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Module 3: Introduction to Finite Element Method

Lecture 22:

The Lecture deals with:

Boundary Conditions and Other Important Issues

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Module 3: Introduction to Finite Element Method

Lecture 22:
Let us, for the present, consider a problem with no radiating boundary. Thus, the nodal
equation for any of the nodes of the FEM can be constructed by appropriately summing up
heat generation term

the contributions form the heat conduction term

convective boundary terms

and the heat flux boundary

if the point lies on the

boundary. If the point lies on a known temperature boundary, the nodal equation is
very simple, it takes the form

for the node

where

is the prescribed boundary

temperature.
The process of assembling all the contributions from the element in terms of nodal
temperatures is done as follows. We try to obtain a global matrix equation in terms of
nodal temperatures:
(22.1)
where

is conduction matrix and

is the heat load vector.

matrix is formed from the contribution of conduction resistances between the

The

nodes of the triangular elements[Eq. (20.7)] and the convective resistance of the surface
where the convective losses take place [Eq. (21.5)]. The heat load vector on the right
hand side receives contributions from [Eq. (21.1) for each triangular element and heat flux
through

boundary [Eq. (21.4)]. The nodes falling on radiative boundary (term

Eq. (19.1 ) requires special attention.

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in

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Module 3: Introduction to Finite Element Method

Lecture 22:
The radiation heat transfer process can be modeled (using the procedure of quasilinearization) as
(22.2)
where

with

denoting the guess value of

calculated

from the previous iteration or the specified guess. Therefore, the radiation integral
becomes:
(22.3)
which can be handled like a convection term. Although
element

due to variation in the value of

varies over the length of the line

it may not be worth the trouble if the

element sizes are not too large. In such situations, one can set

(22.4)

where

and

are the nodes which make up the concerned boundary element.

A similar averaging procedure is often done for non-linear effects like temperature
dependent properties, variable heat transfer coefficient at the boundary and variable heat
flux at the boundary.

Congratulations, you have finished Lecture 22 To view the next lecture select it from the
left hand side menu of the page or click the next button.

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