Introduction

to
Finite Element Method

Jayadeep U. B.
M.E.D., NIT Calicut

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Introduction
The finite element method is a numerical procedure for
obtaining approximate solutions for problems in continuous
systems.
The solution means finding the distribution (functions) of
system parameters (variables).
In general these distributions should satisfy various
conditions, like the equilibrium equations in solid mechanics,
which become the system governing equations.
A fundamental step in FEM is the discretization of the domain
(body) into simpler shapes (like rectangles in 2D), which are
called the finite elements.
The whole method can be summarized as conversion of the
system governing equations (Differential Equations) into a set
of algebraic relations and solving them.
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Why Finite Element Method (FEM)?

An example: The generalized elasticity problem
We need to find the stresses, strains
and displacements in the engine block
shown, under the action of various
surface and body loads:
Equilibrium Equations:

x xy xz

X 0
x
y
z
xy y yz

Y 0
x
y
z
xz yz z

Z 0
x
y
z
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Generalized elasticity problem contd.

The stress-strain relations:

x
y
z
E

xy
1 1 2
yz

xz

1

1

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0
0
0
1 2
2

0
0
0

1 2
2

0
0
0

1 2

y
z

xy
yz

xz

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Generalized elasticity problem contd.

The strain-displacement relations:

u
v
w
v u
x , y , z
, xy ,
x
y
z
x y
w v
w u
yz

& xz

y z
x z
The boundary conditions:

u u 0 / v v 0 / w w 0 on u

x nx xy n y xz nz t x 0

xy nx y n y yz nz t y 0

xz nx yz n y z nz t z 0
Lecture - 01

on

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Generalized elasticity problem contd.

Hence there are 15 equations (3 equilibrium equations, 6
stress-strain relations & 6 strain-displacement relations),
which can be solved (at least in theory!!!) for the 15
unknowns (6 stresses, 6 strains & 3 displacements).
The solution means finding the stress, strain and displacement
distributions within the body, satisfying the above differential
equations at all interior points and boundary conditions on
the surface points.
Therefore, even with the assumptions like linear elasticity,
isotropy etc., this problem can NOT be solved exactly, except
for some special, simplified cases.
This necessitates the use of numerical procedures for getting
approximate solutions, and FEM is one of the most powerful
methods available in todays world.
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Finite Element Method

Why the term Finite Element?
Infinitesimal
Leads to Differential Equations
(Recall the derivation of equm
eqns in elasticity)

Finite

Infinite
Used to create elements for
problems with infinite /
semi-infinite domains (e.g.:
underground explosions)
Could be a topic for term
paper!!!

Leads to System of algebraic equations Can be solved

using computers (No elaborations here The complete
course is about it!!!).
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Finite Element Method contd.

The Fundamental Idea (Common to many Numerical Methods):
Problem at hand, say P, is not solvable Replace it with
another problem Pn, with solution Sn.
Solution Sn should be close to the exact solution S within
acceptable limits (Concepts of Error & Tolerance).
It would be great, if we can obtain Sn with varying levels of
accuracy may be at different costs of time, resources
(Convergence Studies).
In FEM, we achieve this by two main steps:
Discretize (mesh) the domain into geometrically simple
shapes the Finite Elements.
Piece-wise approximation of the variable of interest (say,
Temperature Profile) over these finite elements.
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Fundamental Idea - Discretization

You have already used Discretization?!!
Find the second moment of area of the I beam cross-section
below:
t 1 = t3
t2

h
t 1 = t3
b

By Symmetry the Centroidal axis is known.

Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Discretization contd.
t1 = t3

I1 I 3 121 b(t1 )3
I2

1
12 2

t (h)

1
t2

h
2
t 1 = t3

By Parallel Axis Theorem:

I I3
'
1

'

1
12

h t
b(t1 ) (bt1 ) 1
2 2

Net Second Moment of Area:

I I1' I 2 I 3'

Lecture - 01

3
2

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Discretization contd.
A Closer look at the Procedure:
Problem: Find the second moment of area of the I beam
cross-section.
Assumptions: By Symmetry the Centroidal axis is known.
Discretize the geometry into geometrically simple shapes
finite elements?
Perform element level calculations.
Co-ordinate Transformation.
Assembly into the Global System. (In this case, the required
results are obtained at this step itself).

Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

What is FEM?
One of the numerical methods to obtain Approximate
Solutions to Physical/Engg. Problems.
The domain of the problem is (hypothetically) divided into
sub-domains (called Finite Elements).
Elements are inter-connected at points (called Nodes).
Over each finite element, the variable of interest (Primary
Variable) is approximated using Simple Functions (generally
Polynomials, but not necessarily!).
Governing equations are written for each element leading to
algebraic equations in terms of Nodal Variables.
Assembly process to get the Global Equations.
Boundary conditions (b.c.s) are applied and Solved for Nodal
Variables.
Secondary Variables (if any!) are calculated.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Why is it so Widely Used?

Advantages of FEM:
Strong mathematical foundation Aids in Error Analysis.
Versatile A lot of problems solved by same methodology.
Convergence Studies are possible by increasing the number of
sob-domains or elements Mesh Refinement Studies or by
increasing the order of functions used in approximation.
Very much linked to computers became much cheaper with
improvement in computational resources.

Disadvantages of FEM:
The complete process needs to be repeated for small changes
in the domain.
Mistakes are easily made Like applying wrong boundary
conditions.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Origins of FEM
Closely related to many Numerical Methods No precise date
(or time period) of origin.
Discretization was used by Ancient Greeks and Chinese for
problems in geometry. E.g., finding the area / perimeter of a
circle by approximating using regular polygons.
By AD480, a Chinese Engineer called Tsu Chung Chik,
determined to lie between 3.1415926 & 3.1415927 (My
calculator gives: 3.141592654!!!).
Archimedes used finite elements(!) for determining the
volume of solids Almost near the invention of Calculus.
Development of numerical procedures like Weighted Residual
Methods, Finite Difference methods, Variational Calculus
The (now!) famous paper by Richard Courant in 1943 He
suggested use of triangular mesh to solve torsion problem.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Family Tree of FEM

Ref.: Zienkiewicz, O. C., The Finite Element Method, TMH Edition.

Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Origins of FEM
Contributions by Mathematicians:
Mainly interested in devising ways to solve the Partial
Differential Equations, convergence studies
Finite Difference and Variational Finite Difference Methods.
Variational Methods, Weighted Residuals, Piecewise
Continuous trial functions

Contributions by Engineers:
Interested in actual problems in design specifically related
to the structural design of aircrafts.
Matrix methods in Structural Analysis of Discrete Systems.
Approximation of continuous systems as discrete systems.
The stiffness method and continuum elements.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Concluding Remarks
FEM is a method for obtaining approximate solution for
problems with continuous systems, i.e., field problems.
Continuous systems lead to differential equations
Mathematically speaking, FEM can be thought as a numerical
procedure for solving differential equations.
The basic idea is to convert the differential equations into a
system of algebraic equations, which can be solved for getting
an approximation for variables (functions) involved.
This conversion is achieved by the discretization of the
domain into simpler finite elements, and using an
approximation for the functions over these sub-domains.
The method aims at the solution of the D.E. only Hence,
FEM can be used for a large variety of physical problems.
We will study the analysis of discrete systems, which directly
lead to algebraic equations, before delving into the real FEM.
Lecture - 02