Section 14.

2 Alternative Finite Element Models

Patrick Pollock

December 12, 2009

Introduction
The nite element models that we have studied previously were based on weak
formulations of governing dierential equations. This method is the Ritz nite
element method. The Galerkin method is based on the weighted integral state-
ments and not on the weak form. In this section, the following topics will be
discusses:
• Weighted residual formulations
• Mixed formulation

Weighted Residual Finite Element Models

First-Order Equation in One Dimension

Weighted residual methods are based on a weight integral statement of a given

dierential equation and no integration by parts is employed. This is the choice
for rst-order equations, because they do not admit weak formulation.
For a standard rst-order equation, u is approximated by:
du
a + cu = f f or 0 < x < L
dx

n
X
u(x) ≈ ueh (x) = uej ψje (x)
j=1

For each of the n equations, a weight function is chosen in the WRS

ˆxb
due
 
wRe dx R= a h + cueh − f
dx
xa

There is no advantage in transferring the derivative to the weight function.

The weight function must:

1
 • be integrable
• belong to a linearly independent set
The choices for w, where w is wi , are:
1. Petrov-Galerkin method: w = φ and φ 6= ψ
2. Bubnov-Galerkin method: w = ψ
3. Collocation method: w = δ(x − xi )
4. Subdomain method: w = δij
5. Least-squares method: w = A(ψ)
For each method, substitute u and w.

Second-Order Equation in One Dimension

For second or higher order equations, the weighted residual can be constructed
by using the higher-order equations but use C k -continuous functions, where k
is greater than the highest derivative in the dierential equation.
For the equation
 
d du
− a =f
du dx
4
X
ueh (x) = uej φej (x)
j=1

The interpolation functions must satisfy continuity across the element inter-
faces so a C 1 approximation is required. The weighted residual forms are then
formulated like in the rst-order section.

Second-Order Equation in Two Dimensions

Simply use
16
X
ueh (x, y) = uej φej (x)
j=1

Mixed Formulations
When the governing dierential equations are second- or higher-order, it is pos-
sible to rewrite them as a set of lower-order dierential equaitons and then
develop thier nite element models by using either their weak forms or weighted
residual statements. To do this, new variables are introduced.

2
 d2 d2 w
 
EI 2 −q =0
dx2 dx

d2 M d2 w M
− −q =0 − − =0
dx2 dx 2 EI
From here the problem is solved in the methods already covered. It is possible
to reduce the order even further to four rst-order equations and then use the
weighted residual method.