Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

MAE 292 Prof. Frank E. Talke April 22, 2014

Overview
Definition Introduction to FEA Typical FEA problems Derivation of FEA using
Minimum potential energy

Virtual work

What is Finite Element Analysis?

The finite element method is a general technique for constructing approximate solutions to boundary-value problems.

What is Finite Element Analysis?

Finite element analysis is a method for numerical solution of field problems. A field problem requires that we determine the spatial distribution of one or more dependent variables (e.g., temperature, displacement, stress).
Mathematically, a field problem is described by differential equations or by an integral expression. Either description may be used to formulate finite elements.

What is a Boundary Value Problem?

A boundary value problem is a mathematical problem in which one or more dependent variables must satisfy a differential equation everywhere within a known domain of independent variables AND satisfy specific conditions on the boundary of the domain.

The Finite Element Method

The FE method works by breaking a real object down into a large number of elements, such as little cubes The behavior of each little element is readily predicted by a set of mathematical equations. The "finite" in finite element analysis comes from the idea that there are a finite number of elements in a finite element model (as opposed to the infinite number of infinitesimal elements of integral calculus). The computer adds up all the individual behaviors to predict the behavior of the actual object.

Discretization of a structure

2D Elements, Nodes, and Meshes

Nodes

3-Node Triangular Element

4-Node Rectangular Element

3 X 4 Mesh of Rectangular Elements

3D Elements, Nodes, and Meshes

Linear shape function for interpolation of unknown

Some Example Applications

Ski Resort Chairlift Grip Redesign

Source: Algor Customer Application Stories, Algor, Inc.

Adhesive Anchor Analysis

Deflected Shape
Source: Algor Customer Application Stories, Algor, Inc.

FEA in Different Industries

Modeling of head to head auto crash
Automotive Industry

FEA in Different Industries

Railway System

Sail Boat

Eigen modes

FEA in Different Industries

Biomedical Industry

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston and the Tufts University School of Medicine

Stresses on an eye during saccadic eye movement. This was modeled to help understand why retinal detachments occur.

Simulation of foot and orthosis

FEA in Different Industries

Power/Utility Industry

Sewage Treatment Plant

Modelling of piping system

800G, 1 ms Acceleration impulse Suspension on Ramp (Modified)

Magnetic recording slider

Stenting in interventional Cardiology

Metallic Stent

Coronary Heart Disease (Atheriosclerosis)

Stenting-Technology

Finite-Element-Analysis of stents
Parameters of evaluation stresses and strains deployability

elastic recoil
collapse pressure foreshortening

durability / fatigue
flexibility
Finite-Element-Model of a metallic stent and a balloon catheter

radial compliance

FEA-simulation of stent deployment

FEA-simulation of stent deployment

Finite-Element-Analysis of stents
Structural failure: stent collapse

Crash

Airbag (opening time 70ms)

The FEA Modeling Process

Physical Reality

Model of the Physical Reality

Good Predictor?

Mathematical (FEA) Model

Solution of the Mathematical (FEA) Model

Best Practices
FEA requires engineering judgment. In the best case, you should know the approximate answer before you begin. Proper selection of elements, materials, loads, constraints and analysis parameters comes from experience.

Best Practices
Understand that the computer model never matches reality (its only an approximation).
The surest route to failure in FEA is to underestimate the complexity of the technology.

General procedure of FEA

Divide structure in elements Define local equilibrium equations for each individual element Asemble all individual stiffness matrices into global stiffness matrix Apply boundary conditions (forces and displacements) Apply material properties Solve global stiffness matrix

Plan for next few lectures

Study derivation of Finite Element equation {F}=[K] {d} Study truss elements Study beam elements Study 2-D and 3-D elements Use Matlab to solve truss and beam problems Learn Pro-E Mechanica to calculate stresses for simple geometries designed with Pro-E

Derivation of finite element equation

{F}=[K] {d}

Derivation of finite element equations

Principle of Minimum Potential Energy

Recall: Shape functions

d [ N ]d e

[ B]d [ D]

Minimizing with respect to nodal displacements

Virtual work approach

Consider e F Element with nodal load Body forces p Surface forces q e e d Virtual nodal displacement ** resulting in internal displacements and strain e * distributions of d * and d .

Principle of virtual work

Principle of virtual work states that external virtual work must be equal to internal virtual work

d F d pdV dV
eT * e T * T * ve Ve

Substitute
d* [ N ]d
e *

* [ B]d

e *

d*eT F e d*eT [ N ]T pdV d*eT [ B]T dV

ve Ve

d*eT [ F e [ N ]T pdV ] d*eT [ B]T dV

ve Ve

This holds for all virtual displacements

F [ N ] pdV ] [ B] dV
e T T ve Ve

substitute

[ D][ B]d

This yields
F [ N ] pdV ] [ B] [ D][ B]dV
e T T ve Ve

[ K ]d F
e e
e T

[ K ] [ B] [ D][ B]dV
Ve

Note:
The equations from virtual work are identical with those from minimum potential energy.

Note
Similar equations can be obtained for thermal analysis . In thermal analysis, the dof of the unknown temperature is one, rather than 2 or higher.
Need to start with heat conduction equation.

Summary
The equation Kd=F is the basis for finite element analysis In the next lectures we will study how to determine K and solve the equation for truss and beam problems After that: discussion of various elements (trusses, beams, 2-D and 3-D, axi-symmetric, etc.)

Thermal Finite element analysis

MAE 292 Prof. Frank E. Talke April 22, 2014

Basic heat conduction equations

Conduction Convection Radiation

Conservation of energy

http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Fry_an_Egg; http://www.jupiterimages.com; http://curious.astro.cornell.edu

Differential equation of heat conduction

A second order differential equation Describes the heat transfer via conduction through the volume element

Krishnamoorthy, G. S. Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Programming. s.l. : Tata McGraw-Hill, 1995.

Boundary conditions
Second order system in x, y and z
Need two boundary conditions for each direction

Depend on type of boundary

Temperature specified:

Heat flux specified:

Convective heat loss specified:

Boundary conditions
First order system in t
Need one boundary condition in time

The finite element method

Physical body elements and node Between nodes, shape functions
Galerkins Method

http://www.psc.edu/science/farhat.html

Galerkins method
Consider the steady state heat conduction differential equation for the volume element

Applying Galerkins Method,

Solving via integration by parts

The boundary conditions yield

The final result

Can be rewritten in the more familiar form where

Equivalent form of final result

Note similarities between structural and thermal FEA

Thermal finite elements

Many available for use
One dimensional Two Dimensional - Linear

Krishnamoorthy, G. S. Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Programming. s.l. : Tata McGraw-Hill, 1995. J. N. Reddy, D. K. Gartling. The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics. 2nd. Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2001.

Conduction matrix (similar to trusses)

Higher order 2D elements

Higher order (quadratic) interpolation functions yield higher accuracy in calculating the temperatures between the nodes of the element.
J. N. Reddy, D. K. Gartling. The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics. 2nd. Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2001.

3D Elements
Linear

Quadratic

J. N. Reddy, D. K. Gartling. The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics. 2nd. Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2001.

Shell elements
Can replace 3D volume elements with surface elements
Drastically decrease computation time
Avoid the calculation of the temperatures within the volume element

Similar in form to one and two dimensional elements Particularly applicable to three dimensional structures that consist of thin surfaces

Conclusions
Thermal finite element analysis in available software is capable of describing most physical situations accurately.
Even the most basic thermodynamic equations can be very powerful when used with the finite element method.