FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

1
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Course: - Foundation Course on Finite Element Method

Complied By
Dr. Jagadish. T
Director, Research and Development,
DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt Ltd.,
Bengaluru

2
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Foundation Course on Finite Element Method

Theory and Practical

• About the Course

The course aims to cover Finite Element Analysis - Basic Theory and its Applications with hands
on sessions and industrial case studies.
• Description of the Course
Finite element analysis is a widely used technique that is essential for engineering graduate
students / teachers / technical staff / design engineers in solving problems hence they should have
the basic knowledge of the theory and applications of this technique. We believe that training
graduate students/design engineers to use a specific software package without providing
knowledge of the underlying theory is a disservice to the students/design engineers and can be
dangerous for their future/present employers. Thus, attending this course engineers will gain
theoretical knowledge of finite element method and its application with the ability to identify and
rectify the errors while solving engineering problems and interpret the results from the analysis.
The course is composed of approximately one-half theory and one-half use of commercial software
in solving problems.

Objectives of this Course (Learning Objectives / What Students will

learn) Benefit of the Course:
Understand and acquire the fundamental knowledge of finite element method
Apply finite element method to most relevant problems in mechanical engineering
domain
Demonstrate finite element analysis software for solving a diversity of mechanical
engineering problems.
Ability to identify and rectify the errors while solving engineering problems
Knowledge to interpret the results from the analysis.

3
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

• Target Audience
Design Engineers/CAE Engineers/Engineers working in Mechanical, automotive, aerospace,
railways, defence, nuclear energy, thermal power, wind, medical equipment, electrical and
electronics etc, and related Industry involving design analysis can participate.

• Pre-Requisites
The prerequisites required are basic knowledge of mathematics, numerical techniques, statics,
dynamics and general mechanical engineering related topics.

• Topics for this Course

Part A: THEOR
Sl. Session Title of the Topic Duration
No.
in Hours
1 1 Basic Background Requirement to FEM 1 Hrs
2 2 and 3 Static Analysis – Solid and Structural Mechanics 4 Hrs
3 4 Introduction to FEM 2 Hrs
4 1 Types of Elements and their Properties 1 Hrs
5 5 Steps in Finite Element Method 2 Hrs
6 6 and 7 One Dimension Bar/Rod Element 4 Hrs
7 8 and 9 Finite Element Formulation of Beams and Frames 4 Hrs
8 10 and 11 Finite Element Formulation of Two-Dimensional Problems 4 Hrs
9 12 and 13 Finite Element Formulation of Three-Dimensional Solid 4 Hrs
and Structural Mechanics Problems
10 14 and 15 Dynamic Analysis 4 Hrs

Total Duration of the Theory 30 Hrs

Part B: PRACTICALS – Static and Dynamic Analysis: 50 Hrs
Benchmark and Industrial Application Problems using
ANSYS / ABAQUS
Total Duration of the Theory and Practical’s 80 rs

4
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

• Details of Topic

Part A: THEORY
Sl. Session Title of the Topic Duration
No. in Hours
1 1 Basic Background Requirement to FEM: - Matrix 1 Hrs
Algebra, Gauss Elimination Method, Numerical Integration -
Gaussian Quadrature Rule. Conformal Mapping, Jacobian
Matrix.
2 2 and 2 Static Analysis - Solid and Structural Mechanics: - Basic 4 Hrs
of Solid Mechanics: Approximation of Displacement
Function, Strain-Displacement, Hook’s Law, Stress-Strain
Relations, Strain Energy, Work Done, Total Potential.
Principle of Minimum Potential Energy. Euler - Lagrange
equation for bar, Euler - Lagrange equation for beam,
Raleigh’s Ritz method, Simple Problems on Springs, Bars
and Beams using Rayliegh's Ritz's method.
3 4, 5 and 6 Introduction to FEM: - Introduction, Infinite to Finite, 2 Hrs
Coordinate System – Global, Local and Natural Coordinates
System, Coordinates Transformation. Shape functions
describing the unknown variable, Pascal Triangle, Iso-
parametric, Sub-parametric and Super-parametric
formulation. Symmetric conditions – Planar, Axisymmetric,
Cyclic and Repetitive Symmetry.
4 7 Types of Elements and their Properties: Different types of 1 Hrs
basic elements, Higher order elements, Simplex, Complex
and Multiplex elements and special elements. Interpolation
functions, Convergence Criteria, Patch test, Conform and
Non-conform Elements. Co and C1 continuity elements.
5 8 and 9 Steps in Finite Element Method: Discretization, 2 Hrs
Approximation of the Basic unknown, Elemental
Characteristic Equation, Assembly of the Overall
Continuum, Solution of the Basic unknown, Computation of
the other unknown. Treatment of Boundary Conditions:
Elimination Approach, Penalty Approach and Multi Point
Constraint Approach.
6 10, 11 and 12 One Dimension Bar/Rod Element: Finite Element 4 Hrs
Formulation of 1-D (Basic and Higher Order) bar Element,
Problems on uniform, tapered and stepped bars subjected to
different types of loading and boundary conditions including
Thermal Load. Formulation of Plane and Space Truss
Element, Problems on Plane and Space Trusses subjected to
different types of loading and boundary conditions.
Formulation of 1-D Torsion Element.

5
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
7 13 and 14 Finite Element Formulation of Beams and Frames: Basics 4 Hrs
of Beam Theory Hermite shape functions, Derivation of
elemental stiffness matrix and load vectors for different types
of Loading. Numerical problems on beams subjected to
concentrated loads, linearly varying loads, uniformly
distributed load and bending moments. Finite Element
Formulation of plane and space Frame Structures. Numerical
problems.
8 15 and 16 Finite Element Formulation of Two-Dimensional 4 Hrs
Problems: Introduction to Two Dimension Elasticity - Plane
Stress and Plane Strain: Stress-Strain Relations. Constant
Strain Triangular (CST) membrane element (TRIM3), Linear
Strain Triangular (LST) membrane element (TRIM6). Four
node quadrilateral membrane element (QUAM4), Eight node
quadrilateral membrane element (QUAM8). Axisymmetric
Elements- three node triangular axisymmetric element
(TRIAX3), six node triangular axisymmetric element
(TRIAX6), Four node quadrilateral axisymmetric element
(QUAX4), Eight node quadrilateral axisymmetric element
(QUAX4).
9 17 and 18 Finite Element Formulation of Three-Dimensional Solid 4 Hrs
Mechanics Problems: Three Dimension Elasticity: Hook's
Law, Stress - Strain Relationship. Solid Element - Four node
Tetrahedron elements (TETRA4). Eight node Hexahedron
Element (HEXA8). Twenty node Hexahedron Element
(HEXA20). Plate and Shell Elements
10 19 and 20 Dynamic Analysis: - Finite Element Formulation for 4 Hrs
Dynamic Analysis – Extracting Eigen Value and Eigen
Vectors. One Dimensional Finite Element Formulation for
Longitudinal Vibration, Problems on Longitudinal Vibration.
One Dimensional Finite Element Formulation for Lateral
Vibration and Problems on Lateral Vibration. One
Dimensional Finite Element Formulation for Torsional
Vibration. Numerical Problems on Torsional Vibration
Total Duration of the Theory 30 Hrs

6
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Part B: PRACTICALS
Finite Element Analysis using ANSYS/ABAQUS
Sl. Session Details of the Topic Covered Duration
No. in Hours
1 1 Modelling, Meshing and Viewing Results 2 Hrs
2 2 Three Problems using Bar Elements 2 Hrs
3 3 Two Problems using Truss Elements 1 Hrs
4 3 Two Problems using Torsion Elements 1 Hrs
5 4 and 5 Three Problems using Beam Elements 4 Hrs
6 6 Two Problems using Plane Frame Elements 2 Hrs
7 7 Two Problems using Space Frame Elements 2 Hrs
8 8 and 9 Two Problems using Triangular Elements 4 Hrs
9 10 and 11 Two Problems using Quadrilateral Elements 4 Hrs
10 12 and 13 Two Problems using Axisymmetric Elements 4 Hrs
11 14, 15 and 16 Three Problems using 3D- Dimensional Elements 6 Hrs
12 17, 18 and 19 Three Problems in Dynamics 6 Hrs
13 20 to 25 Practical/Industrial Application Problems 12 Hrs
Total Duration of the Practical’s 50 Hrs
Total Duration of the Course 80 Hrs

Textbooks:
1. Chandrupatla T. R. and Belegundu. A. D., Introduction to Finite Elements in
Engineering, 2nd Edition, PHI, New Delhi, 2013.
2. Rao, S. S., Finite element method in engineering, 5th Edition, Pergaman Int. Library of
Science, 2010.
3. Logan, D. L., A first course in the finite element method,6th Edition, Cengage Learning,
2016.

Reference Books:
1. Cook R. D., et al. “Concepts and Application of Finite Elements Analysis”- 4th Edition,
Wiley & Sons, 2003.
2. J.N. Reddy, “Finite Element Method”- McGraw -Hill International Edition.
3. Bathe K. J. Finite Elements Procedures, PHI

7
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Finite Element Method

Introduction
The infinite degree of freedom continuum system/problem (the number of independent
variable required to describe the state of the system) is reduced to finite degree of freedom
system/problem using some approximations. The complex continuum region is discretized into
finite number of small domains called elements connected through nodes and then analyzed
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was first developed in 1943 by R. Courant, who utilized the
Ritz method of Numerical Analysis and Minimization of Variational Calculus to obtain
approximate solution. There after in 1956 Turner, Clough, Martin and Topp established a broader
definition of Numerical Analysis By the early 1970’s Finite Element Technology was further
enhanced by Zeinkiewicz, Cheung, Hinton and Crisfield being the major contributor.
To understand the concept of Finite Element Methods one has to have some basic knowledge
which can be considered as background requirements such as
1) Numerical Analysis
2) Matrix Algebra
3) Area of Interest
a) Structural/Solid Mechanics
b) Fluid Dynamics
c) Heat Transfer
d) Electrostatic
e) Electromagnetic etc..
4) Computers
5) Software

NUMERICAL METHODS
Numerical methods are the mathematical methods that provides an approximate solution of
complicated problems. Through numerical methods approximate solutions can be achieved by
systematic procedure which consists of only four basic algebraic operation such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. Even though many numerical techniques are in use but
in finite element method the best methods are adopted to solve the problems.

8
Dr. Jagadish. T, Former Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Bengaluru
Presently Director, Research and Development, DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru