FEM AND FVM

LAB ASSIGNMENT 1

MUHAMMAD HASSAN

AU – 14028

SUBMITTED TO

DR. FARAZ AKBAR

DATED

26 TH OF APRIL 25, 2018

TASK 1 DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN FEM AND FVM IN DETAIL

INTRODUCTION

In the pursuit of solving problems regarding elasticity and equilibrium, a new methodology was
realized by Hrennikof or Courant which involved dividing a big analysis domain to smaller and
simpler parts (finite elements), calculate the physics in each of these elements and then
rearrange them into the original domain to understand and analyze its behavior.

All these methods are some form of numerical methods that are used for solving the partial
differential equations (PDEs). These PDEs mathematically represent the functional relationship
between the influencing state variables in the domain of analysis. The PDEs can be classified into
hyperbolic, parabolic and elliptic based on their discriminant value. This depends on the physical
phenomenon which is formulated using a PDE.

The laws of conservation, namely conservation of mass, momentum and energy are applied to
arrive at this PDE. To make this formulated PDE easier to solve, boundary conditions are
introduced. This is based on applying engineering sense to the specific problem being
solved. Applying boundary conditions reduces the number of unknowns reducing the
computational time without loss of accuracy.

FEM and FVM are different numerical methods available for solving these PDEs.

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD – FEM

• Discretizes the domain into finite elements and calculates the properties in every node.
• Shape functions or basis functions are used to interpolate inside the finite element, the
solutions obtained at these nodes. Generally linear interpolation is acceptable. If this is
not the case, quadratic or cubic shape functions can also be used at the expense of
computational time
 • Every finite element is formulated with a stiffness matrix, which is called local stiffness
matrix. These local stiffness matrices are assembled which results in global stiffness
matrix of the whole structure under investigation
• As a result, the partial differential equations are converted into a set of algebraic
equations which are comparatively easier to solve.
• There are already established subroutines to solve these algebraic equations
• FEM is the most commonly used and it is efficient for all geometries including ones with
complicated shapes and features

FINITE VOLUME METHOD – FVM

• The properties are calculated for every cell instead of a node

• Based on the integral form of conservation laws and can handle discontinuities in
solutions. In simple terms, what comes in, must go out.
• FVM approximates the value of the integral on the reference cell
• Efficient in solving fluid flow problems
• Like FEM, lot of established and theoretically proven subroutines are in place for FVM
which can be directly implemented in the code
TASK 2 COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FEM AND FVM SOFTWARE
PACKAGES AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET

• Abacus
• Nastran
• FEMAP
• Autodesk Simulation
• PTC Creo
• ANSYS
• MECWAY
• ALGOR
• FU2
•

TASK 3 BRIEFLY DEFINE THE FOLLOWING

ELEMENT

An element is the fundamental building square of limited component examination. A element is

a numerical connection that characterizes how the degrees of opportunity of a node identify with
the following. It likewise relates between at least two evolving properties.

NODE

A node is an organized region in space where the degrees of freedom (DOFs) are characterized.
For each element two nodes are characterized. The results of a constrained element examination
are for the most part given at the nodes.
HISTORY OUTPUT

Abaqus produces output for every point on the model for every time step. Abaqus calls it the
field output. If you are interested in output for only a few points, then you use the history output.
For the history output Abaqus just output results for those point you asked for.

DOMAIN

The set of values of the independent variable(s) for which a function or relation is defined.
Typically, this is the set of x-values that give rise to real y-values.

FIELD VARIABLES

The field variables are the dependent variables of interest governed by the differential equations.

BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM

A Boundary value problem is a system of ordinary differential equations with solution and
derivative values specified at more than one point.

DEFORMABLE BODY (2D AND 3D)

A deformable body represents a body that can deform under load; the load can be mechanical,
thermal, or electrical, which can be defined geometrically being arbitrarily shaped axisymmetric,
two-dimensional, or three-dimensional in its nature.

TASK 4 FEM ELEMENT TYPES

Elements in FEM fall into four major categories: 2D line elements, 2D planar elements, and 3D
solid elements which are all used to define geometry; and special elements used to apply
boundary conditions. For example, special elements might include gap elements to specify a gap
between two pieces of geometry. Spring elements are used to apply a specific spring constant at
a specified node or set of nodes. Rigid elements are used to define a rigid connection to or in a
model.
TRUSS ELEMENT

Truss elements are long and slender, have 2 nodes, and can be oriented anywhere in 3D space.
Truss elements transmit force axially only and are 3 DOF elements which allow translation only
and not rotation. Trusses are normally used to model towers, bridges, and buildings. A constant
cross section area is assumed and they are used for linear elastic structural analysis.

BEAM ELEMENT

Beam elements are long and slender, have three nodes, and can be oriented anywhere in 3D
space. Beam elements are 6 DOF elements allowing both translation and rotation at each end
node. That is the primary difference between beam and truss elements.

2D ELEMENT

2D Elements are 3 or 4 node elements with only 2 DOF, Y and Z translation, and are normally
created in the YZ plane. They are used for Plane Stress or Plane Strain analyses.

MEMBRANE ELEMENT

Membrane Elements are 3 or 4 node 2D elements that can be oriented anywhere in 3D space.
They can be used to model thin membrane like materials like fabric, thin metal shells, etc. These
elements will not support or transmit a moment load or stress normal to the surface. They
support only translational DOF not rotational and in-plane loading.

PLATE ELEMENT

Plate elements are 3 or 4 node 2D planar elements that can be oriented anywhere in 3D space.
They are typically used to model structures comprised of shells such as pressure vessels,
automobile bodies, ship hulls, and aircraft fuselages. Generally, a thicker wall than for a
membrane element but about 1/10 the length or width.

Other elements may include tetrahedral and brick 3D elements with multiple nodes.