Introduction to the Finite Element Method (3)

Petr Kabele
Czech Technical University in Prague
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Czech Republic
petr.kabele@fsv.cvut.cz people.fsv.cvut.cz/~pkabele

Outline
Types of finite element programs
Practical aspects of finite element analysis
Examples of FE modeling

Finite element programs classification and structure

FEM programs
general purpose
simulation of general physical problems (statics, dynamics, heat/mass
transport, magnetism, ... , coupled problems)
more complex problem definition/input (choice from many options)
user must perfectly understand the mathematical and physical essence of
analyzed problem
e.g DIANA, ADINA, ABAQUS
specialized, engineering
simulation of specific engineering problems (e.g. elastic truss structure)
user-friendly input (mouse-click, predefined material models, structural
members, cross-sections etc., close linkage to design codes)
use in engineering practice (structural design)
e.g. SAP
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Structure of finite element programs

Preprocesor
graphical interface for
data input

Computational core
FE program itself

Postprocesor
graphical interface
for processing and
visualization of results

Practical aspects of finite element analysis

General consideration:
Finite element analysis is essentially an approximate method for calculating the
behavior of real structures by performing an algebraic solution of a set of
equations describing idealized structures

Physical reality

Finite element model

Selection of analysis type

Consider what physical phenomena should be analyzed.
stress analysis
stability
static
mechanical

dynamic

heat transport

... ...

mass transport
fluid

... ...

linear
nonlinear

modal analysis
transient analysis
... ...

linear
nonlinear

magnetism
coupled, interaction
... ...

Selection of modeling hypotheses

The most difficult part
Geometry and morphology (model scope and detail, structural form, internal
composition, connections between the structural elements,)
Material models and properties
Actions (mechanical, physical, chemical)
Existing alterations and damage (cracks, constructional mistakes,
disconnections, crushing, leanings, )
The interaction of the structure with its surroundings (soil, fluids, other
structural parts,...)

To this end:
Clarify what result is anticipated (e.g. overall deformation of a large
structure vs. crack propagation at a detail).
Consider, what information about the analyzed structure is available
(geometry, material, surroundings/supports, loading).
Think of suitable simplification, reduction of dimension, substructuring,
decomposition, use of symmetry.
Select suitable kinematic assumptions and dimension (truss, beam, 2D solid, plate, shell, 3-D solid). Bear in mind the complexity of model,
solution time, postprocessing time and visualization of results.
In complex problems, combining various kinematic assumptions may
be efficient (e.g. beam + plate). However, proper linkage of all DOFs
must be ensured.

Pre-analysis
Make a rough estimation of the expected result (e.g. simplified calculation by
hand).
Estimate locations of strain concentration and locations of uniform strain
use denser mesh in locations with steeper gradients.
Run a pilot analysis with coarser mesh
compare results with the rough estimate
use the results to identify further locations of strain concentration
Refinement and analysis
Refine the hypotheses and FE mesh as necessary based on the previous
step and run the analysis

Preliminary results check

Always check after analysis plot magnified displacement of the model,
display the stresses (generalized stresses), reactions
Compare results with the rough estimate.
Check that loading and kinematic boundary conditions act as expected
(stress under loading must correspond to imposed distributed load, outer
reactions must be in equilibrium with imposed loading).
Check for possible discontinuities due to improper meshing (overlaps of
mesh, unexpected stress concentrations)
If check fails, find and correct mistakes in input and return to Refinement
and analysis.

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Example:

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Rigorous results check

Analysis verification:
Is the mathematical formulation solved correctly?
Check error/accuracy/convergence messages.
Check mesh quality criteria.
... ...
Analysis validation
Does the mathematical model correctly represent the physical
reality?
Validation of modeling hypotheses ... see SA2 Lecture 1.

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Results processing and presentation

FE analysis usually produces huge amount of data. These must be sorted
out and presented in an easy-to-understand way.
Some examples:
plot of deformed configuration
contour plots of field variables (displacement, stress, strain,
components or principal values, ...)
vector plots (displacements, principal stress, strain, ...)
line plots of field variables along line, section
time history plots/tables of values in given points
extreme values of field variables
... ...

(see iDiana intro for examples)

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Example 1

Perform analysis of a slab.

Uniform distributed load
8 kN/m2 (incl. self weight)
Thickness: 0.15 m
Plan: 2 x 3 m

Material (R/C):
E = 30 GPa
= 0.2

Supports allow free

sliding and rotation
but no vertical movement
(up or down)

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Model 1 : plate elements

mesh 1
3-node plate elements
6 DOF/node (3 translations
+ 3 rotations)
mesh 2

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Model 1 : plate elements

Boundary conditions

u, v, x, y, z ... free
w ... fixed

x, y, z ... free
u, v, w ... fixed
u, v, x, y, z ... free
w ... fixed
v, x, y, z ... free
u, w ... fixed
u, v, x, y, z ... free
w ... fixed

Note: these point BC are imposed to prevent rigid body movement in slab plane.

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Model 1 : plate elements - results

Deflection

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Model 1 : plate elements - results

Bending moment intensities
Mesh 1: Element 59

mx
Int point 1
Int point 2
Int point 3
Average:

-9.24586E-04
-4.27317E-04
-7.25490E-04
-6.92464E-4

my
-5.78145E-03
-5.93220E-03
-5.66659E-03
-0.00579341

Mesh 2: Element 431

mx
Int point 1
Int point 2
Int point 3
Average

-5.05462E-05
-5.62267E-04
-3.10636E-04
-9.23449e-4

my
-5.63296E-03
-5.64567E-03
-5.64596E-03
-0.00564153

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Model 1 : plate elements - results

Stress
... may be not directly accessible,
calculated from y , ext =

6
my
2
h

y,ext = 1.54491 MPa

y,ext = 1.50441 MPa

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Model 1 : plate elements - results

Deformed shape and reactions (notice corner forces)

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Model 1 : plate elements - results

Deformed shape and reactions (notice corner forces)

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Model 2 : solid elements

mesh 1

20-node isoparametric solid elements

3 DOF/node (3 translations)
mesh 2

mesh 3

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Model 2 : solid elements

Boundary conditions

u, v ... free
w ... fixed

z, w

x, u

u, v, w ... fixed
u, v ... free
w ... fixed

u, w ... fixed

y, v

u, v ... free
w ... fixed

Note: these point BC are imposed to prevent rigid body movement in slab plane.

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Model 2 : solid elements - results

Deflection

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Model 2 : solid elements - results

Deformed shape and reactions (notice corner forces)

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Model 2 : solid elements - results

Bending stress y

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Models 1, 2, 3: comparison

Deflection

y-axis

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Models 1, 2, 3: comparison

Model

Extreme stress (MPa)

Plate 1

1.54

Plate 2

1.50

Solid 1

1.64*)

Solid 2

1.57*)

Solid 3

1.59*)

*)

extrapolated values

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Example 2
Perform a stress analysis of a wall exposed to uniform load, self-weight and
foundation settlement. Identify the locations and magnitudes of maximum tension.

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Initial calculation
4-node isoparematric quarilateral plane stress elements (Q4)

30

Deformed mesh

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Principal stresses

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Maximum principal stress

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Maximum principal stress smoothed plot

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Convergence study meshes

Q4 elements

Q9 elements

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Convergence of extreme displacement

Convergence of max. princ. stress

3.0

-7.008E-03
-7.010E-03

2.5

-7.014E-03

Q4

-7.016E-03

Q9

-7.018E-03

Q9a

sig_max

u_ext

-7.012E-03
Q4

2.0

Q9

1.5

Q9a

1.0

-7.020E-03
-7.022E-03

0.5

-7.024E-03

0.0

-7.026E-03
100

1000

10000

100000

100

1000

DOF

Mesh
1
2
3
4
5
6
4r

El. type
Q4
Q4
Q4
Q9
Q9
Q9
Q9

10000

100000

DOF

# of elem
106
408
1616
106
408
1616
378

# of DOF
262
914
3426
946
3458
13314
3114

u_ext
-7.0239E-03
-7.0148E-03
-7.0107E-03
-7.0128E-03
-7.0095E-03
-7.0090E-03
-7.0097E-03

sig_max
1.671
2.328
2.631
2.346
2.606
2.760
2.782

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Maximum principal stress

Q4 elements

Q9 elements

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Maximum principal stress

Q4 elements

Q9 elements

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Maximum principal stress

Q4 elements

Q9 elements

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Local refinement

40

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Convergence of extreme displacement

Convergence of max. princ. stress

3.0

-7.008E-03
-7.010E-03

2.5

-7.014E-03

Q4

-7.016E-03

Q9

-7.018E-03

Q9a

sig_max

u_ext

-7.012E-03
Q4

2.0

Q9

1.5

Q9a

1.0

-7.020E-03
-7.022E-03

0.5

-7.024E-03

0.0

-7.026E-03
100

1000

10000
DOF

100000

100

1000

10000

100000

DOF

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References
K.J. Bathe: Finite Element Procedures, Prentice Hall, Inc., 1996
ADINA R&D, Inc.: Theory and modeling guide, Volume I: ADINA, November
2006
TNO DIANA BV.: DIANA User's Manual -- Release 9.3 -- Teacher Edition, 2008,

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Remark
This document is designated solely as a teaching aid for students of CTU in Prague,
Faculty of Civil Engineering, course Numerick metody v inenrskch lohch.
This document is being continuously updated and corrected by the author. Despite
authors utmost effort, it may contain inaccuracies and errors.
Limitation on Liability. Except to the extent required by applicable law, in no event
will the author be liable to any user of this document on any legal theory for any special,
incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages arising out of the use of the
work, even if author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
This is a copyrighted document Petr Kabele, 2007 2012

Last modified: 28.11.2012

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