Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Finite Element Method (FEM)

Compressor valve cover

Examples Coal processing plant pipes

Mowing blade

How do you solve an Engineering Problem? Engineers are faced with complex problems and use many methods in order to solve those problems including classic and numerical methods. As shown below, the finite element methods is one of several methods for solving engineering problems.
ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

CLASSICAL METHODS 1. CLOSED-FORM

NUMERICAL METHOD 1. FINITE ELEMENT 2. FINITE DIFFERENCE 3. BOUNDARY ELEMENT

2. APPROXIMATE

Method of solving Engineering Problems

Historically, two classical approaches have been used: Classical Method Closed form solutions are available for simple problems such as bending of beams and torsion of prismatic bars. (eg: Roarks Formulas for Stress and Stress) Approximate methods using series solutions to governing differential equations are used to analyze more complex structures such as plate and shells.
If you can solve your problem using a closed form solution and a classical method, it is probably the best way to do it

How do you solve a complex Engineering Problem?

When a problem becomes more complex than what can be solved with a closed form solution, the another approach is to take a complex problem and break it into simple problems. Those simple problem are solved and then assembled into a final solution. A good example is found in the long history of the efforts to calculate Pi ()

 People spent centuries breaking the circle up into smaller triangles to find an accurate value of Pi ().

Example of FE approaches

Example of FE approaches

Example of FE approaches

Method of solving Engineering Problems

Numerical Methods FEM Capable of solving large, complex problems with general geometry, loading and boundary conditions Increasingly become the primary analysis tools for designers and analyst Also known as matrix method of structural analysis in the literature because it uses matrix algebra to solve the system of simultaneous equations. Real power is in its ability to solve problems that do not fit any standard formula.

FEA Definition
computational techniques used to obtain approximate solution of boundary value problems in Engineering (Hutton, 2004) numerical analysis technique for obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems. (Zeid, 2005) one of several numerical methods that can be used to solve a complex problem by breaking it down into a finite number of simple problems (NeiSoftware.com, 2011)

Before FEA?

Fundamental Concept
Based on the idea of building a complicated object into small and manageable pieces. It is a method of investigating the behavior of complex and structures by breaking them down into smaller, simpler pieces. The smaller pieces are called elements which are connected by nodes. The assembly of nodes and elements are called finite element model.

Types of Element
Finite elements have shapes which are relatively easy to formulate and analyze. The three basic types of finite elements are beams (1D), shells (2D) and solids (3D).

Other examples of 1D elements

Other examples of 2D elements

Other examples of 3D elements

How does FEM Work?

The solution of a problem domain by FEM usually follows an orderly, step-by-step process. The following steps show in general how the FEM works. 1. Create the Finite Element 2. Develop elemental matrices and equation 3. Generate Global Stiffness Matrix equation 4. Apply Boundary Conditions 5. Solve for the unknown at the nodes

How does FEM Work?

(an example of 2D element)
1. Create the Finite Element A given problem is discretized by dividing the original domain into simply shaped element. Element are connected to each other by nodes 4 nodes

1 element

1D elements

2D elements

3D elements

2. Develop elemental matrices and equation The relationship between an element and its surrounding nodes can be described by the following equation

1 2

*Each of the element will have their own set of equations.

What is [K], {u}, {F} ?

Problem Type

3. Generate Global Stiffness Matrix equation The individual Elemental Stiffness Matrices are assembled together into the Global Stiffness Matrix by summing the equilibrium equations of the elements. This result in the following Global System Matrix Equation for the overall structure:

4. Apply Boundary Conditions Next, the BCs (Loads and Constraint) is apply to the model. Mathematically this is achieved by removing rows and columns corresponding to the constrained degrees of freedom (DOF) from the Global System Matrix Equation
ux = 0 uy = 0 uz = 0 F1 = ? F2 = ? F3 = ?

5. Solve for the unknown at the nodes Finally, the Global System Matrix Equation is solve to determine the unknown nodal values.

[K]{u} ={F}

{u} = [K]-1{F}

*This requires knowledge in Matrix Algebra.

Advantages of FEA
General enough to handle large class of engineering problems (stress analysis, heat transfer, electromagnetism, fluid flow)

Mistakes by user
Elements are the wrong type (eg: Shell 2D elements are used where solid elements are needed. Distorted elements Inconsistent units (eg: E = 200GPa, Force = 100lbs)

Best Practices

Common misconception
The FE solutions is the most accurate.. The FE solutions are often approximate. The more refine the mesh (grid), the more accurate. Any results obtained is the correct one.. The FE solution may contain fatal errors as a result of incorrect modeling of structures, loads and boundary conditions. Even a nice picture can give the wrong result FEA replaces testing Depends on the confidence in the analytical methods used. There is no guarantee that the results are accurate.

Typical FE Procedure by commercial software

user

Preprocessing

Build FE Model

computer

Process

Conduct numerical analysis

user

Postprocessing

See and interpret the results

 Import / Create Geometry Define Element Types (1D, 2D, 3D) Define Material Properties (E Youngs Modulus, v Poissons Ratio etc) Pre Define geometric properties Processing Apply Boundary Conditions (Constraint) Apply Loads Solve for displacements Compute Strains Compute Stresses

FEA General Procedure

Solution

PostProcessing

Sort element stresses in order of magnitude Check equilibrium Plot deformed structural shape Animate dynamic model behavior Reports

Pre Processor
Also know as model definition This step is critical a perfectly computed FE solution is of absolutely no value if corresponds to wrong problems. garbage in, garbage out

Solution
FE software assembles the algebraic equations in matrix form and computes the unknown values. The computed values then used by back substitution to compute additional derived variables (i.e reaction forces, element stresses etc)

Postprocessor
Analysis and evaluation of the solution results. While solution data can be manipulated many ways, the most important objectives is to apply sound engineering judgment in determining whether the solution are reasonable or not

REVIEW OF MATRIX ALGEBRA