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Finite Element Analysis: GE393 Computer-Aided Design, Analysis and Prototyping

Finite element analysis is a numerical method used to solve complex problems that cannot be solved analytically. It involves discretizing a continuous structure into small substructures called finite elements. The method consists of three main phases: preprocessing to define the geometry, mesh, properties and boundary conditions; solving to obtain nodal results; and postprocessing to derive stresses, strains and other results. FEA represents each element as springs connected at nodes to form a global stiffness matrix that is solved to find displacements.

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179 views14 pages

Finite Element Analysis: GE393 Computer-Aided Design, Analysis and Prototyping

Finite element analysis is a numerical method used to solve complex problems that cannot be solved analytically. It involves discretizing a continuous structure into small substructures called finite elements. The method consists of three main phases: preprocessing to define the geometry, mesh, properties and boundary conditions; solving to obtain nodal results; and postprocessing to derive stresses, strains and other results. FEA represents each element as springs connected at nodes to form a global stiffness matrix that is solved to find displacements.

Uploaded by

duraich
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Finite Element Analysis

Introduction

GE393
Computer-Aided Design, Analysis and
Prototyping
FEA Introduction
 Numerical method used for solving problems
that cannot be solved analytically (e.g., due to
complicated geometry, different materials)
 Well suited to computers
 Originally applied to problems in solid
mechanics
 Other application areas include heat transfer,
fluid flow, electromagnetism
Finite Element Method Phases
 Preprocessing
 Geometry
 Modeling analysis type
 Mesh
 Material properties
 Boundary conditions

 Solution
 Solve linear or nonlinear algebraic equations
simultaneously to obtain nodal results
(displacements, temperatures)
 Postprocessing
 Obtain other results (stresses, heat fluxes)
FEA Discretization Process - Meshing
 Continuous elastic structure
(geometric continuum) divided into
small (but finite), well-defined
substructures, called elements
 Elements are connected together
at nodes; nodes have degrees of
freedom
 Discretization process known as
meshing
Spring Analogy
 Elements modeled as linear springs

F l
  ,   ,   E
A l
 EA 
F   l , similar to F  kx
 l 
Matrix Formulation
 Local elastic behavior of each element
defined in matrix form in terms of loading,
displacement, and stiffness
 Stiffness determined by geometry and material
properties (AE/l)
Global Matrix Formulation

 Elements assembled through common nodes


into a global matrix
 Global boundary conditions (loads and
supports) applied to nodes (in practice,
applied to underlying geometry)

 F1   K1  K 2  K 2  U 1 
 F    K K 2  U 2 
 2  2
Solution
 Matrix operations used to determine unknown
dof’s (e.g., nodal displacements)
 Run time proportional to #nodes/elements
 Error messages
 “Bad” elements
 Insufficient disk space, RAM
 Insufficiently constrained
Postprocessing
 Displacements used to derive strains and
stresses
FEA Prerequisites
 First Principles (Newton’s Laws)
 Body under external loading

 Area Moments of Inertia


 Stress and Strain
 Principal stresses
 Stress states: bending, shear, torsion, pressure,
contact, thermal expansion
 Stress concentration factors

 Material Properties
 Failure Modes
 Dynamic Analysis
See Chapter 2 of Building Better Products with FEA, Vince Adams and
Abraham Askenazi, Onward Press, 1999
A Simple FEA Model
F  Kx
F1  U1 K1  (U 2  U1 ) K 2  0
F2  (U 2  U1 ) K 2  0
F1  ( K1  K 2 )U1  ( K 2 )U 2
F2  ( K 2 )U1  K 2U 2
 F1   K1  K 2  K 2  U1 
F     K K 2  U 2 
 2  2

Stiffness matrix
A Simple FEA Model - 2
 DOF’s - 1
 Determines the # of equations needed to
define the model
 Boundary Conditions
 Allows model to be solved
 U0 = 0 (fixed support)

 F1, F2 (external forces)


 Mesh
 2 1D elements
 2 nodes per element
A Simple Model - 3
 Assumptions
 Linear spring (-> 1 DOF)
 Convergence
 Process of using smaller and smaller
elements to reduce error
Finite Element Analysis

Introduction

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