Finite Element Method

Theory and Application

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

HITEC University
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Finite Element Formulation

• Fundamental Concept
• Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
• Stiffness Matrix
• Linear Spring System in Local Coordinates
• System Assembly in Global Coordinates
• Exmaples
• In Structural Analysis
• In Heat Transfer
• In Fluid Mechanics
Dr. S. Kamran Afaq
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept
Many engineering phenomena can be expressed by “governing equations”
and “boundary conditions”

dv c
g v
dt m

Strong Form
Dr. S. Kamran Afaq
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept

Matrix
Form

Equations cannot be
solved manually

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept

Unknown

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept

It is very difficult to solve the algebraic equations for the entire domain, so

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept

Obtain the algebraic equations for each element (this is easy!)

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept
Overview of the Finite Element Method

S   W   G   M 
Strong Weak Galerkin Matrix

form form approx. form

In a simple word, when you decrease the order of higher differential equation
to the lower orders, you are changing from strong to weak form. This is to
solve the problem easier while the conditions to solve in strong form are very
hard to manipulate easily.
Galerkin Approximation are a class of methods for converting a continuous
operator problem (such as differential equation) to a discrete problem.

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Fundamental Concept
Sample Problem
Axial deformation of a bar subjected to a uniform load
(1-D Poisson equation)

d 2u
x = 0, L
EA 2 = p0
dx
u 0  = 0
du
EA =0
u = axial displacement
dx xL

E = Young’s modulus

A = Cross-sectional area

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
 Geometry is simplified

 Field quantity is assumed to be a polynomial over an element.

(which is not true)

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
 In reality, everything is 3-D. But some problems can be simplified to 2-D (in
structures, plane stress and plane strain).

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
 Truss vs. Beam

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
 Errors Inherent in Computing
The computer carries only a finite number of digits

 Numerical Difficulties
e.g.) Very large stiffness difference

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
 Mistakes by Users

 Elements are of the wrong type.

e.g. Shell elements are used where solid elements are needed

 Distorted elements.

 Supports are insufficient to prevent all rigid-body motions.

 Inconsistant unit (e.g. E=200 GPa, Force = 100 lbs)

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Finite Element Formulation

• Fundamental Concept
• Errors Inherent in FEM Formulation
• Stiffness Matrix
• Linear Spring System in Local Coordinates
• System Assembly in Global Coordinates
• Exmaples
• In Structural Analysis
• In Heat Transfer
• In Fluid Mechanics

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

1,2: nodes
k : Spring Stiffness
u : nodal displacements
f : nodal forces
f =kδ

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)
Assuming that both the nodal
displacements are zero when the spring is
un-deformed, the net spring deformation
is given by

and the resultant axial force in the spring

is
(A)

For equilibrium;

we can rewrite Equation (A), in terms of the applied nodal forces as;

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

Or,

Where,

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD spring

Finite Element Formulation ( 2)

Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System) f1
node

The global nodal displacements are identified as U1, U2, and U3 , Similarly
applied nodal forces are F1, F2, and F3 .
Assuming the system of two spring elements to be in equilibrium, we examine
free-body diagrams of the springs individually;

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD spring

Finite Element Formulation ( 2)

Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System) f1
node

1 2

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

1 2
To begin “assembling” the equilibrium equations describing the behavior of
the system of two springs, the displacement compatibility conditions, which
relate element displacements to system displacements, are written as

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

To describe the whole system, it is clear springs (elements) are physically

connected at node 2 and have the same displacement U2 at that node.

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

The addition of Equations;

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Stiffness Matrix (Linear Spring System)

The equilibrium conditions for nodes 1, 2, and 3

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

How?

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Example
Find displacement in steel and Aluminum bar

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Assignment-3.1
Find displacement in steel and Aluminum bar

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Example-1

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Example-2

Develop Matrix Form of given system

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Assignment - 3.2
Develop Stiffness Matrix

Develop Matrix Form of given system

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Assignment-3.3

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Finite Element Formulation
Assignment-3.4

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Thank you

Dr. S. Kamran Afaq