Introduction to Finite Element

Method

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction
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1. Engineering design General scenario..

Physical Problem
Question regarding the problem
...how large are the deformations?
...how much is the heat transfer?
FIGURES\A.JPG
Assumptions regarding
Geometry
Mathematical model Kinematics
Governed by differential Material law
equations Loading
Boundary conditions
Etc.

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 Method of solution

Analytical Method Numerical Methods

 Solved by hand
calculation( pen & paper)  Solved by computers in most
 Exact solution case.(Package/Algorithm)
 Exact behavior of the system  Approximate solution.
@ any infinite point within the
system.

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 Numerical Methods:
1.FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD(FDM)

Point wise approximation to differential equations(DE)

Array of grids

2. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD(FEM/FEA)

Global approximation or integral approximation to DE

Assembly of finite elements (sub domain, sub region)

3. BOUNDARY ELEMENTS METHODS(BEM)

Deals with integral equations rather than DE

Discretization over boundary only. 4
 2. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

(1) Definition

FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of

governing equations over the domain of a
continuous physical system, which is discretized
into simple geometric shapes called finite element.

Discrete system
Continuous system
Linear algebraic eq.
Time-independent PDE
ODE
Time-dependent PDE

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 (2) Discretization

Modeling a body by dividing it into an equivalent

system of finite elements interconnected at a finite
number of points on each element called nodes.

Continuous system Discrete system

Discretization
 f
Domain 
x x

 f Subdomain We

Domain with degrees of freedom Domain divided with subdomains

with degrees of freedom

f1

f2
f5 f6

6
f3
x f4
x
7
Problem1 : Obtain the deflection (1 D problem)

Element

Node
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Problem2 : Obtain the stresses/strains in the plate ( 2D )

uniform loading
Fixed boundary

Element
Finite element
Cantilever plate
model
in plane strain

Node

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3. Historical Background

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 Chronicle of Finite Element Method

Year Scholar Theory

1963 Grafton, Strome Developed curved-shell bending element stiffness matrix.

1963 Melosh Applied variational formulation to solve nonstructural problems.

1965 Clough et. al 3D elements of axisymmetric solids.

1967 Zienkiewicz et. Published the first book on finite element.

1968 Zienkiewicz et. Visco-elasticity problems.

1969 Szabo & Lee Adapted weighted residual methods in structural analysis.

1972 Oden Book on nonlinear continua.

1976 Belytschko Large-displacement nonlinear dynamic behavior.

~1997   New element development, convergence studies, the developments of

supercomputers, the availability of powerful microcomputers, the development
of user-friendly general-purpose finite element software packages.

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Chronicle of Finite Element Method
Year Scholar Theory

1941 Hrennikoff Presented a solution of elasticity problem using one-dimensional elements.

1943 McHenry Same as above.

1943 Courant Introduced shape functions over triangular subregions to model the whole region.

1947 Levy Developed the force (flexibility) method for structure problem.

1953 Levy Developed the displacement (stiffness) method for structure problem.

1954 Argyris & Kelsey Developed matrix structural analysis methods using energy principles.

1956 Turner, Clough, Derived stiffness matrices for truss, beam and 2D plane stress elements. Direct
Martin, Topp stiffness method.

1960 Clough Introduced the phrase finite element .

1960 Turner et. al Large deflection and thermal analysis.

1961 Melosh Developed plate bending element stiffness matrix.

1961 Martin Developed the tetrahedral stiffness matrix for 3D problems.

1962 Gallagher et al Material nonlinearity.

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 4. GENERAL STEPS OF THE FEM:
FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS:

STEP 1: Discretize and select the element type


Domain 
x

 • Red line-Continuous
Domain with degrees of freedom
field over the entire
domain.
x
• Blue line-Finite
number of linear
f

Subdomain We
x approximations with
the finite number of
f

Domain divided with subdomains

with degrees of freedom
elements
f1

f2
f5 f6
f3

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f4
x
14
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Step 2: Select a Displacement Function

 The function is defined within the element using the nodal

values of the element.
 Linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomials are frequently
used functions because they are simple to work with in
finite element formulation.
 trigonometric series can also be used.

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Step 3 :Define the Strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain
Relationships

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Step 4: Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations

Using:
 Direct stiffness or Equilibrium method
 Work or Energy Methods (virational method)
 Methods of Weighted Residuals

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(3)

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Step 5: Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global
or Total Equations and Introduce Boundary Conditions

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Step 6 Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom
(or Generalized Displacements)

(7)

where :
‘ n’ is the structure total number of unknown nodal
degrees of freedom.
These equations can be solved for the ds by using an
elimination method
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Step 7 Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses

Using equation 1 &2

Step 8 Interpret the Results

a. Deformation plot b. stress contour

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 Example:
...GeneralAscenario
bracket
Modeling a physical
problem
Physical Problem Change
physical
problem

Mathematical Improve
Model mathematical
model

Numerical model

No!
Does answer
Refine analysis
make sense?

YES! Design improvements

Structural optimization
23 Happy 
 Verification
Example:and
A bracket
validation
Modeling a physical
problem

Physical Problem
Validation
Mathematical
Model
Verification

Numerical model

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 5. Applications of Finite Element Method

Structural Problem Non-structural Problem

Stress Analysis Heat Transfer

- truss & frame analysis Fluid Mechanics
- stress concentrated problem Electric or Magnetic Potential
Buckling problem
Vibration Analysis
Impact Problem

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 Advantages of FEM

• Model irregularly shaped bodies

• Compute General load conditions
• Model bodies composed of different materials
• Solve unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary conditions
• Able to use different element sizes in places where loads
or stresses are concentrated
• Handle non-linear behavior using linear approximations
• Reduce System Cost

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 FEM Packages

• Algor • IMAGES-3D
• ANSYS • MSC/NASTRAN
• ABAQUS • SAP90
• PRO/MECHANICA • GT-STRUDL
• COSMOS/M
• STARDYNE

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 END

NEXT:

2. FUNDAMENTALS OF FINITE ELEMENT

FORMULATION
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