A course on

‘’ Finite Element Methods

(MEng 5171)’’
By:
Andebet T. (MSc.)
School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Institute of Technology

UoG
 Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Introduction to Finite Element Methods
The finite element method is a computational scheme(numerical
procedure) 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
FEA is widely accepted in almost all engineering disciplines
and the method is often used as an alternative to the
experimental test method set out in many standards.
The technique is based on the premise that an approximate
solution to any complex engineering problem can be reached by
subdividing the structure/component into smaller more
manageable (finite) elements.
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.
• A variety of reporting tools can be used to illustrate the behavior of
the analysis model including colour contour and vector plots,
section cuts, isosurfaces, animations, graphs and text output. The
results are interpreted and areas of concerns are discussed.
FEA provides engineering
information
Stress/strain,deformation,
natural frequencies, etc) about
a structure/component which
 cannot be obtained by using
traditional analysis methods.
The Purpose of FEA
Analytical Solution
• Stress analysis for trusses, beams, and other simple structures are carried out
based on dramatic simplification and idealization:
– mass concentrated at the center of gravity.
– beam simplified as a line segment (same cross-section).
• Design is based on the calculation results of the idealized structure & a large
safety factor (1.5-3) given by experience.
FEA
• Design geometry is a lot more complex; and the accuracy requirement is a lot
higher. We need
– To understand the physical behaviors of a complex object
(strength, heat transfer capability, fluid flow, etc.)
– To predict the performance and behavior of the design; to calculate the
safety margin; and to identify the weakness of the design accurately;
and
 – To identify the optimal design with confidence
Convectional method of production
1. Design

2. Prototypes
Optimization loop
3. Testing
4. Mass production
Modern method of production
1. Design
Optimization loop
2. CAE
3. Prototypes
4. Testing
5. Mass production
 weight reduction
CAE: Computer Aided Engineering

Design Changes and cost

• Initial design changes incurs less cost
• As the product reaches deployment phase, change in design proves very costly
• Numerical tools such as FEM, CFD etc. helps in improving designs during
concept stage
• Such tools also helps in investigating failures after the product launched in the
market
The Benefits and Application of FEA
FEA is particularly suitable for:
Structural/mechanical engineering design
Product development
Manufacturing processes
 analysis investigations.

Concept

Once a model has been developed the analysis helps

in evaluating the feasibility of the new design as well
as trouble shooting failed designs already in the
market and finding solutions without the need to
prototype and waste time and money.
The following is a more specific list (but by no means
comprehensive)of possible analysis types and applications:
-linear (e.g. elastic-plastic) static stress/displacement
analysis (buckling,thermal loading, quasi-static analysis)
 c stress/displacement analysis (modal and transient modal
dynamic analysis, non- -
linear stress analysis for the simulation of manufacturing processes,
e.g. metal forming
etween parts and assemblies

-modelling to study a local part of a larger model

-over and falling-
Steel & reinforced concrete buildings/frames.
.
Like human, CAE method is applied to different

FEM Applications geometry, fields etc. but basic concept remains the
same (same human but different profession)
1. Linear static
analysis
2. Non-linear
analysis
3. Dynamic analysis
4. Buckling analysis
5. Thermal analysis
6. CFD analysis
7. Fatique analysis
8. Crash analysis
9. Many more
Another success ..in failure:

Airbus A380
San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge
Drag Force Analysis
of Aircraft

http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/
• Question
What is the drag force distribution on the aircraft?
• Solve
 – Navier-Stokes Partial Differential Equations.

• Recent Developments
– Multigrid Methods for Unstructured Grids

Before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge
San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

A finite element model to analyze the

bridge under seismic loads
Courtesy: ADINA R&D
• Question
Crush Analysis of
Ford Windstar

– 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
1.2 Basic Concepts in 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
 x

The Main Discretization Methods

(i) Finite-Difference Method
Discretize the governing differential equations directly; e.g.
Although many heat transfer problems may be solved using the finite
difference methods, as soon as irregular geometries or an unusual
specification of boundary conditions are encountered, the finite difference
technique becomes difficult to use.
(ii) Finite-Element Method
Express the solution as a weighted sum of shape functions ,
substitute into some form of the governing equations and solve
for the coefficients. e.g., for velocity,

(ii) Finite-Volume Method

Discretize the governing control-volume equations
directly; e.g.
Two-Dimensional Discretization

Discretization Concepts
 Finite Element Discretization
Linear Interpolation Model Quadratic Interpolation Model
T1 (Four Elements) T (Two Elements)

x
Piecewise Linear Approximation Piecewise Quadratic Approximation
Temperature Continuous but with Temperature and Temperature Gradients
Discontinuous Temperature Gradients Continuous
Finite Element Shapes

Image : http://illustrations.marin.ntnu.no/structures/analysis/FEM/theory/index.html
 Discretization Examples

Three-
Dimensional
Brick Elements
One-Dimensional Two-Dimensional
Frame Elements Triangular Elements
 Two-Dimensional Discretization Refinement

What is degree of freedom (dof)?

• The minimum number of parameters (motion, coordinates, temp. etc.) required to define
the position of any entity completely in the space is known as a degree of freedom (dof).
• In 2-D (planar) problem, only two values of x and y
coordinates are needed to define the new position B of the
object . Hence 2 dof (translation x and y)
• The point A is a part of a line, now one angle should also be
defined in addition to the two
translations i.e. 3 dofs (two
translations and one rotation).
• If the points A and B are shifted out of the plane and the
line is rotated arbitrarily with respect to all of the three
axes. The minimum number of parameters to define the
position of point A completely would be 6 dofs (3
translations (Ux, Uy, Uz ) and 3 rotations (θx , θy , θz ).
• The total dofs for a given mesh model is equal to the
number of nodes multiplied by the number of dof per
node.
• If analysis is only for temperature, dof is
one
(temperature)

Degree of freedom (dof) of elements

• All of the elements do not always have 6
dofs per node.

• The number of dofs depends on the type of

element (1-D, 2-D, 3-D), the family of
element (thin shell, plane stress, plane
strain, membrane, etc.), and the type of
analysis.

• For example, for a structural analysis, a thin

shell element has 6 dof/node
(displacement unknown, 3
translations and 3 rotations) while the
same element when used for thermal
analysis has single dof /node (temperature unknown).

Why meshing is done?

 Node
Element

• • No. of nodes = 700 (finite)

• dof per points = 6 ( a point can move 6 ways) • dof per nodes = 6
• •
• 4200
• Solving time = finite
• FEM/CFD or any numerical techniques reduced infinite degrees of freedom to finite dof
with the help of discretization
• Obtain a set of algebraic equations to solve for unknown (first) nodal quantity
(displacement/temperature etc.)
• Secondary quantities (stresses and strains) are expressed in terms of nodal values of
primary quantity Object
Why accuracy increase if we increase the
number of nodes and elements?

100% 41% 64%

• See how the increase in no. of lines increases the best fit of the circle i.e. captures circle
area better.
• The exact answer for the area of the circle (πr2) is 100. 3 lines gives the answer of 41,
while 4 lines gives 64, and so on.
• An answer of 41 or 64 is not at all acceptable, but 80 or 90 is considering the time spent
and the relative design concept.
• In FEA, lines are element edges or simply the elements
 • More the element, more the accuracy but more solution time
• Solution time is directly proportional to (dof)n, where n can be 1 to 4, depending on the
type of analyses and solver.

1.3 FEM Analysis Processes

• A model-based simulation process using FEM consists of a
sequence of steps. This sequence takes two basic configurations
depending on the environment in which FEM is used. 1.
Mathematical FEM and
2. The Physical FEM
1. Mathematical FEM
The centerpiece in the process steps of the Mathematical FEM is the
mathematical model which is often an ordinary or partial differential
equation in space and time. Using the methods provided by the
Variational Calculus, a discrete finite element model is generated from of
the mathematical model. The resulting FEM equations are processed by
an equation solver, which provides a discrete solution.
In this Method FEM discretization may be constructed without any
reference to physics.
• The concept of error arises when the discrete solution is substituted in the
mathematical and discrete models. This replacement is generically called verification.
The solution error is the amount by which the discrete solution fails to satisfy the
discrete equations.
• This error is relatively unimportant when using computers. More relevant is the
discretization error, which is the amount by which the discrete solution fails to satisfy
the mathematical model.
 2. Physical FEM
• The processes of idealization and discretization are carried out
concurrently to produce the discrete model. Indeed FEM discretization
may be constructed and adjusted without reference to mathematical
models, simply from experimental measurements.
• The concept of error arises in the physical FEM in two ways, known as
verification and validation,
Verification : the discrete solution is replaced into the discrete model to
get the solution error (this error is not generally important),
Validation tries to compare the discrete solution against observation by
computing the simulation error, which combines modeling and solution
errors.
 Since the solution error is
typically insignificant, the
simulation error in practice
can be identified with the
modeling error. Comparing
the discrete solution with
the ideal physical system
would in principle quantify
the modeling errors.

Figure Deviation of the

solution from physical
system
Sources of Error in the FEM
• The three main sources of error in a typical FEM solution are
discretization errors, formulation errors and numerical errors.
• Discretization error results from transforming the physical system
(continuum) into a finite element model, and can be related to modeling
the boundary shape, the boundary conditions, etc.

Discretization error due to poor geometry Discretization

error effectively eliminated. representation.
• Formulation error results from the use of elements that don't
precisely describe the behavior of the physical problem.
• Elements which are used to model physical problems for which they
are not suited are sometimes referred to as ill-conditioned or
mathematically unsuitable elements.
• For example a particular finite element might be formulated on the
assumption that displacements vary in a linear manner over the domain.
Such an element will produce no formulation error when it is used to
model a linearly varying physical problem (linear varying displacement
field in this example), but would create a significant formulation error
if it used to represent a quadratic or cubic varying displacement field.
• Numerical error occurs as a result of numerical calculation
procedures, and includes truncation errors and round off
errors.
• Numerical error is therefore a problem mainly concerning the
FEM vendors and developers.
• The user can also contribute to the numerical accuracy, for
example, by specifying a physical quantity, say Young’s
modulus, E, to an inadequate number of decimal places.
1.4 Basic Steps in Finite Element Analysis
• The basic steps involved in any finite element analysis
consist of the following three steps Preprocessing
Phase
• Step 1 - Discretization: create and discretize the solution
domain into finite elements; that is, subdivide the
problem into nodes and elements.
• Step 2 - Assume a shape function to represent the
physical behavior of an element; that is, a continuous
function is assumed to represent the approximate
solution of an element.
• Step 3- Develop Equations for an element
• Step 4 – Assemble the elements to present the entire
problem : The element equations for each element in the
FEM mesh are assembled into a set of global equations
that model the properties of the entire system.
• Step 5 – Apply Boundary Conditions, initial
conditions, and loading: Solution cannot be obtained
unless boundary conditions are applied. They reflect
 the known values for certain primary unknowns.
Imposing the boundary conditions modifies the
global equations. Solution Phase
• Step 6 - Solve for Primary Unknowns: The modified
global equations are solved for the primary unknowns
at the nodes(displacement values or temperature
values for heat transfer problem)
Postprocessing Phase
• Step 7 – obtain other important information: At
this point we can find values of principal stresses,
heat fluxes and so on.
Process Flow in a Typical FEM Analysis
Boundary Condition types for a Solid Mechanics Problem
• Displacements
boundaries to define rigid supports.

• Forces and Moments

specified on the model exterior.

• Pressures
exterior.

• Temperatures
expansion or contraction.

• Inertia Loads
acceleration, rotation).
Information Available from Various Types of FEM Analysis
• Static analysis • Heat transfer analysis
• Deflection »Temperature
• Stresses
» Heat fluxes
• Strains
» Thermal gradients
• Forces
• Energies » Heat flow from
convection faces • Fluid
• Dynamic analysis
• Frequencies analysis
• Deflection (mode » Pressures
shape) » Gas temperatures
• Stresses
» Convection coefficients
• Strains
» Velocities
• Forces
• Energies
 Selection of Mathematical
Model
1. The selection of the mathematical model
depends on the response to be predicted.
2. The most effective mathematical model is the
one that delivers the answers to the questions
in reliable manner with least effort.
3. The numerical solution is only as accurate as
the mathematical model.
Modeling a physical problem Example: A bracket
 Modeling a physical Verification and validatioExample: A br
cket n
problem

Numerical model
Critical assessment of the FEM
Reliability:
 For a well-posed mathematical problem the numerical technique
should always, for a reasonable discretization, give a reasonable
solution which must converge to the accurate solution as the
discretization is refined.
e.g., use of reduced integration in FEM results in an unreliable
analysis procedure.

Robustness:
The performance of the numerical method should not be unduly
sensitive to the material data, the boundary conditions, and the
loading conditions used.
e.g., displacement based formulation for incompressible problems in
elasticity
Commercially Available FEM Software Suites (cont.)
(partial list)
Software Package Introduced Comments
ABAQUS 1978 General purpose, with special emphasis on advanced linear and nonlinear structures
and heat transfer applications.
 ADINA 7.0 1975 Optimized for structural and heat transfer applications. Limited element library.
Extensive material model library.
ALGOR 1984 First FEM package available for PC use.
ANSYS/LS-DYNA N/A For solving highly nonlinear structural dynamics problems (impact, large
deformation, nonlinear materials, etc.)
ANSYS/MECHANICAL 1970 Probably the best-known and most widely-used FEM software. Complete
structures/thermal/acoustics modleing.
ANSYS/Multiphysics N/A Coupled-field, multidisciplinary FEM program.
ELFEN N/A Includes linear and nonlinear buckling, modal analysis, transient heat transfer
analysis, impact and fragmentation.
GENESIS N/A Fully integrated finite element analysis and numerical optimization software for
structural analysis.
LUSAS N/A Includes automatic meshing, advanced non-linear analysis, and composites analysis.
MARC 6.2 1970 3D automated contact analysis capabilities suited for studying tough manufacturing
problems, (metal forming/ etc.)
MSC/FEA 1971 MSC participated in the 1965 development of NASA's public-domain FEM code,
NASTRAN.
MSC/NASTRAN for Windows N/A Handles stress, vibration, dynamic, nonlinear, heat transfer, and fluid flow analyses of
mechanical components.
NISA/DISPLAY 1973 A family of general purpose FEM programs for PCs and workstations. Modular
design.
PAM 1973 FEM software optimized to study restraint systems (PAM-SAFE), impacts (PAM-
SHOCK) and metal forming.
SAMCEF 1965 One of the oldest FEM codes available. A powerful FEM package for structural and
heat transfer analysis.
STARDYNE 1967 The world's first commercially available Finite Element Analysis software.
STARS N/A Integrated, general-purpose, finite element software. Developed by NASA.

Future Trends in the FEM and Simulation

• The FEM in particular, and simulation in general, are becoming
integrated with the entire product development process (rather than
just another task in the product development process): – FEM cannot
become the bottleneck.

• A broader range of people are using the FEM:– Not just hard-core
analysts.

• Increased data sharing between analysis data sources (CAD, testing,

FEM software, )

• FEM software is becoming easier to use:

– Improved GUIs, automeshers.
– Increased use of sophisticated shellscripts and “wizards.”