TheoryandMechanicaModelTopics FiniteElementAnalysisOverviewLecture FEA_Overview.

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Finite Element Analysis Overview

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computer-based numerical technique for calculating the strength and behavior of engineering structures.

Closed form (exact) solutions Finite Element Analysis Model

Types of Finite Element Analysis

LectureNotes:

Closed Form Solutions When designing mechanical components, users frequently desire to know what stresses, strains, and displacements will be encountered when the design is subjected to its design condition. Exact solutions to the differential equations for stresses and

strains are only known for basic geometries and boundary conditions such as those found in simply supported beams and cylindrical tensile test specimens. While these solutions can be applied to many design problems by making idealizations and assumptions, they often fall short of predicting the true nature of stresses and strains at critical areas in a design. It is in these critical areas where Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can be helpful. Finite Element Analysis Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is process wherein a model is broken down from its original full size to smaller and simpler discrete "blocks" of material for which the closed form solutions are known. The block with the hole through it shown above serves as a good example. Each individual block is joined to the blocks adjacent to it by using simultaneous linear equations. A computer is then used to solve all of the equations. From these solutions, the behavior of each individual element can be extracted and users can obtain the stress and displacement at all locations of the structure. Once these stresses and displacements are known, decisions pertaining to the validity of the design can be made by comparing them to allowable stress values and other design requirements. Types of Finite Element Analysis There are two general classes of Finite Element Analysis:

Traditional Finite Element Analysis: This type of FEA was the first type of analysis available and as such is sometimes referred to as Traditional Finite Element Analysis. This type of analysis uses elements called h-elements. Simply stated, h-elements are elements comprised of straight edged linear elements. The math used to represent their shape is traditionally limited to a linear shape function. When simulated loads or displacements are applied to these elements, their flexibility is quite limited due to their linear shape functions. Geometric Element Analysis (GEA): This type of Finite Element Analysis, often referred to as GEA, use a completely different element type, the p-element. Instead of being limited to linear shape functions as h-elements are, the pelement uses polynomial shape functions. As a result, these elements are much more flexible than h-elements and fewer of them can be used to mesh a given model. Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica uses Geometric Elements with up to ninth order polynomials.