Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization

Optimization

Introduction to Finite Element Method 1/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization

Classification: The first step in solving a problem is to identify it.

What are the more important physical phenomena involved?

Is the problem time-indipendent or time-dependent? (Stress analysis terminology= Static or Dynamic?)
Is nonlinearity involved so that iterative solution is necessary?
What results are sought from analysis?
What accuracy is required?

Answers to such questions influence how much information must be gathered:

To carry out an analysis
To define how the problem should be modeled
To adopt the right/convenient method of solution

Introduction to Finite Element Method 2/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization

Classification: A complex problem may not lie entirely in one category.

An example is a fluid-structure interaction problem.

An earthquake excitation of a storage tank that contains liquid.

Motion of the liquid makes a thin-walled tank deflect, and deflection modifies the liquid motion.
Therefore structural displacement and fluid motion fields cannot be considered separately.
This example involves what may be called direct or mutual coupling: each field influences the other.

There is also what may be called indirect or sequential coupling, in which only one field influences the
other.

An example is ordinary analysis for thermal stresses, where temperature influences stresses but
stresses have negligible effects on temperature.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 3/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization
Modeling: An analytical method is applied to a model problem rather than to an actual physical problem

In modeling, the analyst seeks to exclude superfluous details but include all essential features, so that
analysis of the model is not necessarily complicated, yet provides results that describe the actual
problemwith sufficient accuracy.

Even laboratory experiments use models unless the actual physical structure is tested.
A model for analysis can be devised after the physical nature of the problem has been understood.

A geometric model becomes a mathematical model when its behavior is described, or approximated,
by selected differential equations and boundary conditions.
The equations, depending on their particular forms, may incorporate restrictions such as homogeneity,
isotropy, constancy of material properties, and so on.

It is important to recognize the FEA is simulation, not reality. FEA is applied to mathematical model.
Even very accurate FEA may be at odds with physical reality if the mathematical model is inappropriate
or inadequate

Introduction to Finite Element Method 4/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization
Modeling: A mathematical model is an idealization based on the analyst’s understanding of the physical problem

In stress analysis, for example, material may be regarded as homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic
(obviously, this is not the case);
A load distributed over a small area may be regarded as concentrated at a point
(obviously this is not the case);
A support may be designed as fixed
(obviously this is not the case);
A corner may be introduced for simplification and high stresses there ignored;
An almost-flat structure may be modeled as 2-D (neglecting stress variation along the thickness)
Behavior of an axisymmetric pressure vessel might be described by equations of axisymmetric elasticity
or by equations of axisymmetric shells, depending on whether the wall thickness is judged to be thick
or relatively thin.

Modeling decisions such as these precede FEA.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 5/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization
Discretization: A mathematical model is discretized by dividing it into a finite number of points

Thus a fully continuous field is represented by a piecewise continuous field defined by a finite number
of nodal quantities and simple interpolation within each element.
Relative to reality, two sources of error have now been introduced:
Modeling error and discretization error.
Modeling error can be reduced by improving the model
Dicretization error can be reduced by using more nodes.
Even if discretization error could be reduced to zero, reality is never perfectly represented beacause
modeling error remains.
As a very simple example of modeling and discretization, consider the following tapered support
Its cross-sectional area varies from Ab ar bottom to At at the top.
In modeling, we elect to show the ground as a rigid support.
The load distribution on the top becomes point load.
The assumption of homogeneous material is very convenient.
The stress distribution will be considered piecewise constant

Introduction to Finite Element Method 6/17

 Problem Classification, Modeling and Discretization
Discretization: After completing an analysis, always check the results!
For uniaxial stress and linear eleasticity, we can obtain a valid discretized model by representing the
tapered model by a stack of uniform members, each of elastic modulus E but different cross-sectional
area A.
Discretization error can be reduced by increasing the number of nodes.

This manner of discretizing a tapered structure is not at all new, but it can be regarded as a simple
instance of FEA.

After completing an analysis, it is important to check the results.

Possibly in a simple way, totally differen from the FEA.

For the analysed example, prior to dicretization, axial stresses throughout the model have magnitudes
between P/Ab and P/At.

Even simple checks such as this may detect a large error, due perhaps to a blunder in data input

Introduction to Finite Element Method 7/17

 Interpolation. Nodes, Elements and D.O.F.
The essence of FEA is approximation by piecewise interpolation of a field quantity.
Usually, polynomial interpolation is used.
Let’s illustrate the method by applying it to the tapered rod shwon before, modeled as a problem of
uniaxial stress.

This figure shows a discretization of a tapered rod into

three elements, each uniform, linearly elastic and of
length L. The field quantity is axial displacement u.
Along a typical element u is stated in terms of nodal
displacements ui and uj by the equation
𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠
𝑢𝑢 = 1 − 𝑢𝑢𝑖𝑖 + 𝑢𝑢𝑗𝑗
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
where s is an axial coordinate along the element.
Linear displacement u=u(s) dictates that the axial
strain and the relative stress are constant over an
element.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 8/17

 Interpolation. Nodes, Elements and D.O.F.
From the stress-strain relationship 𝜎𝜎 = 𝐸𝐸𝜀𝜀 and the elementary definition of strain as change in length,
the following expressions for axial stress in the respective elements is obtained:
𝑢𝑢2 − 𝑢𝑢1 𝑢𝑢3 − 𝑢𝑢2 𝑢𝑢4 − 𝑢𝑢3
𝜎𝜎1−2 = 𝐸𝐸 𝜎𝜎2−3 = 𝐸𝐸 𝜎𝜎3−4 = 𝐸𝐸
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
Remember that 𝑢𝑢1 = 0
This problem is simple enough that the FE solution can be obtained without matrix formulation. The three
rod elements are each uniform. Nodal displacements can be obtained from the elementary expression for
elongation of a rod under axial load:
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃
𝑢𝑢1 = 0 𝑢𝑢2 = 𝑢𝑢3 = 𝑢𝑢2 + 𝑢𝑢4 = 𝑢𝑢3 +
6𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 4𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
The displacement plot is reminiscent of using straight lines for numerical interpolation between points on a
continous curve, but here points do not lie on the correct curve. Nodal values of field quantities are not exact.
Exact means full agreement with behavior of the mathematical model, not necessarily agreement with physical
reality. The stairstep axial stress plot shows that stresses in this example are accurate at element centers. Elsewher
stresses are represented less accurately than displacements, as should be expected in FEA results because most
finite elements are based on displacement fields, and stresses are usually computed from displacement gradients.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 9/17

 Other Elements
The following figure shows a three-node triangular element that can represent a 2-D field 𝜙𝜙 = 𝜙𝜙 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦
which could be temperature, voltage, displacements and so on. According to the element
definition, the field equation may be written as
𝜙𝜙 = 𝑎𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎3 𝑦𝑦
The three 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖 can be expressed in terms of values of 𝜙𝜙 at the three element nodes.

The next figures shows that a mesh of these elements approximates a smooth
function by asurface of triangular facets.
Examples of other elements are the four-node rectangular and the six-node
triangular element whose files expressione are, respectively, written as:

𝜙𝜙 = 𝑎𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎3 𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎4 𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 𝜙𝜙 = 𝑎𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎3 𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎4 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑎5 𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎6 𝑦𝑦 2
The four-node rectangular element displays a surface that may be flat or warped. The six-
node triangular element can display a paraboilic surface. In all these elements the
variation of the field function along an element edge is completely determined by its
values at nodes on that edge.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 10/17

 Degrees of Freedom, d.o.f.
Summing up, it may be said that FEA is an analysis method in which field variable is approximated by connecting
simple interpolation functions, each defined over a small region, called finite element. The interpolation function
is adapted to the number of nodes in the element type and the amplitudes of its parameters are determined by
numerical values of the field quantity at specific points called nodes.

Elements are connected at nodes, where they share values of the field quantity (and may share also one or more
derivatives). Nodes are also locations where loads are applied and boundary conditions are imposed.

Degrees of freedom are independent quantities that govern the spatial variation of a field. The field equation of
six-node triangular element has six d.o.f., namely the six ai. Each six-node triangular element has 12 d.o.f.,
namely six nodal diplacement ui that govern the x-direction displacement field and six nodal displacement vi that
govern the y-direction displacement field. The ui and vi are displacements of specific points; in general the ai are
not.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 11/17

 Solving a Problem by FEA
Solving a practical problem by FEA involves learning about the problem, preparing a mathematical model,
discretizing it, having the computer do calculations, anche checking the results.

Most often, more than one cycle through these steps is required.

Time spent by the computer is a small fraction of time spent by the analyst, but the analyst must have an
understanding of what the computer is doing.
As said, the analyst must understand the nature of the problem. Without this step a proper model cannot be
devised, nor can FEA software be told what to do. At present software does not automatically decide that
nonlinear analysis is to be undertaken if stresses are high enough to produce yielding, that buckling is to be
considered if thin sections carry compressive load, and so on.

Altough the trend is for software to be given more decision-making capability, the analyst should not abdicate
control.

Software has limitations and almost certainly contains errors, yet the engineer, not the software provider, is
legally responsible for results obtained.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 12/17

 Preliminary Analysis
Before approaching a FEA, at least one preliminary solution should be obtained, using whatever means are
conveniently available (simple analytical calculations, handbook formulas, trusted previous solutions, or
experiment).

Some of this effort may lead to a better mathematical model.

Doing this work before FEA rather than after, it is reduced a natural tendency to find answers that support
whatever FEA resulta have been already obtained.

It is easy to make mistakes in supplying data to software, and even a crude preliminary solution may detect a
result that errs greatly due to a mistake in data input

Very often, simple structure is a “key-lecture” for understanding more complex behaviors or structures

Introduction to Finite Element Method 13/17

 Finite Element Analysis
Preprocessing
Input data describes geometry, material properties, loads, boundary conditions. Software can
automatically prepare much of the FE mesh, but must be given direction as to the type of element and
the mesh density desired.
Numerical Analysis
Software automatically generates matrices that describe tha behavior of each element, combines these
matrices into a large matrix equation that represent the FE structure, and solves this equation to
determine values of field quantities at nodes. Substantial additional calculations are performed if
behavior is nonlinear or time-dependent.
Postprocessing
The FEA solution and quantities derived from it are listed or graphically diplayed. This step is also
automatic, except that the analyst must tell the software whtat lists or displays to prepare. In stress
analysis typical displays include the deformed shape, with deformations exaggerated and probably
animated, and stresses of various types on various planes.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 14/17

 Check the Results
First, we examine results qualitatively and ask if they look right, that is are there obvious errors?
Have we solved the problem we intended to solve, or some other problem?
Boundary conditions are often misrepresented: does the deformed structure behave as expected?
The expected symmetries, if any, are reproduced by the obtained results?

If answers to such questions are satisfactory, FEA results are compared with solutions from preliminary
analysis, and with any other useful information that may be available.

Investigation harmonized with all available clues and be careful with regard to beautiful stress plots.

Rarely is the first FE analysis satisfactory (after blunders are corrected). Uncomfortably large discrepancies
between what is expected and what is computed demand explanation. Either physical understanding or the
FE model, or both, may be at fault.

When analyzing a new problem, it is almost always appropriate to begin with a simple FE model, to which
details are added as the analyst learn more.

Introduction to Finite Element Method 15/17

 Flow of an analysis project by FEA

Introduction to Finite Element Method 16/17

 Some Useful Webistes

https://femci.gsfc.nasa.gov/

https://ocw.mit.edu/

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/

http://www.mscsoftware.com/

http://mathworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqmwt8CJfxA

Introduction to Finite Element Method 17/17