IntroductiontoFEM

FiniteElementAnalysis(ENGR455)
Dr.AndreasSchiffer
AssistantProfessor,MechanicalEngineering
Tel:+971(0)24018204
andreas.schiffer@kustar.ac.ae

TheFiniteElementMethod
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical method for
solving problems of engineering and mathematical physics.
In this method, the partial differential equations of a mathematical
model are discretized to obtain a set of simultaneous algebraic
equations.
The discretization is achieved by dividing the solution domain into
an equivalent system of smaller bodies or units (= finite elements).
Elements
Nodes
The elements are
interconnected at
points common to two
or more elements
(nodal points or nodes)
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TheFiniteElementMethod
The FE solutions yields approximate values for the unknowns at
discrete points in space.
The FE method is important because for problems involving
complicated geometries, loadings and material properties, it is
generally not possible to obtain analytical mathematical solutions.

The FE method can be applied to many engineering problems,

inculding structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow, mass
transport and electromagnetic potential.

GeneralStepsofanFEanalysis
Step 1: Discretize the Problem and Select the Element Types
Divide the structure into small pieces, usually called meshing
Type of element depends on the nature of the problem
(structural) and the dimension (1D, 2D or 3D)

GeneralStepsofanFEanalysis
Step 2: Select a Displacement Function
Choosing a displacement function within each element
connecting the nodes.
Linear, quadratic and cubic polynomials are most common.
Step 3: Define the Stress-Strain Relationships
Describe the constitutive law relating stresses to strains in each
element
The simplest constitutive relation is Hookes law,
x = E x (in 1D).
Step 4: Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations
Write the system of equations describing the structural behavior
of an element.
Relating nodal forces to nodal displacements of the element
through an element stiffness matrix: f k d
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GeneralStepsofanFEanalysis
Step 5: Assemble the Global System Equation
All individual elements are assembled using the method of
superposition (or direct stiffness method) to produce the global or
total system of equations of the problem.

F K d
Here, {F} is the vector of global nodal forces, [K] is the structure
global or total stiffness matrix, {d} is now the vector of known and
unknown structure nodal degrees of freedom (displacements).
It can be shown that at this stage, the global stiffness matrix [K] is
a singular square matrix because its determinant is equal to zero.
To remove this singularity, we must invoke certain boundary
conditions (or constraints or supports) so that the structure
remains in place instead of moving as a rigid body.
Step 6: Apply Boundary Conditions and Loading
Prescribe forces and displacements at nodes.

F K d
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GeneralStepsofanFEanalysis
Step 7: Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom
Involves finding the inverse of the global stiffness matrix [K]-1 .
Then the structures unknown nodal degrees of freedom {d} can
be calculated via
1

F K d

d K F

Step 8: Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses

Strains can be directly expressed in terms of the displacements
determined in Step 7.
Stresses are obtained from the strain solutions through the
constitutive law (e.g. Hookes law).
Step 9: Interpret the Results (Post-processing)
Determination of locations in the structure where large deformations
and large stresses occur is generally important in making design
decisions.
1. Pre-processing (Step 1-6)
There are 3 categories of
2. Solution (Step 7-8)
steps in an FE analysis:
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3. Post-processing (Step 9)

ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Impact analysis of an ice deflector ramp for the
railway industry
Experimental investigation

ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Impact analysis of an ice deflector ramp for the
railway industry
Plastic strains induced in the ramp

ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Side-crash simulation of a road car

v0

Modellingofdamageand
failurebyelementdeletion

DeformationoftheBframe
aftertheimpact

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ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Deformation of a sandwich plate under blast loading
(Source: ABAQUS)

TNT

after1kgTNT:

after2kgTNT:

Deformationofthehoneycombcoreafter1kgTNT

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ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Structural dynamics analysis of a steel bridge

1st mode (bending mode)

f = 19.6 Hz

2nd mode (bending mode)

f = 51.4 Hz

3rd mode (swaying mode)

f = 69.1 Hz

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ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Fluid-structure interaction in underwater blast loading

Freestandingrigid
plate

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ApplicationoftheFEmethod
Crack propagation in a random heterogeneous material
FEsimulations:

Experiments:
Crackpropagation
ismodeledbyusing
theextendedFE
method(XFEM)
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