Course Instructor:

Atique Ahmad
‫عتیق احمد‬
Contact:
[email protected]

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering

and Applied Sciences
1
ME – 424
Introduction to
Finite Element Analysis
ME-424 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

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Course Learning Outcomes:

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EXPLAIN major theories and methods used in FEA
to solve engineering problems [C3, PLO2]

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DEVELOP FEA models for practical engineering
problems. [C5, PLO3]

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ME-424 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

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David V Hutton
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Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis
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Daryl L Logan
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A first course in the Finite Element Method, 5th ed
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Saeed Moaveni
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Finite Element Analysis, theory & applications with ANSYS, 4th ed
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H. H. Lee
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Finite Element Simulations using ANSYS Workbench

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Soft forms of relevant reference material are available at:

\\FacultyShare\Atique Ahmad\Public\ME-424 FEA\

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Course Contents

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Overview of the finite element modeling procedure,
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common element types and their properties,
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convergence and sources of error;

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Structural analysis in 1D, 2D and 3D
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trusses, beams and frames,
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plates and shell elements,
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solid elements, thermal strains

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Steady state thermal analysis

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Introduction to dynamic analysis,
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modal, harmonic and transient analysis.

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 Finite element method is
a dangerous weapon
if in the wrong hands.

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Teaching Methodology

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Two-hour session on finite element analysis every week.
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Formal lectures on finite element method;
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Demonstration on ANSYS usage;
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Regular homework on computer;
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You are responsible to install requisite software on your computers.
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There will be a lot of computer-based assignments.

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Basic Concepts

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The finite element method (FEM) is a computational technique used to
obtain approximate solutions of boundary value problems in
engineering.
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A boundary value problem (BVP) is a mathematical problem in which
one or more dependent variables must satisfy a (partial) differential
equation everywhere within a known domain of independent
variables and satisfy specific conditions on boundary of the domain.
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BVPs are also called field problems; the field is the domain of interest
and most often represents a physical structure.
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The field variables are the dependent variables of interest governed by
the differential equation, such as displacement, temperature, heat flux,
fluid velocity, etc.
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The boundary conditions are the specified values of the field
variables or their derivatives on the boundaries of the field.

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How does Finite Element Method works?

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Consider a volume of some material or materials having
known physical properties. This volume represents
domain of BVP.
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For simplicity, consider a 2D case with a single field
variable φ(x, y) to be determined at every point P(x, y)
such that a known governing equation is satisfied
exactly at every such point.
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An exact solution as a closed-form algebraic expression
of independent variables for complex geometries is
extremely difficult or outright impossible to derive; we
need approximate solution.
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Now consider a small triangular piece of finite volume
not an infinitesimal volume dx×dy, of constant
thickness is z-direction.
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Vertices of the element are numbered nodes, and
connect elements. φ(x, y) is determined here!
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How does Finite Element Method works?

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But if the values of the field variable φ(x, y) are computed only at
nodes, how are values obtained at other points within a finite element?
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By interpolation of the nodal values.
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For the three-node triangle example, the field variable is described by
the approximate relation: ϕ(e) (x , y)=N 1 ( x , y ) ϕ 1+ N 2 (x , y) ϕ 2 + N 3 (x , y) ϕ 3
● φi are nodal values of field variable,
● Ni are interpolation functions, also called shape functions.
● Ni are generally polynomial functions, usually linear or quadratic; these
are predetermined known functions, whereas φi are unknown constants
in the above expression.
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You have done something similar when to use steam tables, you made
use of linear interpolation to find an unknown value between two
constant values.
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Deriving and using these interpolation (shape) functions is the crux of
finite element analysis.
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How does Finite Element Method works?

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The triangular element is said to have 3 degrees of freedom, i.e., three
nodal values (φi , i=1,2,3) are required to describe φ everywhere. e.g.,
temperature in a heat transfer problem.
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If we consider stress analysis of a thin plate, then field variable is
displacement, which is described as ⃗u (x , y) having components ux uy.
Thus, the structural element has 6DoF in 2D space.
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For all the elements we study in this course, keep an eye on number of
DoFs for every type of element used in various analyses.
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Procedure of dividing the physical domain in elements is called
meshing, and the resulting set of elements is called a mesh.
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How does Finite Element Method works?

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Each node has a unique value of field variable calculated. This ensures
continuity between elements.
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However, derivatives of the field variable may not be continuous. This
is critical as most calculations use such derivatives, e.g., to calculate
stress we need strain, which is derivative of displacement.
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Magnitude of such discontinuities is used to determine solution
accuracy and may be reduced by dividing the domain into smaller
elements; of course requiring many more calculations.
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This is known as refinement of the mesh.

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Comparing Finite Element and Exact Solution

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Consider a tapered bar under axial tension.
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It can be approximated by a single bar element of averaged cross-
sectional area, or a number of elements of varying areas.

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Each refinement improves accuracy.

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Comparing Finite Element and Exact Solution

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As for u(x), comparison is as shown:
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Exact solution from mechanics of materials.
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Note the linear approximation of a
non-linear phenomenon.

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As for stress σ(x), which is calculated from
derivative of displacement, the solution
is discontinuous.
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For refined mesh, jumps are smaller.

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Comparing Finite Element and Exact Solution

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This example showed how the finite element solution converges to a
known exact solution from mechanics of materials.
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But if we know the exact solution what is the point of learning FEA?
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In other words, how do we assess accuracy of FEA results when we
do not have any idea of exact solution?
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The analyst must examine the solution and results critically:
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Numerical convergence, mesh refinement but how much is enough?
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Reasonableness, check to see if the results make any sense?
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Is the physical domain in equilibrium?
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Are the discontinuities reasonable and acceptable?
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Remember that the ability to assess validity of your solution will be
the real test of your engineering knowledge and analysis skills.

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General Procedure of Finite Element Analysis

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Pre-processing
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Create geometry, CAD
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Specify material properties,
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Specify element types and any associated properties,
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Meshing,
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Apply loads and constraints,
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Processing
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The solution by computer
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Field variable: nodal displacements
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Post-processing
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Presentation of results.
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Deformed shape of the structure,
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Element solutions, strains and stresses,
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Plot of important quantities in significant parts.
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Review

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Just do some recalling of such topics as:
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Mechanics of materials,
– Tensile test, beam theory, combined stresses, failure theories, etc.
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Heat transfer and fluid mechanics
– The very basics.
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Linear algebra
– Matrix methods, solution of simultaneous equations,
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Differential equations
– Basic concepts as recalled for Vibrations course.
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Computing
– General usage,
– Programming.

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Final words for today

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Given the availability of many powerful and sophisticated finite
element software packages, why study the theory?
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The finite element method is a tool, and like any other tool, using it
without proper instruction can be quite dangerous.
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Proper instruction in this context includes understanding the basic
theory underlying formulation of finite element models of physical
problems.
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Critical analysis of the results of a finite element computation is
essential, since those results eventually become the basis for design.
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Knowledge of the theory is necessary for both proper modeling and
evaluation of computational results.

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 ‫فطرت کی غالمی سے کر آزاد ہنر کو‬
‫ کہ نخچیر؟‬،‫مردانہنر مند‬
ِ ‫صیاد ہیں‬

ME-516
ME-516 ME-424
ME-424 Finite
Finite Element
ElementAnalysis
Analysis 1/3/21
1/3/21