Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

Chapter1:Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

1.1 NUMERICAL METHODS IN CONTINUUM MECHANICS Most often the mathematical models result in algebraic, differential or integral equations or combinations thereof. Seldom these equations can be solved in closed form (Exact form), and hence numerical methods are used to obtain solutions Without numerical techniques, it would be almost impossible to solve practical engineering problems analytically with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Most numerical techniques in continuum mechanics are based on the principle that it is possible to derive some equations and relationships that describe accurately the behaviors of a small differential part of the body. By dividing the entire body into a large number of these smaller parts and using further relationship to link up or assemble these parts together, it is possible to obtain a reasonably accurate prediction of the values of variables such as stress and displacements in the body. As the size of these small parts are made smaller, the numerical solution becomes more accurate, but the cost of computation time may become prohibitive. There is no substitute for experience in the application of numerical techniques to practical engineering problems because the answer of the question How small should these component parts be for optimum accuracy? is never clean.

Numerical method in Continuum mechanics

Finite elements (FE) methods

Boundary element (BE) methods

Finite difference (FD) method

Domain Elements

Boundary (surface) elements

Internal cells

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Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

The Finite Difference (FD) Approach

In this method the derivatives in the governing partial differential equations are written in terms of difference equations. There fore ,for a two dimensional domain ,a grid of cell is placed inside the domain and the differencing approximation applied to each interior point.This results in a system of linear algebraic equations, which yields a unique solution, provided the boundary conditions of the actual problem are satisfied.

The Boundary Element (BE) Approach

As the name implies, in this approach the governing differential equations are transformed into integral identities which are applicable over the surface or boundary. These integrals are numerically integrated over the boundary, which is divided into small boundary segments (boundary elements). As in the other numerical approaches, provided that the boundary conditions are satisfied, a system of linear algebraic equations emerged for which a unique solution can be obtained.

The Finite Element (FE) Approach

In this approach, the entire solution domain is divided into small finite segments (hence the name finites elements). Over each element, the behavior is described by the differential governing equations. all these small elements are assembled together and the requirements of continuity and equilibrium are satisfied between neighboring elements. Provided that the boundary conditions of the actual problem are satisfied, a unique solution can be obtained to the overall system of linear algebraic equations (with a Sparsely populated solution matrix). Finite Element Method is one of the numerical methods of solving differential equations. The FEM originated in the area of structural mechanics, and has been extended to other areas of solid mechanics and later to other fields such as heat transfer, fluid dynamics and electromagnetic devices. In fact FEM has been recognized as a powerful tool for solving partial differential equations and integral-differential equations. And in the near future it may become the numerical method of choice in many engineering and applied science areas. One of the reasons for Fem.'s popularity is that the method results in computer programs versatile in nature that can be used to solve many practical problems with least amount of training. Obviously there is a danger in using computer programs without proper understanding of the theory behind them, and that is one of the reactions to have a thorough understanding of tile theory behind the Finite Element Method.

1.2 Why is FEA needed?

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Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

To reduce the amount of prototype testing Computer simulation allows multiple what-if scenarios to be tested quickly and effectively. To simulate designs that are not suitable for prototype testing Example: Surgical implants, such as an artificial knee The bottom line: Cost savings,Time savings reduce time to market! Create more reliable, better-quality designs FEM TO DESIGNERS: Easily Applied to complex, irregular shaped objects composed of several different materials and having complex boundary conditions. Applied to steady state time dependent, Eigen Value problems. Applicable to linear and non-linear problems. Number of general-purpose Fem packages are available. FEM can be coupled to CAD programs to facilitate Solid modeling and mesh generations. Many Fem software packages feature GUI interfaces, automeshers and sophisticated post processors and graphics to speed the analysis and makes Pre and post processing more user friendly. FEM TO DESIGN ORGANISATION: Reduced Testing and Redesign costs thereby shortening of product development cycle. Identify issues in designs before tooling is committed. Refine components before dependencies to other components prohibit change. Optimize performance before prototyping. Discovers design problems before litigations. Allows more time for designers to use engineering judgment and less time for further thinking. 1.3 ADVANTAGES OF FEM: Can readily handle complex geometry Can handle complex analysis types Vibration,Transients,Nonlinear,Heat Transfer,Fluids Can handle complex loading Node-Based loading (Point Loads) Element-based loading (Pressure, thermal, inertial forces) Time or frequency dependent loading Can handle complex restraints Indeterminate structures can be analyzed Can handle bodies comprised of non homogeneous materials Every element in the model could be assigned a different set of material properties

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Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

Can handle bodies comprised of non isotropic materials Orthotropic ,Anisotropic Special material effects are handled Temperature dependent properties,Plasticity,Creep,Swelling Special geometric effects can be modeled Large displacements,Large Rotations

1.4 DISADVANTAGES OF FEM: A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem. A general closed form solution, which would permit one to examine system response to changes in various parameters. The FEM is applied to an approximation of the mathematical model of a system (The source of so called inherited errors.) Experience and judgment are needed in order to construct a good finite element model. Numerical Problems Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits. Round off and error accumulation Can help the situation by not attaching stiff (small) elements to flexible (large) elements Susceptible to user introduced modeling errors Poor choice of element types Distorted elements Geometry not adequately modeled Certain effects not automatically included Buckling,Large deflections and rotations,Material nonlinearties 1,5 LIMITATIONS OF FEM: High Speed computers and larger memory requirements. Obtaining material properties other than isotropic is very difficult. Incapable of handling incompressible fluids. Proper interpretation of results is more important as large output data is available. Larger unwanted data. Selection of proper mesh size is difficult. Limited development in the fields of contact, fracture mechanics etc. FEM ERRORS: FEM errors takes place at 3 stages of solution: Error during conversion of mathematical model to solid model Descritization error Solution error 1.3 Merits of FEM

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Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

1. The systematic generality of Finite Element Procedure makes it a powerful and versatile tool for a wide range of problems. Thus, flexible, general-purpose computer programs can be developed and can be applied to various problems with little or no modification. 2. FEM can be easily interpreted in physical terms. As well it has a strong mathematical base. Hence, FEM can be easily applied to any problem with a proper knowledge of the physical system under consideration, and can be solved to a great accuracy by the application of proper mathematical tool. 3. Non-homogeneous continuum can also be dealt with, by merely assigning different properties to different elements. It is even possible to vary the properties within an element according to the approximating polynomial applied. Handling of nonhomogeneous continuum is most difficult in any other numerical technique other than FEM. 4. FEM accommodates complex geometry with ease and it is capable of handling non linear and time dependent systems also. 5. In FEM, since the boundary conditions are introduced in the assembled equations, it requires only to specify the geometric boundary conditions without regarding its effects on interior elements. 6. since boundary conditions do not enter into the individual finite elements equations, the field variable models need not be changed, when the boundary conditions change. 7. FEM considers the multidimensional continuity of the body. Hence it does not require separate interpolation process to extend the approximate solution to every point within the continuum. It does not also require the trial solution which must all apply to the entire multidimensional continuum. This is an added merit of FEM when compared to other numerical methods. 1.4 Demerits of FEM 1. FEM has developed to a very high solution technique. However, the solution obtained from FEM can be realistic if and only if the material parameters which describe the phenomena are precisely known. Since the characteristic matrix is derived based on the governing equation of the system is required to be known in advance. Hence, FEM can not provide reliable solutions, unless governing equations (or constitutive laws) of the system under consideration are completely developed. 2. The major drawback of FEM is the sensitivity of solution on the geometry of the elements such as type, size, number, shape and orientation of elements used. For known type of problems, above parameters can be optimized using several trial runs. However,new type of problems are to be treated carefully. 3. The computer programs of FEM require relatively a large computer memory and time. But this drawback of FEM is being remedied with new developments in computer technology. Now a days a desk top computer is capable of handling a complicated FEM code efficiently.

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Department of Mechanical Engineering BMSCE VII Semester Mechanical-Finite Element Method:ME752(Elective)

4. FEM programs yield a large amount of numerical data as a results. Sometimes it very difficult to separate out the required data from the pile of numbers. These numbers become useless, unless they are properly examined for the correctness. It is always advisable to check the final result at a few locations of the body/region using approximate governing equations. Alternatively, the results may be expressed in graphical mode. So that the variation of required parameter (such as displacement, strain, temperature) etc., across the body/region can be visualized.

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