Finite Element Primer for Engineers: Part 2

Mike Barton & S. D. Rajan

A A B A B A A AB G A B D A E F F B A B C H G H G D E D B C D A B C B C D C B D D E G A A B A C D ED B B F F CB D D E E D D D B F F F C A D C B D C C C A C C E E E E H A A C E A

E F G G

B A A B C

Y Z X

Contents Introduction to the Finite Element Method (FEM) Steps in Using the FEM (an Example from Solid Mechanics) Examples Commercial FEM Software

Competing Technologies
Future Trends Internet Resources References

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FEM Applied to Solid Mechanics Problems

A FEM model in solid mechanics can be thought of as a system of assembled springs. When a load is applied, all elements deform until all forces balance. F = Kd K is dependant upon Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio, as well as the geometry. Equations from discrete elements are assembled together to form the global stiffness matrix. Deflections are obtained by solving the assembled set of linear equations. Stresses and strains are calculated from the deflections.
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Create elements of the beam

Nodal displacement and forces

dxi 1 dxi 2 2 dyi 2

dyi 1

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Classification of Solid-Mechanics Problems

Analysis of solids
Static Dynamics

Elementary
Behavior of Solids

Advanced
Stress Stiffening Large Displacement Geometric Linear Nonlinear Fracture Material Geometric Classification of solids Plasticity Viscoplasticity Instability

Skeletal Systems 1D Elements Trusses Cables Pipes

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Plates and Shells 2D Elements

Plane Stress Plane Strain Axisymmetric Plate Bending Shells with flat elements Shells with curved elements

Solid Blocks 3D Elements

Brick Elements Tetrahedral Elements General Elements
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Governing Equation for Solid Mechanics Problems Basic equation for a static analysis is as follows:
[K] {u} = {Fapp} + {Fth} + {Fpr} + {Fma} + {Fpl} + {Fcr} + {Fsw} + {Fld} [K] = total stiffness matrix {u} = nodal displacement {Fapp} = applied nodal force load vector {Fth} = applied element thermal load vector {Fpr} = applied element pressure load vector {Fma} = applied element body force vector {Fpl} = element plastic strain load vector {Fcr} = element creep strain load vector {Fsw} = element swelling strain load vector {Fld} = element large deflection load vector
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Six Steps in the Finite Element Method

Step 1 - Discretization: The problem domain is discretized into a collection of simple shapes, or elements. Step 2 - Develop Element Equations: Developed using the physics of the problem, and typically Galerkins Method or variational principles. Step 3 - Assembly: The element equations for each element in the FEM mesh are assembled into a set of global equations that model the properties of the entire system. Step 4 - Application of Boundary Conditions: Solution cannot be obtained unless boundary conditions are applied. They reflect the known values for certain primary unknowns. Imposing the boundary conditions modifies the global equations. Step 5 - Solve for Primary Unknowns: The modified global equations are solved for the primary unknowns at the nodes. Step 6 - Calculate Derived Variables: Calculated using the nodal values of the primary variables.
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Process Flow in a Typical FEM Analysis

Start Problem Definition Analysis and design decisions Stop

Processor Pre-processor
Reads or generates nodes and elements (ex: ANSYS) Reads or generates material property data. Reads or generates boundary conditions (loads and constraints.) Generates element shape functions Calculates master element equations Calculates transformation matrices Maps element equations into global system Assembles element equations Introduces boundary conditions Performs solution procedures

Post-processor
Prints or plots contours of stress components. Prints or plots contours of displacements. Evaluates and prints error bounds.

Step 6

Step 1, Step 4

Steps 2, 3, 5
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Step 1: Discretization - Mesh Generation

surface model airfoil geometry (from CAD program)

1 12 14 13 2 3 4 5 11

mesh generator
ET,1,SOLID45 N, 1, 183.894081 N, 2, 183.893935 . . TYPE, 1 E, 1, 2, 80, E, 2, 3, 81, . . . , -.770218637 , -.838009645 , , 5.30522740 5.29452965

79, 80,

4, 5,

5, 6,

83, 84,

82 83

meshed model
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Step 4: Boundary Conditions for a Solid Mechanics Problem Displacements DOF constraints usually specified at model boundaries to define rigid supports. Forces and Moments Concentrated loads on nodes usually specified on the model exterior. Pressures Surface loads usually specified on the model exterior. Temperatures Input at nodes to study the effect of thermal expansion or contraction. Inertia Loads Loads that affect the entire structure (ex: acceleration, rotation).
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Step 4: Applying Boundary Conditions (Thermal Loads)

Nodes from FE Modeler

300 275 250 225

300 275 250 225 200

bf, bf, . . . bf, bf, 1,temp, 2,temp, 149.77 149.78

Temp mapper

200 175

1637,temp, 1638,temp,

303.64 303.63

Thermal Soln Files

150 150 175

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Step 4: Applying Boundary Conditions (Other Loads)

Speed, temperature and hub fixity applied to sample problem. FE Modeler used to apply speed and hub constraint.

antype,static omega,10400*3.1416/30 d,1,all,0,0,57,1

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P R O D U C E E L E M E N T P L O T IN D S Y S =0 P R E P 7 :

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