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Notes For Finite Element Method Modeling and Errors

This document discusses sources of error in finite element modeling and analysis. It identifies three main sources of error: 1) modeling error due to approximations made in describing the problem, 2) discretization error from the finite element mesh, and 3) numerical error from computational methods. For accurate results, the model, mesh, and numerical approach must appropriately represent the physical problem without excessive error from these sources.

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114 views

Notes For Finite Element Method Modeling and Errors

This document discusses sources of error in finite element modeling and analysis. It identifies three main sources of error: 1) modeling error due to approximations made in describing the problem, 2) discretization error from the finite element mesh, and 3) numerical error from computational methods. For accurate results, the model, mesh, and numerical approach must appropriately represent the physical problem without excessive error from these sources.

Uploaded by

kalpanaadhi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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M.

Vable Notes for finite element method: Modeling and Errors


1
Modeling
A model is a symbolic representation of the real thing (nature).
A model could be experimental, analytical, or numerical or some combination of
the three.
Solutions of all models are approximations, whether an approximate solution is
an acceptable is a decision that is based on additional information, such as: cor-
relation with results from other models, experience, intuition, usefulness.
Errors in FEM
1. Modeling error
2. Discretization error
3. Numerical error
Modeling error
Error that arise from the description of the boundary value problem (BVP): Geo-
metric description, material description, loading, boundary conditions, type of anal-
ysis.
What physical details are important in the BVP description?
Should a mechanically fastened joint be modeled as a pin joint, welded joint, or
a exible joint.
How should the load be modeled?
Pin joint
Actual joint Welded joint
Axial Elements
Beam Elements
Beam and spring
elements
Flexible joint
x
y
L
w
x
y
L
w
w
x
L
---
,
_
x
y
L
w
w
x
2
L
2
------
,

_
M. Vable Notes for finite element method: Modeling and Errors
2
Should the properties of the adhesive be included or ignored in a bonded joint?
Should the material be modeled as isotropic or orthotropic?
How should the support be modeled? i.e., what are the appropriate boundary
conditions.
What type of analysis should be conducted?
Should you conduct a linear or non-linear analysis?
1. Material non-linearity: Stress and strain are non-linearly related.
2. Geometric non-linearity: Strain and displacement non-linearly related. (large
deformation or strain)
3. Contact problem: The contact length changes with load.
(i) No friction.
(ii) With frictionneed the slip ( ) and no slip boundary( ).
Should buckling analysis be conducted?
For time dependent problems should you conduct a dynamic or quasi-static anal-
ysis? Should the material be modeled as elastic or viscoelastic?
Adhesive
P
P
P
P
Fixed
Elastic
K

0 =
K

Simple support
K

= Fixed support
F
f
N = F
f
N <
w
w
M. Vable Notes for finite element method: Modeling and Errors
3
Discretization errors
Errors that arises from creation of the mesh.
Elements in FEM are based on analytical models. All assumptions that are made in
the analytical models are applicable to FEM elements.
What type of elements should be used?
Should 1-d element be used?
Should beam element, which is based on symmetric bending, be used?
What type of 2-d (plane stress, plane strain) or 3-d element should you
use.?
What mesh density should you use?
Too ne a mesh results in large computer time that may prevent optimization or
parametric studies or non-linear analysis. Too coarse a mesh may result in high
inaccuracies. Start with a coarse mesh, study the results and then rene the mesh
as needed.
How accurately should the geometry be modelled?
Errors from modeling of geometric are generally small. For the same computa-
tional effort higher returns in accuracy are obtained in better modelling of dis-
placement--Isoparametric elements are adequate.
L
b
Rapidly varying load, 1-d Not OK
Very steep taper, 1-d Not OK
L b 1-d OK
Bending and torsion
Symmetric Bending
Unsymmetrical Bending
M. Vable Notes for finite element method: Modeling and Errors
4
Numerical Errors
Errors that arise from nite digit arithmetic and use of numerical methods.
Integration error
Few Gauss points leads to numerical instabilities. Large number of Gauss points
are computationally expensive and may result in overly stiff elements leading to
higher errors.
Round off error
The nite digit arithmetic causes these errors, but the growth of round off errors
are dictated by several factors. Need to avoid: adding or subtracting very large
and very small numbers; dividing by small numbers.
(i) The manner in which algorithms are written in the computer codes. Non-
dimensionalizing the problem will always help.
(ii) Large differences in physical dimensions.
(iii) Large differences in stiffness caused my large differences in material prop-
erties (or dimensions).
(iv) Elements with poor aspect ratio: ratio of largest to smallest dimension in an
element.
P
H
L
A
B C
D
Can BC be modeled as rigid?
H
L
---- L e arg K
BC
K
AB
K
BC
K
CD

Soft Rubber
Steel
P Can steel be modeled as rigid?
Good Aspect Ratio Poor Aspect Ratio
M. Vable Notes for finite element method: Modeling and Errors
5
Matrix conditioning error
The coefcients in the matrix of the algebraic equations are affected by the
above described numerical errors and it is in the solution of the algebraic equa-
tions one realizes something has gone wrong.
Example of poor conditioning:
Small changes produce large swings in the solution. Thus, a solution may not be
correct.
Matrix conditioning is a measure of diagonal dominance in a matrix.
Poorly conditioned matrices have a determinant that tends towards zero.
Mesh Renement
Elements with high strain energy identify the region of the body where
mesh should be rened.
The h-method of mesh renement reduces the size of element.
The p-method of mesh renement increases the order of polynomial in
an element.
The r-method of mesh renement relocates the position of a node.
Combinations: hr-method, hp-method, hpr-method
Generally speaking: the p-method of mesh renement works well for
regions where stresses vary slowly; the hr- method works better suited
for regions of large stress gradients.
Conclusions
1. There are many reasons for a FEM program to give errors and not work.
2. There are many reasons for a FEM program to work but give wrong results.
3. Dont blame the software, it is your responsibility to ascertain if you have the
right results or not.
1 1
1 1.001
u
1
u
2
' ;
2
3

' ;

=
u
1
u
2
' ;
998
1000

' ;

=
1 0.999
0.999 1.001
u
1
u
2
' ;
2
3

' ;

=
u
1
u
3
' ;
331.777
334.11

' ;

=

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