Finite Element Analysis

Lecture # 1 Dr. Waqar Ahmed Qureshi

FEA stands for Finite Element Analysis. FEA is also known as FEM (Finite Element
Method) or Numerical Analysis.
Software which we will study in this course will be:
1. Abaqus 6.14
2. Solidworks
3. Ansys
So, to start the subject, let’s have some discussion.
Let’s suppose a mobile phone is placed on the table. How much pressure mobile is applying
on the table?
For this question, first we must understand what pressure is. Pressure is equal to the force
acting on a unit surface area. i.e.
Assumptions:
weight of mobile m = 0.3 kg
g = 10 ms-2
As we know that
Force is given by:
F = W = mg = 0.3 * 10 = 3 N
Area is calculated as:
A = length * Width
= 0.16 * 0.07
A = 0.0112 m2
Now to calculate the pressure
P=F/A
P = 3 / 0.0112
Pressure acted by mobile on the table = 267.85 Pa

Similarly, If we have a plate with complex shape, we cannot calculate the exact area of that
plate so here FEM plays the role to determine the area. FEM divides the whole area in small
rectangles.
But there will be some sort of error because it is just an approximation. Error may be due to
some gaps left, so we can compromise on accuracy.
The process in which whole is dividing into small rectangle shapes is called meshing in FEA.
Basically, Mesh generates small rectangles or blocks on the area. This increases the analysis
time of the system if meshing is done so small.

Important Line of Discussion

If you don’t know the results of FEA analysis by up to 80% before you even start the
analysis, you shouldn’t be doing FEA at all.

Two Design Criteria of any object are.

1. Yield Strength
2. Ultimate Tensile Strength
The most used stresses are:
i. Torsional Stress
ii. Compressive Stress
iii. Tensile Stress
iv. Bending

Let’s look at the fan. How many stresses are continuously acting on the fan.
Bending and tension force is acting. Along with that, Cyclic / Vibrational / Harmonic Load is
also acting dua to its rotation. These loads are called fatigue. For example, continuous falling
of water drop on stone. So, to get information about fatigue, SN curve is plotted and
interpreted.
We use FEA for three main reasons:
 Geometric Complexity
 Loading Complexity
 Material Complexity

Validation of FEA is extremely important without which FEA is extremely useless.

Three approaches
 Analytical Oblique Mathematical (Formulae)
 Numerical Analysis FEA (Software)
 Experimental (practical)
 LECTURE#2

Introduction to FEM

For Rectangular Cross Section Cantilever Beam, We will use the following formula to
find the deflection and Stress in Beam.
Formulation is the key step of any FEA analysis.

δ B = F L 3 / (3 E I)
δ B = maximum deflection in B (m, mm, in)

E = modulus of elasticity (N/m 2 (Pa), N/mm 2 , lb/in 2 (psi))

I = moment of Inertia (m 4 , mm 4 , in 4 )

b = base length of cross section (m, mm, in)

The stress in a bending beam can be expressed as

σ=yM/I

where

σ = stress (Pa (N/m 2 ), N/mm 2 , psi)

y = distance to point from neutral axis (m, mm, in)

M = bending moment (Nm, lb in)

I = moment of Inertia (m 4 , mm 4 , in 4 )
Types of Inertia
Linear inertia: the property of a body to resist the position of rest or its motion in linear axis
Rotational moment of inertia depends upon
 Mass
 Distribution of mass
Mass moves away from center of axis the rotational moment of inertia increases

Bending moments of inertia: The resistance of a structure to bending forces, known as bending
moment of inertia, is independent of its mass and instead relies on the material's specific properties
Question
Find out the Maximum deflection and maximum stress of rectangular cantilever beam subjected to a
load of 100 N. The length of the beam is 50mm and height and width are 5mm and 10mm
respectively. The material is steel.
Solution
F=Force
L= length
E=210 G Pa = 210000 MPa
M = F * L = 100 * 50 = 5000 Nmm
3 3
b H 10 ×5
Case 1 I= = =104.16 mm4 (b = 10 mm h = 5 mm)
12 12
3 3
b H 5 ×10
Case 2 I= = =416.66 mm4 (b = 5 mm h = 10 mm)
12 12
The Maximum deflection in a bending beam can be expressed as

δ B = F L 3 / (3 E I)
Case 1
δ B = 100 * 50 3 / (3 (210000) (104.16) )
=0.1904 mm
Case 2
δ B = 100 * 50 3 / (3 (210000) (416.66) )
=0.0476 mm

The stress in a bending beam can be expressed as

σ=yM/I
Case 1
σ = 5000 * 2.5 /104.17
σ = 119.99 MPa
Case 2
σ = 5000 * 2.5 /416.66
σ = 60 MPa

HOME-TASK - 1
A cantilever of solid circular cross-section is subjected to a concentrated load of 100 N at its free end.
If the diameter of the cantilever is 10 mm and length of the beam is 50 mm, determine the maximum
stress and deflection in the cantilever beam.

Solution

Second moment of area, I = pi * D4 / 64 = 490.87 mm4

The maximum bending moment, namely M, will occur at the built-in end of the beam, i.e., on
the extreme right of the beam.
Maximum bending moment,
M = F x L = 100 N x 50 mm = 5000 N mm

The maximum stress occurs at the outermost fiber of the beam's cross-section from NA, at y
By inspection, y = 10/2 = 5 mm

The Maximum stress in a bending beam can be expressed as

σ = 5000 * 5 /490.87
σ = 50.9649 MPa

The Maximum deflection in a bending beam can be expressed as

δ B = 100 * 50 3 / (3 (210000) (490.87) )

δ B = 0.04041 mm
 HOME-TASK - 2
A cantilever beam of solid square cross-section is subjected to a load of 100 N at its free end. If the
width and height of the cantilever are both 10 mm and length of the beam is 50 mm, determine the
maximum stress and deflection in the cantilever beam.

 Given Data
b = 10 mm h = 10 mm F = 100 N L = 50 mm E = 210000 MPa

 Solution
3 3
b h 10× 10
Moment of area, I = = =833.33 mm4
12 12
Maximum bending moment,
M = F x L = 100 N x 50 mm = 5000 N mm

y = 10/2 = 5 mm

The Maximum stress in a bending beam can be expressed as

σ = 5000 * 5 / 833.33

σ = 30 MPa

The Maximum deflection in a bending beam can be expressed as

δ B = 100 * 50 3 / (3 (210000) (833.33) )

δ B = 0.02380 mm