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Introduction To The Finite Element Method (Finite Element Analysis)

The document provides an introduction to the finite element method (FEM). It describes how FEM is a numerical technique used to solve boundary value problems by approximating continuous quantities with discrete piecewise functions over finite elements. The method was developed in the 1950s for aerospace applications and has since been applied to various fields like structural analysis, heat transfer, and fluid flow by using techniques like the Rayleigh-Ritz method and Galerkin's method. FEM allows irregular geometries and mixed boundary conditions to be modeled and has advantages such as computational efficiency and the ability to refine meshes as needed.

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Arun Sankar Sreethar
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136 views

Introduction To The Finite Element Method (Finite Element Analysis)

The document provides an introduction to the finite element method (FEM). It describes how FEM is a numerical technique used to solve boundary value problems by approximating continuous quantities with discrete piecewise functions over finite elements. The method was developed in the 1950s for aerospace applications and has since been applied to various fields like structural analysis, heat transfer, and fluid flow by using techniques like the Rayleigh-Ritz method and Galerkin's method. FEM allows irregular geometries and mixed boundary conditions to be modeled and has advantages such as computational efficiency and the ability to refine meshes as needed.

Uploaded by

Arun Sankar Sreethar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to the Finite

Element Method (finite


element analysis)
• The FEM is a numerical procedure for solving
Boundary Value Problems (BVP’s) and
structural & solid mechanics problems in
engineering.
• The method had its birth in the aerospace
industry in the early 1950s and then with
applications to structural and solid mechanics.
ABE 450 Introduction, page 1
In 1963 it was shown that the FEM was a
variation of Raleigh-Ritz Method (which produces
a set of linear equations by minimizing the
potential energy of the system). This lead to its
application in different areas of heat transfer, fluid
flow, etc.

In 1969 it was shown that element equations


could also be derived using a weighted residual
procedure such as Galerkin’s Method or the least
squares approach. This allows application to any
BVP and therefore enlarged its use and
application.

ABE 450 Introduction, page 2


Fundamental Concept of FEM
Any continuous quantity, such as temperature,
pressure, or displacement, can be
approximated by a discrete model composed of
a set of piecewise continuous functions
(polynominals) defined over a finite number of
subdomains or elements.

ABE 450 Introduction, page 3


Advantages and Strengths
1. Extensive application and use. It applies to all
physical problems in BVP or structural and solid
mechanics.
Typical transport problems:
• thermal processing of food and biomaterials
(drying, cooling, baking, microwaving,
freezing,…).
• Movement of water and chemicals in soil and
other porous media.

ABE 450 Introduction, page 4


2. The material properties in adjacent elements
do not have to be the same. This allows
application to composite materials.

3. Irregularly shaped boundaries can be


approximated using elements with straight
sides or matched exactly using elements with
curved boundaries. The method is not
therefore limited to “nice” shapes with easily
defined boundaries (like many analytical
solutions or some other numerical methods).
ABE 450 Introduction, page 5
4. The size of the elements can be varied. This
allows the element grid or mesh to be
expanded or refined as the need arises.

5. Boundary conditions such as discontinuous


surface loadings present no difficulties for the
method. Mixed boundary conditions can be
easily handled.

ABE 450 Introduction, page 6


6. These properties can be incorporated into
one general computer program for a
particular subject matter area. (also
availability of many commercial FEA
software).

7. Automatic mesh or grid generation


techniques to assist in model building.
(especially in large problems the preparation
of input data is a cumbersome task).

ABE 450 Introduction, page 7


8. An integral part of CAD/CAM (computer aided
design/computer aided manufacturing) and CFD (computational
fluid dynamic) systems.

9. Applications involving high performance


computing and parallel algorithms:
–crash testing, explosion, combustion,
fluid-structure interaction, large CFD
problems, plasma fusion, biomedical
research, constructive surgery,….
10. Steady state and time-dependent
problems
ABE 450 Introduction, page 8
Disadvantages of FEM/FEA

1. Need computer programs & facilities


2. An approximate technique
3. Gives solution only at nodal points

ABE 450 Introduction, page 9


Why use FEA?
• Global competition
• Design cycle time and cost reduction
• Rapid product development capability
• Efficiency and accuracy of engineering analysis
and design
Product Specification Finite Element Analysis
Functional Requirements Artificial Intelligence
Development Costs Design Optimization
Fuzzy Logic
Material Selection
Manufacturability
Cost Estimation

ABE 450 Introduction, page 10


CONVENTIONAL FINITE
ELEMENT ANALYSIS

FE Model Solution Results

(Preprocessing) (Processing) (Postprocessing)

Accuracy of the solutions?

ABE 450 Introduction, page 11


ADAPTIVE FINITE ELEMENT
ANALYSIS
Initial Coarse
Mesh (Uniform?)

Finite Element
Analysis

Mesh Error
Enhancement Analysis

Accuracy

Stop

ABE 450 Introduction, page 12

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