Topic 1 - FEM - Basics
Topic 1 - FEM - Basics
Topic 1 - FEM - Basics
Mechanical Design
Introduction:
Basics and Applications
• Examples:
• Lego (kids’ play)
• Buildings
• Approximation of the area of a circle
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 6/104
Finite Element Method Defined ……
• Approximation of the area of a circle
N
S N = Si = R N sin( ) 1
2
2 2
N ⎯→ R
⎯ 2
as N⎯
⎯→
i =1
• The term finite element was first coined by Clough in 1960. In the early 1960s,
engineers used the method for approximate solution of problems in stress
analysis, fluid flow, heat transfer, and other areas.
• The first book on the FEM by Zienkiewicz and Chung was published in 1967.
• In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the FEM was applied to a wide variety of
engineering problems.
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 8/104
Origins of the Finite Element Method….
• The 1970s marked advances in mathematical treatments, including the
development of new elements, and convergence studies.
• One method can solve a wide variety of problems, including problems in solid
mechanics, biomechanics, heat transfer, and acoustics, to name a few.
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 10/104
How can FEM Help the Design Engineer…
• General-purpose FEM software packages are available at a reasonable
cost, and can be readily executed on workstations and PCs
• The FEM can be coupled to CAD programs to facilitate solid modeling and
mesh generation
• Input and output data may be large and tedious to prepare and interpret.
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 16/104
Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method…
• Numerical problems:
• Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits.
• Round off and error accumulation.
• Susceptible to user-introduced modeling errors:
• Poor choice of element types.
• Distorted elements.
• Geometry not adequately modeled.
• Certain effects not automatically included:
• Buckling
• Large deflections and rotations.
• Material nonlinearities.
• Other nonlinearities.
· Geomechanics · Biomechanics
Example: bungee
(x,y)
(x,y)
Example: cloth
(x,y)
(x,y,z)
(x,y,z)
Example: skin
fˆ1 x k
ˆ =
f 2 x − k
− k dˆ1 x
k dˆ 2 x
fˆ = kˆ dˆ
(e ) (e ) (e )
F = K d
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 28/104
Classification of Solid Mechanics Problems
Processor Post-processor
Pre-processor
• Generates element shape • Prints or plots contours of
• Reads or generates nodes and functions stress components.
elements (ex: ANSYS) • Calculates master element • Prints or plots contours of
• Reads or generates material equations displacements.
property data. • Calculates transformation • Evaluates and prints error
• Reads or generates boundary matrices bounds.
conditions (loads and • Maps element equations
constraints.) into global system Step 6
• Assembles element
equations
Step 1, Step 4 • Introduces boundary
Steps 2, 3, 5
conditions
• Performs solution
procedures
surface model
airfoil geometry 2
3
4 5 11
1
12
14
13
(from CAD program)
mesh
generator
ET,1,SOLID45
N, 1, 183.894081 , -.770218637 , 5.30522740
N, 2, 183.893935 , -.838009645 , 5.29452965
.
.
TYPE, 1
E, 1, 2, 80, 79, 4, 5, 83, 82
E, 2, 3, 81, 80, 5, 6, 84, 83
.
.
.
meshed model
Dr. S. S Akhtar ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction 36/104
Step 4: Boundary Conditions
Thermal Soln
Files
150
150
175
antype,static
omega,10400*3.1416/30
d,1,all,0,0,57,1
• Any model, good or bad, can produce smooth and colorful stress
contours.
• The Internet provides a vast new resource for individuals interested in the
FEM. See the Reference section of handouts for interesting FEM links to
start your Internet research.
https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/finite-
element-analysis-fea-companies/
• Increased data sharing between analysis data sources (CAD, testing, FEM
software, ERM software.)
Play External
Animation
Play External
Animation
Rigid Piece
Deformable Billet
Resulting animation of hydrostatic pressure for fine mesh with symmetry expansion on.
Experiment: DMZ and metal flow pattern; same die; same ram speed; 3 different materials: Al-6063, aluminum, and lead
ME489_Topic01_1_FEA Introduction
Dr. S. S Akhtar 85/104
Crash Analysis: Train video
2. IDENTIFY ONE WHERE FEA WILL BE MOST USEFUL. GIVE A ONE-LINE REASON.