Finite Element Analysis

Introduction

Finite Element Method

FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of governing
equations over the domain of a continuous physical system,
which is discretized into simple geometric shapes called finite
element.

FEA Introduction
Numerical method used for solving
problems that cannot be solved
analytically (e.g., due to complicated
geometry, different materials)
Well suited to computers

The finite element method is a computational scheme to solve field problems in

engineering and science. The technique has very wide application, and has been
used on problems involving stress analysis, fluid mechanics, heat transfer,
diffusion, vibrations, electrical and magnetic fields, etc. The fundamental concept
involves dividing the body under study into a finite number of pieces
(subdomains) called elements (see Figure). Particular assumptions are then
made on the variation of the unknown dependent variable(s) across each
element using so-called interpolation or approximation functions.
This
approximated variation is quantified in terms of solution values at special
element locations called nodes. Through this discretization process, the method
sets up an algebraic system of equations for unknown nodal values which
approximate the continuous solution. Because element size, shape and
approximating scheme can be varied to suit the problem, the method can
accurately simulate solutions to problems of complex geometry and loading and
thus this technique has become a very useful and practical tool.

Chronicle of Finite Element Method

Year

Scholar

Theory

1941

Hrennikoff

Presented a solution of elasticity problem using one-dimensional elements.

1943

McHenry

Same as above.

1943

Courant

1947

Levy

Introduced shape functions over triangular subregions to model the whole

region.
Developed the force (flexibility) method for structure problem.

1953

Levy

Developed the displacement (stiffness) method for structure problem.

1954

Argyris & Kelsey

Developed matrix structural analysis methods using energy principles.

1956

Turner,
Clough,
Martin, Topp

Derived stiffness matrices for truss, beam and 2D plane stress elements. Direct
stiffness method.

1960

Clough

Introduced the phrase finite element .

1960

Turner et. al

Large deflection and thermal analysis.

1961

Melosh

Developed plate bending element stiffness matrix.

1961

Martin

Developed the tetrahedral stiffness matrix for 3D problems.

1962

Gallagher et al

Material nonlinearity.

Chronicle of Finite Element Method

Year

Scholar

Theory

1963

Grafton, Strome

Developed curved-shell bending element stiffness matrix.

1963

Melosh

Applied variational formulation to solve nonstructural problems.

1965

Clough et. al

3D elements of axisymmetric solids.

1967

Zienkiewicz et.

Published the first book on finite element.

1968

Zienkiewicz et.

Visco-elasticity problems.

1969

Szabo & Lee

Adapted weighted residual methods in structural analysis.

1972

Oden

Book on nonlinear continua.

1976

Belytschko

Large-displacement nonlinear dynamic behavior.

~1997

New element development, convergence studies, the developments of

supercomputers, the availability of powerful microcomputers, the development
of user-friendly general-purpose finite element software packages.

Applications of Finite Element Method

Structural Problem

Non-structural Problem

Stress Analysis
- truss & frame analysis
- stress concentrated
problem
Buckling problem
Vibration Analysis
Impact Problem

Heat Transfer
Fluid Mechanics
Electric or Magnetic
Potential

Approximate method
Geometric model
Node
Element
Mesh
Discretization

Physical
Problems

Mathematica
l Model

Identify control variables

Assumptions (empirical law)

Solution

Finite Element Method Phases

Preprocessing

Geometry
Modeling analysis type
Mesh
Material properties
Boundary conditions

Solution
Solve linear or nonlinear algebraic equations
simultaneously to obtain nodal results
(displacements, temperatures)

Postprocessing
Obtain other results (stresses, heat fluxes)

FEA Discretization Process Meshing

Continuous elastic structure

(geometric continuum) divided
into small (but finite), well-defined
substructures, called elements
Elements are connected together
at nodes; nodes have degrees of
freedom
Discretization process known as
meshing

Spring Analogy
Elements modeled as linear springs

F
l
, , E
A
l
EA
F
l , similar to F kx
l

Matrix Formulation
Local elastic behavior of each element
defined in matrix form in terms of
loading, displacement, and stiffness
Stiffness determined by geometry and material
properties (AE/l)

Solution
Matrix operations used to determine
unknown dofs (e.g., nodal displacements)
Run time proportional to # of
nodes/elements
Error messages
Bad elements
Insufficient disk space, RAM
Insufficiently constrained

Postprocessing
Displacements used to derive strains and
stresses

FEA Prerequisites
First Principles (Newtons Laws)
Body under external loading

Area Moments of Inertia

Stress and Strain
Principal stresses
Stress states: bending, shear, torsion, pressure,
contact, thermal expansion
Stress concentration factors

Material Properties
Failure Modes
Dynamic Analysis

Advantages of Finite Element

Analysis
-

Models Bodies of Complex Shape

- Can Handle General Loading/Boundary Conditions

- Models Bodies Composed of Composite and Multiphase Materials
- Model is Easily Refined for Improved Accuracy by Varying
Element Size and Type (Approximation Scheme)
- Time Dependent and Dynamic Effects Can Be Included
- Can Handle a Variety Nonlinear Effects Including Material
Behavior, Large Deformations, Boundary Conditions, Etc.

Basic Concept of the Finite Element

Method
Any continuous solution field such as stress, displacement,
temperature, pressure, etc. can be approximated by a
discrete model composed of a set of piecewise continuous
functions defined over a finite number of subdomains.
One-Dimensional Temperature Distribution
T

T
Approximate Piecewise
Linear Solution

Exact Analytical Solution

Two-Dimensional
Discretization
2

u(x,y)
-1

-2

-3
4
3.5
3

Approximate Piecewise
Linear Representation

2.5
2
1.5
y

-1

-0.5

0.5
x

1.5

2.5

Common Types of Elements

One-Dimensional Elements
Line
Rods, Beams, Trusses, Frames

Two-Dimensional Elements
Triangular, Quadrilateral
Plates, Shells, 2-D Continua

Three-Dimensional Elements
Tetrahedral, Rectangular Prism (Brick)
3-D Continua

Discretization Examples

One-Dimensional
Frame Elements

Two-Dimensional
Triangular Elements

Three-Dimensional
Brick Elements

Mesh for the design of scaled model of aircraft for dynamic analysis

Mesh for a boom showing the stress distribution (Picture used by

courtesy of EDS PLM Solutions)

Mesh of a hinge joint

Applications

Role of simulation in design:

Boeing 777

Source: Boeing Web site (http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/images/commercial/).

Another success ..in failure:

Airbus A380

http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/

Drag Force Analysis

of Aircraft

Question
What is the drag force distribution on the aircraft?
Solve
Navier-Stokes Partial Differential Equations.
Recent Developments
Multigrid Methods for Unstructured Grids

San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

Before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

After the earthquake

San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

A finite element model to analyze the

bridge under seismic loads
Courtesy: ADINA R&D

Crush Analysis of
Ford Windstar

Question
What is the load-deformation relation?
Solve
Partial Differential Equations of Continuum Mechanics
Recent Developments
Meshless Methods, Iterative methods, Automatic Error Control

Engine Thermal
Analysis

Picture from
http://www.adina.com

Question
What is the temperature distribution in the engine block?
Solve
Poisson Partial Differential Equation.
Recent Developments
Fast Integral Equation Solvers, Monte-Carlo Methods

Electromagnetic
Analysis of Packages

Thanks to
Coventor
http://www.cov
entor.com

Solve
Maxwells Partial Differential Equations
Recent Developments
Fast Solvers for Integral Formulations

Micromachine Device
Performance Analysis

From www.memscap.com

Equations
Elastomechanics, Electrostatics, Stokes Flow.

Recent Developments
Fast Integral Equation Solvers, Matrix-Implicit Multi-level Newton
Methods for coupled domain problems.

Radiation Therapy of
Lung Cancer

http://www.simulia.com/academics/research_lung.html