10/6/22, 3:26 PM Chapter 1: Introduction to Finite Element Programming - Basic Concepts

1
Capital

Introduction to finite element programming - Basic

concepts

Summary
Chapter 1 presents some introduction to the use of finite element programs and the basic concepts required. The
main subjects developed in this Chapter are: finite element types, carrier geometry, material properties, cross-
section properties, imposed loads, carrier analysis and control of results.

Prerequisite knowledge
In the introductory Chapter, general knowledge of mechanics, strength of materials and static solution of vectors is
required.

1.1. Introduction to finite element programming

Numerical simulation of natural phenomena and processes can be done using some assumptions regarding the way each
process works and adopting a series of laws that govern the problem and are reproduced with a large number of complex
mathematical equations ( Reddy, 2006). It turns out that achieving the above process requires significant computational
power and computational cost. The use of numerical methods and a computer to solve the various mathematical models
constitute the numerical simulation of a phenomenon. The use of numerical simulation programs, with particular
reference to the finite element method, which concerns the representation of an area as a set of distinct sub-areas, is
now widespread, due to the continuous development of computer capabilities in recent decades, and is the usual
practice for the analysis of structures under various loading conditions. The formal presentation of the finite element
method is attributed to Turner, Clough, Martin and Top (1956) andArgyris and Kelsey (1960) , while the term "finite
elements" is attributed to Clough (1960) . The description of the theoretical operation of the method is given by a large
number of writings in the international literature (indicative Bathe, 1996 ∙ Cook, Malkus, & Plesha, 1989 ∙ Hitchings, 1992 ∙
Huebner, Dewhirst, Smit, & Byrom, 2001 ). A more practical approach to finite element analysis programs, with
applications for advanced users, is given by Sexto and Katsano (2005) , while use of analysis results of specific numerical
examples to facilitate the understanding of the required procedures is done byAvramidis, Athanatopoulou, Morfidis and
Sexto (2011) .
For the applied simulation of a static or dynamic problem in a finite element program and its solution, it is necessary to
specify a number of parameters. The amount and detail of data required varies from problem to problem, depending on
its complexity and the type of solution. In any case, however, this data covers a specific set of parameters that are

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necessary to solve any problem, from the simplest to the most complex. An illustrative presentation of the different
parameters to be determined in the case of solving a vector using a computer program includes the objects of the
following paragraphs.

1.2. Types of finite elements

The main distinction between the different types of finite elements concerns the dimensions in which they are
developed. The simplest type that is usually used are the linear elements, followed by the surface elements, while the
more complex are the spatial elements. The exact geometry, the number of nodes of the element, the freedoms of
movement at each node, but also the more general behavior of the finite elements vary according to the options offered
by each software. The theoretical approach to the operation of various types of elements can be found in a large number
of books (indicatively Cook, 1995 ∙ Gotsis, 2008 ∙ Tsamasfyros & Theotokoglou, 2005). An illustrative illustration of the
types of finite elements that can be used in the SAP 2000 program ( Computers and Structures Inc., 2010 ) is given in
Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1 Linear, surface and spatial element in SAP 2000 software.

As a rule, the simulation of a building frame with a load-bearing body of reinforced concrete or steel can be achieved with
the appropriate use of linear elements only (Figure 1.2). The surface elements are required in the cases of load-bearing
masonry, stonework, reinforced concrete walls or slabs with holes (openings), bridge decks and in general load-bearing
elements with two important dimensions (Figure 1.3). The use of spatial elements is more difficult and is adopted only in
the case that linear and surface elements cannot satisfactorily render the behavior of the load-bearing organism of a
structure, when it consists of load-bearing elements with three important dimensions (Figure 1.4). It is certainly possible
to use different types of elements in combination,

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Figure 1.2 Example of building carrier simulation with linear elements (related application from Kirtas & Panagopoulos,
2013 ).

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Figure 1.3 Example of a stone lighthouse simulation with surface elements in SAP 2000 (full study can be found in Pitilakis,
Kirtas, & Sextos, 2003 ).

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Figure 1.4 Example of a tower simulation with spatial elements in the ANSYS program (full study can be found in Pitilakis
et al., 2003 ).

1.3. Carrier geometry and supports

The first step usually when entering the vector data into a finite element program is to define its geometry. The term
geometry refers to the number of floors of the structure, the number and lengths of the openings, the important
dimensions of the finite elements that will be used (length in the linear structural elements, two dimensions in the
surface elements, etc.) and their position in the supporting body. Often defining the geometry of a vector in a software is
facilitated by using ready-made "template" vectors of similar characteristics or by defining a canvas of auxiliary lines for
precise placement of structural elements.
At this point, the carrier's support conditions can be defined, binding or releasing the appropriate freedoms of movement
at the nodes involved. In a corresponding way, any freedoms of movement within the supporting body can be defined,
such as internal joints in various positions, etc. Since it is chosen to simulate the endurance of the foundation soil, it is
possible to define an appropriate spring constant at the base of the carrier. The above actions, in analysis programs of a
similar type to the SAP 2000 programused herein, should be done step by step by the user, as detailed in the application
examples that will be presented later in the document. In contrast, in most automated vector solver programs for static
studies (static packages), the determination of freedoms of movement and a number of other options are done in a
predefined way that is not immediately visible to the user.

1.4. Material properties

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In the first stages of the simulation, the materials from which the carrier is made are determined. To define each material,
the basic parameters required are:

modulus of elasticity of material,

material density from which the program can determine the mass of the structural elements of the carrier,
specific weight of material (taken equal to the density times the value of the acceleration of gravity) from which
the program can determine the weight of the structural elements of the carrier,
Poisson's ratio,
coefficient of thermal expansion (activated only if temperature changes are given as loads).

In the application examples presented in this book, it is chosen in many cases to give zero equal weight to the various
structural elements of the construction. This happens as, due to the educational nature of the document, it is considered
appropriate that the developed intensive values ​come exclusively from loads that have been set as externally imposed by
the user and not from a combination of them with the same weights of the structure. The latter are often "hidden" loads,
as they are automatically calculated by the program during data entry and are imposed on the operator without being
visible, so they may confuse a novice user. Achieving zero values ​for the same weight and mass so that they are not
automatically calculated by the program can be achieved in several ways,

1.5. Definition of cross sections

The next step in the simulation is usually to determine the cross-sections of the various elements (linear, surface or
spatial) that make up the vector. More specifically, the geometry of each cross-section (dimensions and cross-section
shape) is described, from which its various geometric characteristics (area, moments of inertia, etc.) arise.
The information to be given in each cross-section is related to the type of structural element. Thus, in linear elements,
where the basic dimension (length or height of the element) has already been given during the formation of the carrier,
the shape and dimensions should be given at cross-sectional level in a section perpendicular to the long dimension (e.g.
.rectangular shape and dimensions for simple columns, paver for beams with cooperating slab width, etc.). In the surface
elements, respectively, when defining the geometry of the carrier, their two basic dimensions have already been defined.
Therefore, when defining their cross-sectional elements, the third dimension should be given, i.e. the thickness of the
specific surface elements. In some structural analysis programs,

1.6. Loads

An important stage in the simulation is the determination of the loads imposed on the carrier. Loads should be divided
into categories according to their type, such as permanent, mobile, seismic, temperature changes, etc. They are then
grouped into combinations of loads, in order to render the intensive state of the carrier in some specific cases (e.g.
combination failure for vertical loads, seismic combination of loads, etc.). The way of imposing the loads of each category,
as well as the combinations between them, are usually specified in detail in the Regulations, especially with regard to
special categories of loading such as the seismic stress of the carrier.
Depending on the requirements of the study and the type of imposed loading, the simplest analysis case is the linear
elastic analysis under static loading, while in cases usually associated with seismic loads dynamic spectral analysis is often
required, but again in the linear elastic range of material behavior and of the structural elements of the body. The
previous types of analysis cover to a significant extent the modern regulatory requirements for the study of building
projects.
More specialized study cases concern the elastic analysis under dynamically changing loading, but also the inelastic
analysis under static or dynamic loads. In the last chapters of the book there is a presentation of the specific, more
complex, types of analysis, more to serve as an introduction for users who intend to delve deeper into corresponding
objects of study.

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1.7. Additional carrier features

In addition to the above basic categories of data, during the simulation of a building body in a finite element program,
depending on the special characteristics of the structure under consideration, a number of additional elements should be
defined. Indicatively, in carriers with a reinforced concrete slab and a suitable plan shape, a diaphragm function should be
given at the levels of the floors, which will describe the uniform movement of the nodes on each floor. Also, rigid (or rigid)
ends can be defined on line elements to account for the significant stiffness of beams and columns in the nodal regions.
At the same time, there is the possibility to change the degrees of freedom based on which the problem is analyzed, and
to choose e.g. planar resolution when the problem involves in-plane frame response. The above elements are related to
the requirements of each construction being simulated, but also the possibilities offered in each analysis program.

1.8. Carrier analysis and control results

After the end of the data entry follows the analysis of the body and the extraction of the results. Often the overview of
the results is a complex process in itself, since, especially in cases of analyzes that include the seismic response of the
structure, the volume of results for all load combinations is large and its processing by the user is particularly demanding.

Bibliographic references of Chapter 1

ANSYS. (2000). ANSYS user's manual (Release 8.1). Houston, USA: SAS IP Inc.
Argyris, J., & Kelsey, S. (1960). Energy theorems and structural analysis. London: Butterworth.
Bathe, KJ (1996). Finite element procedures. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Clough, RW (1960). The finite element method in plane stress analysis. Paper presented at the 2nd ASCE Conference on
Electronic Computation, Pittsburgh, PA.
Computers and Structures Inc. (2010). CSI Analysis reference manual for SAP2000, ETABS, and SAFE. Berkeley, California,
USA: CSI.
Cook, RD, Malkus, DS, & Plesha, ME (1989). Concepts and applications of finite element analysis (Third ed.). New York:
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Cook, RD (1995). Finite element modeling for stress analysis. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Hitchings, D. (Ed.). (1992). NAFEMS – A finite element dynamics primer. Birniehill, Glasgow: Bell and Bain Ltd.
Huebner, KH, Dewhirst, DL, Smit, DE, & Byrom, TG (2001). The finite element method for engineers (Fourth ed.). New York:
John Wiley & Sons.
Reddy, JN (2006). An introduction to the finite element method (Third ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Turner, MJ, Clough, RW, Martin, HC, & Top, LJ (1956). Stiffness and deflection analysis of complex structures. Journal of
Aeronautical Science , 23(805-823).
Avramidis, I., Athanatopoulou, A., Morfidis, K., & Sextos, A. (2011). Seismic design of O/S buildings and numerical
examples of analysis & dimensioning according to Eurocodes. Thessaloniki.
.
Gotsis, P. (2008). Finite Elements (2nd ed.) Thessaloniki: ZITI Publications.
Kirtas, E., & Panagopoulos, G. (2013). Workshop Notes: Special Statics Chapters (SAP 2000 v.14 and Master-Fespa 10
v.5.4.0.14). Serres: Civil Engineering Department, T.E.I. Serron.
Pitilakis, K., Kirtas, E., & Sextos, A. (2003). Static study of the roof of the Zacosta tower for the repositioning of the stone
lighthouse turret. Thessaloniki: Laboratory of Soil Mechanics and Foundations, Department of Civil Engineering,
AUTH.

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Sextos, A., & Katsanos, E. (2009). Programming techniques and use of PC software in construction. Thessaloniki: Aivazi
Publications.
Tsamasfyros, G., & Theotokoglou, E. (2005). Finite element method I. Athens: Symmetria Publications.

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