FEM01

The slides should only be taken as a record of the topics covered. They are not necessarily
self-sufficient. Many points, such as explanations of the contents, development of
equations and answers to queries are covered in the class
The finite element method solves problems by dividing the domain of interest into a
finite number of elements

In the context of stress analysis, instead of satisfying the governing differential

equations at all points in the domain, they are satisfied only at discrete points called
nodes, subject to the given boundary conditions
FEM is categorized as displacement formulation (as opposed to stress formulation)
because displacement is calculated first followed by strain and finally stress

The process of subdivision of the domain into elements is called discretization, and it
forms the heart of FEM

The displacement trend inside each element is interpolated by a function called the
interpolation function or the displacement function

The solution given by FEM can be exact or approximate depending on whether the
displacement function expresses the displacement distribution accurately

If the displacement function doesn’t express the distribution accurately, then

convergence needs to be carried out: progressively increasing the number of elements
until the results taper off
Discretization results in a system of algebraic equations, the solution of which although
computationally expensive, is a relatively simple task

There are two types of error: those resulting from the difference between the assumed
solution and the exact solution; and precision of the equation solver (computational
error). Both errors are reduced by good modelling practice
Problem
The spring element 𝐹

Potential energy
Π=Λ−𝑊
1 1
Λ = 𝐹𝛿 = 𝑘𝛿 2
2 2 𝛿
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑖 𝑢𝑖 + 𝐹𝑗 𝑢𝑗
1
Π= 𝑘𝛿 2 − 𝐹𝑖 𝑢𝑖 − 𝐹𝑗 𝑢𝑗
2
1 2
Π= 𝑘 𝑢𝑗 − 𝑢𝑖 − 𝐹𝑖 𝑢𝑖 − 𝐹𝑗 𝑢𝑗
2

Equilibrium is achieved when the potential energy is minimum

𝜕Π
=0
𝜕𝑢 𝑖…𝑁
𝑘 −𝑘 𝑢𝑖 𝐹𝑖
𝑢 = 𝐹 𝑘 𝑈 = 𝐹
−𝑘 𝑘 𝑗 𝑗
When there are multiple elements

The potential energy of the whole system

Π = σ𝐸𝑒=1 Λ 𝑒 − 𝑊

Equilibrium is achieved where the potential energy of the whole system is minimized
𝜕Π
=0
𝜕 𝑈
σ𝐸𝑒=1 𝑘 𝑒 𝑈 = 𝐹

This summation is achieved in practical problems by a process called assembly, which

is done using a connectivity table
(This can be proved too)
Revisiting the problem
 Connectivity table
Element Node
Make element stiffness matrices
i node j node
Assemble them into a global or system matrix
1 1 2
1 2 3 4
2 1 2 3 −3 0 0 1
3 2 3 −3 6 −3 0 2
𝑘 = × 105
4 3 4 0 −3 12 −9 3
5 3 4 0 0 −9 9 4
Note the location of zeros!

Properties of system stiffness matrix:

1. Symmetric
2. Positive definite
3. Banded
4. Columns and rows add up to zero
5. Singular
 3 −3 0 0 𝑢1 0
𝑢2
𝑘 = −3 6 −3 0 × 105
𝑢3 = 0
0 −3 12 −9 0
0 0 −9 9 𝑢4 1000

Stiffness matrix being singular, this system can’t be solved

Apply boundary condition 𝑢1 = 0
3 −3 0 0 0 0 + 𝑅1
𝑘 = −3 6 −3 0 × 105 𝑢2 = 0
0 −3 12 −9 𝑢3 0
0 0 −9 9 𝑢4 1000
6 −3 0 𝑢2 0
𝑘 = −3 12 −9 × 105 𝑢3 = 0
0 −9 9 𝑢4 1000
𝑢2 333.34
𝑢3 = 666.67 × 10−5 m
𝑢4 777.78
 In some cases the reaction force needs to be calculated
𝑅1 = 999.96 N
The discrepancy is an example of computational error

This problem covers all steps in FEM. It’s therefore representative of FEM, except:
1. The nodes can have more than one degree of freedom depending on the
dimensionality of the problem
2. Subdivision (discretization) into elements (which was obvious here) generally
needs more thought
3. A large number of equations need to be solved typically. So NA techniques are
important
4. Some post-processing is usually involved
Prove using this problem that Π = σ𝐸𝑒=1 Λ 𝑒
− 𝑊 leads to σ𝐸𝑒=1 𝑘 𝑒
𝑈 = 𝐹
 Problem: analyze the stepped bar (calculate stresses and strains)

Material: steel
𝑃 = 2000 N
The two regions behave exactly like
springs so we can use the stiffness
matrix derived. The value of 𝑘 can be
derived using the definition of stress,
strain, and Hooke’s law for one-
dimensional applications.
𝐴𝐸
Answer: 𝑘 =
𝐿

However, it’s best to use the displacement function (interpolation function) approach in
combination with the principle of minimum potential energy, because that can be used for
stress analysis problems where the solution is not obvious
 The assumed displacement function
(which happens to be true in this case)
will be linear (the displacement varies
linearly with the length of the element)
Since the displacement function is
exact, we will only need two elements
to solve the problem exactly (no further
subdivision is required)

The axial bar (or rod) element:

Cross sectional area 𝐴, length 𝐿 and modulus of elasticity 𝐸
 shape functions

Properties of shape
functions!
Problem revisited: analyze the stepped bar (calculate stresses and strains)

Material: steel
𝑃 = 2000 N

Solve it by
▪ Mechanics of materials approach
▪ FEM
Steps in FEM:
1. Divide structure into discrete elements
2. Select an approximating function (interpolation or
displacement function)
3. Derive element stiffness matrices and load vectors
4. Assemble element equations to obtain system
equations
5. Apply boundary conditions
6. Solve for unknown nodal displacements
7. Calculate strains, stresses, etc.
Prove that if then

In other words:
𝑇 𝑑𝑦
Prove that if 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝐴 𝑥 then =2𝐴 𝑥
𝑑 𝑥
Where 𝐴 is an 𝑛 × 𝑛 symmetric matrix and 𝑥 is an 𝑛 × 1 vector
Hint:
𝑥1 𝑎11 𝑎12
Take 𝑥 = 𝑥 and 𝐴 = 𝑎 𝑎22
2 12
Homework (Fagan):
1. Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4
2. Example 2.2.1
3. Problems 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
4. Complete the proofs of slides 12 and 20