UNIT –I

INTRODUCTION: Concepts of FEM – Steps involved – Merits & Demerits – Energy Principles –
Discretization – Rayleigh –Ritz method of functional approximation. PRINCIPLES OF ELASTICITY:
Equilibrium equations – strain displacement relationships in matrix form – Constitutive relationships
for plane stress, plane strain and Axi-symmetric bodies of revolution with axi-symmetric loading.

Basic Steps of the Finite Element Method

1. Discretization or subdivision of the domain

2. Selection of the interpolation functions (to provide an approximation of the unknown solution
within an element)

3. Formulation of the system of equations (also the major step in FEM. The typical Ritz variational
and Galerkin methods can be used.)

4. Solution of the system of equations (Once we have solved the system of equations, we can
then compute the desired parameters and display the result in form of curves, plots, or color
pictures, which are more meaningful and interpretable.)

Domain Discretization

The discretization of the domain is the first and perhaps the most important step in any finite element
analysis because the manner in which the domain is discretized will affect the computer storage
requirements, the computation time, and the accuracy of the numerical results. The subdomains are
usually referred to as the elements.

For a 1D domain which is actually a straight of curved line, the elements are often short line segments
interconnected to form the original line [Fig2(a)]. For a 2D domain, the elements are usually small
triangles and rectangles [Fig2(b)]. The rectangular elements are, of course, best suited for discretizing
rectangular regions, while the triangular ones can be used for irregular regions. In a 3D solution, the
domain may be subdivided into tetrahedra, triangular prisms, or rectangular bricks [Fig2(c)], among
which the tetrahedra are the simplest and best suited for arbitrary-volume domains.

Figure2 Basic finite elements. (a) 1D (b) 2D (c) 3D

Note that the linear line segments, triangles, and tetrahedra are the basic one-, two-, and three-
dimensional elements. Figure3 shows the finite element discretization of a 2- and 3- dimensional
domain.

Figure 3 Examples of finite element discretization; (a) 2-D with triangular elements; (b) 3-D with
tetrahedra elements

The discretization of the domain is usually considered as a preprocessing task because it can be
completely separated from the other steps.

Solution of the system of equations

Once we have solved the system of equations, we can then compute the desired parameters and
display the result in form of curves, plots, or color pictures, which are more meaningful and
interpretable. This final stage, often referred to as post-processing, can also be separated completely
from the other steps.

Merits & Demerits

Merits

• Model irregular shaped bodies easily;

• Handle general load conditions without difficulty;

• Model bodies composed of different materials because the element equations are evaluated
individually

• Handle unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary conditions

• Vary the size of the element to make it possible to use small elements wherever necessary

• Alter the finite element model easily and cheaply

• Include dynamic effects

• Handle non-linear behaviour existing with large deformations and non-linear materials

Demerits

• Requires longer time to solve

• Depend on computer package

 • The results are approximate, the accuracy depends on number elements.

• FEM can not produce exact results as those of analytical methods

• Strong mathematics background is necessary.

ENERGY PRINCIPLES

Potential Energy

It is energy of the body resulting from its relative position.

Ex 1. Rock at top of a hill; 2. Static water behind a dam

Due to the potential energy of the body it has some capability to do some work.

Deformed elastic body possess two kinds of potential energies.

(i) The energy arising due to the work done by the external forces

(ii) the energy stored within the body as strain energy

Constituents of Total Potential Energy

In the rigid system the total potential energy (П) is due to the external forces alone.

In case of deformable system the total potential energy is due to

(i) External force

(ii) Strain energy (Elastic potential energy)

Total Potential Energy = Strain stored in the body+ External Work done

П = U±W; Where

U – Strain Energy

W- Work done due to external force.

Strain Energy

The amount of energy stored in a body, due to the work done by the force applied on it within the
elastic limit is called as “Strain energy”

U= Area under the stress-Strain curve upto the elastic limit

= Area of triangle OAB

= ½δF

Stationary property and variation characteristics of Total Potential energy

The theorem of total potential energy may be stated that if a system is in static equilibrium the total
potential energy has stationary (fixed) value.

In general, there are three types of equilibrium states which are:

1. Stable equilibrium

2. Neutral equilibrium

3. Unstable equilibrium

Among above three states

The total potential energy with reference to the datum is:

• Minimum in Stable Equilibrium

• Unchanged in Neutral Equilibrium

• Maximum in Unstable Equilibrium

Proof of first derivative of minimum stable energy is zero
Rayleigh –Ritz method of functional approximation.

Principle of integral approach is adopted.

1. Minimum potential energy method

2. Integral approach method

Rayleigh –Ritz method of functional approximation.

Minimum potential energy method

The total potential energy П is considered as a function of Ritz parameters which are one to infinity (1
to ∞).

Solution is approximate.

The displacement function y(x) can be expressed in terms of polynomial series or trigonometric series
such as:

Y(x) = a1+a2x+a3x2+a4x3+…

Or

Y(x) = a1 sin(πx/l)+a2sin(3πx/l)+a3sin(5πx/l)+…

Where a1, a2, a3… are know as Ritz parameters or Ritz coefficients.
The total potential energy is the algebraic sum of “Internal strain energy and external workdone”.

Total potential energy, П = U-W

Where U – Internal strain energy

W- Workdone by the external force

Strain energy and workdone can be specified in displacement function.

For minimum potential energy ∂ π/ ∂a1=0, ∂ π/ ∂a2=0,…… ∂ π/ ∂an=0

n = 1 to ∞.

The accuracy of the solution depends on the number of Ritz coefficients.

More number of Ritz coefficients will produce more accurate solution.

Integral approach

The problem is expressed in terms of differential equation.

The equation is made to reach the minimum or maximum.

The value of I can be determined in terms of Ritz coefficients.

Then the functional is made to reach the stationary value

From the above equations the values of Ritz parameters a1 and an can be evaluated.