ANINTRODUCTIONTO

THEFINITEELEMENTMETHOD
1
J.P. PONTHOT
Aerospace & Mechanical Laboratory/LTAS-MN2L
University of Lige, Belgium
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thepresentcoursematerialisbasedonthelecturenotesdevelopedforthe
introductoryFiniteElementMethod(FEM)coursetaughtattheUniversityofLige.
ThiscoursehasbeenhandledforoverfifteenyearsbylateProf.G.SANDER,towhom
largetributehastobepaidforhavinglaunchednewandsyntheticideasonteaching
FEMtoundergraduatestudentsandengineers.
ItwasthenhandledovermorethanfifteenyearsbyProf.M.HOGGE.Iamvery
indebtedtothesetwopeopleforinfluencingquitedeeplymythinkingoverFEMand
fortheirseminalcontributiontothesenotes.
IamalsoverythankfultoProf.C.FELIPPA,fromtheUniversityofBoulder,Colorado,for
postinghisownmaterialnotesonthewebwithfreeaccess.
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
CONTENT OF THE COURSE:
1.INTRODUCTION
Overview
Brief History
Basic Concepts
Idealization process
Applications in aeronautics, space & automotive engineering
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
2. THE DIRECT STIFFNESS METHOD (PART I) OR A
FIRST STEP INTO STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
Goal of the Direct Stiffness Method
The linear spring
Energy considerations
A two spring assembly
Automatic assembly process
Boundary conditions
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
3. THE DIRECT STIFFNESS METHOD (PART II) OR A
FIRST STEP INTO STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
Goal of the method
A simple 1D truss/bar element
Truss structures
Spatial element formulation
Stiffness matrix
Assembly and Global stiffness matrix
Stress computation
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
4. CONSTRUCTING MoM MEMBERS, OR MATRIX
STRUCTURAL ANALYSES
What are Mom members? (MoM = Mechanics Of Materials)
The Bar element
The Spar element
The Shaft element
The Shear panel
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
5. PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL WORK AND VARIATIONAL
PRINCIPLES (1)
Calculus of Variations
Exact solutions for 3D linear elastic problems
Approximations
Finite differences solutions
Strong and weak forms
Variational Principle on Displacements
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
5. PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL WORK AND VARIATIONAL
PRINCIPLES (2)
The Minimum Potential Energy Principle
The Hu-Washizu principle
The Hellinger-Reissner principle
The Fraeijs de Veubeke principle
Variational principle on stresses
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
6. RAYLEIGH-RITZ METHOD
Approximations methods
Rayleigh-Ritz approximation method
1D shearing problem
3D case
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
7. APPROXIMATION METHODS (1)
The tightly stretched rope
Analytical solution
Approximations to the analytical solution
Collocation method
Least square method
Galerkins method
Rayleigh-Ritz Method
Finite element approximation in 1D
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
7. APPROXIMATION METHODS (2)
Piecewise Rayleigh-Ritz approximation
Characteristics of the approximation
Solution procedure
Shape function properties
Summary
Common features between Rayleigh-Ritz and FEM
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
8. VARIATIONAL PROCEDURE FOR FINITE ELEMENTS:
APPLICATION TO THE BAR ELEMENT
General procedure
Concept of kinematically admissible variation
Natural coordinates
Strain interpolation matrix
Stiffness matrix
Energy conjugated quantities
Example
Rigid body modes and assumed displacements
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
8. SHAPE FUNCTIONS AND CONSISTENT LOADING
IN 1D
Introduction
Lagrange interpolation and Lagrange polynomial
Element interpolation and local coordinates
Consistent nodal forces
Hermitian interpolation
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
10. KINEMATICALLY ADMISSIBLE FINITE ELEMENTS (1)
Introduction
Examples of applications
Variational formulation of FEM in 3D
Plane stress problems
Finite element models
Displacement approximation
Connectors
External work and consistent nodal loading
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
10. KINEMATICALLY ADMISSIBLE FINITE ELEMENTS (2)
Assembly of the element
Principle of virtual work
Galerkin method
Constant strain triangle
Stress calculation
Linear strain triangle
Quadratic strain triangle
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
10. KINEMATICALLY ADMISSIBLE FINITE ELEMENTS (3)
Linear and quadratic quadrilateral
Bilinear quadrilateral
Quadrilateral in bending
Wilson-Q6 element
Biquadratic element
Bubble modes
Patch test
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
11. ISOPARAMETRIC ELEMENTS (1)
Introduction
Geometry interpolation
Isoparametric triangles
Completeness of isoparametric elements
Construction of shape functions for Lagrange elements
Quadrangular elements
Serendipity elements
Transition elements
3D Lagrange elements
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
11. ISOPARAMETRIC ELEMENTS (2)
3D Serendipity elements
Strains
Stiffness matrix
Gauss integration rule
Required order of integration
Reduced integration
Hourglass modes
Convergence requirements
Stress recovery
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
12. BEAM ELEMENTS AND FRAME STRUCTURES
Mechanics of beam
Variational Principle
Discretization & shape functions
Stiffness matrix
Generalized loading
Examples
Beam-column element
Assembly of trusses frame structures
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
13. FEM PRACTISE AND RECOMMANDATION
Basic steps of FEA
+ and of FEA
General FEM modeling rule
Minimum support conditions
Using symmetries
Where finer mesh should be used
Element choice
Good practice of FEM
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
14. STATICALLY ADMISSIBLE FINITE ELEMENTS
Principle of Variation on Stresses (PVS) Weak Form
Discretization
Relations between connectors and internal parameters
Locking of kinematical modes in a patch of elements
Example 1: The triangular element
Example 2: Modeling of stiffened pannels
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
15. PLATE AND SHELL ELEMENTS
Plate theory
Thin plate theory (Kirchhoff plate theory)
Governing equations
Boundary conditions
Thick plate theory (Mindlin plate theory)
Plate elements: Kirchoff plate element
Plate elements: Mindlin plate element
Shell theory
Shell elements
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
16. SUPERELEMENTS
Substructures
Static condensation
Global-local analysis
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An introduction to Finite Element Method
17. EXTENSION TO OTHER PROBLEMS (SURVEY)
Dynamics
Field Problems (Heat Transfer)
Extensions for nonlinear problems