Isoparametric Elements & Solution Techniques

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Node Numbering & Matrix Sparsity

Node numbering greatly affects solution efficiency. Consider the element stiffness matrices and resulting global stiffness matrix.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Node Numbering & Matrix Sparsity

Bandwidth = 4
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Bandwidth = 6

Node Numbering & Matrix Sparsity

Ideally, the numbering should be such that the matrix bandwidth is minimized. The bandwidth is the (maximum) number of columns between the first and last zero in a row. Fortunately, modern FEA software automatically renumbers the nodes for the most efficient solution.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Equation Solving
Solvers can be
iterative, employing repeated approximations until numerical convergence is achieved, or direct, employing repeated substitutions (E.g. Gauss Elimination).

In a direct solver, the solution time is roughly proportional to nb2, where n is the number of rows/columns in K and b is the bandwidth.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Isoparametric Elements: Formulation

Isoparametric elements make it possible to have elements with curved boundaries. This is done by introducing a natural coordinate system.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Isoparametric Elements: Formulation

The element shape coordinates are given using the same shape functions as the displacements.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Isoparametric Elements: Formulation

Because the shape is now a function of and , the strain must be determined by differentiation using the chain rule:

J is called the Jacobian

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Isoparametric Elements: Formulation

where J*11 and J*12 are coefficients in the first row of J-1 and Therefore
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Gauss Quadrature and Isoparametric Elements

For integrations that are difficult to solve in closed form, the integration can be performed numerically using Gauss Quadrature. Gauss Quadrature involves sampling data at certain points to obtain an approximation to the integration. Different sampling points get different weightings.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Gauss Quadrature and Isoparametric Elements

The number of points sampled determines where the points are sampled and what the weightings are.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Gauss Quadrature and Isoparametric Elements

In two dimensions:

For mxn = 2x2:

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Choice of Quadrature Rule. Instabilities

Certain quadrature rules in certain situations will result in instability displacement modes. The stiffness matrix will be singular no matter how the structure is supported.

Each of these modes displays zero strain energy.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis