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1 - Basics of FEM

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62 views27 pages

1 - Basics of FEM

Uploaded by

akampuriraamon14
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2.

Basics of Finite Element Methods (FEM)

• Why engineers study FEM


• Applications of the FEM
• Introduction to FEM
• Solutions to BVPs
• What is finite element method?
• The process of FEM
• Elements and nodes
• Shape functions
• Discretization/Meshing
• FEM Equation
• FEM formulations
Why engineers study FEM

FEM has become an integral part of the design and


development of numerous engineering systems in
different industries.
1. Aerospace industry
2. Automotive industry
3. Power industry (Nuclear, thermal )
4. Healthcare (implants, devices, etc )
5. Agriculture industry
6. Construction
7. Military industry
8. Mining industry
Applications of the FEM
Introduction to FEM

• Nature operates via gradients


• Most of the systems are mathematically
represented by gradients
𝑑𝑓 𝑑 2 𝑓
, ,∇𝑓
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
or the differential
• Solid mechanics
𝜕𝜎𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜎𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝜎𝑥𝑧
+ + + 𝑏𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜎𝑦𝑥 𝜕𝜎𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝜎𝑦𝑧
+ + + 𝑏𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Introduction to FEM

𝜕𝜎𝑧𝑥 𝜕𝜎𝑧𝑦 𝜕𝜎𝑧𝑧


+ + + 𝑏𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

• Fluid mechanics
   
𝜕 𝑢® 𝑇 2
𝜌 + 𝑢.∇
® 𝑢® = −∇𝑝+∇ 𝜇(∇𝑢® + ∇𝑢® ) − 𝜇(∇𝑢)𝐼
®
𝜕𝑡 3
+𝐹
• 3D Conduction heat transfer equation
𝜕 2𝑇 𝜕 2𝑇 𝜕 2𝑇 𝑞¤ 1 𝜕𝑇
+ + + =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧2 𝑘 𝛼 𝜕𝜏
Introduction to FEM

• In engineering problem,a differential equation is


accompanied by constraints called the boundary
conditions.
• Differentail equations + BCs = Boundary Values
Problems (BVPs)(defined for a specific domain or
geometry)
Solutions to BVPs

• Analytical methods (direct integration, Laplace


transform, etc) are applied only for simple
geometries.

• How to handle complex geometries?


What is finite element method?

• FEM is a numerical method used to obtain an


approximate solution for a given boundary value
problem.

• The linear systems of equation are solved using


computer (Guass Elimination Method algorithm).
The process of FEM

• Objective is to find approximate solution 𝑢(𝑥,


¯ 𝑦)
to boundary value problem.
The process of FEM

1. Creation of a mathematical model


2. Deciding on the solution method
3. Approximating solution with piece-wise
polynomials
4. Finding nodal displacements
5. Finding strains and stresses
The process of FEM
Using FEM program
Elements and nodes

• The solid is represented by


a MESH, consisting
of subvolumes called
ELEMENTS, these are
defined by NODES.
• The design is modeled using
discrete building blocks
called elements.
• Elements are connected at
specific points, called nodes.
Elements and nodes

Elements are defined by the following properties:


1. Dimensionality
2. Nodal Points
3. Geometry
4. Degrees of Freedom
5. Nodal Forces
Types of finite elements
Shape functions
Discretizing of the Domain

• The idea of representing a given domain as a


collection of discrete parts is not unique to the
finite element method.
Discretization

• Each region is referred to as an element and


the process of subdividing a domain into a finite
number of elements is referred to as discretization.
Discretization examples
Two-Dimensional Discretization Refinement
Meshing
Meshing

• Meshing is the process used to “fill” the solid


model with nodes and elements, i.e, to create the
FEA model.
• The finite element mesh is used to specify the
geometry of the solid, and is also used to describe
the displacement field within the solid in a
convenient form.
• There are three steps to meshing: (1) Define
element attributes (2) Specify mesh controls (3)
Generate the mesh
FEM equation

[𝐾] {𝑢} = { 𝑓 }
where
• [ 𝑓 ] vector of nodal loads (known)
• [𝐾] stiffness matrix (known)
• [𝑢] vector of nodal displacements (unknown)
Physical significance of 𝑢 and 𝑓 in FEM applications
FEM formulations

• There are many approaches for formulating the


finite element analysis problems that will result in
solving a system of equations of the form

[𝐾] {𝑢} = { 𝑓 }
• Common approaches are:
1. Direct formulation
2. Minimum total potential energy formulation
(Reading assignment)
3. Weighted residual formation
Direct formulation

• Spring element (𝑒) connected by node 𝑖 and 𝑗.


• Develop a relationship between the nodal
displacements ( 𝑢𝑖 and 𝑢 𝑗 ) and the element forces
( 𝑓𝑖 and 𝑓 𝑗 ).
    
𝑘 𝑒 −𝑘 𝑒 𝑢𝑖 𝑓𝑖
=
−𝑘 𝑒 𝑘 𝑢𝑖+1 𝑓𝑖+1
[𝑘] {𝑥} = { 𝑓 }
𝑓𝑖 + 𝑓𝑖+1 = 0 [𝑘], [𝑥], and [ 𝑓 ] are
stiffness matrix , vector
𝑓𝑖 = 𝑘 𝑒 (𝑢𝑖 − 𝑢𝑖+1 )
of nodal displacement and
𝑓𝑖+1 = 𝑘 𝑒 (𝑢𝑖+1 − 𝑢𝑖 ) loads respectively.
Weighted residual formulation

1. Collocation method
2. Subdomain method
3. Least squares method
4. Galerkin method (commonly used method )
∫
𝑤 𝑖 (𝑥)𝑅(𝑥)𝑑𝑥

Steps for Galerkin method


(i) Weighted integrals
(ii) Integration by parts
(iii) Apply boundary conditions

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