Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Different from the finite difference method (FDM) described earlier, the FEM
introduces approximated solutions of the variables at every nodal points, not
their derivatives as has been done in the FDM. The region of interest is
subdivided into small regions that are called “finite elements”. It will then be
assumed that some predetermined function ( such as (x,y,z,t)) in terms of
dependent variables (such as the spatial and time coordinates, x,y,x,z & t) can be
used to replace the dependent variable (T(x,y,z,t)at the node (with unknown
coefficients (ai) to be determined).
N
T ( x, y , z , t ) aii ( x, y , x, t ), where N is the total number of
i
This function has to satisfy both the governing equation (heat diffusion equation
for heat transfer problem, for example) at every nodal points and the boundary
condition at every exterior nodal points. By substitute this function into every
points we can obtain a system of algebraic equations in terms of the unknown
coefficients (ai). This system of equations can then be solved using standard
numerical schemes described before.
Finite Element Example
Determine the temperature distribution of the flat plate as shown below using
finite element analysis. Assume one-dimensional heat transfer, steady state, no
heat generation and constant thermal conductivity. The two surfaces of the plate
are maintained at constant temperatures of 100°C and 0°C, respectively.
L=3
Example (cont.)
To simplify the solution, we can apply the governing equation first:
2 2
T
2T 0, 2 2 ( Ax 2 Bx C ) 2 A 0
x x
Therefore, A=0 for all nodal temperature functions. This is no surprise for us
since we know the steady state, no generation, 1-D heat transfer should have a
linear temperature distribution. Therefore: T(x)=Bx+C and the three nodal
equations are:
T1=Bx1+C=(B/2)+C, T2=Bx2+C=(3B/2)+C, T3= Bx3+C=(5B/3)+C
Therefore, there are only two constants to be solved and they can be determined
using the two boundary conditions. At the left-side surface, the temperature is a
constant 100°C and there is a constant heat transfer into the element 1 and the
same amount of the heat is transferred to the element 2 since there can be no
heat accumulation inside the element to satisfy the steady state condition.
T2 T3 T 0 T2 T3 T3
k k 3 ,
x3 x2 3 x3 1 1/ 2
5B 3B
3T3 T2 0, 3 C C 0
2 2
6 B 2C 0 : The second equation
Example (cont.)
The finite element matrix for the constants B & C is:
0 2 B 200
6 2 C 0
100
Solve using any numerical scheme: B=- , C 100
3
100
T ( x ) 100 x
3
This equation satisfies both boundary conditions: T(x=0)=100°C and
T(x=3)=0 °C.