Finite

Element

Analysis

r . m a n i k a n d a n

f a c u l t y
o f

m e c h a n i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g

LECTURE - 1

UNIT - 1

Steps in FEA

Steps involved in FEA

Introduction 1) Discretize and Select the Element Types modeling a body by dividing it into an equivalent system of smaller bodies or units (finite elements) interconnected at points

common to or more elements (nodal points or nodes) and/or boundary lines and/or
surfaces (discretization) Element type: line element, plane elements, 3D element, Axissymmetric. 2) Select a Displacement Function linier, quadratic, cubic polynomials. 3) Define the strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain Relationships x=du/dx, x=Ex 4) Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations direct method, energy method, weighted residual method {f}=[k]{d} 5) Assemble the Element Equations to obtain the Global Equations and introduce

The following are the two methods are associated with the FEA a. Force method b. Displacement or stiffness method In the force methods , internals forces are considered as the unknowns of the problem. In the displacement or stiffness method , displacement of the nodes are considered as the unknowns of the problem. When comparing with these two approaches the displacement method is more desirable because its formulation is simple for most structural analysis problems.

Step 1 Discretization of the given structure a. One dimensional elements b. Two dimensional elements c. Three dimensional elements d. Axissymmetric elements

Classification elements

of

mechanical

Primitive structural elements These resemble fabricated structural components. It means they are not decomposed into simpler elements. Ex- bars, cables, beams, shafts. Continuum elements They result from the subdivision of structured components. This elements are better understood in mathematical interpretation. Ex- bars, plates , shells , axisymmetric solids

Special elements Derived from continuum mechanics standpoint , but include features closely related to the physics problem. Ex- crack element for fracture mechanics application, rigid body elements Macro elements It is also called mesh units and super elements. Resemble like structural components , but are fabricated with simpler elements. Step 2 Numbering of Nodes and Elements it should be numbered after the step 1. {Maximum node number} { minimum node number} = minimum of these two Longer slide & shorter slide

Step 3 selection of a displacement function or interpolation function polynomial of linear , quadratic and cubic. a. It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equations. b. Easy to perform differentiation or integration c. The accuracy of the result can be improved Linear

Quadratic

Step 4 Define the material behavior by using strain displacement and stress strain relationship

Strain displacement and stress strain relationship derived from each finite element.
Ex- for 1 D deformation The strain displacement relation ship given by ,

Stress strain relationship given by,

Step 5 Derivation of element stiffness matrix and equation

The equation can be derived from any one of these methods

Step 6 Assemble the element equations to obtain the global equations The individual element equations obtained in step 5 are added together by using a method of superposition (i.e) direct stiffness methods

Step 7 Applying boundary conditions 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. Pressure Surface loads usually specified on the model exterior. Temperatures Input at nodes to study the effect of thermal expansion or contraction. Inertia loads - Lads that affect the entire structure ( acceleration , rotation)

Step 8 Solution for the unknown displacements

These equation can be solved and unknown displacement (u) are calculated by using Gauss e

Thank you