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Session 01 C1T1 Introduction

The document provides an introduction to the Finite Element Method (FEM), a computational technique for solving boundary value problems in engineering. It explains key concepts such as independent and dependent variables, field variables, nodes, elements, and approximating functions. Additionally, it presents examples of boundary value problems in mechanical engineering, illustrating the application of FEM in various scenarios.

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10 views11 pages

Session 01 C1T1 Introduction

The document provides an introduction to the Finite Element Method (FEM), a computational technique for solving boundary value problems in engineering. It explains key concepts such as independent and dependent variables, field variables, nodes, elements, and approximating functions. Additionally, it presents examples of boundary value problems in mechanical engineering, illustrating the application of FEM in various scenarios.

Uploaded by

gv7c9xcpqq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

ME751
Mechanical IV/II
INTRODUCTION TO FINITE
ELEMENT METHOD
Session 01: Introduction

2021
Learning Objectives
• To define Finite Element Method.

• To define boundary value problem.


• To be familiar with independent variables, dependent variables,
field variables.

• To understand nodes, elements, approximating functions.

2
1.1 Introduction
Finite element method (FEM) is a computational technique used to
obtain the approximate solution of problems of different
engineering disciplines. Most of problems of engineering fields
appear in the form of boundary value problem.

A boundary value problem (BVP) is a mathematical form of a


physical problem in which one or more dependent variables must
satisfy either an ordinary differential equation or a partial
differential equation everywhere within a known domain of
independent variables and satisfy specific conditions on the
boundary of the domain.
A boundary value problem is also called a field problem. The filed
is the domain or physical region defined with respect to
independent variables.

The filed variables are the dependent variables which are expressed
in the form of differential equation.

The boundary conditions are the prescribed values of filed or


dependent variables (or their derivatives) on the boundaries of the
domain (for some specific values of independent variables).

Few examples of boundary value problems (field problems) of


mechanical engineering discipline are presented below.
Figure 1.1: A Bar with a
Variable Cross-sectional
Area Subjected to a
Variable Longitudinal
Force q(x) and a Point
Load F
𝑑 𝜕𝑢 𝑥
𝐸𝐴 𝑥 + 𝑞 𝑥 = 0, 0<𝑥<𝐿 … (𝟏. 𝟏)
𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝑥
𝑢 0 = 0, 𝐸𝐴 𝑥 =𝐹 … (𝟏. 𝟐)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿

For this problem, x is an independent variable (defining position


along the longitudinal direction of the bar), u(x) is the dependent or
field variable (defining the longitudinal displacement of any point
of the bar). This is an example of one-dimensional problem.
Figure 1.2: A Two Dimensional
Steady State Heat Transfer
Problem on a Surface

𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙
𝑘 + 𝑘 + 𝑄 = 0, 𝑖𝑛 Ω … (𝟏. 𝟑)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜙=𝜙 on Γϕ

𝜕𝜙
𝑘 +𝑞 =0 on Γq
𝜕𝜂 ….. (1.4)

𝜕𝜙
𝑘 + ℎ 𝜙 − 𝜙∞ = 0 on Γh
𝜕𝜂
For the two-dimensional heat transfer problem, x and y are
independent variable (defining a point on the surface), 𝜙 (x, y) is the
dependent or field variable (defining the temperature of any point of
the surface). This is an example of two-dimensional scalar field
problem.
Figure 1.3: A Plane Elasticity Problem

𝜕𝜎𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑢=𝑣=0 on Γu


+ +𝑋 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
… (1.5) 𝜎𝑥 𝜂𝑥 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝜂𝑦 = 𝑡𝑥 . (1.6)
𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝜎𝑦 on Γt
𝜕𝑥
+
𝜕𝑦
+𝑌 =0 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝜂𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 𝜂𝑦 = 𝑡𝑦

For this problem x and y are independent variable (defining a point


on the surface), 𝑢 (x, y) and 𝑣 (x, y) are the dependent or field
variable (defining the displacement components of any point of the
surface). This is an example of two-dimensional vector field
problem.
As seen in the above examples, governing equations of most of the
engineering systems appear in the form of ordinary differential
equations or partial differential equations. By applying the finite
element principles, theses differential equations can be converted
into system of linear equations and which can be further solved for
the values of field variables for certain points of the system.

For the continuum problems, such points and values of filed


variable for these points may be infinite, hence the finite element
procedure reduces such values to a finite number by dividing the
domain into small parts called elements and by expressing the
unknown field variables in terms of assumed approximating
functions within each element.
Such approximating functions are also called interpolating functions
or shape functions. Similarly the points which interconnect the finite
element are called nodes and the values of field variables at these
nodes are called the nodal values. Thus in the finite element analysis
the unknowns are the nodal values of the filed variables. Once these
are found the field variables at any point with the element can be
found by using interpolation functions.
Figure 1.4 shows a two-dimensional
domain divided into a finite number
of elements. In general, nodes are
specified by the numbers 1, 2, 3, …..
etc and the elements are specified by
the numbers with circles 1 , 2 , 3 , Figure 1.4: Specifications of
….. etc. Nodes and Elements
Review Questions
1. Define FEM.
2. Define a boundary value problem.
3. Give examples of common boundary value problems of
engineering.
4. Define independent variables, dependent variables, field
variables.
5. Define nodes, elements, approximating functions.

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