Finite Element Method

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Finite Element Method

A numerical (approximate) method for the analysis of
continuum problems by:
reducing a mathematical model to a discrete
idealization (meshing the domain)
assigning proper behavior to elements in the
discrete system (finite element formulation)
solving a set of linear algebra equations (linear
system solver)
used extensively for the analysis of solids and
structures and for heat and fluid transfer

Finite Difference Concept

Finite Element Concept

Differential Equations : L u = F

x
General Technique: find an approximate solution that is a linear
combination of known (trial) functions
n

u * ( x , y) = ci i ( x , y)
i =1

Variational techniques can be used to reduce this problem to

the following linear algebra problems:
Solve the system K c = f
K ij = i (L j ) d

f i = i F d

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FEM Programs

ALGOR
ANSYS
COSMOS/M
STARDYNE
IMAGES-3D
MSC/NASTRAN
SAP90
ADINA
NISA
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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

representation.

Discretization error effectively eliminated.

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Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)

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.

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Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)

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
Youngs modulus, E, to an inadequate number of decimal
places.

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Advantages of the Finite Element Method

Can readily handle complex geometry:
The heart and power of the FEM.
Can handle complex analysis types:
Vibration
Transients
Nonlinear
Heat transfer
Fluids
Can handle complex loading:
Node-based loading (point loads).
Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial
forces).
Time or frequency dependent loading.
Can handle complex restraints:
Indeterminate structures can be analyzed.
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Advantages of the Finite Element Method (cont.)

Can handle bodies comprised of nonhomogeneous materials:
Every element in the model could be assigned a different set of
material properties.
Can handle bodies comprised of nonisotropic materials:
Orthotropic
Anisotropic
Special material effects are handled:
Temperature dependent properties.
Plasticity
Creep
Swelling
Special geometric effects can be modeled:
Large displacements.
Large rotations.
Contact (gap) condition.
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Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method

A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem. A
general closed-form solution, which would permit one to examine
system response to changes in various parameters, is not
produced.
The FEM is applied to an approximation of the mathematical
model of a system (the source of so-called inherited errors.)
Experience and judgment are needed in order to construct a
good finite element model.
A powerful computer and reliable FEM software are essential.
Input and output data may be large and tedious to prepare and
interpret.
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Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method (cont.)

Numerical problems:
Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits.
Round off and error accumulation.
Can help the situation by not attaching stiff (small) elements
to flexible (large) elements.
Susceptible to user-introduced modeling errors:
Poor choice of element types.
Distorted elements.
Geometry not adequately modeled.
Certain effects not automatically included:
Buckling
Large deflections and rotations.
Material nonlinearities .
Other nonlinearities.
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Information Available from Various Types of FEM Analysis

Static analysis
Deflection
Stresses
Strains
Forces
Energies
Dynamic analysis
Frequencies
Deflection (mode
shape)
Stresses
Strains
Forces
Energies

Heat transfer analysis

Temperature
Heat fluxes
Thermal gradients
Heat flow from
convection faces
Fluid analysis
Pressures
Gas temperatures
Convection coefficients
Velocities

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Variety of FEM Solutions is Wide and Growing Wider

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.

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Six Steps in the Finite Element Method

Step 1 - Discretization: The problem domain is discretized
into a collection of simple shapes, or elements.
Step 2 - Develop Element Equations: Developed using the
physics of the problem, and typically Galerkins Method or
variational principles.
Step 3 - Assembly: 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 4 - Application of Boundary Conditions: 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.
Step 5 - Solve for Primary Unknowns: The modified global
equations are solved for the primary unknowns at the nodes.
Step 6 - Calculate Derived Variables: Calculated using the
nodal values of the primary variables.
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Thermal Analysis - Introduction:

Thermal Analysis involves calculating:
1. Temperature distributions
2. Amount of Heat lost or gained
3. Thermal gradients
4. Thermal fluxes.

There are two types of thermal analysis:

Steady-state analysis
Transient thermal analysis

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Two types of Thermal Analysis:

Steady-state Thermal Analysis. It involves determining the temperature
distribution and other thermal quantities under steady-state loading
conditions. A steady-state loading condition is a situation where heat
storage effects varying over a period of time can be ignored.
Some examples of thermal loads are:
1. Convections
2. Radiation
3. Heat Flow Rates
4. Heat Fluxes (Heat Flow/unit area)
5. Heat Generation Rates (heat flow/unit volume)
6. Constant Temperature Boundaries
Steady State thermal analysis may be linear or nonlinear (due to material
properties not geometry). Radiation is a nonlinear problem.
Transient Thermal Analysis. It involves determining the temperature
distribution and other thermal quantities under conditions that vary over a
period of time.
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Theoretical Basis for Thermal Analysis

[KT] {T} = {Q}

where

[KT] = f (conductivity of material).

T = vector of nodal temperatures
Q = vector of thermal loads.
[KT] is nonlinear when radiation heat transfer is present. Note that convection and
radiation BCs contribute terms to both [KT] and {Q}.
Heat is transferred to or from a body by convection and radiation.
Heat Flow across boundary
due to radiation (in-out)

Prescribed rate of heat flow across

boundary (in or out)

Heat generated internally (eg.,

Joule heating)
Prescribed temperature (BC)
insulated for example.
Heat Flow across boundary due to radiation (in-out)

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Equation of Heat Flow (1D Systems)

fx = -k dT/dx [Fourier Heat Conduction Equation]. Heat flows from high
temperature region to low temperature region.
Q = -kA dT/dx Q heat flow, fx = Q/A
where fx = heat flux/unit area, k = thermal conductivity, A = area of cross-section, dT/dx

= temperature gradient

In general, {fx, fy, fz} = -k{dT/dX, dT/dY, dT/dZ} T

For an elemental area of length dx, the balance of energy is given as:
-KA dT/dx +qAdx = ca dT/dt dx [KA dT/dx + d/dx(KA dT/dx)dx]
d/dx(KA dT/dx) + Aq = ca dT/dt
rate in rate out = rate of increase within
For generally anisotropic material

-[d/dx

d/dy

d/dz] {fx fy fz}T +qv = c dT/dt

where c is specific heat, t is time, mass density and qv rate of internal heat generation / unit volume.

Above equation can be re-written as:

Steady state if dT/dt = 0

.( kT ) = qv
/x

fx

fy

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For heat transfer problem in 1-dimensional, we have:

fx = -Kdt/dx [Fourier Heat Conduction Equation]
Q = -KAdt/dx (where Q=A fx)
[KT}{T} = {Q} [applicable for steady-state heat transfer problems]

kA 1 1 T1 = q1
L 1 1 T q
2 2
Tbase=100oC

Tamb=20oC

5 5

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Some Notes
If the body is plane and there is convection and or radiation heat transfer across its flat lateral
surfaces, additional equations for flux terms are needed:
Convection BC
f = h(Tf T) (Newtons Law of cooling)
[K] += f(h)
{Q} = f(h,Tf)
where f = flux normal to the surface; Tf temperature of surrounding fluid; h heat transfer
coefficients (which may depend on many factors like velocity of fluid, roughness/geometry of
surface, etc) and T- temperature of surface.
Radiation BC
f = hr(Tr T)
[K] += f(hr)
{Q} = f(hr,T)
where, Tr temperature of the surface; hr temperature dependent heat transfer coefficients.
hr = F(Tr2+T2)(Tr+T).
Where F is a factor that accounts for geometries of radiating surfaces.s is Stefan-Boltzmann
constant.

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Element Types

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Element Types

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Nodal Numbering Schemes:

3

3
6

2
1

3
8

9
6

10

2
1

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Mesh Generation

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Mesh Generation

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Mesh Generation

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Mesh Generation

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Smoothing/Rafinement

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Introduction to
Nonlinear Problems

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Types of Nonlinear Problems

1. Material nonlinearity
a.
b.

Conductivity depends on
temperature
BC depends on temperature

2. Geometric nonlinearity
a.

Change in solution domain

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Linear Problem

[K ]{D} = {R}
[K ] [K ({D})]
{R} {R ({D})}
Stiffness [K] and Forces [R] are not
functions of displacements.
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Nonlinear Problem

[K ]{D} = {R}
[K ] = [K ({D})]
{R} = {R ({D})}
Stiffness and Forces are
functions of displacements.
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Newton-Raphson Approach

(k 0 + k NA ) u A = PA
k NA = f ( u A )
One Term Taylor Series :
dP

u
f ( u A + u1 ) = f ( u A ) +
1
du A
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NR
a

PB
P1

PA
u1

uA

u1

uB

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Visualization Techniques
Two Dimensional Scalar Data

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2D Interpolation - Rectangular
Grid

Suppose we are given data on

rectangular grid:
f given at each
grid point;
data enrichment
fills out the empty
spaces by
interpolating values
within each cell
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Nearest Neighbour Interpolation

Straightforward extension from 1D: take f-value from

nearest data sample
No continuity
Bounds fixed at data extremes

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Bilinear Interpolation
Consider one grid rectangle:
suppose corners are at (0,0), (1,0), (1,1), (0,1) ... ie a unit square
values at corners are f00, f10, f11, f01

f01

f00

f11

f10

How do we
estimate value
at a point (x,y)
inside the
square?
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Bilinear Interpolation
f01

f11
(x,y)

f00

f10

We carry out three 1D interpolations:

(i) interpolate in x-direction between f00,f10; and f01,f11
(ii) interpolate in y-direction
Exercise: Show this is equivalent to calculating f(x,y) = (1-x)(1-y)f00+x(1-y)f10+(1-x)yf01+ xyf11

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Piecewise Bilinear Interpolation

Apply within each grid rectangle

Fast
Continuity of value, not slope (C0)
Bounds fixed at data extremes

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Contour Drawing

Contouring is very
common technique for
2D scalar data
Isolines join points of
equal value
sometimes with shading
added

How can we quickly and

accurately draw these
isolines?

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An Example

As an example, consider this data:

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-5

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Where does the zero level contour go?

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Intersections with sides

The bilinear interpolant is linear along any edge thus we can predict where the contour will cut the
edges (just by simple proportions)

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cross-section view
along top edge

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Simple Approach

A simple approach to get the contour inside the grid

rectangle is just to join up the intersection points

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-5

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Question:
Does this always work?
Try an example where
one pair of opposite
corners are positive,
other pair negative
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Contouring from Triangulated Data

The final step is to contour
from the triangulated data
Easy because contours of
linear interpolant are straight
lines see earlier

http://www.tecplot.com

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Examples - with added contours

www.tecplot.com

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