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FEM - TYME - Lecture 1 PDF

The document discusses numerical approaches like the finite difference method (FDM), finite element method (FEM), and finite volume method (FVM) for solving complex problems. It explains that FDM stores dependent values at nodes, FEM at element nodes, and FVM at finite volume centers. FEM involves dividing a domain into simpler elements, determining values within elements using interpolation of nodal values, and solving field equations across the element mesh. Common FEM applications include mechanical, civil, fluid, heat transfer, structural, electromagnetic, solid mechanics, and vibration analyses.

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Darshan Soni
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66 views

FEM - TYME - Lecture 1 PDF

The document discusses numerical approaches like the finite difference method (FDM), finite element method (FEM), and finite volume method (FVM) for solving complex problems. It explains that FDM stores dependent values at nodes, FEM at element nodes, and FVM at finite volume centers. FEM involves dividing a domain into simpler elements, determining values within elements using interpolation of nodal values, and solving field equations across the element mesh. Common FEM applications include mechanical, civil, fluid, heat transfer, structural, electromagnetic, solid mechanics, and vibration analyses.

Uploaded by

Darshan Soni
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Lecture 1
Need of Numerical Approach:

The Experimental approach is the most accurate but costly and time consuming. In the
Theoretical / Analytical Approach the available mathematical equations or models are not
capable to find the approximate / exact solution of many practical problems. So Numerical
approach is useful to predict the solution of such complicated problems. This we can also
called as a Numerical Experiment.

Discretization Techniques:

1. In finite difference, the dependent variable values are stored at nodes only. In FEM ,
the dependent values are stores at element nodes. But in FVM, the dependent values
are stored in the center of finite volume.
2. A FDM Discretization is based upon the differential form of the PDE to be solved.
Each derivative is replaced with an approximate difference formula. A FVM
Discretization is based upon an integral form of PDE to be solved. A FEM
Discretization is based upon a piecewise representation of the solution in terms of
specified basic functions.
3. In FDM the computational domain is usually divided into hexahedral cells and the
solution is obtained at each nodal point. In FVM the computational domain is usually
divided into finite volumes and then for every volume the governing equations are
solved. In FEM the computational domain is usually divided into smaller domains
(finite elements) and the solution in each element is constructed.

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 1


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Finite Element Method:

In this Numerical Approach, to find the solution of complicated problems when no


mathematical tools are available to find the exact or approximate solution., we replace it into
simpler one. As shown in below figure 1 to find the elongation and stress at different section
of tapered bar it can be replace by rectangular single bar or step bar to make it simple for
calculation.

Element 1

Element 2

P P Element 1 P
Figure 1. Tapper Bar

This approach will give approximate solution as it gives the solution of replaced simpler
problem. By computational effort approximate solution can be refined. As we know that the
circumference of a circle was found by approximating the perimeter of the polygon as shown
in figure 2. Increasing the number of sides of the polygon can refine the solution.

Figure 2. Circumference of Circle

The actual body is the assemblage of subdivisions called Finite element. In Figure 1. Tapper
bar is divided by rectangular element similarly in figure 2 the circle is divided by line element.

The process of representing a actual body with finite elements is known as meshing, and the
resulting set of elements is known as the finite element mesh. As element commonly used to
divide the domain have straight sides, so for the domain containing curved boundaries it is
difficult to cover entire body by the element mesh.

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 2


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Nodes

Finite Element

, how are values obtained at other points within a finite element? The answer contains the crux
of the finite element method: The values of the field variable computed at the nodes are used
to approximate the values at nonnodal points (that is, in the element interior) by interpolation
of the nodal values. For the three-node triangle example, the nodes are all exterior and, at any
other point within the element, the field variable is described by the approximate relation (x, y)
= N1(x, y)1 + N2(x, y)2 + N3(x, y)3 (1.1) where 1, 2, and 3 are the values of the field variable
at the nodes, and N1, N2, and N3 are the interpolation functions, also known as shape functions
or blending functions.

Elements are interconnected at specified joint called nodes or nodal points. If the values of the
field variable are computed only at nodes so how the actual variation of the field variable
(Temperature, velocity, stress, displacement) inside the continuum is not known. For that,
assume the variation of the field variable inside a finite element can be approximated by simple
function called interpolation model. That approximating function are defined in terms of field
variables at nodes. By solving the field equations, the field variable throughout the assemblage
can be found.

For Example for a line element at any intermediate point temperature T(x,y) can be find out by
approximate relation:

T(x,y) = N1T1 + N2T2 + N3T3

where T1, T2 & T3 are the nodal temperature of that element and N1, N2, N3 are interpolation
function also called as Shape Functions.

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 3


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

How Finite Element Analysis work:

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 4


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 5


CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FEA Applications:
1. Mechanical/ Automobile/ Aerospace/ Civil Engineering
2. Fluid Flow
3. Heat Transfer
4. Structural Analysis
5. Electromagnetic
6. Solid Mechanics
7. Vibration

Q1. What's the difference between FEM FDM and FVM?


Q2. Enlist the applications of FEM?

DGS-FINITE Element Method Mechanical Engineering Department 6

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