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MECH593 Finite Element Methods: Dr. Wenjing Ye

This document provides an introduction to the finite element method (FEM). It discusses the basic problem solving procedure in engineering which involves identifying the problem, generating models, solving equations, and interpreting results. It then introduces numerical methods such as FEM, boundary element method, finite difference method, and finite volume method that are used to approximate solutions to mathematical problems. The document provides an example of using FEM to analyze deformation of a bar with non-uniform cross section subjected to a force. It explains how FEM breaks a problem domain into subdomains (elements), solves the problem locally at each element, and assembles the elements to find the global solution.

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shamsukarim2009
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320 views

MECH593 Finite Element Methods: Dr. Wenjing Ye

This document provides an introduction to the finite element method (FEM). It discusses the basic problem solving procedure in engineering which involves identifying the problem, generating models, solving equations, and interpreting results. It then introduces numerical methods such as FEM, boundary element method, finite difference method, and finite volume method that are used to approximate solutions to mathematical problems. The document provides an example of using FEM to analyze deformation of a bar with non-uniform cross section subjected to a force. It explains how FEM breaks a problem domain into subdomains (elements), solves the problem locally at each element, and assembles the elements to find the global solution.

Uploaded by

shamsukarim2009
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MECH593 Finite Element Methods

Introduction

Dr. Wenjing Ye

Introduction
Problem solving procedure:
Identify problem
Generate models
Solve equations
Interpret results
Numerical methods
- methods that seek quantitative approximations
to the solutions of mathematical problems
- finite element method, boundary element method
finite difference method, finite volume method, etc.

What is the Finite Element


Method An Example
Example 1: Deformation of a bar with a non-uniform circular cross section subject
a force P. (Weight of the bar is negligible).

P
R k1 u2 u1 0
k1 u2 u1 k2 u3 u2 0
k 2 u3 u2 k3 u4 u3 0
k3 u4 u3 k4 u5 u4 0
k 4 u5 u4 P 0

k1
k1
k k k
1
1
2

0
0

k2
0
0
0

0
k2

0
0

0
0

k 2 k3

k3

k3

k3 k4

0
k4

0
0

k4
0

k 4 k5
k5

0
0

0
k5

k5

u 1
R
u
0
2

u3
0



u 4
0
u 5
0


P
u 6

K u P R

What is a Finite Element Method


View the problem domain as a collection of subdomains (elements)
Solve the problem at each subdomain
Assemble elements to find the global solution
Solution is guaranteed to converge to the correct solution if proper
theory, element formulation and solution procedure are followed.

History of Finite Element Methods


1941 Hrenikoff proposed framework method
1943 Courant used principle of stationary potential energy
and piecewise function approximation
1953 Stiffness equations were written and solved using digital
computers.
1960 Clough made up the name finite element method
1970s FEA carried on mainframe computers
1980s FEM code run on PCs
2000s Parallel implementation of FEM (large-scale analysis,
virtual design)
Courant

Clough

Applications of Finite Element Methods


Structural & Stress Analysis
Thermal Analysis
Dynamic Analysis
Acoustic Analysis
Electro-Magnetic Analysis
Manufacturing Processes
Fluid Dynamics
Financial Analysis

Applications: Aerospace
Engineering (AE)

Applications: Civil Engineering


(CE)

Applications: Electrical
Engineering (EE)

Applications: Biomedical
Engineering (BE)

10

The Future Virtual Engineering

11

Review of Basic Statics and Mechanics of Materials


Static equilibrium conditions/free-body diagram
Stress, strain and deformation
Constitutive law Hookes law
Analysis of axially loaded bar, truss, beam and frame
2-D elasticity

Review of Matrix Algebra


Matrix operation: addition, subtraction, multiplication
Basic definitions and properties of matrix
Inverse of matrix and solution of linear equations
etc

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