FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

BY

Prof.(Dr.) G.A.Harmain
Professor, Mechanical Engg. Dept.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HAZRABAL SRINAGAR
Lecture: 01
Introduction
➢ The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method used to solve differential and integral

equations

➢ Since differential equations can describe the behavior of nearly all physical systems, FEM can be

applied to analyze a wide range of physical problems. Simple linear static problems as well as highly

complex non-linear transient dynamic problems are effectively solved using FEM.

➢ FEM has now become an integral part of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and is being extensively

used in the analysis and design of many complex real-life systems

➢ Originally developed as an extension of matrix methods for structural analysis and initially seen as a

tool solely for structural problems, FEM is now applied to a broad range of fields, from biomechanics

to electromagnetic fields
 History of FEM
While it is difficult to quote date of invention of FEM, the method originated from
the need to solve complex elasticity and structural analysis problems in civil and
aeronautical engineering.

FEM development can be

tracked back in early 1940 Courant's approach divides the
from the work of Alexander domain into finite triangular
sub-regions to solve second
Hrennikoff and R. Courant
order elliptic partial differential
equations (PDEs) that arise
from the problem of torsion of a
Hrennikoff's work
cylinder.
discretizes the
domain by using
lattice analogy Courant's contribution was evolutionary, drawing on
a large body of earlier results for PDEs developed
by Rayleigh,Ritz and Galerkin.

Hrennikoff, Alexander (1941). "Solution Courant, R. (1943). "Variational methods for the solution of
of problems of elasticity by the problems of equilibrium and vibrations". Bulletin of the
framework method". Journal of Applied American Mathematical Society. 49: 1–23. doi:10.1090/s0002-
Mechanics. 8 (4): 169–175. 9904-1943-07818-4
 History of FEM
Ioannis Argyris, around the same time (1960), developed similar technique in
Germany

The words "finite element method" were first used by Clough in his paper in the
Proceedings of 2nd ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineering) conference on
Electronic Computation in 1960.

Leonard Oganesyan, introduced the practical application of the method in the

USSR.

K.Feng (early 1960s) proposed a systematic numerical method for solving partial
differential equations in China based on the computations of dam constructions.
The method was called the finite difference method based on variation principle,
which was another independent invention of the finite element method.

The Courant's technique is called as applied mathematician's version of FEM where

as that of Clough and Argyris is called as engineer's version of FEM.

Although the approaches used by these pioneers are different, they share one
essential characteristic: mesh discretization of a continuous domain into a set of
discrete sub-domains, usually called elements.
 History of FEM (1960-1975), (contd.)
The finite element method obtained its real impetus in the 1960s and 1970s by the developments
of J. H. Argyris (University of Stuttgart), R. W. Clough (UC Berkeley), O. C. Zienkiewicz, Ernest
Hinton, Bruce Irons (Swansea University), Philippe G. Ciarlet (University of Paris) and Richard
Gallagher (Cornell University).

• dynamic (i.e., vibration and transient) problems,

Static, small • small deformation fracture, contact and elastic -
deformation, elastic plastic problems,
problems • non-structural problems like fluid flow and heat
transfer problems.

integral form of the balance law (total potential energy

Structural problems
expression) is used to develop the finite element equations

Non-structural
problems like the integral form of the balance law was developed
fluid flow and heat using the weighted residual method.
transfer problems
 History of FEM (1960-1975), (contd.)
Further impetus was provided in these years by available open source finite element
software programs

NASA sponsored UC Berkeley made In Norway the ship classification society

the original version the finite element Det Norske Veritas (now DNV GL) developed
of NASTRAN program SAP IV Sesam in 1969 for use in analysis of ships

A rigorous mathematical basis to the finite element method was provided in 1973 with
the publication by Strang and Fix. (Strang, Gilbert; Fix, George (1973). An Analysis of The Finite Element
Method. Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-032946-2.)

were solved by FEM only around 1976 using the

The large updated Lagrangian formulation.
deformation (i.e.,
geometrically non- This technique was soon extended to other
linear) structural problems containing geometric non-linearity :
problems, where the • dynamic problems,
domain changes • fracture problems,
significantly • contact problems,
• elastic-plastic (i.e., materially non-linear)
problems
New FEM packages for
analyzing large NASTRAN, ANSYS, and ABAQUS etc. were
deformation problems developed.
(1960-1975)

Recent Developments
➢ Extended Finite Element method (XFEM)

➢ Meshfree/ Meshless Techniques

➢ Element free Galerkin method (EFGM)

➢ Free Mesh method (FMM)

➢ Smooth particle hydrodynamics method (SPH)

➢ Diffuse element method (DEM)

➢ Meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method (MLPG)

➢ Coupled Finite Element - Element free Galerkin method (Coupled FE-EFGM)

Basic Concepts
➢ Domain: A domain Ω refers to the physical or mathematical space that is being analyzed. It represents the
entire area, volume, or region in which the problem is defined and over which the equations are solved.
➢ For example:
In structural analysis, the domain could be the shape of a beam, plate, or entire building structure.
In thermal analysis, the domain might represent a material body where heat transfer occurs.
In fluid dynamics, the domain could be the fluid volume within a pipe or around an object.
➢ A geometrically complex domain Ω is discretized into smaller, manageable units known as elements or sub-
domains which are connected at specific points called nodes. The collection of elements or sub-domains is
referred to as the finite element mesh.
➢ Domain may be 1-D, 2-D or 3-D
➢ 1D Domain: A line or a length (e.g., a beam).
➢ 2D Domain: A surface (e.g., a sheet or plate).
➢ 3D Domain: A volume (e.g., a solid body).
Basic Concepts
➢ Element/Sub-domain: The basic unit into which the domain is subdivided. Types of elements depend on
the dimension (1D, 2D, or 3D).
➢ 1D: Bars, beams, trusses
➢ 2D: Triangles, quadrilaterals, plates, shells
➢ 3D: Tetrahedra, hexahedra, pentahedra, octahedra
➢ Specialized: Contact, spring, fluid, thermal, electromagnetic elements
➢ Nodes: The discrete points that represent specific locations in the geometry of the domain where the
unknown field variables (like displacement, temperature, pressure, etc.) are calculated.
➢ In a 1D bar element, nodes will be located at the two ends of the bar.
➢ In a 2D triangular element, there will be three nodes, one at each corner.
➢ In a 3D tetrahedral element, there are four nodes, one at each vertex
➢ Discretization: Breaking the domain into smaller elements for computational efficiency and solution
accuracy.
Figure: Discretization of a two-dimensional domain. (a) Original domain with boundary. (b) Representation of the
domain by a collection of triangles and quadrilateral elements. (c) A typical element with domain and boundary.
(d) Representation of the domain by a collection of nodes.
Applications
➢ Structural Analysis
1. Building & Infrastructure Design: Analysis of stress, strain, and deformation in buildings, bridges, and dams.
2. Mechanical Components: Design optimization of gears, shafts, and pressure vessels.
3. Automotive Safety: Vehicle crash simulations, frame design for safety.

➢ Thermal Analysis
1. Heat Transfer: Simulating heat distribution in materials (e.g., engines, electronics).
2. Thermal Stresses: Analyzing temperature-induced stress in materials (thermal expansion)

➢ Composite Materials
1. Material Behavior: Analysis of composite materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced composites).
2. Failure Prediction: Predicting failure modes such as delamination and cracking
Applications
➢ Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
1. Fluid Flow: Simulating liquid and gas flow in pipes, ventilation, and aircraft.
2. Aerodynamics: Studying airflow over vehicles, airplanes, and turbine blades.
3. Hydrodynamics: Modeling water flow in rivers, dams, and groundwater.

➢ Biomechanics
1. Prosthetics & Medical Devices: Design of prosthetic limbs, and joint replacements.
2. Bone & Tissue Analysis: Simulating bone stress and soft tissue behavior.
3. Orthopaedic Studies: Analysing stress in bones during various activities.

➢ Composite Materials
1. Material Behavior: Analysis of composite materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced composites).
2. Failure Prediction: Predicting failure modes such as delamination and cracking.
Applications
➢ Crash & Safety Simulations
1. Vehicle Safety: Simulating car crashes and improving safety features.
2. Protective Gear: Designing helmets and body armor for impact absorption.

➢ Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

➢ 3D Printing Simulation: Predicting thermal stresses, and deformation during printing.
➢ Optimizing Print Quality: Ensuring dimensional accuracy and structural integrity.

Conclusion
1. Versatility of FEM: Used across engineering and scientific disciplines.
2. Key Industries: Automotive, aerospace, biomechanics, manufacturing, and more.
Available Commercial FEM Software Packages

ANSYS SDRC/I-DEAS NASTRAN

(General purpose, PC (Complete CAD/ CAM/ (General purpose FEA
and workstations) CAE package) on mainframes)

ABAQUS COSMOS ALGOR

(Nonlinear and dynamic
(General purpose FEA) (PC and workstations)
analyses)

PATRAN HyperMesh Dyna-3D

(Pre/Post Processor) (Pre/Post Processor) (Crash/impact analysis)
Assignment: 01
➢ Comparison of Finite Element Method with Other Numerical Methods

➢ Key Takeaways

1. Domain: The physical area or volume you're studying, which can be one-dimensional (1D), two-
dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D).
2. Element: A fundamental unit used to divide the domain into smaller, simpler parts. The type of element
depends on the problem's dimensionality (1D, 2D, or 3D).
3. Nodes: Specific points at the corners or boundaries of each element, where the field values (like
displacement or temperature) are calculated.
Books Recommended
➢ Segerlind L.J, “Applied Finite Element Analysis”, John Wiley Publishers, Second Edition,
1976.
➢ Bathe, K.J. and Wilson, E.L., “Numerical Methods in Finite Element Analysis”, Prentice
Hall,1976.
➢ Reddy, J.N, “An Introduction to the Finite Element Method”, McGraw Hill
Education,1984
➢ NPTEL Lectures by
➢ Prof. C.S.Upadhyay, IIT Kanpur
➢ Prof. Nachiketa Tiwari, IIT Kanpur
➢ Prof. R. Krishnakumar, IIT Madras
➢ Prof. P.M. Dixit, IIT Kanpur