Finite Element Method ME751: Mechanical IV/II

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
ME751
Mechanical IV/II
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The finite element method (FEM), sometimes referred to as finite
element analysis (FEA), is a computational technique used to obtain
approximate solutions of boundary value problems in engineering.
A boundary value problem is a mathematical problem in which one

or more dependent variables must satisfy a differential equation
everywhere within a known domain of independent variables and
satisfy specific conditions on the boundary of the domain.
Boundary value problems are

also sometimes called field
problems. The field is the
domain of interest and most
often represents a physical
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structure.
The field variables are the dependent variables of interest governed
by the differential equation. The boundary conditions are the
specified values of the field variables (or related variables such as
derivatives) on the boundaries of the field.
Depending on the type of physical problem being analyzed, the field

variables may include physical displacement, temperature, heat flux,
and fluid velocity, etc.
FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of governing

equations over the domain of a continuous physical system, which is
discretized into simple geometric shapes called finite element.
Continuous system
Discrete system
Time-independent PDE
Linear algebraic eq.
Time-dependent PDE
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Modeling a body by dividing it into an equivalent system of finite
elements interconnected at a finite number of points on each element
called nodes.
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General Description of the Method
In engineering problems there are some basic unknowns. If they are

found, the behaviour of the entire system can be predicted. The basic
unknowns or the field variables which are encountered in the
engineering problems are displacements in solid mechanics,
velocities in fluid mechanics, electric and magnetic potentials in
electrical engineering and temperatures in heat flow problems.
In a continuum, these unknowns are infinite. The finite element

procedure reduces such unknowns to a finite number by dividing the
solution region into small parts called elements and by expressing
the unknown field variables in terms of assumed approximating
functions (Interpolating functions/Shape functions) within each
element.
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The approximating functions are defined in terms of field variables
of specified points called nodes or nodal points. Thus in the finite
element analysis the unknowns are the field variables of the nodal
points. Once these are found the field variables at any point can be
found by using interpolation functions.
After selecting elements and nodal unknowns next step in finite

element analysis is to assemble element properties for each element.
For example, in solid mechanics, we have to find the force-
displacement i.e. stiffness characteristics of each individual element.
Mathematically this relationship is of the form
where [ke] is element stiffness matrix, {u} is nodal displacement

vector of the element and {f} is nodal force vector.
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1.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF FEM
Hrenikoff (1941) : used a lattice of line elements for
solving stresses in continuous solids
Courant (1943) : used the triangular elements and energy
method to study the torsion problem
Levy (1947) : developed the flexibility or force method
in structural analysis
Levy (1953) : presented another method called the
stiffness or displacement method in
analyzing aircraft structures
Argyris & Kelsey (1954) : developed matrix structural
analysis methods using energy principles
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Turner, Clough, Martin, Topp (1956) : derived
stiffness matrices for truss, beam
and 2-D elements
Clough (1960) : first used the term " finite element "
Melosh (1961) : developed a flat rectangular-plate
bending element
Grafton & Strome (1963) : developed the curved-shell
bending element
Gallagher & Padlog (1963) : initially treated the
buckling problems
Archer (1965) : considered dynamic analysis in bar and
beam structures
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Zienkiewicz & Cheung (1965), Martin (1968), Wilson
& Nickel (1966) : studied torsion of shaft, fluid flow,
and heat conduction
Recent Developments:
New element development, convergence
studies, the developments of
supercomputers, the availability of powerful
microcomputers, the development of user-
friendly general-purpose finite element
software packages.
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1.3 Mathematical Modeling of Physical
The field of mechanics can be subdivided into three major areas:
Theoretical, Applied, and Computational.
Theoretical Mechanics deals
with fundamental laws and
principles of mechanics studied
for their intrinsic scientific value.
Applied Mechanics transfers

this theoretical knowledge to
scientific and engineering
applications.
Computational Mechanics solves specific problems by simulation

through numerical methods implemented on digital computers.
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1.4 FEM Steps
Three major steps in FEM are : Preprocessing, Solution,
Postprocessing.
Preprocessing
• Define the geometric domain of the problem.
• Define the element type(s) to be used.
• Define the material properties of the elements.
• Define the geometric properties of the elements (length, area, and
the like).
• Define the element connectivities (mesh the model).
• Define the physical constraints (boundary conditions).
• Define the loadings.
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Solution
During the solution phase, finite element software assembles the
governing algebraic equations in matrix form and computes the
unknown values of the primary field variable(s).
Postprocessing
Analysis and evaluation of the solution results is referred to as
postprocessing. Postprocessor software contains sophisticated
routines used for sorting, printing, and plotting selected results from
a finite element solution.
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1.5 FEM Applications
The finite element method can be used to analyze both the
structural and nonstructural problems. Typical structural areas
include Stress analysis, including
• truss and frame analysis and stress concentration problems
• Buckling
• Vibration analysis
Nonstructural problems include

• Heat transfer
• Fluid flow, including seepage through porous media
• Distribution of electric or magnetic potential
• Biomechanical engineering problems
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1.6 FEM Advantages
This method has a number of advantages that have made it very

popular. They include the ability to
• Model irregularly shapes bodies quite easily.
• Handle general load conditions without difficulty.
• Model bodies composed of several different materials because
the element equations are evaluated individually.
• Handle unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary conditions.
• Alter the finite element model relatively easily and cheaply.
• Include dynamic effects.
• Handle nonlinear behaviour existing with large deformations
and nonlinear materials.
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Computer Applications for FEM
Problem Specific Programming: MATLAB

• Mostly used for regular domain
General Packages: NASTRAN, ANSYS, ABAQUS, ALGOR,

COSMOS
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Application Examples: Stress Analysis
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Application Examples: Heat Transfer
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Example1: Archimedes’ Approximation of π
Draw a circle of radius r and diameter d = 2r.
Inscribe a regular polygon of n sides, where n = 8.
Rename polygon sides as elements and vertices as
nodes. Label nodes with integers 1, . . . 8.
Extract a typical element, say that joining nodes 4–

5.
This is an instance of the generic element i– j.
The element length is Lij = 2r sin(π/n). Since all

elements have the same length, the polygon
perimeter is Ln = nLij , whence the approximation
to π is πn = Ln/d = n sin(π/n).
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FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

A boundary value problem is a mathematical problem in which one

Boundary value problems are

Depending on the type of physical problem being analyzed, the field

FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of governing

In engineering problems there are some basic unknowns. If they are

In a continuum, these unknowns are infinite. The finite element

After selecting elements and nodal unknowns next step in finite

where [ke] is element stiffness matrix, {u} is nodal displacement

Applied Mechanics transfers

Computational Mechanics solves specific problems by simulation

Nonstructural problems include

This method has a number of advantages that have made it very

Problem Specific Programming: MATLAB

General Packages: NASTRAN, ANSYS, ABAQUS, ALGOR,

Extract a typical element, say that joining nodes 4–

The element length is Lij = 2r sin(π/n). Since all

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