Chapter 5 - Finite Element Method

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM
CHAPTER 5
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Dr. Le Thanh Long
ltlong@hcmut.edu.vn
Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Outline
5.1. FEM in structural design calculations
5.2. How the finite element method works
5.3. Common structure of FEM software
5.4. Introduction of FEM software


The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical analysis technique for
obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering
problems. A finite element model of a problem gives a piecewise
approximation to the governing equations.


The basic premise of the FEM is that a solution region can be
analytically modeled or approximated by replacing it with an
assemblage of discrete elements (discretization). Since these elements
can be put together in a variety of ways, they can be used to represent
exceedingly complex shapes.


The finite element method is particularly well suited for problems with
complex geometries and numerical solutions to even very complicated
stress problems can now be obtained routinely using finite element
analysis (FEA).
The finite element discretization procedure
reduces the problem by dividing a continuum
to be a body of matter (solid, liquid, or gas)
or simply a region of space into elements and
by expressing the unknown field variable in
terms of assumed approximating functions
within each element.


The approximating functions (sometimes called interpolation
functions) are defined in terms of the values of the field variables
at specified points called nodes or nodal points.
Nodes usually lie on the element boundaries where adjacent
elements are connected. In addition to boundary nodes, an element
may also have a few interior nodes. The nodal values of the field
variable and the interpolation functions for the elements
completely define the behaviour of the field variable within the
elements


An important feature of the finite element method that sets it apart
from other numerical methods is the ability to formulate solutions
for individual elements before putting them together to represent
the entire problem
• It is able to find the force–displacement or stiffness
characteristics of each individual element and then assemble the
elements to find the stiffness of the whole structure
• The variety of ways in which one can formulate the properties
of individual elements


1. Discretize the continuum
• Dividing the continuum or solution region into elements
• A variety of element shapes may be used, and different element
shapes may be employed in the same solution region


2. Select interpolation functions
• Assigning nodes to each element and then choose the
interpolation function to represent the variation of the field
variable over the element
• The magnitude of the field variable as well as the magnitude of
its derivatives may be the unknowns at the nodes


3. Find the element properties
• Once the finite element model has been established (that is,
once the elements and their interpolation functions have been
selected), we are ready to determine the matrix equations
expressing the properties of the individual elements.
• One of the three approaches is used such as the direct
approach, the variational approach, or the weighted residuals
approach.
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4. Assemble the element properties to obtain the system equations
• The matrix equations expressing the behavior of the elements
and form the matrix equations expressing the behavior of the
entire system are combined.
• The matrix equations for the system have the same form as the
equations for an individual element except that they contain
many more terms because they include all nodes.
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5. Impose the boundary conditions
• Before the system equations are ready for solution, they must be
modified to account for the boundary conditions of the problem.
At this stage, we impose that we known nodal values of the
dependent variables or nodal loads.
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6. Solve the system equations
The assembly process gives a set of simultaneous equations that
we solve to obtain the unknown nodal values of the problem.
• If the problem describes steady or equilibrium behavior, then
we must solve a set of linear or nonlinear algebraic equations.
• If the problem is unsteady, the nodal unknowns are a function of
time, and we must solve a set of linear or nonlinear ordinary
differential equations.
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The finite element method software on the current market are
different in usage as well as the interface, but there are basically
three main parts as follows:
 Pre-processing
 Processing
 Post-processing
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Pre-processing:
 Selecting the types of elements: 2D elements, 3D elements, low order
elements, high order elements that are suitable with the shape, size, and
loading types, materials parameters such as elastic modules, Poisson
coefficient, density, etc.
 Meshing: Select the mesh types, and subdomains in order to mesh the model.
 Set up the boundary conditions: Select the DOF constraints of particular nodes
in the association between elements. Put the loads on the object such as the
concentrated force, distributed force, moment, pressure, etc.
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Processing:
FEM software have an ability to analyze the problems as follows:
 Structural Static Analysis
 Modal Analysis
 Buckling Analysis
 Nonlinear Structural Analysis
 Etc.
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Post-processing:
Post-processing provides visualization of the computed results. This part allows
users to perform various operations on results including:
 Displaying different fields on contour plots and changing the settings of
these plots.
 setting deformed shape plots and changing the scale of deformation
 measuring results at selected points on contour plots.
 creating XY plots of selected variables as functions of time, frequency, or
other output variables (for example stress-strain plot).
 performing mathematical operations on the data from fields or XY plots (for
example integrating or averaging some values).
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5.4. Introduction of FEM softwares

1. RDM
RDM is a useful software used to design and calculate durability
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2. ANSYS
ANSYS provides solutions for many
types of analyses including structural,
thermal, modal, linear buckling and
shape optimization studies. ANSYS
Mechanical is an intuitive mechanical
analysis tool that allows geometry to
be imported from a number of
different CAD systems. It can be used
to verify product performance and
integrity from the concept phase
through the various product design and
development phases.
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3. Abaqus
Abaqus is a finite element analysis
product that is particularly well-
suited to simulate brief transient
dynamic events such as consumer
electronics drop testing,
automotive crashworthiness and
ballistic impact. Abaqus employs
solution technology ideal for static
and low-speed dynamic events
where highly accurate stress
solutions are critically important.
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4. COMSOL Multiphysics
COMSOL Multiphysics is a simulation platform that encompasses
all of the steps in the modeling workflow — from defining
geometries, material properties, and the physics that describe
specific phenomena to solving and postprocessing models for
producing accurate and trustworthy results.
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References
1. Yang Jusheng, Yang Nan, A brief review of FEM software
technique, Advances in Engineering Software 17 (1993) 195-200
2. http://iut.univ-lemans.fr/ydlogi/rdm_version_6.html
3. https://www.ansys.com/
4. https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/abaqus/
5. https://www.comsol.com/
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Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.1. FEM in structural design calculations

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.1. FEM in structural design calculations

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.1. FEM in structural design calculations

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.1. FEM in structural design calculations

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.1. FEM in structural design calculations

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.2. How the finite element method works

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.3. Common structure of FEM software

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.3. Common structure of FEM software

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.3. Common structure of FEM software

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.3. Common structure of FEM software

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.4. Introduction of FEM softwares

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.4. Introduction of FEM softwares

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.4. Introduction of FEM softwares

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

5.4. Introduction of FEM softwares

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Machine Design – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

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