ME 402

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Week 1

Instructor : Associate Prof. Dr. Samet AKAR

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Çankaya University
Course Information
Department Mechanical Engineering

Course Code &

Course Name ME402-Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Number of Weekly Lecture Weekly Lab/Tutorial Number of Credit

Hours 3 Hours 0 Hours 3 ECTS Credit 3

Academic Year
2021-2022

Semester
Spring

Instructor
Associate Prof. Dr. Samet AKAR

E-mail
[email protected]

Room &Phone
LA22- 2331305

Lecture Hours
Monday 11:20-12:10 Wednesday: 11:20-13:10

Office Hour
Monday 15:00-16:30

Course Web Site

Webonline

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Course Objectives

1) To review basic relations in elasticity

2) To explain energy principles

3) To explain the basics of finite element formulation

4) To give formulation of one-dimensional elements to make

static analysis of trusses and formulation of two-dimensional
element to analyze plane elasticity problems

5) Emphasize the correct usage of the FEA software ANSYS

Workbench

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Course Outline
Course Outline

Week Topic(s)

1 General Overview of FEM, Basic Steps in the FEM

2 Direct, Minimum Total Potential Energy and Weighted Residual Formulations

3 Linear Spring Element, Bar Element

4 Development of Truss Equations/Plane Truss

5 Introduction to ANSYS, Modeling of 2D Trusses

6 Symmetry/Inclined Support

7 Development of Truss Equations/Space Truss

8 ANSYS: Symmetry, Distributed loads, Supports, modeling of space trusses

9 Development of Beam Equations

10 ANSYS: Mesh Sensitivity Analysis, CST element, 4 node LQ, 6 node QT, 8 node QQ elements

11 Development of the Plane Stress and Plane Strain Stiffness Equations

12 ANSYS: 2D/3D Plate With a Hole, Stress Intensity Factor

13 ANSYS: Free Vibration, Forced Vibration and Modal Analysis

14 Project presentations

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Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of identifying the concepts of idealization and

discretization, defining boundary conditions.
2. Ability to formulate element and global stiffness matrices
3. Ability to identify sources of computational and physical errors
of finite element analysis.
4. Ability to use related commercial software
5. Ability to interpret numerical results of finite element analysis

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Course Information

Text Book

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Course Information

References

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Grading Policy

Assessment Tool Quantity Percentage

Homework 4 10 %
Midterm Exam 1 30 %
Final Exam 1 45 %

Term Project 1 15 %

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Introduction

o Approaches to solve/study Engineering Problems

o Experimental: Costly and time consuming
o Analytical : Simplifying Assumptions
Too many simplifying assumptions: The simplified model no
longer predicts the behavior of the real physical system within
acceptable bounds.
o Numerical Methods:
o Finite Element Method (FEM)
o Finite Difference Method (FDM)
o Boundary Element Method (BEM)
FEM is extremely popular and in this course we are going to
focus on FEM.

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Introduction

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March 1, 2023 Department of Mechanical Engineering-ATILIM University
Introduction
The finite element method (FEM), or finite element analysis
(FEA), is based on the idea of building a complicated object with
simple blocks, or, dividing a complicated object into smaller and
manageable pieces.
Application of this simple idea can be found everywhere in
everyday life, as well as in engineering.

(a) A fire engine built with LEGO

(b) a house built with many elements—bricks, beams, columns, panels, and so on.

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Introduction
Example: Approximation of the Circumference of a Circle
Consider the problem of determining the perimeter of a circle of
radius R:
Discretization

Subdomain
Uniform Mesh
(element) Element
Equation

Domain:
Circumference of a circle Non-uniform Mesh
Assembly

The collection of elements is called finite element mesh

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Introduction
o Error in the approximation: The difference between the length
of the sector and that of the line segment.

o The error estimate for an element (in the uniform mesh) is:

o The total error (Global error) is given:

o Let say n ∞

o This step is called Proof of Convergence.

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Introduction

o To Summarize :
o It is shown that the circumference of a circle can be
approximated as closely as we wish by a finite number of
piecewise-linear functions.
o As the number of elements increased, the approximation
improves, i.e. the error of the approximation decreases.

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Introduction

o The finite element method has become a

powerful tool for the numerical solution of a
wide range of engineering problems.

o Applications range from deformation and stress

analysis of automotive, aircraft, building, and
bridge structures to field analysis of heat flux,
fluid flow, magnetic flux, seepage, and other
flow problems.

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Introduction
o With the advances in computer technology and CAD systems,
complex problems can be modeled with relative ease.
o Several alternative configurations can be tried out on a
computer before the first prototype is built.
o All of this suggests that we need to keep pace with these
developments by understanding the basic theory, modeling
techniques, and computational aspects of the finite element
method.

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Introduction

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Commercial Software

DIANA FEA

VisualFEA

FreeCAD
FEniCS Project

Quickfield

MFEM
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Summary of My Projects
o Machining Simulations: Orthogonal Cutting

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Summary of My Projects…
o Machining Simulations: Orthogonal Cutting

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Summary of MY Projects
o Modelling and analysis of tool deflections in tailored micro end
mills

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Summary of My Projects
o Modelling and analysis of tool deflections in helical micro-end
mills

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Summary of My Projects

o Modeling of Material Removal Rate in EDM Process

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Summary of Projects: Collaboration with METU
o Strain Engineering of Germanium Nanobeams by Electrostatic
Actuation

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Comparison of Finite Element and Exact Solutions

o By increasing number of elements ( decreasing the physical

dimensions of the elements), the finite element solution
changes incrementally. The incremental changes decrease
with the mesh refinement process and approach the exact
solution asymptotically.
o To illustrate convergence, we consider a relatively simple
problem that has a known solution.

Find the displacement at the point of load

application.

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Comparison of Finite Element and Exact Solutions

𝑟0 − 𝑟L 𝐿 𝑟0 − 𝑟𝐿
= 𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟0 − 𝑥
𝑟 𝑥 − 𝑟𝐿 𝐿 − 𝑥 𝐿

𝑟0 − 𝑟𝐿 𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥
Lets define: 𝑘 =
𝐿

𝐴 𝑥 = 𝜋𝑟 2 = 𝜋 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥 2

𝐹 𝐹
𝜎 𝑥 = = 2
𝐴(𝑥) 𝜋 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥
𝜎 𝐹 𝐹𝑑𝑥
ε 𝑥 = = 𝑑𝑢 = 𝜀𝑑𝑥 =
𝐸 𝜋 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥 2 𝐸 𝜋 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥 2 𝐸

The total elongation of tapering bar can be worked out by integrating above
expression between limits x = 0 to x = L
𝐿
𝐹𝑑𝑥 𝐹𝐿
𝑢=න =
0 𝜋 𝑟0 − 𝑘𝑥 2 𝐸 𝜋𝐸𝑟0 (𝑟0 − 𝑘𝐿)
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Comparison of Finite Element and Exact Solutions
Approximations:
• one-element, finite element model

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Comparison of Finite Element and Exact Solutions
Approximations:
• Four- element model

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Comparison of Finite Element and Exact Solutions

o The process of representing a physical domain with finite

elements is referred to as meshing, and the resulting set of
elements is known as the finite element mesh.

Coarse Mesh Fine Mesh

Arbitrary curved-boundary domain modeled using square elements.

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Various types of finite elements

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General Steps in the FEA-Structural Problems
o Step 1: Discretize and Select the Element Types
o Step 2: Select a Displacement Function
o Step 3: Define the Strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain
Relationships
o Step 4: Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations
o Step 5: Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or
Total Equations and Introduce Boundary Conditions
o Step 6 Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (or
Generalized Displacements)
o Step 7: Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
o Step 8: Interpret the Results

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Linear Spring Element
o One-dimensional linear spring: a spring that obeys Hooke’s
law and resists forces only in the direction of the spring.

o 1 and 2: Nodes
o x: Local axis
o u1 and u2: Local nodal displacements
These nodal displacements are called the degrees of freedom at
each node
How many degrees of freedom do we have at each node? 1
o f1x, f2x: Local nodal forces
o k: Spring Constant or Stiffness
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Stiffness Matrix
o Stiffness matrix relates the nodal force vector to the nodal
displacement vector

o kij represent the force Fi in the ith degree of freedom due to a

unit displacement uj in the jth degree of freedom while all other
displacements are zero.
o Now assume a structure to be forced into a displaced
configuration defined by u1=1 and u2=0 :  f1=k11 & f2=k21

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Selection of a Displacement Function

o We need to define a mathematical function to represent the

deformed shape of the spring element under loading.
o The most common functions used are polynomials.
o Let’s assume a linear displacement variation along the x axis
of the spring.

o In general, the total number of coefficients ‘a’ is equal to the

total number of degrees of freedom associated with the
element.

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Selection of a Displacement Function

o In a matrix form:

o We now want to express ‘u’ as a function of the nodal

displacements u1 and u2, (to apply the physical boundary
conditions on nodal displacements directly)
o We achieve this by evaluating ‘u’ at each node and solving for
a1 and a2

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Selection of a Displacement Function

o By substituting a1 and a2 in ‘u’ we will obtain:

o In a matrix form:

are called shape functions

or
interpolation functions

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Shape Functions

o Ni’s express the shape of the assumed

displacement function over the domain
(x coordinate) of the element when the
ith element degree of freedom has unit
value and all other degrees of freedom
are zero.

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Defining derived field variable

o The tensile forces ‘T’ produce a total elongation (deformation)

δ of the spring.
o Positive Displacement u2

o Negative Displacement u1
o The deformation of the spring:

o The stress/strain relationship

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Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations

o By the sign convention for nodal forces and equilibrium

[k] is called the local stiffness matrix for the element.

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Other Steps

o Assembling of total stiffness matrix by superposition

Global stiffness matrix Global force vector

o Boundary Conditions
o Homogeneous BCs
o Non-homogeneous BCs

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Example

o Two-spring assemblage

o Discretize the domain:

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Example-Solution

o The x axis is the global axis of the assemblage. The local x

axis of each element coincides with the global axis of the
assemblage.
o Node 1 is fixed and axial force F3x is applied to node 3 and F2x
is applied to node 2.
o The nodes of the assemblage have been numbered 1, 3, and 2
for further generalization because sequential numbering
between elements generally does not occur in large problems.

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Element Stiffness Matrices-Direct Equilibrium Method

Recall

o For Element #1 we have

o For Element #2 We have

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Continuity (Compatibility)

o Elements 1 and 2 must remain connected at common node 3

throughout the displacement. This is called the continuity or
compatibility requirement. The compatibility requirement yields:

superscripts in parentheses above u refers to the element number to which they are related.

(FBD)

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Defining derived field variable

o Rearranging in numerically increasing order of the nodal

degrees of freedom, we have

𝐹 = 𝑘 𝑢

global nodal global nodal

force vector total or global or displacement vector
system stiffness matrix

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Direct Stiffness Method
o Assembling the Total Stiffness Matrix by Superposition (Direct Stiffness Method)
o We will now consider a more convenient method to obtain global stiffness matrix

considering force equilibrium at each node

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March 1, 2023 Department of Mechanical Engineering-ATILIM University
Boundary Conditions

o We must specify boundary (or support) conditions for structure

o Suitable boundary conditions should be assigned, If the structural
system is unstable: K will be singular; that is, the determinant of
the K will be zero, and its inverse will not exist.
o Without specifying adequate kinematic constraints or support
conditions, the structure will be free to move as a rigid body and
not resist any applied loads. (Restraint Sufficiency)
o Homogeneous boundary conditions—the more common—occur
at locations that are completely prevented from movement;
o Nonhomogeneous boundary conditions occur where finite
nonzero values of displacement are specified, such as the
settlement of a support.

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Homogeneous boundary conditions
o All boundary conditions are such that the displacements are
zero at certain nodes.

Here we have u1=0 because node 1 is fixed.

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Nonhomogeneous Boundary Conditions

o We now consider the case of nonhomogeneous boundary

conditions. Hence one or more of the specified displacements
are nonzero.

𝑢1 = 𝛿 𝛿: 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

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Nonhomogeneous Boundary Conditions
where F1x is now a reaction from the support
that has moved an amount δ.

Considering the second and third equations:

Transforming the known δ terms to the right side

Therefore, when dealing with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions, we cannot initially

delete row and column corresponding to the nonhomogeneous boundary condition.
Had we done so, the k1 δ term would have been neglected, resulting in an error in the solution
for the displacements.

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Nonhomogeneous Boundary Conditions
o For nonhomogeneous boundary conditions, we must, in general,
transform the terms associated with the known displacements to
the right-side force matrix before solving for the unknown nodal
displacements.

o The reaction force becomes:

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Some properties of the stiffness matrix

1. [K] is square, as it relates the same number of forces and

displacements.
2. [K] is symmetric.
3. [K] is singular (its determinant is equal to zero), and thus, no
inverse exists until sufficient boundary conditions are imposed to
remove the singularity and prevent rigid body motion.
4. The main diagonal terms of [K] are always positive. Otherwise,
a positive nodal force Fi could produce a negative displacement a
behavior contrary to the physical behavior of any actual structure.
5. [K] is positive semidefinite

for all non-zero vector {x} with real numbers

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Example

For the given spring assemblage with arbitrarily numbered nodes

obtain:
(a) the global stiffness matrix,
(b) the displacements of nodes 3 and 4,
(c) the reaction forces at nodes 1 and 2,
(d) the forces in each spring.
A force of 5000 lb is applied at node 4 in the x direction. The
spring constants are given in the figure. Nodes 1 and 2 are fixed.

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Solution

Global Stiffness Matrix

Applying the homogeneous boundary

conditions u1 =0 and u2=0

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Solution

Next we use local element equations to obtain the forces in each element.

Element 1

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Solution
Element 2

Element 3

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Example
For the given spring assemblage, obtain
(a) the global stiffness matrix,
(b) the displacements of nodes 2–4
(c) the global nodal forces
and (d) the local element forces.
Assume δ=20.0 mm.
The spring constants are all equal to k=200 kN/m.

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Solution
o Discretize the domain

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Solution
Obtain Element Stiffness matrices

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Solution
Assembly

Global stiffness matrix

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Solution

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Solution

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Solution

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Solution

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