TS 4466 2 Credits

Finite Element Method

Instructor:
Wong Foek Tjong, Ph.D.

Course description

The course aims to enable the students to

understand the basic concepts and
procedures of the finite element method
(FEM) and to apply the FEM by using a
commercial software
Teaches

understanding of how finite element

methods work rather than how to use a
software

Nov 9, 2015

The instructor

Graduated from Universitas Parahyangan, Bandung in

March1994
Final project: Dynamic Analysis of Multi-degree-ofFreedom Structures Subjected to Ergodic Random Excitation

Graduated from Institut Teknologi Bandung in April1998

Master thesis: Active Vibration Control of Structures by Using
Artificial Neural Network Observer

Graduated from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

in May 2009
Dissertation: Kriging-based Finite Element Method for Plates and
Shells

Contact: [email protected]
P Building, Room P402B
Tel. 62-31-298-3391

Nov 9, 2015

Course outline
1.
2.

Overview of the FEM

The direct stiffness method

3.

One-dimensional elements

4.

6.
Nov 9, 2015

Bar, beam, torsional bar elements

Frame element in 3D space

Two-dimensional elements for plane-strain/planestress problems

5.

Spring and bar systems

Truss structures

Constant strain triangle element

Bilinear isoparametric quadrilateral element

Introduction to plate and shell elements

Applications of the FEM using SAP2000
4

References

D.L. Logan (2007)

A First Course in the Finite Element Method
the 4th Ed., Toronto, Nelson

D.V. Hutton (2004)

Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis
New York, McGraw-Hill

R. D. Cook, D.S. Malkus, M.E. Plesha and R.J. Witt (2002)

Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis
4th Ed., John Wiley and Sons

W. Weaver, Jr. and P.R. Johnston (1984)

Finite Elements for Structural Analysis
New Jersey, Prentice-Hall

Nov 9, 2015

References (contd)

Computers and Structures, Inc. (2006)

CSI Analysis Reference Manual, Berkeley, CSI

C. Felippa (2008)
Introduction to Finite Element Methods

http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/cas/cours
es.d/IFEM.d/
R. Krisnakumar (2010)
Introduction to Finite Element Methods
http://www.youtube.com
(Video of lecture series on FEMs)

Nov 9, 2015

Softwares

MATLAB Ver. 6.5

Strongly recommended software for matrix
computation and programming

SAP 2000 Ver. 11.0.0

For applications

Nov 9, 2015

Grading weights
Homework assignments
Mid-semester exam
Take home test
Final exam-- project

Nov 9, 2015

15%
35%
15%
35%

Late coming to the class

The tolerance for coming late to the class is 20

minutes.
Those who come late more than 20 minutes are
NOT allowed to attend the class.
Please refer to the FEM Lecture Plan for more
academic norms

Nov 9, 2015

Any question about the course

before we begin with the
Overview of the FEM?

Nov 9, 2015

10

Discussion: the task of a structural

engineer

Let take a look on a typical job vacancy announcement

that you may read once you graduate from your study

Nov 9, 2015

11

Nov 9, 2015

12

Discussion (contd)

Why do you think a design engineer is required to

master a structural analysis and design software?
An engineer needs to understand the behavior of a
structure so that he/she can make judicious decisions in
design, retrofitting, or rehabilitation of the structure

Nov 9, 2015

13

Behavior of a
Real Structure
Simulation
Simplifications and
assumptions of the
real structure

Mathematical
Model
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Experiment
Replicate conditions of the
structure (possibly on a
smaller scale) and observe
the behavior of the model

Physical
Model
14

An example of the FEM

applications
Real experiment
It is often expensive or
dangerous

FE simulation
It replicates conditions of
the real experiment

Source: W.J. Barry (2003), FEM Lecture Slides, AIT Thailand

Nov 9, 2015

15

The need for modeling

A real structure cannot be analyzed, it

can only be load tested to determine
the responses
We can only analyze a model of the
structure (perform simulation)
We need to model the structure as
close as possible to represent the
behavior of the real structure

Source: W. Kanok-Nukulchai
Nov 9, 2015

16

The idealization process for a

simple structure

Source: C. Felippa
Nov 9, 2015

17

Mathematical
Models
Analytical Solution
Techniques
Closed-form
Solutions
Only possible for
simple geometries and
boundary conditions
Nov 9, 2015

Numerical Solution
Techniques
Finite difference methods
Finite element methods
Boundary element methods
Mesh-free methods
etc.

18

Finite element method (1)

It is a computational technique used to obtain

approximate solutions of engineering problems.
In the context of structural analyzes, it may be regarded
as a generalized direct stiffness method.

The direct stiffness method you studied in MK 4215 Structural

Analysis III is actually the application of the FEM to frame
structures

It is originated as a method of structural analysis but is

now widely used in various disciplines such as heat
transfer, fluid flow, seepage, electricity and magnetism,
and others.

Nov 9, 2015

19

Finite element method (2)

Modern FEM were first developed and applied by

aeronautical engineers, i.e. M.J. Turner et al., at Boeing
company in the period 1950s.

1956: The first engineering FEM paper

Nov 9, 2015

20

Finite element method (3)

The name finite element method was

coined by R.W. Clough in 1960. It is
called finite in order to distinguish with
infinitesimal element in Calculus.
1967: First FEM book by O.C.
Zienkiewicz

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21

Finite element method (4)

The computation is carried out automatically

using a computer or a network of computers.
The results are generally not exact.

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22

Example of applications in
structural engineering
1. Framed structures

(b) Grid
(a) Truss
Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984
Nov 9, 2015

23

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)
1. Framed structures (contd)

(c) Frame

(d) Arch

Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984

Nov 9, 2015

24

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)
2. Two-dimensional continua

(b) Plane strain

(a) Plane stress
Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984
Nov 9, 2015

25

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)
3. Three-dimensional continua

(a) General solid

(b) Axisymmetric solid
Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984
Nov 9, 2015

26

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)
4. Plate in bending

Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984

Nov 9, 2015

27

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)
5. Shells

(a) General shell

(b) Axis symmetric
shell
Source: Weaver and Johnston, 1984
Nov 9, 2015

28

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)

The analysis and

design of buildings

The analysis of a double

curvature dam taking into
account soil-structure
interactions effects

Source: http://gid.cimne.upc.es/gidinpractice/gp01.html
Nov 9, 2015

29

Example of applications in
structural engineering (contd)

The structural analysis

of an F-16 aircraft

The analysis of the Cathedral of

Barcelona using 3D solid elements.
(courtesy of Barcelona Cathedral)

Source: http://gid.cimne.upc.es/gidinpractice/gp01.html
Nov 9, 2015

30

Discretization (1)

Fundamental concept is discretization, i.e. dividing a

continuum (continuous body, structural system) into a
finite number of smaller and simple elements whose
union approximates the geometry of the continuum.
Mesh generation programs, called preprocessors, help
the user in doing this work

GiD, a software for pre and post processor

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31

Some basic element shapes

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32

Some 1st order (linear) elements

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33

Some 2nd order (quadratic)

elements

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34

Discretization (2)

One suggestion on performing discretization is

to divide structural regions with high stress
concentration into finer division e.g. in the
vicinity of the support and around the hole(s).
The accuracy of the results can be improved by
using a finer mesh (h-refinement) or using a
higher order elements (p-refinement).

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35

Examples of discretization (1)

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36

Nov 9, 2015

37

Examples of discretization (2)

z

y
x

h
D
Clamped
D=100, D/h =100
E = 2 x 106 ; = 0.3; k =
5/6
Load: uniform q = -1E-6
Nov 9, 2015

76 nodes, 119
elements
172 active DOF
38

Examples of discretization (3)

Cooling Tower Nuclear Power Plant
(taken from a FEM Course Project of
Doddy and Andre, Dec 2008)

150
m

Nov 9, 2015

39

Structural Model and Its Example of

the Analysis Results

The structure is divided

into smaller parts called
Nov 9, 2015element

Membrane force contour in

the circumferential
direction

40

The FE Model with

a Finer Mesh

The structure is modeled

with a finer mesh
Nov 9, 2015

The result is now better

41

Examples of FEM software

For General purposes:

NASTRAN, ANSYS, ADINA, ABAQUS, etc.
For structural analysis, particularly in Civil Engineering:
SANS, SAP, STAAD, GT STRUDL, etc.
For building structures:
ETABS, BATS etc.
For geotechnical design:
PLAXIS
For conducting researches on earthquake engineering:
DRAIN-2D, DRAIN-3D, RUAOMOKO, OpenSees etc.

Nov 9, 2015

42

Typical capabilities of a FE program

Data generation

Element types

Linear-elastic, nonlinear

Load types

E.g. SAP2000: Frame, Cable, Shell, Plane, Asolid, Solid, etc.

Material behavior

Automatic generation of nodes, elements, and restraints

Force, displacement, thermal, time-varying excitation

Plotting results

Original and deformed geometry, stress contours

Nov 9, 2015

43

Why do we need to study the basic

theory of FEM?

Cook, Malkus, and Plesha (1989, pp.6)

Concepts and assumptions behind the computer codes
(FEM software) should be mastered. Engineers are
expected to be able to use the software to gain better
advantages and will less likely misuse them.
SAP2000 disclaimer
The user accepts and understands that no warranty is
expressed or implied by the developers or the
distributors on the accuracy or reliability of the program.
The user must explicitly understand the assumptions of
the program and must independently verify the results.

Nov 9, 2015

44

Any question before we proceed

to computational steps of the
FEM?

Nov 9, 2015

45

Computational steps of the FEMthe direct stiffness method

Discretize the structure (problem domain)

Divide the structure or continuum into finite elements

Once the structure has been discretized, the

computational steps faithfully follow the steps in the
direct stiffness method.
The direct stiffness method:

The global stiffness matrix of the discrete structure are obtained

by superimposing (assembling) the stiffness matrices of the
element in a direct manner.

Nov 9, 2015

46

Computational steps (contd)

Generate element stiffness matrix and element

force matrix for each element.
Assemble the element matrices to obtain the
global stiffness equation of the structure.
Apply the known nodal loads.
Specify how the structure is supported:
Set

Nov 9, 2015

several nodal displacements to known values.

47

General steps of the FEM (contd)

Solve simultaneous linear algebraic
equation.
The nodal parameters (displacements)
are obtained.
Calculate element stresses or stress
resultants (internal forces).

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48

Any question before we

continue to a brief introduction
to MATLAB?

Nov 9, 2015

49

Example

Suppose you want to calculate the natural

frequency (Hz) of a SDOF system with the
mass m=100 kg and stiffness k=5 KN/m
The formula is

1
f

2
2

k
m

Type in the Command Window:

>>m=100
>>k=5*1000
>> f=1/(2*pi)*sqrt(k/m)

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50

Edit/Debug Window

Click this icon to open

a new Edit/Debug
window

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51

Array and matrix operations

Array operations are operations performed
between arrays on an element-by-element
basis, e.g.
>> A=[ 1 2; 3 4], B=[-1 3; -2 1]
>> A+B, A+4
Common array operations:

Array

multiplication (A .* B)
Array right division (A ./ B)
Array left division (A .\ B) B in the numerator
Array exponential (A .^ B)
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52

Matrix operations follow the normal rules of

linear algebra, e.g.
>> A=[ 1 2; 3 4]
>> B=[-1 3; -2 1]
>> A*B
What is the different between A.^3 and A^3?

Be careful to distinguish between array

operations and matrix operations in your MATLAB
code

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53

Solving a set of linear algebraic

equations
a11 x1 a12 x2 L a1n xn b1
a21 x1 a22 x2 L a2 n xn b2
M
an1 x1 an 2 x2 L ann xn bn

The equations can be written in matrix

form as follows:

Ax b

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54

Solving a set of linear algebraic

equations (contd)
MATLAB command to solve the
equations:
>> x= A \ B (left division operator)
Other commands related to linear
algebra:
>> det (A)
>> rank (A)
>> inv (A)

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55

Please look at the Matlab

Tutorial folder to learn more
about Matlab

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56

Homework (due date next class)

1.

Write an essay explaining (approx. 500

words):

2.

What is finite element method?

Why do you interested to take this course
(TS4466 Finite Element Method)? What do
you expect?

Divide the following continuum into finite

elements:

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57

Homework (2)

Nov 9, 2015

58

Homework (3)
3.

Divide this equilateral triangle into several quadrilateral

elements. You are not allowed to use a triangular
element.

4.

Solve the following simultaneous algebraic equations

using Matlab.

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59

a.

b.

500 x 250 y 250 z 88

250 x 800 y 150 z 66
400 x 150 y 400 z 44
500 x 250 y 250 z 88
250 x 800 y 150 z 66
125 x 400 y 75 z 44

Explain why the second equation (No. b) does not have

a unique solution? (Connect this fact with the
determinant and the rank of the coefficient matrix)

Nov 9, 2015

60