedom
(DOF), while the discretized model has a finite number of
DOF. This is the origin of the name, finite element method.

• The number of equations is usually rather large for most real-

world applications of the FEM, and requires the computational
power of the digital computer. The FEM has little practical
value if the digital computer were not available.

• Advances in and ready availability of computers and software

has brought the FEM within reach of engineers working in
small industries, and even students.
 Definition (cont.)
Two features of the finite element method are worth noting.

• The piecewise approximation of the physical field

(continuum) on finite elements provides good precision even
with simple approximating functions. Simply increasing the
number of elements can achieve increasing precision.

• The locality of the approximation leads to sparse equation

systems for a discretized problem. This helps to ease the
solution of problems having very large numbers of nodal
unknowns. It is not uncommon today to solve systems
containing a million primary unknowns.
 Discretizations
Model body by dividing it into an equivalent
system of smaller bodies or units (finite elements)
interconnected at points common to two or more
elements (nodes or nodal points) and/or boundary
lines and/or surfaces.
 History
Grew out of aerospace industry.
Post-WW II jets, missiles, space flight
Need for light weight structures
Required accurate stress analysis
Paralleled growth of computers
 Applications

Structural/Stress Analysis
Fluid Flow
Heat Transfer
Electro-Magnetic Fields
Soil Mechanics
Acoustics
How can the FEM Help the Design Engineer?
• The FEM offers many important advantages to the design engineer:

• Easily applied to complex, irregular-shaped objects composed

of several different materials and having complex boundary
conditions.

• Applicable to steady-state, time dependent and eigenvalue

problems.

• Applicable to linear and nonlinear problems.

• One method can solve a wide variety of problems, including

problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, chemical
reactions, electromagnetics, biomechanics, heat transfer and
acoustics, to name a few.
How can the FEM Help the Design Engineer? (cont.)

• General-purpose FEM software packages are available at

reasonable cost, and can be readily executed on
microcomputers, including workstations and PCs.

• The FEM can be coupled to CAD programs to facilitate solid

modeling and mesh generation.

• Many FEM software packages feature GUI interfaces, auto-

meshers, and sophisticated postprocessors and graphics to speed
the analysis and make pre and post-processing more user-
friendly.
How can the FEM Help the Design Organization?
• Simulation using the FEM also offers important business
advantages to the design organization:

• Reduced testing and redesign costs thereby shortening

the product development time.
• Identify issues in designs before tooling is committed.

• Refine components before dependencies to other

components prohibit changes.
• Optimize performance before prototyping.

• Discover design problems before litigation.

• Allow more time for designers to use engineering

judgement, and less time “turning the crank.”
 Feature
Obtain a set of algebraic equations to
solve for unknown nodal quantity
(displacement).
Secondary quantities (stresses and
strains) are expressed in terms of nodal
values of primary quantity
 Sources of Error in the FEM
• The three main sources of error in a typical FEM solution
are discretization errors, formulation errors and numerical
errors.
• Discretization error results from transforming the physical
system (continuum) into a finite element model, and can
be related to modeling the boundary shape, the boundary
conditions, etc.

Discretization error due to poor geometry Discretization error effectively eliminated.

representation.
 Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)
• Formulation error results from the use of elements that don't precisely
describe the behavior of the physical problem.
• Elements which are used to model physical problems for which they
are not suited are sometimes referred to as ill-conditioned or
mathematically unsuitable elements.
• For example a particular finite element might be formulated on the
assumption that displacements vary in a linear manner over the
domain. Such an element will produce no formulation error when it is
used to model a linearly varying physical problem (linear varying
displacement field in this example), but would create a significant
formulation error if it used to represent a quadratic or cubic varying
displacement field.
 Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)

• Numerical error occurs as a result of numerical

calculation procedures, and includes truncation
errors and round off errors.
• Numerical error is therefore a problem mainly
concerning the FEM vendors and developers.
• The user can also contribute to the numerical
accuracy, for example, by specifying a physical
quantity, say Young’s modulus, E, to an
inadequate number of decimal places.
Advantages of the Finite Element Method
• Can readily handle complex geometry:
• The heart and power of the FEM.
• Can handle complex analysis types:
• Vibration
• Transients
• Nonlinear
• Heat transfer
• Fluids
• Can handle complex loading:
• Node-based loading (point loads).
• Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial
forces).
• Time or frequency dependent loading.
• Can handle complex restraints:
• Indeterminate structures can be analyzed.
Advantages of the Finite Element Method (cont.)
• Can handle bodies comprised of nonhomogeneous materials:
• Every element in the model could be assigned a different set of
material properties.
• Can handle bodies comprised of nonisotropic materials:
• Orthotropic
• Anisotropic
• Special material effects are handled:
• Temperature dependent properties.
• Plasticity
• Creep
• Swelling
• Special geometric effects can be modeled:
• Large displacements.
• Large rotations.
• Contact (gap) condition.
Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method
• A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem. A
general closed-form solution, which would permit one to examine
system response to changes in various parameters, is not
produced.

• The FEM is applied to an approximation of the mathematical model

of a system (the source of so-called inherited errors.)

• Experience and judgment are needed in order to construct a good

finite element model.

• A powerful computer and reliable FEM software are essential.

• Input and output data may be large and tedious to prepare and
interpret.
Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method (cont.)
• Numerical problems:
• Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits.
• Round off and error accumulation.
• Can help the situation by not attaching stiff (small) elements
to flexible (large) elements.
• Susceptible to user-introduced modeling errors:
• Poor choice of element types.
• Distorted elements.
• Geometry not adequately modeled.
• Certain effects not automatically included:
• Buckling
• Large deflections and rotations.
• Material nonlinearities .
• Other nonlinearities.
 Steps in Process

Discretize and Select Element Type

Select a Displacement Function
Define Strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain
Relationships
Derive Element Stiffness Matrix & Eqs.
Assemble Equations and Introduce B.C.’s
Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom
Solve for Element Stresses and Strains
Interpret the Results
 Comercial Software

• ALGOR
• ANSYS
• COSMOS/M
• STARDYNE
• IMAGES-3D
• MSC/NASTRAN
• SAP90
• ADINA
• NISA
FEM Applied to Solid Mechanics Problems
• A FEM model in solid mechanics
can be thought of as a system of
assembled springs. When a load is
applied, all elements deform until all
forces balance.
• F = Kd
Create elements
of the beam • K is dependant upon Young’s
modulus and Poisson’s ratio,
as well as the geometry.
• Equations from discrete elements
are assembled together to form the
Nodal displacement and forces global stiffness matrix.
dxi 1
dxi 2 • Deflections are obtained by solving
2
the assembled set of linear
dyi 1 1
dyi 2 equations.
• Stresses and strains are calculated
4 3
from the deflections.
 Classification of Solid-Mechanics Problems
Analysis of solids

Static Dynamics
Elementary Advanced

Behavior of Solids Stress Stiffening

Large Displacement
Geometric
Instability
Linear Nonlinear
Fracture
Plasticity
Material
Viscoplasticity
Geometric
Classification of solids

Skeletal Systems Plates and Shells Solid Blocks

1D Elements 2D Elements 3D Elements
Trusses Plane Stress Brick Elements
Cables Plane Strain Tetrahedral Elements
Pipes Axisymmetric General Elements
Plate Bending
Shells with flat elements
Shells with curved elements
Governing Equation for Solid Mechanics Problems
• Basic equation for a static analysis is as follows:
[K] {u} = {Fapp} + {Fth} + {Fpr} + {Fma} + {Fpl} + {Fcr} + {Fsw} +
{Fld}
[K] = total stiffness matrix
{u} = nodal displacement
{Fapp} = applied nodal force load vector
{Fth} = applied element thermal load vector
{Fpr} = applied element pressure load vector
{Fma} = applied element body force vector
{Fpl} = element plastic strain load vector
{Fcr} = element creep strain load vector
{Fsw} = element swelling strain load vector
{Fld} = element large deflection load vector
 Six Steps in the Finite Element Method
• Step 1 - Discretization: The problem domain is discretized
into a collection of simple shapes, or elements.
• Step 2 - Develop Element Equations: Developed using the
physics of the problem, and typically Galerkin’s Method or
variational principles.
• Step 3 - Assembly: The element equations for each element
in the FEM mesh are assembled into a set of global
equations that model the properties of the entire system.
• Step 4 - Application of Boundary Conditions: Solution cannot
be obtained unless boundary conditions are applied. They
reflect the known values for certain primary unknowns.
Imposing the boundary conditions modifies the global
equations.
• Step 5 - Solve for Primary Unknowns: The modified global
equations are solved for the primary unknowns at the
nodes.
• Step 6 - Calculate Derived Variables: Calculated using the
nodal values of the primary variables.
 Process Flow in a Typical FEM Analysis
Problem Analysis and
Start Stop
Definition design decisions

Processor Post-processor
Pre-processor
• Generates • Prints or plots
• Reads or generates element shape contours of stress
nodes and elements functions components.
• Calculates master • Prints or plots
(ex: ANSYS)
• Reads or generates element equations contours of
• Calculates displacements.
material property data. • Evaluates and
• Reads or generates transformation
matrices prints error bounds.
boundary conditions
(loads and • Maps element
equations into
constraints.)
global system
Step 6
• Assembles
element equations
• Introduces
Step 1, Step 4 boundary Steps 2, 3, 5
conditions
• Performs solution
procedures
 Step 1: Discretization - Mesh Generation

surface model
airfoil geometry 2
3
4 5 11

(from CAD program)

1
12
14
13

mesh
generator

ET,1,SOLID45
N, 1, 183.894081 , -.770218637 , 5.30522740
N, 2, 183.893935 , -.838009645 , 5.29452965
.
.
TYPE, 1
E, 1, 2, 80, 79, 4, 5, 83, 82
E, 2, 3, 81, 80, 5, 6, 84, 83
.
.
.

meshed model
Step 4: Boundary Conditions for a Solid Mechanics Problem

• Displacements DOF constraints usually specified at

model boundaries to define rigid supports.
• Forces and Moments Concentrated loads on nodes
usually specified on the model exterior.
• Pressures Surface loads usually specified on the
model exterior.
• Temperatures Input at nodes to study the effect of
thermal expansion or contraction.
• Inertia Loads Loads that affect the entire structure
(ex: acceleration, rotation).
Step 4: Boundary Conditions for a Solid Mechanics Problem

• Displacements DOF constraints usually specified at

model boundaries to define rigid supports.
• Forces and Moments Concentrated loads on nodes
usually specified on the model exterior.
• Pressures Surface loads usually specified on the
model exterior.
• Temperatures Input at nodes to study the effect of
thermal expansion or contraction.
• Inertia Loads Loads that affect the entire structure
(ex: acceleration, rotation).
 Step 4: Applying Boundary Conditions (Other Loads)
• Speed, temperature and hub fixity applied to sample
problem.
• FE Modeler used to apply speed and hub constraint.

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