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FEM - TYME - Lecture 2 PDF

The document outlines the general procedure for finite element analysis (FEA) which includes 6 steps: 1) discretization, 2) selection of displacement model, 3) formation of element equations, 4) assemblage of equations, 5) solution for unknown variables, and 6) interpreting results. It also describes the common steps in commercial FEA software: pre-processing, solution, and post-processing. Pre-processing includes defining the model, materials, geometry, meshing, and loads. The solution involves assembling equations and solving for unknowns. Post-processing is the analysis and evaluation of results.

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Darshan Soni
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106 views5 pages

FEM - TYME - Lecture 2 PDF

The document outlines the general procedure for finite element analysis (FEA) which includes 6 steps: 1) discretization, 2) selection of displacement model, 3) formation of element equations, 4) assemblage of equations, 5) solution for unknown variables, and 6) interpreting results. It also describes the common steps in commercial FEA software: pre-processing, solution, and post-processing. Pre-processing includes defining the model, materials, geometry, meshing, and loads. The solution involves assembling equations and solving for unknowns. Post-processing is the analysis and evaluation of results.

Uploaded by

Darshan Soni
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Lecture 2
General Procedure for FEA:
Any type of Finite Element Analysis can be divided into following six steps:

1. Discretization: It is a process of dividing the whole body to be studied into finite


elements of suitable type. This is also called Meshing. These elements are
interconnected to each other through nodes as shown in figure below:

2. Selection of displacement Model or Choosing the solution approximation:


The analysis will initially find the value of field variables at the nodes of each element.
Using the proper displacement model or shape function, the values of field variables at
any point within the function can be found. For example, in a linear element AB as
shown in figure below, the analysis will initially find Temperature at A and B. Using
proper shape function temperature at any location between A & B can be determine.

A B

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 1


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3. Formation of element equations or element stiffness matrix:


By applying the equilibrium condition equations to each element, the analysis of that
element can be done. These equations can be expressed in form of matrix called element
stiffness matrix. Such element matrices can be generated for each of the element. In
general, different kinds of shape functions can be used.

4. Assemblage of the equations or matrices:


The stiffness matrices of all the elements are combined to form Global stiffness matrix.
The boundary conditions can then applied to the Global stiffness matrix. This will
reduce the size of global matrix.

5. Solution for the unknown field variable:


The global matrix is solved to find the values of unknown field variables.

6. Interpreting the results:


Study the results obtained from the analysis to draw conclusion and suitable changes
are incorporated into the original model to improve the design.

Commercial Software Procedure for FEM:

There are certain general steps are commonly used while doing Finite element analysis of any
physical problem using any commercial software:

1. Pre-processing
2. Solution
3. Post-processing
Pre-Processing: This is the most critical and important step in FEA.

a. Define the model and domain of the study of interest.


b. Choose the suitable material and its properties of the elements,
c. Define the geometric properties like length. area etc.
d. Discretization of the body: Divide the domain into finite elements. In this step we need
to decide the suitable type of element, number of elements, size and arrangement of
mesh.
e. Apply the boundary conditions i.e. physical constrains
f. Define the loadings.

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 2


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Solution

a. In this stage software assembles the suitable governing equations in the matrix form
and then compute the unknown values of the primary field variables like temperature,
displacement etc. using algorithm like Gauss Elimination Method.
b. The computed values are used to find the values of derived variables like heat flow,
discharge, stresses etc.

Post-Processing: Analysis and evaluation of the solution results in the form of contour plot,
vector plot, Animations, Charts etc. is the post-processing. The solution data can be
manipulated.

• Discretization of the Analysis and


body • Assemblage of evaluation of the
• Selection of a element equations solution results in
proper interpolation to obtain the overall the form of contour
Scheme. equilibrium plot, vector plot,
• Derivation of equations Animations, Charts
element matrices • Derivation of etc
and load vector element stiffness
matrices and load
vectors
• Solution for the
unknown nodal
displacements.
• Computation of
element strains and
stresses

Post-
Pre -processing Solution
processing

Available FEA software packages:


Ansys, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, HyperMesh, Dyna-3D, COSMOS etc

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CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Types of Element:

Meshing can be done by different types of elements depending on the kind of application.

According to the Element family: Depends upon the characteristics of geometry and
displacement that element models, mesh can be classified as

1. 1D Element (Line element): Spring element, Beam element, Truss element, Frame
element, and Damper etc.
2. 2D Element (Surface element): Plain 2D and Thin shell
3. 3D Element (Volume element): Solid element like Hexahedral, Tetrahedral etc.

According to the order of Element: The order of the element refers to the order of the
equations used to interpolate the physical variables between the nodes, such as

1. Linear element: It has two nodes along each edge.


2. Parabolic element: It has three nodes per element.
3. Cubic element: This has four nodes per element

According to the shape of Element: From shape of element used it can be classified such as
Triangular element, quadrilateral element, Tetrahedral element etc.

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 4


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Questions:
Q1. Explain the Basic Steps of the Finite Element Method.
Q2. What is Pre-Processing and Post-Processing in FEM?
Q3. Which are the various FEM software tools available?
Q4. What are the different types of elements used in FEM?

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 5

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