Finite Element Modeling and Analysis

General Steps/procedure of the Finite Element Method:

Step 1 Discretize and Select the Element Types:
Step 1 involves dividing the body into an equivalent system of finite elements with associated
nodes and choosing the most appropriate element type to model most closely the actual physical
behavior. The total number of elements used and their variation in size and type within a given
body are primarily matters of engineering judgment. The elements must be made small enough
to give usable results and yet large enough to reduce computational effort. Small elements (and
possibly higher order elements) are generally desirable where the results are changing rapidly,
such as where changes in geometry occur; large elements can be used where results are relatively
constant.
Following figure shows various types of elements generally used in finite element analysis.

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Figure 1: Various types of finite elements used in analysis.

Step 2 Select a Displacement Function:
Step 2 involves choosing a displacement function within each element. The function is defined
within the element using the nodal values of the element. Linear, quadratic, and cubic
polynomials are frequently used functions because they are simple to work with in finite element
formulation. In other words one may say that the finite element method is one in which a
continuous quantity, such as the displacement throughout the body, is approximated by a
discrete model composed of a set of piecewise-continuous functions defined within each finite
domain or finite element.
Step 3 Define the Strain/Displacement and Stress/Strain Relationships:
Strain/displacement and stress/strain relationships are necessary for deriving the equations for
each finite element. In the case of one-dimensional deformation, say, in the x direction, we
have strain related to displacement u by

for small strains. In addition, the stresses must be related to the strains through the
stress/strain lawgenerally called the constitutive law.

Step 4 Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations

Initially, the development of element stiffness matrices and element equations was based on the
concept of stiffness influence coefficients, which presupposes a background in structural analysis.
Various approaches used in deriving stiffness matrices may be listed as follows:
Direct Equilibrium Method
Work or Energy Methods
Methods of Weighted Residuals

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Using any of the methods listed above the equations to describe the behavior of an element are
obtained. These equations are written conveniently in matrix form as

Where {f } is the vector of element nodal forces, {k}is the element stiffness matrix (normally
square and symmetric), and {d} is the vector of unknown element nodal degrees of freedom or
generalized displacements, n.
Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or Total Equations and Introduce
Boundary Conditions:
In this step the individual element nodal equilibrium equations generated in step 4 are assembled
into the global nodal equilibrium equations. The final assembled or global equation written in
matrix form is

Where {F} is the vector of global nodal forces, {K} is the structure global or total stiffness matrix,
(for most problems, the global stiffness matrix is square and symmetric) and {d} is now the vector
of known and unknown structure nodal degrees of freedom/or generalized displacements.

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Step 6 Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (or Generalized Displacements):
The above equations in the matrix form can be solved for the displacements (primary unknowns)
by applying boundary conditions and loads used in the problem. This is achieved using an
elimination method (such as Gausss method) or an iterative method (such as the GaussSeidel
method).
Step 7 Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses:
For the structural stress-analysis problem, important secondary quantities of strain and stress (or
moment and shear force) can be obtained because they can be directly expressed in terms of the
displacements determined in step 6. Typical relationships between strain and displacement and
between stress and strain discussed in STEP 3 can be used for this purpose.

Step 8 Interpret the Results:

The final goal is to interpret and analyze the results for use in the design/analysis process.
Determination of locations in the structure where large deformations and large stresses occur is
generally important in making design/analysis decisions. Postprocessor computer programs help
the user to interpret the results by displaying them in graphical form.
Formulation of spring element using direct stiffness method:
Step 1: Selection of element type
Consider a spring that obeys Hookes law and resists forces only in the direction of the spring.
Consider the linear spring element shown in Figure. Reference points 1 and 2 are located at the
ends of the element. These reference points are called the nodes of the spring element. The local
nodal forces are
^

f 1x and f 2x for the spring element associated with the local axis ^x. The local axis acts in the
direction of the spring so that we can directly measure displacements and forces along the spring.
^

The local nodal displacements are d 1x and d 2x for the spring element. These nodal displacements
are called the degrees of freedom at each node. Positive directions for the forces and
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displacements at each node are taken in the positive x direction as shown from node 1 to node
2 in the figure. The symbol k is called the spring constant or stiffness of the spring.

Figure 2: Linear spring element with positive nodal displacement and force conventions
Let this element be subjected to resulting nodal tensile forces T (which may result from the action

of adjacent springs) directed along the spring axial direction x as shown in Figure 3, so as to be
in equilibrium.

Figure: linear spring subjected to tensile forces

Step 2 Select a Displacement Function:
Because the spring element resists axial loading, or in other words the displacement in a spring
element is linear, let us choose a linear displacement function given by

To calculate the constants a1 and a2 let us apply boundary conditions and simplify as follows:

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Where N1 and N2 are shape functions because the Nis express the shape of the assumed
displacement function over the domain (^x coordinate) of the element when the ith element
degree of freedom has unit value and all other degrees of freedom are zero. In this case, N1 and
N2 are linear functions that have the properties that N1 = 1 at node 1 and N1 = 0 at node 2,
whereas N2 =1 at node 2 and N2 = 0 at node 1. See Figure 4 and for plots of these shape functions
over the domain of the spring element. Also, N1 + N2 = 1 for any axial coordinate along the bar.

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Step 3 Define the Strain= Displacement and Stress=Strain Relationships:

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Prepared by Subash Acharya, Krishna Kumar and Kevin A. Mathias

Step 5 Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global Equations and Introduce Boundary
Conditions:
The global stiffness matrix and global force matrix are assembled using nodal force equilibrium
equations, force/deformation. This step applies for structures composed of more than one
element such that

Note:

Step 6 Solve for the Nodal Displacements:

The displacements are then determined by imposing boundary conditions, such as support
conditions, and solving a system of equations, F =Kd, simultaneously.
Step 7 Solve for the Element Forces:
Finally, the element forces are determined by back-substitution, applied to each element, into
equations.

Prepared by Subash Acharya, Krishna Kumar and Kevin A. Mathias