Finite Element Method

introductory workshop series

1st WORKSHOP
Introduction to Finite Element
Method
Teacher’s name:__________________________________________________

Class:___________________________________________________________

Team:__________________________________________________________

Team members:

Name Student number

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Realization date:______________________
Due date:____________________________

Grade:
1
 1. Introduction to Finite Element Method

Objective: The student will learn:

• The CAE-Driven Design Process.
• Methods for solving Engineering problems.
• The concept of discretization.
• The concept of degrees of freedom.
• Stiffness in FEA.
• Element types.
• Element density and element type effect on solution.
Time needed: 1:30 hr.
Required material: https://correoipn.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/serviciosocial269/evzgx3nav2pcru3w3kcnyfkbl7xcis0tu8cho
dk5gk3g0g?e=tf2cym
Introduction:
The engineering design process is not stablished the same way all around the world, some
places continue making trial-error design loops, so goals accomplishing is not something
assured in the final product.
The CAE-Driven Design Process uses numerical optimization to determine the optimum
design in an early engineering process as shown next.

The traditional Design Process…

DESIGN VIRTUAL
BUILD TEST
(CAD) TEST

REDESIGN LOOP
The CAE-Driven Design Process…

COCEIVE DESIGN VIRTUAL TEST

(OPTIMIZATION) BUILD TEST
(CAD) (CAE)

OPTIMIZATION LOOP

It is the importance of learning CAE tools such as FEM or CFD. But are numerical methods
the unique way to solve engineering methods? the answer is shown:
Analytical method Numerical method Experimental method
● Classical approach. ● Mathematical representation. ● Actual measurement.
● 100% accurate ● Approximate, assumptions made. ● Time consuming and
results. ● Applicable even if a physical prototype needs expensive set up.
● Closed form is not available. ● Applicable only if physical
solution. ● Real life complex problems. prototype is available.
● Applicable only for ● Results cannot believe blindly. Results ● Results cannot be
simple problems like must be validated. believed blindly and a
simple supported ● Different methods such as FEM, BEM, minimum of 3 to 5
beams. FVM, FDM, etc. each one with a specific prototypes must be tested.
application.

2
As explain in the last table, there are different numerical methods for solving engineering
problems, a brief introduction to the most important is presented:

• Finite Element Method (FEM):

Used to determine the approximate solutions for partial differential equations (PDE) on
a defined domain (W). To solve the PDE, the primary challenge is to create a function base
that can approximate the solution. There are many ways of building the approximation
base and how this is done is determined by the formulation selected. The Finite Element
Method has a very good performance to solve partial differential equations over complex
domains that can vary with time.
Some applications are Linear, nonlinear, buckling, thermal, dynamic and fatigue
analysis.

• Boundary Element Method (BEM):

This is a very powerful and efficient technique to solve acoustics or NVH problems. Just
like the finite element method, it also requires nodes and elements, but as the name
suggests it only considers the outer boundary of the domain. So, when the problem is of
a volume, only the outer surfaces are considered. If the domain is of an area, then only
the outer periphery is considered. This way it reduces the dimensionality of the problem
by a degree of one and thus solving the problem faster.

• Finite Volume Method (FVM):

Is a method for representing and evaluating partial differential equations as algebraic
equations. It is very similar to FDM, where the values are calculated at discrete volumes
on a generic geometry. In the FVM, volume integrals in a partial differential equation that
contain a divergence term are converted to surface integrals, using the divergence
theorem. These terms are then evaluated as fluxes at the surfaces of each finite volume.
Because the flux entering a given volume is identical to that leaving the adjacent volume,
these methods are conservative. Another advantage of the finite volume method is that
it is easily formulated to allow for unstructured meshes. The method is used in many
computational fluid dynamics packages.

• Finite Difference Method (FDM):

Is described as a way to solve differential equation. It uses Taylor’s series to convert a
differential equation to an algebraic equation. In the conversion process, higher order
terms are neglected. It is used in combination with BEM or FVM to solve thermal and CFD
coupled problems.

Finite Difference Method is the discretization of partial differential equations while

Finite Element Method, Boundary Element Method and Finite Volume Method are
the discretization of the integral form of the equations.

3
We have talked about how the numeric method gives a solution for a equation on an
specific domain, the discretization is the process to transform this domain from an infinite
to a finite one.
All real-life objects are continuous. This means there is no physical gap between any two
consecutive particles. Any object is made up of small particles, particles of molecules,
molecules of atoms, and so on and they are bonded together by the force of attraction.
Solving a real-life problem with the continuous material approach is difficult. The basis
of all numerical methods is to simplify the problem by discretizing (discontinuation)
it.
In other words, nodes work like atoms and the gap in between the nodes is filled by
an entity called an element. Calculations are made at the nodes and results are
interpolated for the elements.

The discretization to solve a real-life problem

Continuous approach Discrete approach

Equivalent
mathematical.

Represented by shell
elements and beam
elements, person via
lumped mass at C.G.

From a mechanical engineering point of view any component can be represented by:

Meshing (nodes and elements) is nothing but the discretization of a continuous

system with infinite degrees of freedom to a finite degrees of freedom.

4
Mathematical and physic background:
• Finite
Any continuous object has infinite degrees of freedom and it is not possible to solve the
problem in this format. The Finite Element Method reduces the degrees of freedom
from infinite to finite with the help of discretization or meshing (nodes and
elements).
• Element
All of the calculations are made at a limited number of points known as nodes. The entity
joining nodes and forming a specific shape such as quadrilateral or triangular is known as
an Element. To get the value of a variable (say displacement) anywhere in between the
calculation points, an interpolation function (depending on the shape of the element)
is used.
• Degrees of freedom:
The minimum number of parameters (motion, coordinates, temperature, etc.) required
to define the position and state of any entity completely in space is known as degrees of
freedom (dof). The total DOFs for a given mesh model is equal to the number of nodes
multiplied by the number of dof per node.

o Point
Suppose the origin is at the bottom left A
corner and is known. To define the
position of point A completely with 𝑦1
respect to the origin, we need two
parameters x1 and y1, in other words 2
dofs (translation x and y). 𝑥1
o Line in a 2D space
Consider that the point A is a part of a A
line, now one angle should also be
defined in addition to the two 𝑦1
translations, 3 dofs (two translations B
and one rotation).
𝑥1
o Line in a 3D space
B
Suppose points A and B are shifted out
of the plane and the line is rotated
arbitrarily with respect to the three
axes. The minimum number of
parameters to define the position of
point A completely would be 6 dofs, 3
translations (Ux, Uy, Uz) and 3 rotations 𝑦1 A 𝑧1
(θx, θy, θz).
𝑥1

DOF is a very important concept. In FEA, they are used for the individual calculation points.

5
All of the elements do not always have 6 dofs per node. The number of dofs depends on
the type of element (1D, 2D, 3D), the family of element (thin shell, plane stress,
plane strain, membrane, etc.), and the type of analysis.
For example, for a structural analysis, a thin shell element has 6 dof/node (displacement
unknown, 3 translations and 3 rotations) while the same element when used for
thermal analysis has single dof/node (temperature unknown).
• Results interpolation
FEA makes calculations at limited number of points, to know what’s going on at different
locations a process of interpolation is carried out.
o 4 noded quadrilateral 1 2
A “quad4” element uses the following
linear interpolation formula: ?
?
𝑢 = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1𝑥 + 𝑎2𝑦 + 𝑎3𝑥𝑦

FEA calculates the values at the outer ?

nodes 1, 2, 3, 4 once a0, a1, a2, a3 are
known. 3 4
o 8 noded quadrilateral 1 2 3
The following parabolic interpolation
function is used: ?
?
8 4
𝑢 = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1𝑥 + 𝑎2𝑦 + 𝑎3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑎4𝑥2 ?
+ 𝑎5𝑦2 + 𝑎6𝑥2𝑦 + 𝑎7𝑥𝑦2

7 6 5
• Stiffness
Is equal to the force required to produce a unit displacement. The stiffness depends on
the geometry as well as the material properties.
𝐹 𝑁
𝐾 = …( )
𝐿 𝑚𝑚
Consider 3 rods of exactly the same geometrical dimensions –Cast Iron, Mild Steel, and
Aluminium. The Cast Iron would require the maximum force, followed by Steel
and Aluminium respectively.
𝐶𝐼 𝑀𝑆 𝐴𝐿

𝐹
𝐹 𝐹
𝑘𝐶𝐼 > 𝑘𝑀𝑆 > 𝑘𝐴𝐿

6
Now consider 3 different cross sectional rods of the same material. Again, the
force required to produce a unit deformation will be different. Therefore, stiffness
depends on the geometry as well as the material.
𝐶𝐼 𝐶𝐼 𝐶𝐼

𝐹 𝐹
𝐹
𝑘𝐶𝐼 ≠ 𝑘𝐶𝐼 ≠ 𝑘𝐶𝐼

For structural analysis, stiffness is a very important property. The equation for linear static
analysis is:
[𝐹] = [𝐾] [𝐷]
The force is usually known, the displacement is unknown, and the stiffness is a
characteristic property of the element. This means if we formulate the stiffness matrix
for a given shape, like line, quadrilateral, or tetrahedron, then the analysis of any
geometry could be performed by meshing it and then solving the equation F = K D. There
are different methods for formulating the stiffness matrix, the Direct, Variational and
Weighted Residual Methods. The direct method is easy to understand but difficult for
programming and is the opposite with the Variational and Weighted methods, they are
easy to program but difficult to understand.

In any finite element model, the summation of forces and moments is zero at the
internal nodes (except the nodes which are restrained and at which the external
force and moment is applied). The overall summation of the forces and the
moments for the complete model is 0. (The external forces and moments = the
reaction forces and moments). This is one of the important checks for ensuring correct
results.

Properties of the stiffness matrix

• The order of the stiffness matrix corresponds to the total dofs.
• A singular stiffness matrix means the structure is unconstrained and has rigid
body motion.
• Each column of the stiffness matrix is an equilibrium set of nodal forces
required to produce the unit respective dof.
• A symmetric stiffness matrix shows the force is directly proportional to
displacement.
• Diagonal terms of the matrix are always positive meaning a force directed in
say the left direction cannot produce a displacement in the right direction.
Diagonal terms will be zero or negative only if the structure is unstable.

7
 • Element types
The most used element types are depicted as well as their degrees of freedom.
o Rod Element 2

A rod element is a 1D line element that

is connected by 2 nodes. A rod element 1

is a two-force member and only has an 3

axial load and moment.
A rod element can thought of as a F

structural member with a pinned joint T

(spherical joint) at each node.
123(456)
It can be used as: Structural members 23(56)

and truss structures.

Nodes: 2
DOFs: 3 or 6 DOF per node

o Beam Element F T

A beam element is a 1D line element

that is connected by 2 nodes. In 2D
F
space, a beam
T
element has 3 DOF (degrees of freedom)
at each node (two translation and one 123(456)
T
F
rotation).
A beam element can carry a moment.
Therefore, it can also carry a load
transverse (normal) to its axis.
It can be used as: Truss structures, rings,
frames, brackets, clips, arch, etc.
Nodes: 2
DOFs: 3 or 6 DOF per node

o Shell Element
Are 3 or 4 node 2D elements that can be
oriented anywhere in 3D space. 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.
Example elements: CTRIA3, CQUAD4,
CTRIA6, CQUAD8
They can be used as: thin membrane
like materials like fabric, thin metal
shells, etc.
Nodes:
First order: 4 or 3 nodes
Second order: 6 or 8 nodes
DOFs: 6 DOF per node

8
 o Solid Element
They are 3D shape element type with
multiple degrees of freedom. Solid
Elements are used for complex load
cases but due to their computational
demand, solid elements are used
carefully.
Example elements: CHEXA, CPENTA,
CTETRA.
They can be used for: Modeling thick
structural bodies of interest such as a
piston or crankshaft.
Nodes:
First order: 4, 5, 6, 8 nodes
Second order: 8, 12, 15, 20 nodes
DOFs: 2 DOF per node

Tabla 1 Element type summary (nomenclature for NASTRAN and Optistruct solvers).

9
Simple examples:
1. Deriving the Stiffness matrix using the Direct Method
Assume there are n dof’s for a given element:

Rod Element

𝑖 𝑗

𝐴 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

2 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠, 1 𝑑𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒
𝐸 = 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

I. Assume the 1𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑓 ≠ 0, and all the other 𝑑𝑜𝑓 = 0...Leading to 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1.

𝑈𝑖
𝐹𝑖
𝑖 𝑗

𝑢𝑖 > 0, 𝑢𝑗 = 0 STATICS
𝐹 = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒; 𝜎 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠; 𝜀 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝑀𝑦 = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 𝐹𝑖 + 𝐹𝑗 = 0 𝐹𝑖 = −𝐹𝑗
∑ 𝐹𝑧 = 0 ∑ 𝑀𝑧 = 0
𝜎𝑥 = 𝐹/𝐴 𝜀 = 𝑢/𝐿
𝜎𝑥 = 𝜀𝐸 𝐹/𝐴 = 𝐸𝑢/𝐿
𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸
𝐹𝑖 = ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑖 𝐹𝑗 = −𝐹𝑖 = − ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑖 … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1.
𝐿 𝐿

II. Assume the 2𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑓 ≠ 0, and all the other 𝑑𝑜𝑓 = 0...Leading to 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2.

𝑈𝑗
𝐹𝑗
𝑖 𝑗

𝑢𝑖 = 0, 𝑢𝑗 > 0

𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸
𝐹𝑗 = ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑗 𝐹𝑖 = −𝐹𝑗 = − ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑗 … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2.
𝐿 𝐿

n) Assume the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑜𝑓 ≠ 0, and all the other 𝑑𝑜𝑓 = 0...Leading to 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑛.

𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆.

10
 n+1) Sum all the equations…Leading to the generalized formulation of [𝐾].

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2

𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸
𝐹𝑖 = ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑖 − ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑗
𝐿 𝐿
𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸
𝐹𝑗 = − ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑖 + ( ) ∗ 𝑢𝑗
𝐿 𝐿

𝐹𝑖 𝐴𝐸 1 −1 𝑢𝑖
|( )| = ( )[ ] |( )|
𝐹𝑗 2𝑥1 𝐿 −1 1 (2𝑥2) 𝑢𝑗 2𝑥1
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥 𝑆𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥
2. Stress calculation in a 2D truss
Consider the following truss:

I. Computing displacement
This is a 2D truss, this means it can only move in X and Y direction. The nodes and
elements are arranged so its main characteristics are identified.

Nodes arrangement

11
Elements arrangement

Elements main caracteristics

The stiffness matrix for an element is as follows:

Where:
𝑐 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒
𝑠 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒

The stiffness matrix for each element is constructed:

Element 1

Element 2

Element 3

Element 4

12
The next step is to create a stiffness matrix for the entire structure, to accomplish this, a
common factor based on the Young’s modulus and the length of the elements.

Element 1: Divide the outside by 15

and multiply each element of the
matrix by 15.

Element 2: Divide the outside by 20

and multiply each element of the
matrix by 20.

Element 3: Divide the outside by

12 and multiply each element of
the matrix by 12.

Element 4: Divide the outside by

15 and multiply each element of
the matrix by 15.

In this way, the matrices are added into the global stiffness matrix:

Remembering the basic equation:

[𝐾][𝑄] = [𝐹]
𝐾 = 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥
𝑄 = 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒
𝐹 = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥

13
Now we must consider the boundary conditions imposed in the truss. Some joints are fix
type (no movement allowed), another joint is sliding type (one dof allowed). These
movements or degrees or freedom are eliminated from the final equation. Movement on
1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 dof’s is considered cero.

The final equation is:

Using Gaussian elimination or other solution technique, we get the displacement at each
unconstrained dof.

14
 II. Computing stress
The stress at each element is computed using:

𝜎1 = 20,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖

𝜎2 = −21,875 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝜎3 = −5,208 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝜎4 = 4,167 𝑝𝑠𝑖
3. Torsion of a circular shaft
Consider the following shaft:

200 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑓𝑡
1.5 𝑖𝑛
1 𝑖𝑛
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶

2.5 𝑓𝑡 1 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑓𝑡

From mechanics of materials: 𝜃 = 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑡

𝑇𝑙 𝐽 = 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎
𝜃= 𝑙 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝐽𝐺
𝐺 = 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒
For an element:

𝐽𝐺 1 −1 𝜃1 𝑇
𝑇2 [ ] { } = { 1}
𝑙 −1 1 𝜃2 𝑇2

𝑇1
𝑙

15
Considering:
𝑙𝑏
𝐺𝐴𝐵 = 3.9 ∗ 106 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 1.5 𝑖𝑛
𝑖𝑛2
𝑙𝑏
𝐺𝐵𝐶 = 4 ∗ 106 2 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 1 𝑖𝑛.
𝑖𝑛
As BC we have the torque applied at D and both shaft ends are fixed in their 6 dof.
The problem is divided into three elements (AD, DB, BC).
The polar moment of inertia is:
4
1 4 1 1.5
𝐽1 = 𝐽2 = 𝜋𝑟 = 𝜋 ( 𝑖𝑛) = 0.497 𝑖𝑛4
2 2 2
4
1 1.0
𝐽3 = 𝜋 ( 𝑖𝑛) = 0.0982 𝑖𝑛4
2 2
The stiffness matrix for each element is:
𝐽𝐺 1 −1
[𝐾] = [ ]
𝑙 −1 1

0.497𝑖𝑛4 ∗ 3.9𝑒 6 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2 1 −1 64610 −64610

[𝐾]1 = [ ]=[ ] 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛
12 ∗ 2.5 𝑖𝑛 −1 1 −64610 64610

0.497𝑖𝑛4 ∗ 3.9𝑒 6 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2 1 −1 161525 −161525

[𝐾]2 = [ ]=[ ] 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛
12 ∗ 1 𝑖𝑛 −1 1 −161525 161525

0.0982𝑖𝑛4 ∗ 4.0𝑒 6 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2 1 −1 16367 −16367

[𝐾]3 = [ ]=[ ] 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛
12 ∗ 2 𝑖𝑛 −1 1 −16367 16367

Assembling the global stiffness matrix:

[𝐾]𝐺 = [𝐾]1 + [𝐾]2 + [𝐾]3

64610 −64610 0 0
[𝐾]𝐺 = [ −64610 64610 + 161525 −161525 0 ]
0 −161525 161525 + 16367 −16367
0 0 −16367 16367

Applying boundary conditions:

1 0 0 0 𝜃1 0
−64610 226135 −161525 0 𝜃2 −200 ∗ 12 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛}
[ ] ={
0 −161525 177892 −16367 𝜃3 0
0 0 0 1 0
{𝜃4 }
Solving the equations:
𝜃1 0
𝜃2 −0.03020 𝑟𝑎𝑑}
={
𝜃3 −0.02742 𝑟𝑎𝑑
0
{𝜃4 }
The reaction moments at boundaries A and C are determined:

{𝑅} = [𝐾]{𝜃} − {𝑇}

16
 𝑅𝐴 64610 −64610 0 0 0 0
𝑅𝐷 −64610 226135 −161525 0 −0.03020 𝑟𝑎𝑑 −200 ∗ 12 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛}
{ }=[ ]{ }−{
𝑅𝐵 0 −161525 177892 −16367 −0.02742 𝑟𝑎𝑑 0
𝑅𝐶 0 0 −16367 16367 0 0
𝑅𝐴 1951 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛
𝑅𝐷 0
{ }={ }
𝑅𝐵 0
𝑅𝐶 449 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛

The sum of 𝑅𝐴 and 𝑅𝐶 is equal to the applied torque of 2400 𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛.

Steps overview:
a) Opening Hypermesh and reviewing model.
b) Importing and reviewing model variants:
a. Model 1
b. Model 2
c. Model 3
d. Model 4
c) Hyperview for comparing results

Steps in detail:

a) Opening Hypermesh and reviewing model.

I. Download the entire Workshop1 folder from this link…
https://correoipn.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Serviciosocial269/EvZGX3nAV2pCru3w3KcNyfkBL7XCiS0tu8ChODK5Gk3g0
g?e=2ZvgT0
II. From your Windows machine open Hypermesh 2021.

III. From the “User profile” dialog box, select Optistruct.

17
IV. The Hypermesh interface is prompted, and its tools and sections will be
explained later.

V. For opening a Hypermesh model just click on “Open model” icon as shown.

VI. From the file selection window select the “main”, notice that the file extension
is .hm

VII. The FEM model is shown in the Hypermesh graphic area.

18
VIII. To better visualize the model, use the next mouse commands…

IX. This is a 2D FEM model, it consists of a plate with a center hole. The left zone
is attached with a 6 dof constraint while a force of 10000 N is applied towards
x direction.

X. The hole is treated with washers to improve element shape.

XI. The elements are “QUAD4” and CTRIA3 type.

19
XII. To change display between geometry and elements, click on components and
toggle the display buttons.

XIII. In the arbol tree, review each category by clicking on the entity type as
shown.

b) Importing and review model variants:

I. There are more model variants to review, these variants were stored using a
different format (.fem), which is the Optistruct format for running a
simulation. There are two ways to review these models, one is with a text
editor, the other one is importing the model in hypermesh.

20
 a. Model 1:
I. Go to the downloaded files and open model_1.fem using a text editor such as
Nodepad ++.

II. The simulation file will be prompted, review the model without modifying any
space or word. The file is divided with comments ($$), look at what is stated
on the file to compared it with the Hypermesh version.

21
III. Go to Hypermesh and click on the new model tab to start from scratch.

IV. Click on the “Import Solver Dech” icon and select model_1.fem in the file
button. The click on Import.

V. The new model will be imported in the graphic area. The main difference
among every model is the mesh kind and density. This model is composed of
CTRIA3 elements around the hole.

22
VI. Review the model entities as shown before.
b. Model 2
I. Open Hypermesh once again without closing the existing session. Two
Hypermesh windows will be opened.
II. Review model_2.fem using the text editor and importing the file into the new
hypermesh session. The mesh around the hole is CQUAD4 kind.

c. Model 3
I. Open Hypermesh once again without closing the existing session. Three
Hypermesh windows will be opened.
II. Review model_3.fem using the text editor and importing the file into the new
hypermesh session. The mesh around the hole is CQUAD4 kind but this time
with less elements.

III. Repeat the same process with model 4 and 5.

Model 4 Model 5

23
c) Hyperview for comparing results
I. Open Hyperview from your Windows Menu

II. Open the session “comparison” localized in the downloaded folder.

III. The results of every model reviewed before are prompted on screen. Stress
with the failure criteria vonMisses for each model is loaded.

24
 IV. Review the maximum stress in each model using the color scale on the left.
Complete the next table.
Element type # Elements at hole Stress [N/mm^2]
Model 1 TRIA 16
Model 2 QUAD 16
Model 3 QUAD 4
Model 4 QUAD 8
Model 5 QUAD 16
Model 6 QUAD 64

Video Workshop

Evaluation:
1) With your own words, explain the process to solve a structural problem using
Finite Element Analysis.
ANSWER: Analize the original problem, try to separate the structure into elements and
nodes and specify a designation for each degree of freedom. Construct the stiffness
matrix for each element depending on the dimensionality of the problem using the
length, slope and material properties for each element. Find a multiplication factor for
each stiffness matrix and get the global stiffness matrix. Use the general equation to apply
boundary conditions and loads on the corresponding degrees of freedom. Simplify the
global stiffness matrix and solve them by any numerical method. Remember you want to
solve for displacement. Calculate stress using the general formula for a 2D element as
well as reaction forces if necessary.
2) How much degrees of freedom are in the 2D truss solved in the problem “Stress
calculation in a 2D truss”?
ANSWER: There are 4 nodes and 4 elements. This is a two-dimensional analysis so each
node is constrained to move in X or Y direction only. There are 4 nodes and 8 degrees of
freedom, two degrees of freedom for each node.

25
 3) In the problem “Stress calculation in a 2D truss”, why the stiffness matrix for an
element is a 4x4 matrix?
ANSWER: The element is attached to two nodes and each of these nodes has two degrees
of freedom. The rows and columns of the stiffness matrix must correlate to those degrees
of freedom.
4) Is there any difference on maximum stress between the model 1 and 2?, if yes,
explain the reason of that difference.
ANSWER: The CTRIA elements around the hole present higher maximum stress because
this kind of element tend to behave as rigid.
5) How is the accuracy of the model 3, 4, 5 and 6 knowing that the analytical
maximum stress calculated for this problem is 20 MPa.
ANSWER: In general, increasing the number of calculation points improves the accuracy.
Suppose somebody gives you 3 straight lines and asks you to best fit it in the circle. Then
find the area of the triangle and compare it with the circle area. As more lines are used,
the area formed by the lines will be more like the circle one.
6) Calculate the error of each model and create a graphic to show the accuracy
behavior of the analyzed models.

7) Which model do you consider is the best model, imagine you are a CAE application
engineer, consider time, accuracy and modeling effort.
ANSWER: The model with 16 elements around the hole present the best accuracy,
solution time and modeling effort, a lot of engineering problems need to consider these
obstacles to get projects on time, this decision is up to the engineer and depends on
experience.
8) Explain what is vonMisses failure criteria with your own words.
ANSWER: In materials science and engineering von Mises yield criterion is also
formulated in terms of the von Mises stress or equivalent tensile stress. This is a scalar
value of stress that can be computed from the Cauchy stress tensor. In this case, a
material is said to start yielding when the von Mises stress reaches a value known as yield
strength. The von Mises stress is used to predict yielding of materials under complex
loading from the results of uniaxial tensile tests. The von Mises stress satisfies the
property where two stress states with equal distortion energy have an equal von Mises
stress.

26
 9) Calculate how many equations are solved for each model using the next
consideration:
𝑑𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 6 𝑑𝑜𝑓/𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒
𝑆𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 = #𝑑𝑜𝑓 2
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 = #𝑑𝑜𝑓
ANSWER: The tendency is to have more equations in the las model.
10) Is the force applied different on each model?, justify your answer. Is there another
way of applying the total force?
ANSWER: The total applied force is the same on each model, however the quantity of
nodes on the right side of the model changes that’s the reason the force is divided by the
nodes. Another way to do the same is to use a 1D rigid element to transmit the total force
equally on each node.

References:

CALCULATEPLUS. (31 de July de 2021). CALCULATEPLUS. Obtenido de

https://calculate.plus/en
FEA, S. (1 de January de 2019). Basic Finite Elements — One Dimensional
Elements.
MatWeb. (31 de July de 2021). MatWeb. Obtenido de
http://www.matweb.com/
Moaven, S. (2008). Finite clement analysis: theory and application with
ANSYS . New Jersey: PEARSON Practice Hall.
Software, M. (2011). Introduction to Finite Element Analysis for University
Courses and Research. May .
The Engineering ToolBox. (2008). Engineering Materials. Obtenido de
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/engineering-materials-
properties-d_1225.html
Trusses, F. E. (s.f.). Trusses Using FEA.

27