A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Chapter 1
Introduction

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Learning Objectives
• To present an introduction to the finite element method
• To provide a brief history of the finite element method
• To introduce matrix notation
• To describe the role of the computer in the development of
the finite element method
• To present the general steps used in the finite element
method
• To illustrate the various types of elements used in the finite
element method
• To show typical applications of the finite element method
• To summarize some of the advantages of the finite element
method

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

What is the Finite Element

Method?
• Definition of FEM: A numerical method for solving
problems of engineering and mathematical
physics
• Typical fields of application:
• Structural Analysis
• Heat Transfer
• Fluid Flow
• Mass Transport
• Electromagnetic potential

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

How Does The Finite Element

Method Work?
• Divide a body into an equivalent system of small bodies of units (finite elements)
and interconnect them at points common to two or more elements, boundary
lines, or surfaces.
• This process is known as discretization.
• In the finite element method, the problem for the entire body is solved by
formulating the equations for each finite element and combining them to obtain
the whole solution.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Brief History of FEM

1940s - Modern development of FEM began in the field of
structural engineering. (Courant-Variational form, Levy-force
method)
1950s - The development of high-speed digital computers
made possible FEM equations to be expressed in matrix
notation. (Levy-stiffness method, Argyris & Kelsey-matrix
structural analysis and energy principles for FEM)
Early1960s – FEM was extended to three-dimensional
problems. (small strain, small/large displacements, elastic and
non-linear material behavior, buckling problems. In 1965
Archer developed method for dynamic analysis)

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Brief History of FEM

Late1960s - FEM had been applied to nonstructural
applications such as fluid flow, and heat conduction.
Zienkiewicz et al. developed methods for visco-elastic
problems in 1968.
Modern FEM - A relatively new field of application is that of
bioengineering.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Introduction to Matrix Notation

• Matrix notation represents a simple system for

writing and solving sets of simultaneous algebraic
equations.
• Matrix – a rectangular array of quantities
arranged in rows and columns that is used to
express and solve a system of equations
• A rectangular matrix is indicated by bracket
notation [ ].
• A column matrix is indicated by brace notation { }.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Example: Column Matrices

• To the right are column matrices
representing the force
components {F} acting at
various nodes or points
(1,2…..,n) on a structure and the
corresponding set of nodal
displacements {d}.
• Notation: Subscripts to the right
of F identify the node and
direction of force, respectively.
The x, y, and z displacements at
a node are denoted by u, v, and
w.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Example: Rectangular Matrices

• To the right are two

square matrices, a type
of rectangular matrices.

• [k] is the element

stiffness matrix and [K]
is the global stiffness
matrix.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Example: Global Stiffness

Equation

• The above equation is called the global stiffness

equation and represents a set of simultaneous
equations.
• This equation can be expanded into matrix form:

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Role of the Computer

• With the development of computers in the 1950s, the
finite element method became a practical tool of
analysis.
• With modern computers computational programs with
millions of unknowns can be solved.
• To use the computer, the analyst, having defined the
finite element model, inputs the information for
calculation.
• The information may include the position of the elemental
nodal coordinates, material properties, the applied load,
boundary conditions, or constraints.
• The computer then generates and solves the equations
and outputs results for interpretation.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Primary Methods Used to Derive

the Finite Element Equations

1. The direct methods or direct

equilibrium methods
2. The variation methods
3. The weighted residual methods

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Direct Methods
• Simplest methods and yield a clear physical insight into the
finite element method
• Limited in its application to one-dimensional elements
• There are two general direct approaches:
The force or flexibility method which uses internal forces
•
as the unknowns to the problems
• The displacement or stiffness method which assumes the
displacement of the nodes as the unknowns of the
problem
• For computational purposes, the displacement method is more
desirable and is more widely used.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Variation Methods

• Easier to use for deriving finite element equations

for two- and three-dimensional elements when
compared to the direct methods
• Requires the existence of a functional, that upon
minimizing yields the stiffness matrix and related
element equations
• For structural/stress analysis problems, the
principle of minimum potential energy is used as
the functional

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Weighted Residual Methods

• Allow the finite element method to be applied

directly to any differential equation without a
variation principle

• A very well-known weighted residual method is

the Galerkin method, for deriving the bar element
stiffness matrix and associated element
equations.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

General Steps of the Finite

Element Method
1. Discretize and select the element types.
2. Select a displacement function.
3. Define the element relationships.
4. Derive the element stiffness matrix and equations.
5. Assemble the element equations to obtain the global equations
and introduce boundary conditions.
6. Solve for the unknown degrees of freedom.
7. Solve for the element strains and stresses (structural stress-
analysis problems).
8. Interpret the results.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

General Steps of the Finite

Element Method (cont.)
• The analyst must make decisions regarding:
• Dividing the structure or continuum into finite
elements
• The element type or types to be used in the analysis
• The kinds of loads to be applied
• The types of boundary conditions or supports to be
applied
• The other steps, 2 through 7, are carried out automatically
by a computer program.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 1: Discretize and Select the

Element Types
• The total number of elements used and their
variation in size and type are matters of
engineering judgment.
• Elements must be made small enough to give
usable results and yet large enough to reduce
computational effort.
• The discretized body or mesh is often created
with mesh-generation programs.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Element Types

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Element Types (cont.)

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 2: Select a Displacement

Function
• The function is defined within the element using the
nodal values of the elements.
• Linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomials are
frequently used functions.
• Trigonometric series can also be used.
• The continuous quantity, such as the displacement
throughout the body, is approximated by a discrete
model composed of piecewise-continuous functions.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 3: Define the Element

Relationships
• The relationships are necessary for deriving the
equations for each finite element.
• In the case of structural stress analysis problems,
the strain/displacement and stress/stress
relationships must be defined.
• The ability to define the material behavior
accurately is most important in obtaining
acceptable results.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 4: Derive the Element

Stiffness Matrix Equations
• These equations can be written in matrix form as:

• Or in compact matrix form as:

Where {f} is the vector of element nodal forces, [k] is the

element stiffness matrix, and {d} is the vector of unknown
element nodal degrees of freedom.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 5: Assemble the Element

Equations
• The individual element nodal equilibrium equations generated in
step 4 are assembled into the global nodal equilibrium
equations.
• The final assembled or global equation is written in matrix form
as:

Where {F} is the vector of global nodal forces, [K] is the structure
global stiffness matrix, and {d} is now the vector of known and
unknown structure nodal degree of freedom.
• Boundary conditions must be invoked to remove the singularity
problem of the global stiffness matrix [K].

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 6: Solve for the Unknown

Degrees of Freedom
• A set of simultaneous algebraic equations, accounting for
the boundary conditions, can be written in expanded matrix
form as:

Where n is now the structure total number of unknown nodal

degrees of freedom
• These equations are then solved for the ds, called the
primary unknowns, using an elimination or iterative method.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 7: Solve for the Element

Secondary Quantities

• The secondary quantities are those that can be

directly expressed in terms of the calculated
degrees of freedom from Step 6.

• For the structural stress-analysis problems, the

important secondary quantities are stress and
strain or moment and shear forces.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Step 8: Interpret the Results

• The final goal is to interpret and analyze the

results for use in the design/analysis process.
• Postprocessor computer programs help the user
to interpret the results by displaying them in
graphical form.
• The results are only as good as the inputs
assigned by the user!

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Applications of the Finite

Element Method
• Typical structural areas include:
• Stress analysis and stress concentration
problems
• Analysis of human spine, skull, hip, etc…
• Buckling, such as in columns or frames
• Vibration analysis
• Impact problems

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Applications of the Finite

Element Method (cont.)
• Nonstructural problems include:
• Heat transfer such as in electronic devices
and cooling fins
• Fluid flow including seepage through porous
media, air flow around race cars, or cooling
ponds
• Distribution of electric or magnetic potential,
such as in antennas and transistors

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Advantages of the Finite Element

Method
The ability to:
1. Model irregularly shaped bodies quite easily
2. Handle general load conditions without difficulty
3. Model bodies composed of several different materials
4. Handle virtually unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary
conditions
5. Vary the size of the elements
6. Alter the finite element model relatively easily and cheaply
7. Include dynamic effects
8. Handle nonlinear behavior

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Computer Programs for the

Finite Element Method
• Two general computer methods of approach to
the solution of problems by the finite element
method:

1. General-purpose programs
2. Developing many small, special-purpose
programs

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Computer Programs for the

Finite Element Method (cont.)
Some advantages of general-purpose programs:
1. The input is well organized and user-friendly
2. The programs are large systems that often can
solve many types of problems of varying size
3. Many of the programs can be expanded by
added new modules
4. Can be run on PCs
5. Have become very attractive in price

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Computer Programs for the

Finite Element Method (cont.)
Some disadvantages of general-purpose programs:

1. The initial cost of development is high.

2. Less efficient than special-purpose programs
3. Many of the programs are proprietary. Hence
any revisions must be made by the developers,
generally at a cost.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Computer Programs for the

Finite Element Method (cont.)
Some advantages of special-purpose programs:

1. The programs are usually relatively short, with

low development costs.
2. Small computers are able to run the programs.
3. Additions can be made to the program quickly
and at a low cost.
4. If programmed well, the programs are efficient in
solving their specific problem.

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Computer Programs for the

Finite Element Method (cont.)
Some disadvantages of special-purpose programs:

1. Inability to solve different classes of problems

2. One must have as many programs as there are
different classes of problems to be solved
3. Difficult to apply to problems involving more than
one principal

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Various Commercial Personal

Computer Programs for FEM
1. Autodesk Simulation 7. MARC
Multiphysics 8. MSC/NASTRAN
2. Abaqus 9. NISA
3. ANSYS 10. Pro/MECHANICA
4. COSMOS/M 11. SAP2000
5. GT-STRUDL 12. STARDYNE
6. LS-DYNA

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

FEM model of contour roll

forming process

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A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th Edition Logan

Summary
• The finite element method is a numerical method
for solving problems of engineering and
mathematical physics.
• The body is broken up into finite elements
through a process known as discretization.
• The principle equations for each finite element
are formulated and assembled to form the entire
solution.
• Computers have made it possible to widely use
this modeling method.

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