Finite Element for

Civil Engineers
CE255P

Dr. Gilford B. Estores

[email protected]
mobile: 0917-8061375
 What is Finite-Element Method
(FEM)?
• Finite Element Method is an
analytical procedure that is
based on concept that a
continuum can be modeled by
its subdivision into regions in
which the behavior is
described by a separate set of
assumed functions that
ensures continuity of the
described behavior
throughout the complete
continuum.
 FEM vs Hand Calculations vs Mechanical
Testing
Hand Mechanical FEM
Calculations Testing
Provide Often Accurate
accurate expensive solution is
results but and does not obtained at
are typically provide the each point in
useful for material the model as
only simple response at the number
geometries. each point of of elements
the structure. is increased.
 Origins of FEM
• First developed in 1943 by R. Courant, who
utilized the Ritz method of numerical
analysis and minimization of variational
calculus to obtain approximate solutions to
vibration systems.
• The term finite element was first coined by
Clough in 1960. In the early 1960s,
engineers used the method for
approximate solution of problems in stress
analysis, fluid flow, heat transfer, and
other areas.
• The first book on the FEM by Zienkiewicz
and Chung was published in 1967.
 Origins of FEM (cont.)
• In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the
FEM was applied to a wide variety of
engineering problems.
• The 1970s marked advances in
mathematical treatments, including the
development of new elements, and
convergence studies.
• Most commercial FEM software packages
originated in the 1970s (ABAQUS, ADINA,
ANSYS, MARK, PAFEC) and 1980s
(FENRIS, LARSTRAN ’80, SESAM ’80)
 Advantages of FEM
• Can readily handle complex geometry:
– The heart and power of the FEM.
• Can handle complex analysis types:
– Vibration
– Transients
– Nonlinear
– Heat transfer
– Fluids
• Can handle complex loading:
– Node-based loading (point loads).
– Element-based loading (pressure,
thermal, inertial forces).
– Time or frequency dependent loading.
 Advantages of FEM (cont.)
• Can handle complex restraints:
– Indeterminate structures can be analyzed.
• Can handle bodies comprised of
nonhomogeneous materials:
– Every element in the model could be
assigned a different set of material
properties.
• Can handle bodies comprised of nonisotropic
materials:
– Orthotropic
– Anisotropic
 Advantages of FEM (cont.)
• Special material effects are handled:
– Temperature dependent properties.
– Plasticity
– Creep
– Swelling
• Special geometric effects can be
modeled:
– Large displacements.
– Large rotations.
– Contact (gap) condition.
 How can the FEM help the Design
Engineer?
• The FEM offers many important
advantages to the design engineer:
– Easily applied to complex, irregular-
shaped objects composed of several
different materials and having
complex boundary conditions.
– Applicable to steady-state, time
dependent and eigenvalue problems.
– Applicable to linear and nonlinear
problems.
 How can the FEM help the Design
Engineer? (cont.)
– One method can solve a wide variety
of problems, including problems in
solid mechanics, fluid mechanics,
chemical reactions, electromagnetics,
biomechanics, heat transfer and
acoustics, to name a few.
– General-purpose FEM software
packages are available at reasonable
cost, and can be readily executed on
microcomputers, including
workstations and PCs.
 How can the FEM help the Design
Engineer? (cont.)
– The FEM can be coupled to CAD
programs to facilitate solid modeling
and mesh generation.
– Many FEM software packages feature
GUI interfaces, auto-meshers, and
sophisticated postprocessors and
graphics to speed the analysis and
make pre and post-processing more
user-friendly.
 Disadvantages of FEM
• A specific numerical result is obtained for
a specific problem. A general closed-
form solution, which would permit one to
examine system response to changes in
various parameters, is not produced.
• The FEM is applied to an approximation
of the mathematical model of a system
(the source of so-called inherited errors.)
• Experience and judgment are needed in
order to construct a good finite element
model.
 Disadvantages of FEM (cont.)
• A powerful computer and reliable FEM
software are essential.
• Input and output data may be large and
tedious to prepare and interpret.
• Numerical problems:
– Computers only carry a finite number
of significant digits.
– Round off and error accumulation.
– Can help the situation by not
attaching stiff (small) elements to
flexible (large) elements.
 Disadvantages of FEM (cont.)
• Susceptible to user-introduced
modeling errors:
– Poor choice of element types.
– Distorted elements.
– Geometry not adequately modeled.
• Certain effects not automatically
included:
– Buckling
– Large deflections and rotations.
– Material nonlinearities .
– Other nonlinearities.
 Typical Applications of FEM
• Automotive industry
– Static analyses
– Modal analyses
– Transient dynamics
– Heat transfer
– Mechanisms
– Fracture mechanics
– Metal forming
– Crashworthiness
 Typical Applications of FEM
(cont.)
• Architectural/Civil Engineering
– Soil mechanics
– Rock mechanics
– Hydraulics
– Fracture mechanics
– Hydroelasticity
 Typical Applications of FEM
(cont.)
• Aerospace industry
– Static analyses
– Modal analyses
– Aerodynamics
– Transient dynamics
– Heat transfer
– Fracture mechanics
– Creep and plasticity analyses
– Composite materials
– Aeroelasticity
– Metal forming
– Crashworthiness
 Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and
Growing Wider
• The FEM has been applied to a richly
diverse array of scientific and
technological problems.
 Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and
Growing Wider (cont.)
• Car tires require sophisticated analysis because
of their complex geometry, large deformations,
nonlinear material behavior, and varying
contact conditions. Brick elements are used to
represent the tread and steel bead, while shell
elements are used in the wall area. Membrane
elements are used to represent the tire cords.
 Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and
Growing Wider (cont.)
• Solid Mechanics-
Structures
• Determine the static and
dynamic response of
aircraft and spacecraft to
the wide range of
environments which they
encounter.
• The sub regions are
often chosen so as to
correspond to
components of the
spacecrafts.
 Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and
Growing Wider (cont.)
• Fluid Mechanics
• Flow of air past an
airfoil
• Solution of the
finite element
model allows for
the computation
of the desired lift
and drag forces.
 Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and
Growing Wider (cont.)
• Groundwater
Seepage
• A typical situation
where water is
impounded behind an
impervious dam. The
task is to determine
the amount of water
which is lost.
• The mesh for the
finite element
method of the soil is
indicated.
Concepts of Finite Element Method
Approximate Calculation of the Area of a Circle
 Finite Element Analysis

Example. Determine the stress and strain in the plate.

Steps in Solving a Typical Problem Using the FEM

1. Discretization of the given domain into a

collection of preselected finite elements.

a. Construction of the finite-element mesh of

preselected elements

b. Set up the number of nodes and elements

c. Generate the geometric properties

2. Derivation of element equations for all typical elements in
the mesh

a. Construct the variational formulation of the given

differential equation over the typical element

b. Assume that a typical dependent variable u is in the form

u = ∑ ui ψi , for i = 1 to n

and substitute in 2a to obtain the element equations in the

form
[Ke] {ue} = {Fe}

c. Derive or select element interpolation functions ψi and

compute the element matrices.
3. Assembly of element equations to obtain the equations
of the whole problem.

a. Identify the inter-element continuity conditions among

the primary variables (relationship between the local
degree-of-freedom (DOF) and the global DOF –
connectivity of elements) by relating element nodes to
global nodes.

b. Identify the “equilibrium” conditions among the

secondary variables (relationship between the local force
components and the globally specified force components).

c. Assemble element equations using steps 3a and 3b and

the superposition property.
 4. Imposition of the boundary conditions of the problem. a.
Identify the specified global primary DOF. b. Identify the
specified global secondary DOF.

5. Solution to the assembled equations.

6. Post-processing of the results.

a. Compute the desired quantities from the primary DOF

computed in step 5.

b. Represent the results in tabular and/or graphic form.

*Note that knowledge in matrix operations is necessary to clearly understand FEM