Introduction to Finite Element
Methods
Finite Element Analysis (F.E.A.) of 1-D
Problems
Historical Background
Hrenikoff, 1941 frame work method
Courant, 1943 piecewise polynomial
interpolation
Turner, 1956 derived stiffness matrice for truss,
beam, etc
Clough, 1960 coined the term finite element
Key Ideas: - frame work method
piecewise polynomial approximation
Axially Loaded Bar
Review:
Stress:
Stress:
Strain:
Strain:
Deformation:
Deformation:
Axially Loaded Bar
Review:
Stress:
Strain:
Deformation:
Axially Loaded Bar Governing
Equations and Boundary
Conditions
Differential Equation
Boundary Condition Types
prescribed displacement (essential BC)
prescribed force/derivative of displacement
(natural BC)
Axially Loaded Bar Boundary
Conditions
Examples
fixed end
simple support
free end
Potential Energy
Elastic Potential Energy (PE)
- Spring case
Unstretched spring
Stretched bar
- Axially loaded bar
undeformed:
deformed:
- Elastic body
Potential Energy
Work Potential (WE)
f
P
A
f: distributed force over a line
P: point force
u: displacement
Total Potential Energy
Principle of Minimum Potential Energy
For conservative systems, of all the kinematically admissible displacement fields,
those corresponding to equilibrium extremize the total potential energy. If the
extremum condition is a minimum, the equilibrium state is stable.
Potential Energy + Rayleigh-Ritz
Approach
Example:
f
P
A
Step 1: assume a displacement field
is shape function / basis function
n is the order of approximation
Step 2: calculate total potential energy
Potential Energy + Rayleigh-Ritz
Approach
Example:
f
P
A
Step 3:select ai so that the total potential energy is minimum
Galerkins Method
Example:
f
P
A
Seek an approximation
so
In the Galerkins method, the weight function is chosen to be the same as the shape
function.
Galerkins Method
Example:
f
P
A
1
2
3
Finite Element Method Piecewise
Approximation
u
FEM Formulation of Axially
Loaded Bar Governing Equations
Differential Equation
Weighted-Integral Formulation
Weak Form
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example:
Step 1: Discretization
Step 2: Weak form of one element
P1
P2
x1
x2
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 3: Choosing shape functions
- linear shape functions
x
x1
x2
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 4: Forming element equation
E,A are constant
Let
, weak form becomes
Let
, weak form becomes
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 5: Assembling to form system equation
Approach 1:
Element 1:
Element 2:
Element 3:
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 5: Assembling to form system equation
Assembled System:
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 5: Assembling to form system equation
Approach 2: Element connectivity table
Element 1 Element 2 Element 3
1
local node
(i,j)
global node index
(I,J)
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 6: Imposing boundary conditions and forming condense system
Condensed system:
Approximation Methods Finite
Element Method
Example (cont):
Step 7: solution
Step 8: post calculation
Summary - Major Steps in FEM
Discretization
Derivation of element equation
weak form
construct form of approximation solution
over one element
derive finite element model
Assembling putting elements together
Imposing boundary conditions
Solving equations
Postcomputation
Exercises Linear Element
Example 1:
E = 100 GPa, A = 1 cm2
Linear Formulation for Bar Element
u1
u
x
L = x2-x1
x=x1
x=x1
u2
f(x)
x= x2
x=x2
Higher Order Formulation for Bar Element
x
u3
u1
u2
u1
u3
u
x
u2
u1
u2
u3
u4
u4
un
Natural Coordinates and Interpolation Functions
=-1
x=x1
x= x2
Natural (or Normal) Coordinate:
=-1
=1
=-1
=1
1
=-1
=1
=1
Quadratic Formulation for Bar Element
=-1
=0
=1
Quadratic Formulation for Bar Element
u1
f(x)
u2
P1
=-1
=0
P2
u3
P3
=1
Exercises Quadratic Element
Example 2:
E = 100 GPa, A1 = 1 cm2; A1 = 2 cm2
Some Issues
Non-constant cross section:
Interior load point:
Mixed boundary condition:
k