Chapter 1

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Hari R. Parajuli
Dr. of Eng., Post Doctorate
Lecturer, IOE
 A GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR FEM

• Preprocessing
– Define the geometric domain of the problem.
– Define the element type(s) to be used.
– Define the material properties of the elements.
– Define the geometric properties of the elements (length, area, and the like).
– Define the element connectivity (mesh the model).
– Define the physical constraints (boundary conditions). Define the loadings.
• Solution
– computes the unknown values of the primary field variable(s)
– computed values are then used by back substitution to compute additional,
derived variables, such as reaction forces, element stresses, and heat flow.
• Post-processing
– Postprocessor software contains sophisticated routines used for sorting,
printing, and plotting
 Introduction

What is FEM?
Finite Element Method (FEM) consists of a computer
model of a material or design that is stressed and
analyzed for specific results. It is used in new product
design, and existing product refinement

• The finite element method is based on the idea of building a complicated

object with simple blocks, or dividing a complicated object into small and
manageable pieces.
• Application of this simple idea be found everywhere in the engineering.
 Introduction

Brief History of FEM

• 1943 Courant Variational methods, piecewise
continuous function over triangular domain
• 1956 Turner, Clough, Matin and Topp (stiffness)
• 1960 Clough formally named FEM - plane
problems
• 1970s Applications in main frame computers
• 1980s: Microcomputers, pre and post processors
• 1990s :Analysis of large structural system
 Introduction

Why FEM?
• Design Analysis: hand calculations, experiments and computer
simulations
• FEM is the most widely applied computer simulation method in
engineering.
• Closely integrated with computer applications A
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Application of FEM in Engineering

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• Thermal/fluid flows
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 Introduction
Applications in Various Fields
• Static analysis • Heat transfer analysis
• Deflection
• Stresses »Temperature
• Strains » Heat fluxes
• Forces » Thermal gradients
• Energies
» Heat flow from
convection faces
• Dynamic analysis
• Frequencies
• Deflection (mode shape) • Fluid analysis
• Stresses » Pressures
• Strains
• Forces » Gas temperatures
• Energies » Convection coefficients
» Velocities
 Introduction
More applications

• The FEM has been applied to a richly diverse array of scientific and
technological problems.
• The next few slides present some examples of the FEM applied to a
variety of real-world design and analysis problems.
 Introduction
More applications
• This example shows an intravenous pump modeled
using hexahedral elements.
 Introduction
More applications
Car tires require sophisticated analysis because of their complex geometry, large
deformations, nonlinear material behavior, and varying contact conditions. Brick
elements are used to represent the tread and steel bead, while shell elements are
used in the wall area. Membrane elements are used to represent the tire cords.
 Introduction
More applications
This forging example is a simulation of a bulk forming
process with multiple stages. This axisymmetric analysis
begins with a cylinder of metal meshed very simply.
 Introduction
More applications
A 3-D finite element model of an instrumented canine cervical spine.
The model consisted of four vertebrae (C3-C6), a titanium alloy plate,
and two screws attached to the back of two vertebrae (C4-C5).
 Introduction
More applications
Finite element analysis works on the premise that a complex structure like
the helicopter shown here can be simulated on a computer screen so that
the helicopter's physical properties can be studied to determine how well
the design will perform under real-world conditions. The computer models
permit the design team to examine a wide range of options and to detect
design flaws long before the prototype stage.
 Introduction
More applications

This guitar features two strips of

graphite running the length of the
neck. This FEM model was used to
study how much the neck moved
when string forces were applied and
moisture content
changed.

Using the FEM calculations,

designers could try different
reinforcement scenarios to increase
neck stability.
 Introduction
More applications

The boat’s hull consists of a thick core material sandwiched between two thinner
layers of ply's oriented in different directions. The initial analysis work focused
on maximizing the hull's overall stiffness by examining different core-material
densities and varying the ply thickness and orientations.
 More applications

1 5

Dynamic
analysis
2 of a 6
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fork, to
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vibration.

4 8
 Introduction

Steps in FEM
• Divide into small pieces (element with nodes)
• Describe the behavior of the physical quantities on each element
• Connect/ assemble the element at the nodes to form an appropriate
system of equations involving unknown quantities at the nodes (e.g
displacement)
• Calculate described quantities (e. g. stresses and strains) at selected
elements
 Introduction
Commercially Available FEM Software Packages

Available Commercial FEM software such as

SAP 2000, ANSYS, ABAQUS, COSMOS, GiD, Diana etc

Other packages
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.
 Introduction

Other numerical methods

• FDM - Finite difference methods
• BEM - Boundary element method
• DEM – Discrete element method
• SPH- Smoothed particle hydrodynamic method
 Introduction
Technologies That Compete With the FEM
• Other numerical solution methods:
– Finite differences
» Approximates the derivatives in the differential equation using
difference equations.
» Useful for solving heat transfer and fluid mechanics problems.
» Works well for two-dimensional regions with boundaries parallel
to the coordinate axes.
» Cumbersome when regions have curved boundaries.
– Weighted residual methods (not confined to a small subdomain):
» Collocation
» Subdomain
» Least squares*
» Galerkin’s method*
– Variational Methods* (not confined to a small subdomain)

* Denotes a method that has been used to formulate finite element

solutions.
 Introduction
Technologies that Compete With the FEM (cont.)

• Prototype Testing
» Reliable. Well-understood.
» Trusted by regulatory agencies (FAA, DOT, etc.)
» Results are essential for calibration of simulation software.
» Results are essential to verify modeled results from simulation.
» Non destructive testing (NDT) is lowering costs of testing in
general.
» Expensive, compared to simulation.
» Time consuming.
» Development programs that rely too much on testing are
increasingly less competitive in today’s market.
» Faster product development schedules are pressuring the quality of
development test efforts.
» Data integrity is more difficult to maintain, compared to
simulation.
 Introduction

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, ERM software.)

• FEM software is becoming easier to use:

– Improved GUIs, automeshers.
– Increased use of sophisticated shellscripts and “wizards.”
 Introduction
Future Trends in the FEM and Simulation (cont.)
• Enhanced multiphysics capabilities are coming:
– Coupling between numerous physical phenomena.
» Ex: Fluid-structural interaction is the most common example.
» Ex: Semiconductor circuits, EMI and thermal buildup vary with
current densities.
• Improved life predictors, improved service estimations.

• Increasing use of non-deterministic analysis and design methods:

– Statistical modeling of material properties, tolerances, and anticipated
loads.
– Sensitivity analyses.

• Faster and more powerful computer hardware. Massively parallel processing.

•Decreasing reliance on testing.

• FEM and simulation software available via Internet subscription.

 Introduction

Strength and weakness of FEM

• FEM can handle all complicated geometry. Better
estimates small deformation problems.
• Less accurate in estimating /solving large deformation
problems
• Cannot model discontinuous structures such as masonry
walls
 Introduction

Strength and weakness of FEM

• FEM can handle all complicated geometry. Better
estimates small deformation problems.
• Less accurate in estimating /solving large deformation
problems
• Cannot model discontinuous structures such as masonry
walls
 References
1. O. C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor, Finite Element for Structural, Vol. 1, The Basis,
Elsevier, 2000.
2. O. C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor, Finite Element for Structural, Vol. 2, Solid
Mechancis, Elsevier, 2000.
3. O. C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor, Finite Element for Structural, Vol. 3, Fluid
Dynamics, Elsevier, 2000.
4. D. V. Huttan, Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis, TATA McGRAW-HILL,
2004.
5. J.N. Reddy, An Introduction to the Finite Element Method, McGRAW-HILL, 2005.
6. S. S. Bhavikatti, Finite Element Analysis, NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS,
2005.
7. S. Rajasekaran, Finite Element Analysis in Engineering Design, S. CHAND, 2008.
8. T. R. Chandrapatla and A. D. Belegundu, Introduction to Finite Elements in
Engineering, PHI, 2000.
9. R.D. Cook, D. S. Malkus and M. E. Plesha, Concepts and Applications of Finite
Element Analysis, JOHN WILEY & SONS, 2000.
10. C. S. Krishnamurthy, Finite Element Analysis- Theory and Programming, TATA
McGRAW-HILL, 2000.
11. G. Beer, Programming The Boundary Element Method, An Introduction for
Engineers, J Wiley, 2001.
12. A. Munjiza, The combined Finite-Discrete Element Method, J Wiley, 2004.
13. S. Li and W. K. Liu, Meshfree Particle Methods, Springer, 2004