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Vdocuments - MX - Me 160 Introduction To Finite Element Method Me 160 Introduction To Finite Element
Vdocuments - MX - Me 160 Introduction To Finite Element Method Me 160 Introduction To Finite Element
Instructor:
Spring, 2016
Textbook:
Principal References:
“The Finite Element Method in Thermomechanics,”
[1] “Computer-Aided Design: an integrated approach”
by T.R.Hsu, Allen & Unwin, Boston, 1986. ISBN
by Tai-Ran Hsu and Dipendra Sinha. West Publishing
0-04-620013-4 (SJSU Library: TA418.58 H78 1986
Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1992. ISBN: 0-314-80781-0.
at 8th Floor with one reserved copy at 1st Floor)
(SJSU Library: TA174.H77 1992 at 8th Floor with one
reserved copy at 1st Floor)
15 copies available at the Spartan book store at a
[2] “The Finite Element Method in Mechanical Design,”
Shelve price of $63.50
Charles Knight, PWS-Kent Co., 1993
[3] “Applied Finite Element Analysis” L. J. Segerlind,
E-version available @
John Wiley & Sons, 1976
http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789401/60001
at a price of 67.82€
Adopted textbook for the class
Recommended Principal Reference Book
Chapters 6 and 7
The Fundamental Mathematics Skill and ME Discipline Knowledge
A. Mathematics Skill:
• Ordinary and partial differential equations relating to ME disciplines of deformable mechanics and heat conductions
• Matrices:
• Square, rectangular row and column matrices
• Multiplication of matrices
• Transposition of matrices: row matrices, column matrices, rectangular matrices
• Differentiations and integration of matrices
• Inverse of matrices
• Interchange of rows and columns for matrices
• Solution of simultaneous equations in matrix forms
The Fundamental Mathematics Skill and ME Discipline Knowledge – Cont’d
B. ME discipline knowledge:
Learning objectives:
● So, it will be great benefits for you to learn this powerful method.
WHAT TAKES TO LEARN THIS POWERFUL METHOD?
For mechanical engineers, the “Mechanics of materials” and Introductory Theory of elasticity
and Heat conduction
● There are several good commercial FE codes in the marketplace and some are adopted by
major industry.
● The use of these codes is not hard (a “cookbook” practices), and technicians can managed.
Intelligent and effective use of these codes is something else. Only engineers with knowledge
and experience in the theory and principles of FEM can do, and this is the purpose of this
course.
What is Finite Element Method (FEM)?
● It is a powerful numerical analysis method used in many fields of science and engineering
These are the problems that cannot be solved by classical methods (e.g., the classical mathematical methods
such as differential equations offered in ME 130 and ME 230)
● The principle of FEM is to discretize the “real” solid continua or fluid media into a finite number of sub-divisions of
specific geometry – the elements, interconnected at specific points of the element –called nodes.
● Mathematical formulations and solutions are then derived for the “elements” of specific geometry ONLY– called
the “element equations.”
● Assemble all “element equations” to establish the “overall structure equations” from which one obtains the
required solutions at every nodes and elements – but not everywhere in the solid or fluid.
● So, FEM will give us “APPROXIMATE” solutions, but not the “Exact solutions” as would be by the classical methods.
Because the solution obtained by FEM is on a “discretized” continuum, but not on the “real continuum.”
Example on why FEM can solve stress analysis of a plate but not by classical method:
The case is related to determine the induced stress in a solid plate by uniform force F applied
at the two edges in the direction of the x-coordinate:
How would the hole affect the stresses in the plate subjected to the same load at the two edges?
● there is no material in the plate where the hole is – So, there is no material to share the load F inside the hole
● this alteration of the “geometry” of the solid plate will obviously affect the stress variation in the plate
● so, the stresses will no longer be uniform in the plate
● the stresses near the hole will not be the same as those away from the hole
● the question is “How much difference in the induced stresses in the plate near the hole” will be??
Stresses in perforated plates by classical theory of elasticity:
Fortunately, we have the solution for this particular problem by using the classical theory of elasticity as shown below:
S a2 S 3a 4 4a 2 S a2 S 3a 4
σr = 1 − 2 + 1 + 4 − 2 cos 2θ σθ = 1 + 2 − 1 + 4 cos 2θ
2 r 2 r r 2 r 2 r
S 3a 4 2a 2
τ rθ = − 1 − 4 + 2 sin 2θ
where S = F/(DW)
2 r r
We will find that σr = 0, σθ = 3S and τrθ = 0 at r = a and θ = π/2 – at Point A with S = stress away from the hole
The above results indicates that σxx = 3S, meaning it is 3 times higher at the rim of the hole than those at points
away from the hole – It is the well-known stress concentration factor of a perforated plate.
What will happen to the induced stresses in plates with further complication in the geometry?
A perforate plate with slant or curved edges:
FEM appears to be the only viable solution method to solve this problem.
Why FEM?
TO
Converting the real CONTINUUM An assembly of finite number of individual sub-divisions
solid plate (elements) inter-connected at nodes
Benefits of discretizing the solid plate: One needs only to deal with these two plate geometry
for the solutions – much easier than to handle the
whole, undivided continuum solid plate.
Typical Element Geometry
History and Application of FEM
This powerful method was initiated for stress analysis of aircraft structures in 1959 with attribution to
two Boeing Company engineers and one UC-Berkeley professor.
It gained instant acceptance by engineering and science communities. Major application of FEM include the following:
1) Industrial applications:
□ Aerospace: for stress analysis of aircraft structures and engine components; aerodynamic and performance
analyses.
□ Automobile design and manufacturing: stress analysis of vehicle structures induced by dynamic and
impact loads with simulations of shape changes under these loads.
□ Shipbuilding: stress analysis of structures for components and assembled products; hydrodynamic
performance analyses of ocean-bound vessels.
□ Nuclear power: thermomechanical and thermohydraulic analyses of reactors, nuclear power plant
equipment and pipelines; analysis and simulation of normal operating and accident conditions.
□ Steel and metal processing: stress and thermal analyses of process equipment; prediction of
residual stress and distortions in the finished products.
1) Industrial applications – (cont’d):
□ Construction: stress analysis of building and bridge structures, concrete foundations, underground tunnels and
structures.
□ Resource and mining: stress analysis of excavation equipment, geotechnical materials; analysis of response of
geological materials to static and dynamics loads; mining safety design and analyses.
□ Computer and electronics: design analyses of computer and electronics systems; thermal management with
proper cooling, and induced thermomechanical analysis of delicate components, antenna design.
□ Renewable energies: stress analysis of wind turbogenerators subject to static and dynamic loads; solar panels
structures, thermal performance analysis
2) Major scientific and engineering applications:
□ Elastic-plastic stress analysis of solid structures [Owen and Hinton1980]
□ Thermomechanical stress analysis with finite element formulations for heat transfer, thermoelestic,
thermoelastic-plastic-creep involving material and geometric nonlinearities, and multi-dimensional fracture
mechanics. [Hsu 1986]
□ Thermoelestic-plastic-creep of micro structures design and packaging [Hsu 2008]
□ Heat and mass transfer [Lewis et. al. 1981, Foulser 1984]
□ Dynamics and vibration [Bathe and Wilson 1976]
□ Fluid mechanics [Gallagher et.al. 1975]
□ Diffusion and mass transport [Abdel-Hadi et.al 1985]
□ Soil mechanics [Aalto 1984]
□ Geomechanics [Naylor and Pande 1981]
□ Biomechanics and bioengineering [Huiskes and Chao1983, Furlong and Palazotto 1983, Lee et.al, 1983]
□ Material science [Basombrio 1984]
□ Physical science [Sigh and Lai 1984]
The above list of application of FEM, of course, is by no means complete. New applications are reported at
all times.
Input/output in Finite Element Stress Analysis of
Solid Structures
Input to FE for Stress Analysis
● Often, the FE model (or Mesh) is by “automatic mesh” option by commercial code with geometry
transferred from a CAD package, as illustrated below:
Solid model of a cam-shaft assembly from a CAD software FE model by automatic mesh generation
Group 2 Develop and establish FE mesh (model):
● For automatic mesh generation: Specify the desirable densities of nodes and elements in specific regions
● General information includes:
● Node number, nodal coordinates, nodal conditions (e.g., constraints, applied forces, temperatures).
● element number, element description (e.g., element designations and involved nodes)
1) Always place high density of elements in regions in the structure with DRASTIC variation of stresses,
such as in the rim of the holes and the fillet of tapered bars and gear teeth:
L1
r
H
F
L
2) Avoid using element with high aspect ratios (the ratio of longest edge of the element to the shortest edge
in the same element) for numerical accuracies and stability
Input to FEA – cont’d
● Young’s modulus(E) ● Poisson’s ratio (γ) ●shear modulus of elasticity (μ) ●yield strength (σy)
●ultimate strength (σu)
● Nodes with constrained displacements (e.g., in x-, y- and z-directions) ● Concentrated forces at
specific nodes
( pressures are converted to concentrated forces at the nodes and are involved in the area of
application)
Output from FEA
1. The principle of FEM is “Divide and Conquer”; i.e., to solve the problems with continua of complex geometry with
complicated loading/boundary conditions by dividing the continua by a finite number of elements interconnected
at nodes. This form of division of a continuum is called “Discretization.”
2. The versatility of the FEM has made its applications wide-spread in science and engineering fields. FEA is now a
common practice by all disciplines of engineering and science.
3. Solution obtained by FEM is of approximate nature. The closer the discretized continuum to the real situation,
the better results is obtained. So, intelligent users apply the fundamental knowledge of the FEM to come up with
better discretization, and thereby better solutions.
4. The are several “general purpose” commercial FE codes available in the marketplace. ANSYS code appears more commonly
used by industry than all other codes. Students in this class will have opportunity of learning the use of this code from
experts of the local company in solving problems relevant to mechanical engineering applications.