EME4403

Finite Element Analysis

Formulation of the element
characteristic matrices and vectors
(Week 3)

PowerPoint® Slides
By Ir. Dr. Patrick Teo
 Compulsory page

Learning Objectives

1. Describe why the use of FEA is an effective means of

analysing a component or an assembly in product
development cycle.
2. Recognize the interactive procedures associated with
the FEA process.
3. Understand the process involved in improving a product
design specification from FEA.
4. Identify different types of computer application in the
FEA and its importance in industry now.

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 Compulsory page

Learning Outcomes

• Students are required to understand the definition of

finite element analysis.
• To gain good understanding of static structural analysis
process.
• Students are able to recognize different type of computer
application in industry now.
• Students will understand the importance of learning CAE
system to improve their product design.

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 Compulsory page

Finite Element Method: Interpretations

Two interpretations:
1. Physical Interpretation
The continous physical model is divided into finite pieces
called elements and laws of nature are applied on the
generic element. The results are then recombined to
represent the continuum.
2. Mathematical Interpretation
The differetional equation reppresenting the system is
converted into a variational form, which is approximated by
the linear combination of a finite set of trial functions.

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 FEM Notation

Description Guideline
Elements are defined by the
following properties:
1. Dimensionality
2. Nodal Points
3. Geometry
4. Degrees of Freedom
5. Nodal Forces
(Non homogeneous RHS of
the DE)

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 FEM Notation
Description Guideline

uniform loading • Approximate method

• Geometric model
• Node
Element
•
Fixed boundary

Element
Finite element • Mesh
Cantilever
model plate
• Discretization
in plane strain

Node

Problem: Obtain the stresses/strains

in the plate

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 Spring Element

Description Guideline
Spring force-displacement
relationship: F Linear
F = kx when,
F = Force needed to produce a
Non-linear
unit stretch.
x = u j - ui

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 Spring Element

Description Guideline
•The Finite Element Equation Must
Incorporate the Appropriate y
Physics of the Problem x

•For Problems in Structural Solid i j

ƒi ƒj
Mechanics, the Appropriate ui uj
Physics Comes from Either k
Strength of Materials or Theory of Two nodes :i, j
Elasticity Nodal displacements :ui, uj (in, m or mm)
Nodal forces :ƒi, ƒj (lb or N)
•FEM Equations are Commonly Nodal DOF :k (lb/in, N/m or N/mm)
Developed Using Direct,
Variational-Virtual Work or
Weighted Residual Methods

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 Spring Element

Description Guideline
Based on physical reasoning and
limited to simple cases, Direct y
Method is worth studying because x
it enhances physical i j
understanding of the process. ƒi ƒj
ui uj
Based on the concept of virtual k
displacements, leads to relations Two nodes :i, j
between internal and external Nodal displacements :ui, uj (in, m or mm)

virtual work and to minimization of Nodal forces :ƒi, ƒj (lb or N)

system potential energy for Nodal DOF

equilibrium.

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 Spring Element

Description Guideline
Starting with the governing
differential equation, special y
mathematical operations develop x
the “weak form” that can be i j
incorporated into a FEM equation. ƒi ƒj
ui uj
This method is particularly suited k
for problems that have no Two nodes :i, j
variational statement. For stress Nodal displacements :ui, uj (in, m or mm)
analysis problems, a Ritz-Galerkin Nodal forces :ƒi, ƒj (lb or N)
Weight residual method will yield a Nodal DOF
result identical to that found by
variational methods.

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 Basic Steps for Time Independent Problems

Description Guideline
• Domain Discretization
u1 u2
• Select Element Type (Shape and

Approximation) F1 F2
• Derive Element Equations (Variational
1 2
and Energy Methods) k
• Assemble Element Equations to Form Equilibriu m at Node 1  F1  ku1  ku 2
Global System Equilibriu m at Node 2  F2   ku1  ku 2
[K]{U} = {F}
[K] = Stiffness or Property Matrix or in Matrix Form
{U} = Nodal Displacement Vector
{F} = Nodal Force Vector
(Boundary and Initial Conditions) k  k   u1   F1 
 k   
Solve Assembled System of Equations  k  u2   F2 
for Unknown Nodal Displacements and
Secondary Unknowns of Stress and [ K ]{u}  {F }
Strain Values

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 Spring force-displacement relationship

Linear Problem: Equilibrium of forces for the spring

At node i, ƒi = -F = -k(uj – ui) = kui – kuj
At node j, ƒj = F = k(uj – ui) = -kui + kuj
In matrix form,

k -k ui ƒi
=
-k k uj ƒj

Stiffness Matrix Displacement vector Force vector

(Element) (Element Nodal) (Element Nodal)

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 Spring System

x
k1 k2
F1, u1 F2, u2 F3, u3
ƒj
1 2 3
In matrix form,
For element 1, For element 2,

k1 -k1 u1 ƒ1 1 k2 -k2 u2 ƒ1 2
= =
-k1 k1 u2 ƒ2 1 -k2 k2 u3 ƒ2 2

Where, ƒi m is internal force acting on local node i of element m (i = 1,

2).

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 Spring System

1. Assemble the stiffness matrix for the whole system:

Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 1,
F1 = ƒ 1 1
Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 2,
F2 = ƒ 2 1 + ƒ1 2
Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 3,
F3 = ƒ 2 2
That is,
F 1 = k 1 u1 - k 1 u2
F2 = -k1 u1 + (k1 + k2)u2 – k2 u3
F3 = -k2 u2 + k2 u3

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 Spring System

1. Assemble the stiffness matrix for the whole system:

Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 1,
F1 = ƒ 1 1
Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 2,
F2 = ƒ 2 1 + ƒ1 2
Consider the equilibrium of forces at node 3,
F3 = ƒ 2 2
That is,
F 1 = k 1 u1 - k 1 u2
F2 = -k1 u1 + (k1 + k2)u2 – k2 u3
F3 = -k2 u2 + k2 u3

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 Spring System

In matrix form,
k1 -k1 0 u1 F1
=
-k1 k 1 + k2 -k2 u2 F2

0 -k2 k2 u3 F3
Or,

k1 -k1 0 u1 ƒ1 1
=
-k1 k 1 + k2 -k2 u2 ƒ2 1 +ƒ1 2

0 -k2 k2 u3 ƒ2 2

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 Spring System

2. Boundary and load conditions:

If u1 = 0 and F2 = F2 = P

k1 -k1 0 0 F1
=
-k1 k 1 + k2 -k2 u2 P

0 -k2 k2 u3 P
Reduce it to,
k1 + k2 -k2 u2 P
=
-k2 k2 u3 P
And, F1 = -k1 u2

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 Spring System

Solving the equation,

u2 2P / k1
=
u3 2P / k1 + P / k2

And, F1 = -2P
In conclusion, spring elements are suitable for stiffness
analysis but are unsuitable for stress analysis of the
spring itself.

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 Example

Compute the global stiffness matrix of the assemblage of springs

shown above

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 SOLUTION

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 SOLUTION

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 Example

Compute the global stiffness matrix of the assemblage of springs

shown above

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 SOLUTION

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 SOLUTION

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 References

1) Daryl Logan, A First Course in the Finite Element

Method, 5th Edition, Cengage Learning
13thEdition,Prentice Hall, 2011
2) K. J. Bathe, Finite Element Procedures, 1st Edition,
Prentice Hall, 2007

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