Higher Technological Institute

Biomedical and Systems Engineering Department

MDE 244
Modeling and Simulation
Lecture 6
Dr. Mostafa Elhussien

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 Modeling and Simulation
Modelling and Simulation are the process of designing a model of a real
system and conducting experiments with this model for the purpose of
understanding the behavior of the system (operation of the system)
Source System

Modeling Simulation

• Obtain a set of equations • Use the mathematical

(mathematical model) model to determine the Experimentation Mathematical
Results Modelling
that describes the response of system in
behavior of the system different situations.
• A model describes the • It refers to the procedure
mathematical of solving the equations
relationship between that resulted from model Simulation
Model
inputs and outputs development

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 Advantages of Simulation
Study the complex Understand the
Optimize the system Design a new system
systems behavior of the system
• Simulation enables the • Informational, • By changing simulation • “What-if” questions can
study of, and organizational, and inputs and observing be answered. This is
experimentation with, environmental changes the resulting outputs, particularly useful in
the internal interactions can be simulated, and valuable insight may be the design of new
of a complex system, or the effect of these obtained into which system.
of a subsystem within a alterations on the variables are most
complex system. model’s behavior can important and how
be observed variables interact.
• A simulation study can
help in understanding
how the system
operates rather than
how individuals think
the system operates.

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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• The finite element method (FEM), sometimes referred to as finite element analysis (FEA), is a computational
technique used to obtain approximate solutions of boundary value problems in engineering.

• Boundary value problem is a mathematical problem in which one or more dependent variables must satisfy a
differential equation everywhere within a known domain of independent variables and satisfy specific conditions
on the boundary of the domain.

• Boundary value problems are also sometimes called field problems.

• The field is the domain of interest and most often represents a physical structure.

• The field variables are the dependent variables of interest governed by the differential equation.

• The boundary conditions are the specified values of the field variables (or related variables such as derivatives) on
the boundaries of the field.

• Depending on the type of physical problem being analyzed, the field variables may include physical displacement,
temperature, heat flux, and fluid velocity.
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• The finite element method (FEM), sometimes referred to as finite element analysis (FEA), is a
numerical method for solving problems of engineering and mathematical physics.

• Typical problem areas of interest in engineering and mathematical physics that are solvable by
use of the finite element method include
• Structural analysis,
• Heat transfer,
• Fluid flow,
• Mass transport,
• Electromagnetic potential.
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• For physical systems involving complicated geometries, loadings, and material
properties, it is generally not possible to obtain analytical mathematical solutions
to simulate the response of the physical system.

• Analytical solutions are those given by a mathematical expression that yields the
values of the desired unknown quantities at any location in a body (here total
structure or physical system of interest) and are thus valid for an infinite number
of locations in the body.

• These analytical solutions generally require the solution of ordinary or partial

differential equations, typically created by engineers, physicists, and
mathematicians to eliminate the need for the creation and testing of numerous
prototype designs, which may be quite costly.
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• Because of the complicated geometries, loadings, and material properties, the
solution to these differential equations is usually not obtainable.

• Hence, we need to rely on numerical methods, such as the finite element method,
that can approximate the solution to these equations.

• The finite element formulation of the problem results in a system of simultaneous

algebraic equations for solution, rather than requiring the solution of differential
equations.

• These numerical methods yield approximate values of the unknowns at discrete

numbers of points in the continuum.
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• Hence, this process of modeling a body by dividing it into an
equivalent system of smaller bodies of units (finite elements)
interconnected at points common to two or more elements (nodal points
or nodes) and/or boundary lines and/or surfaces is called meshing or
discretization.

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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• Figure shows a cross section of a concrete dam and a
bicycle wrench, respectively, that illustrate this
process of discretization, where the dam has been
divided into 490 plane triangular elements and the
wrench has been divided into 254 plane quadrilateral
elements.

• In both models the elements are connected at nodes

and along inter element boundary lines.

• In the finite element method, instead of solving the

problem for the entire body in one operation, we
formulate the equations for each finite element and
then combine them to obtain the solution for the
whole body.
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• The finite element analysis (FEA) is used for solving problems of engineering and
mathematical physics using a numerical technique called the Finite Element Method (FEM).

• FEM effectively replacing a complex problem by many simple problems that need to be solved
simultaneously.

• FEM divides the model into many small pieces of simple shapes called finite elements
interconnected at points called nodal points or nodes.

• The process of dividing is called meshing or discretization.

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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• Elements share common points called nodes.
node
• The process of dividing the model into small pieces is Element
called meshing.
• The behavior of each element is well-known under all Element
possible support and load scenarios.
node
• The finite element method uses elements with different
shapes.
• The response at any point in an element is interpolated
from the response at the element nodes.
• Each node is fully described by a number of parameters
depending on the analysis type and the element used.
• For example, the temperature of a node fully describes its
response in thermal analysis.
• For structural analyses, the response of a node is described,
in general, by three translations and three rotations.
• These are called degrees of freedom (DOFs).

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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method

Elements Nodes

Meshing

Model
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 Basic Concepts of the
Finite Element Method
• Meshing is one of the key components to obtaining
accurate results from an FEA model.

• By using meshing, the entire system can be solved by

finding the equations of the finite elements instead of
infinite equations for the infinite degree of freedoms.

• The smaller the mesh size, the more accurate the

solution as the designs are better sampled across the
physical domains.

• The trade-off is that the higher the accuracy, the

larger the simulations become and thus solve times
are extended.

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 General Procedure of the Finite element Analysis
Preprocessing Solutions Postprocessing
• Understanding the problem • Derive the equations of the • The final goal is to interpret
(Stress-strain analysis, Heat primary unknown parameters and analyze the results for
flow, fluid flow, and so on). for each finite element suggestion and
• Define the geometry domain of • Derive the equations of the recommendation for design
the problem secondary unknown parameters change or developing a new
• Define the element type for each finite element design
• Define the number of elements • Compute the primary unknown
• Define the material properties values of the system (e.g.
of the elements displacement in stress-strain
analysis)
• Define the geometric properties
of the elements (length, area, • Compute the derived variables
…) (secondary unknown
parameters) such as reaction
• Define the boundary conditions
force, element stress, element
• Define the loads of the system strain heat flow, and so on.

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 General Procedure of the Finite element Analysis
Idealization of geometry
Discretization Numerical solver
(if necessary)
Type of Material
analysis properties

Mathematical
Model

Loads Supports
CAD geometry Simplified geometry FEA model FEA results

CAD FEA Pre-processing FEA Solution FEA Post-processing

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 General Procedure of the Finite element Analysis
Idealization of geometry
Discretization Numerical solver
(if necessary)
Type of Material
analysis properties

Mathematical
Model

Loads Supports
CAD geometry Simplified geometry FEA model FEA results

CAD FEA Pre-processing FEA Solution FEA Post-processing

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types (Discretization/Meshing Step)
General Steps of the Finite element Analysis

Step 2 Define the Shape Function (Define the Primary Unknown Parameters)

Step 3 (Define the Secondary Unknown Parameters).

Step 4 Derive the Property Matrix and Equations for Each Finite Element

Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or Total Equations and Introduce
Boundary Conditions

Step 6 Solve the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (Solve the Primary Unknown Parameters)

Step 7 Solve the Secondary Unknown Parameters for Each Element

Step 8 Display and Interpretation of Results

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types (Discretization/Meshing Step)

• Step 1 involves dividing the body (geometry) into a number of parts using units called finite
elements interconnected at points called nodes and choosing the most appropriate element type
for the model
• The elements must be made small enough to give usable results and yet large enough to reduce
computational effort.
• The choice of the most appropriate element for a particular problem is one of the major tasks
that must be carried out by the designer/analyst.
• Elements that are commonly employed in practice are shown in the next figures.

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types (Discretization/Meshing Step)

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types (Discretization/Meshing Step)

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types (Discretization/Meshing Step)

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 2 Define the Shape Function (Define the Primary Unknown Parameters)
Define the Displacement Function

• Step 2 involves choosing a shape function for each element. The primary unknown parameters
are the first and principle parameter obtained by the FEM which are calculated at each element
of the model.
• Frequently used primary unknown parameters in the FEA in engineering are as follows:
• Stress Analysis: Displacement (U) at nodes
• Heat Transfer Analysis: Temperature (T) at the nodes
• Fluid Dynamic Analysis: Velocity at (V) at the nodes
• Electrostatic Analysis: Electric Potential (V) at the nodes

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 2 Define the Shape Function (Define the Primary Unknown Parameters)
Define the Displacement Function

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 3 (Define the Secondary Unknown Parameters).
Define the Strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain Relationships [Stress-Strain Analysis]

• Other related parameters known as the secondary parameters are estimated from the primary unknown parameters.
• For example, in stress-strain analysis the primary unknown parameters are nodal displacements, and the secondary
unknown parameters are stress and strain which can be obtained by the strain/displacement stress/strain for each
finite element.
• In the case of one-dimensional deformation, say, in the x direction, we have strain 𝜀𝑥 related to displacement u by
𝜀𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢Τ𝑑𝑥
• In addition, the stresses must be related to the strains through the stress/strain law, generally called the constitutive
law.
• The simplest of stress/strain laws, Hooke’s law, which is often used in stress analysis, is given by 𝝈𝒙 = 𝑬 𝜺𝒙,
where 𝝈𝒙 is the stress in the x direction and E is the modulus of elasticity.
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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 4 Derive the Property Matrix and Equations for Each Finite Element
Derive the Stiffness Matrix and Equations for Each Finite Element

• The property matrix and equations for each finite element are calculated using the direct
equilibrium method with the following equation {f} = [k] {d}, where [k] which represent
the property of a finite element that relates nodal behaviors {d} to nodal actions {f} of a
single element
• For example, in the stress-strain analysis, the stiffness matrix and equations for each
finite element are calculated using the direct equilibrium method with the following
equation {f} = [k] {d}, where [k] which represent the stiffness matrix of a finite element
that relates nodal displacements {d} to nodal forces {f} of a single element
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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or Total Equations and
Introduce Boundary Conditions

• In this step the individual element nodal equilibrium equations generated in step 4 are
assembled into the global nodal equilibrium equations.
• This step assembles all individual element equations derived in step 4 to provide the
stiffness equation of the entire system.
• The final assembled or global equation written in matrix form is {F} = [K] {d} where
{F} is the vector of global nodal forces, [K] is the structure global or total stiffness
matrix, and {d} is the vector of known and unknown structure nodal degrees of freedom
or generalized displacements.
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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or Total Equations and
Introduce Boundary Conditions

• For example, in the stress strain analysis, {F} is the vector of global nodal forces, [K] is the structure
global or total stiffness matrix (for most problems, the global stiffness matrix is square and symmetric),
and {d} is the vector of known and unknown structure nodal degrees of freedom or generalized
displacements.
Property [K] Behavior [d] Action [F]
Elastic Stiffness Displacement Force
Thermal Conductivity Temperature Heat Source
Fluid Viscosity Velocity Body Force
Electrostatic Permittivity Electric Potential Charge

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 6 Solve the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (Solve the Primary Unknown Parameters)
(Solve the Unknown Displacements)

• After introducing boundary conditions and forces, primary unknown (displacements in

stress-strain analysis) for each element can be estimated by the inverse matrix method.
{F} = [K] {d}.

• where now n is the structure total number of unknown nodal degrees of freedom
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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 7 Solve the Secondary Unknown Parameters for Each Element
Solve the Strains and Stresses in the Stress-Strain Analysis

• For the structural stress-analysis problem, important secondary quantities of strain and
stress (or moment and shear force) can be obtained because they can be directly
expressed in terms of the displacements determined in step 6.
• Typical relationships between strain and displacement and between stress and strain—
such as Eqs 𝜀𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 Τ𝑑𝑥 and 𝝈𝒙 = 𝑬 𝜺𝒙 . for one-dimensional stress given in step 3—
can be used.

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 General Steps of the Finite element Analysis
Step 8 Display and Interpretation of Results

• The final goal is to interpret and analyze the results for use in the design/analysis
process.
• Determination of locations in the structure where large deformations and large
stresses occur is generally important in making design/analysis decisions.
• Postprocessor computer programs help the user to interpret the results by
displaying them in graphical form.

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 Applications of the Finite Element Method
The finite element method can be used to analyze both structural and nonstructural problems

Typical structural areas include Nonstructural problems include

• Stress analysis, including truss and frame analysis • Heat transfer, such as in electronic devices
(such as pedestrian walk bridges, high rise emitting heat as in a personal computer
building frames, and windmill towers), and stress microprocessor chip, engines, and cooling fins in
concentration problems, typically associated with radiators
holes, fillets, or other changes in geometry in a • Fluid flow, including seepage through porous
body (such as automotive parts, pressures vessels, media (such as water seeping through earthen
medical devices, aircraft, and sports equipment) dams), cooling ponds, and in air ventilation
• Buckling, such as in columns, frames, and vessels systems as used in sports arenas, etc., air flow
• Vibration analysis, such as in vibratory equipment around racing cars, yachting boats, and surfboards,
• Impact problems, including crash analysis of etc.
vehicles, projectile impact, and bodies falling and • Distribution of electric or magnetic potential, such
impacting objects as in antennas and transistors

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 Advantages of the Finite Element Method

1. Model irregularly shaped bodies quite easily

Advantages of the Finite

2. Handle general load conditions without difficulty

Element Method

3. Model bodies composed of several different materials because the element equations
are evaluated individually

4. Handle unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary conditions

5. Vary the size of the elements to make it possible to use small elements where
necessary

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 Biomedical FEM Examples

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 Biomedical FEM Examples

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