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Module 4 (Part I)

The document discusses the finite element method (FEM) for one-dimensional and two-dimensional problems, focusing on stiffness matrices, shape functions, and element modeling. It explains the discretization of regions into elements, the types of forces involved, and the use of shape functions for interpolation between nodes. Additionally, it covers the derivation of shape functions and their application in finite element analysis, emphasizing the importance of natural coordinate systems.

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Tulsi R. Khanal
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© © All Rights Reserved
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3 views

Module 4 (Part I)

The document discusses the finite element method (FEM) for one-dimensional and two-dimensional problems, focusing on stiffness matrices, shape functions, and element modeling. It explains the discretization of regions into elements, the types of forces involved, and the use of shape functions for interpolation between nodes. Additionally, it covers the derivation of shape functions and their application in finite element analysis, emphasizing the importance of natural coordinate systems.

Uploaded by

Tulsi R. Khanal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 4 (Part one)

One dimensional FEM:


stiffness matrix for beam and bar elements, shape functions for 1D element

Two dimensional FEM:


different types of elements for plane stress and plane strain analysis, displacement models,
generalized coordinates, shape functions, convergent and compatibility requirements,
geometric invariance, natural coordinate system, area and volume coordinates, generation of
element stiffness and nodal load matrices
One-Dimensional Problems (Introduction)
• The total potential energy and the stress-strain and strain-displacement
relationships are now used in developing the finite element method for a one-
dimensional problem.
• For the one-dimensional problem, the stress, strain, displacement, and loading
depend only on the variable x.
• That is, the vectors u,𝜎, 𝜖, T, and f now reduce to

• Furthermore, the stress-strain and strain-displacement relations are

• For one-dimensional problems, the differential volume dV can be written as


The loading consists of three types: the body force f, the traction force T, and the
point load Pi.
A body force is a distributed force acting on every elemental volume of the body and
has the units of force per unit volume. The self-weight due to gravity is an example of
a body force.
A traction force is a distributed load acting on the surface of the body, defined as force
per unit area. For the 1D, it is defined as force per unit length. This is done by taking
the traction force to be the product of the force per unit area with the perimeter of the
cross section.
Frictional resistance, viscous drag, and surface shear are examples of traction forces in
one-dimensional problems.
Finally, Pi is a force acting at a point i and u, is the x displacement at that point.

The basic idea is to discretize the region and express the displacement field in terms of values at discrete points.
Linear elements are introduced first. Stiffness and load concepts are developed using Potential Energy and Galerkin
approaches. Boundary conditions are then considered
Finite Element Modeling
Element Division
• The first step is to model the bar as a stepped shaft,
consisting of a discrete number of elements, each having a
uniform cross sections
• A simple scheme for doing this is to divide the bar into four
regions
• average cross-sectional area within each region is evaluated
and then used to define an element with uniform cross-
section. The resulting four-element, five-node finite
element model is shown in Fig. 3.2b
• In the finite element model, every element connects to two
nodes the element numbers are circled to distinguish them
from node numbers.
• In addition to the cross section, traction and body forces are also (normally) treated as constant within each
element.
• However, cross-sectional area, traction, and body forces can differ in magnitude from element to element.
• Better approximations are obtained by increasing the number of elements.
• It is convenient to define a node at each location where a point load is applied
Numbering Scheme
• In a one-dimensional problem, every node is permitted to displace only in the ±x
direction. Thus, each node has only one degree of freedom (dof).
• The five-node finite element model in Fig. 3.2b has five dofs. The displacements
along each dof are denoted by Q1,Q2,…Q5.
• In fact, the column vector Q=[Q1,Q2,…,Q5]T is called the global displacement
vector. The global load vector is denoted by F= [F1,F2,…,F3]T
• The vectors Q and F are shown in Fig. 3.3
• The sign convention used is that a displacement or load has a positive value if
acting along the + x direction. At this stage, conditions at the boundary are not
imposed.
• For example, node 1 in Fig. 3.3 is fixed, which implies Q1 = 0.
Element stiffness matrix, Body force vector, Traction-force vector
Element stiffness matrix for 1-D element
𝐴𝐸 1 −1
[K] =
𝐿 −1 1
K is linearly proportional to the product of AE and inversely proportional to the length of
element

Element body force vector f is defined as


𝐴𝐿𝑓 1
[f] =
2 1
AL is the volume of the element and f is the body force per unit volume
𝑇𝐿 1
Element Traction-force vector is [T] =
2 1
Shape Function
• the direct stiffness method to compute degrees of freedom at the
element nodes.
• However, we are also interested in the value of the solution at
positions inside the element.
• To calculate values at positions other than the nodes we interpolate
between the nodes using shape functions.
• We need to derive a function to compute values of the displacement at
locations between the nodes.
• This interpolation function is called the shape function.
• Note that, for linear elements, the polynomial interpolation function is
first order. If the element was second order, the polynomial function
would be second order (quadratic), and so on.
• Discretization leads to solution in the nodes, but no information concerning the
space in between
• Shape functions required to approximate quantities between nodes
• Underlying assumption of how quantities are distributed in an element (stiffness,
mass, element loads; displacements, strains, stress, internal forces, etc.)
Geometry transformation
• Each shape function has a value of 1 at its own node and a value of zero at
the other nodes. The sum of the shape functions sums to one.

• The shape functions are also first order, just as the original polynomial was.
• The shape functions would have been quadratic if the original polynomial
has been quadratic.

• The element shape functions are stored within the element in commercial
FE codes.

• The positions 𝑋𝑖 are generated (and stored) when the mesh is created.
Once the nodal degrees of freedom are known, the solution at any point
between the nodes can be calculated using the (stored) element shape
functions and the (known) nodal positions.
• For the cases presented above, simple 1-dimensional elements were most appropriate, but for
many practical applications we may encounter more complex 2- and 3-dimensional geometry. A
meshed geometry is shown in Fig.5.
Coordinates and Shape Functions
• Consider a typical finite element e in Fig. 3.5a. In the local number
scheme, the first node will be numbered 1 and the second node 2.
The notation x1 = x-coordinate of node 1 and x2= x-coordinate of node
2 is used.
• We define a natural or intrinsic coordinate system, denoted by ξ, as
• The length of an element is covered when ξ changes from -1 to 1. We use this system of coordinates
in defining shape functions, which are used in interpolating the displacement field.
• the unknown displacement field within an element will be interpolated by a linear distribution (Fig.
below).

• This approximation becomes increasingly accurate as more elements are considered in the model. To
implement this linear interpolation, linear shape functions will be introduced as
• Once the shape functions are defined, the linear displacement field within the
element can be written in terms of the nodal displacements q1 and q2 as
u= N1q1 +N2q2, u= Nq, N[N1, N2] and q = [q1 , q2]T

• In these equations, q is referred to as the element displacement vector.


• It is readily verified that u = q1, at node 1, u = q2 at node 2, and that u varies linearly,
Fig. c in above slide.
• Now the transformation from x to ξ, can be written in terms of N1 and N2 as, x= N1x1
+N2x2
• Now we see both the displacement u and the coordinate x are interpolated within
the element using the same shape function N1 and N2. This is referred to as the
isoparametric formulation in the literature.
• For instance, we have so far derived our one-dimensional linear shape
functions using a global coordinate system with its origin at O – Fig.6.
These shape functions were:

However, they can be simplified further by using a non-dimensional natural


coordinate system. A natural coordinate system is shown in Fig.6. A coordinate at
the centre of the element is specified. From this reference frame, the shape
functions are:
Use of Shape Functions
• Used to interpolate between nodes

• Used to discretize continuous quantities to


nodal DOF i.e. continuous across element
discrete nodal quantities
How to derive shape functions
Interpolation functions are generally assumed! (within certain parameters and restrictions)
• Minimal amount of continuity / differentiability
• Etc.

Wish to implement this repetitive task as easily as possible, i.e. computer implementation using
highly optimized numerical schemes, and thus natural coordinates (r,s,t) are introduced ranging
from -1 < r,s,t < 1.
Derivation of shape functions: Bar element
Derivation of shape functions: Beam element

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