----------------FEA Assignment 1----------------
1. What do you mean by FEM?
FEM in FEA (Mechanical Engineering):
• FEM stands for Finite Element Method.
• It is a numerical technique used to solve complex engineering problems like stress analysis,
heat transfer, vibraAons, and fluid flow.
• In FEM, a big structure or component is divided into small simple parts called finite
elements (like small triangles, rectangles, or 3D blocks).
• Each element is connected at points called nodes.
• EquaAons are formed for each element and then combined to represent the whole structure.
• Using this method, we can approximate real behavior of complicated shapes and loading
condiAons which cannot be solved easily by hand.
In simple words: FEM breaks a big, complicated problem into many small, simple problems, solves
them, and then combines the results.
2. Why FEA is an important tool in engineering field?
Ø Complex Problem Solving:
FEA can solve problems of stress, heat transfer, vibraAon, and fluid flow that are too difficult
for hand calculaEons.
Ø Handles Complex Shapes:
Real-life machine parts have irregular shapes; FEA can analyze them easily by dividing into
elements.
Ø Cost and Time Saving:
Engineers can test a design on computer before making a physical prototype, reducing
material and tesAng cost.
Ø Safe and Reliable Designs:
FEA predicts weak points, high stresses, and failure zones, which helps in making safer
products.
Ø OpEmizaEon:
It allows engineers to opEmize weight, material, and geometry for beQer performance.
Ø Wide ApplicaEons:
Used in automoEve, aerospace, civil, mechanical, and biomedical engineering.
3. What are the applicaAons advantages and disadvantages of FEA?
ApplicaEons of FEA:
1. Stress & Strain Analysis – in machine parts, bridges, aircraS, etc.
2. Thermal Analysis – heat transfer in engines, electronics, furnaces.
3. VibraEon Analysis – natural frequencies of machines, vehicles.
4. Crash & Impact Analysis – automoAve and aerospace industries.
5. Fluid Flow Analysis (CFD with FEA) – pipes, pumps, turbines.
6. Biomedical ApplicaEons – arAficial joints, implants, prostheAcs.
Advantages of FEA:
1. Can analyze complex shapes and loading condiEons.
2. Saves cost & Eme by reducing physical prototypes.
3. Provides detailed results (stress distribuAon, temperature, etc.).
4. Helps in design opEmizaEon (weight reducAon, material selecAon).
5. Improves safety and reliability of products.
Disadvantages of FEA:
1. High cost of soSware and skilled manpower required.
2. Results are approximate, depend on mesh quality and assumpAons.
3. Takes more computaEon Eme for large models.
4. Requires good understanding of theory; wrong input = wrong results.
5. Not a replacement for real experimental tesEng.
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of finite element method.
Advantages of Finite Element Method (FEM):
1. Can handle complex shapes and geometries easily.
2. Suitable for different types of problems – structural, thermal, vibraAon, fluid flow, etc.
3. Provides detailed results (stress, strain, temperature, displacement, etc.) at many points.
4. Helps in design opEmizaEon (weight reducAon, cost saving).
5. Reduces need for physical prototypes, saving Ame and money.
6. Improves safety and reliability of engineering products.
Disadvantages of Finite Element Method (FEM):
1. Expensive soSware and requires skilled engineers to operate.
2. High computaEon Eme for large and complex models.
3. Results are approximate, accuracy depends on mesh size and boundary condiAons.
4. Needs strong understanding of theory; wrong input gives wrong output.
5. Cannot completely replace experimental tesEng – must be validated.
5. Derive the element sAffness matrix for 1-D element.
6. Write short notes on local and global coordinates?
Local Coordinates
• Local coordinates are the element’s own coordinate system.
• They are defined with respect to the element geometry (e.g., along the length of a beam or
edges of a triangle).
• Used to formulate sEffness matrix and element equaAons more easily.
• Each finite element has its own local coordinate system.
• Example: For a beam element, x-axis may be along its length, y-axis perpendicular.
Global Coordinates
• Global coordinates are the overall structure coordinate system.
• Defined for the enEre problem/domain, usually X, Y, Z axes.
• Used to assemble all element equaEons into one system for the whole structure.
• Results like displacement, stress, strain are expressed in global coordinates.
• Example: A bridge structure may use X (horizontal), Y (verAcal), Z (depth) as global axes.
Key Difference:
• Local coordinates → Element level (easy formulaAon).
• Global coordinates → Structure level (final analysis).
7. What do you mean by discreAzaAon?
DiscreEzaEon (in FEM/FEA):
• DiscreEzaEon means dividing a large and complex structure into a finite number of small,
simple elements (like triangles, rectangles, tetrahedrons, etc.).
• These small parts are called finite elements, and they are connected at points called nodes.
• By analyzing each element separately and then combining them, we can study the behavior
of the whole structure.
• It converts a conEnuous system (real object) into a discrete system (mesh of elements) that
can be solved using computers.
Example:
A car chassis is very complex → DiscreAzaAon divides it into thousands of small mesh elements →
easier to analyze stresses and deformaAons.
8. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element analysis of a typical problem.
Basic Steps in Finite Element Analysis (FEA):
1. DiscreEzaEon (Meshing):
o Divide the structure into small finite elements connected at nodes.
2. SelecEon of Element Type:
o Choose suitable element shape (1D, 2D, or 3D) depending on geometry and problem
(line, triangle, tetrahedron, etc.).
3. DerivaEon of Element ProperEes:
o Write sAffness matrix and equaAons for each element in local coordinates.
4. Assembly of Global System:
o Combine all element equaAons into a global sEffness matrix represenAng the whole
structure.
5. ApplicaEon of Boundary CondiEons and Loads:
o Apply supports, constraints, and external forces/loads to the global equaAons.
6. SoluEon of EquaEons:
o Solve the global matrix equaAons (usually by computer) to get unknown values like
displacements at nodes.
7. Post-Processing (Result InterpretaEon):
o From displacements, calculate strains, stresses, temperatures, etc.
o Display results in graphs, contour plots, or color maps.
! In short:
"
FEA steps are – DiscreEzaEon → Element formulaEon → Assembly → Apply loads & BCs → Solve
equaEons → Post-process results.
9. What are the various types of elements used in FEA? Give examples.
Types of Elements in FEA (with examples):
1. One-Dimensional (1D) Elements:
o Used for problems where geometry is along a line.
o Examples: Bar element, Truss element, Beam element, Spring element.
o ApplicaAons: Bridges, frames, shaSs.
2. Two-Dimensional (2D) Elements:
o Used for thin or planar structures.
o Shapes: Triangles, Quadrilaterals.
o Types: Constant strain triangle (CST), linear/quadraAc quadrilaterals.
o ApplicaAons: Plates, shells, machine parts, dams.
3. Three-Dimensional (3D) Elements:
o Used for solid structures in 3D space.
o Shapes: Tetrahedron (4-node), Hexahedron (8-node cube), Wedge, Pyramid.
o ApplicaAons: Engine blocks, gears, biomedical implants.
4. Axisymmetric Elements:
o Used when geometry and loading are symmetric around an axis.
o Examples: 2D ring elements, circular discs.
o ApplicaAons: Pressure vessels, pipes, nozzles.
5. Special Elements (Advanced):
o Shell elements – for thin-walled structures (car body, aircraS skin).
o Plate elements – for flat plates subjected to bending.
o Contact elements – for modeling interacAon between two bodies.
" In short:
!
• 1D Elements → Bars, beams, trusses.
• 2D Elements → Triangles, quads (plates, shells).
• 3D Elements → Solids like tetra, hexa (blocks, gears).
• Axisymmetric Elements → Pipes, pressure vessels.
10. Explain Penalty approach and EliminaAon approach for FEA
Penalty Approach
• In the penalty method, boundary condiEons (like fixed displacement = 0) are applied by
adding a very large number (penalty parameter) to the corresponding diagonal term of the
global sEffness matrix.
• This makes the displacement at that node almost zero, since any non-zero displacement
would require a very large force.
• It does not remove equaAons, it just makes the system resist movement strongly.
Advantages:
• Simple to implement.
Disadvantages:
• Accuracy depends on choice of penalty parameter.
• Too large → numerical instability,
• Too small → inaccurate enforcement of boundary condiAon.
& Example: Fixing one end of a bar by adding a huge sAffness value at that node.
%
$
#
EliminaEon Approach
• In this method, the degrees of freedom (DOF) with prescribed boundary condiEons are
completely removed (eliminated) from the global equaAons.
• For example, if displacement at a node is known (like zero at a fixed support), then that
equaAon is deleted and the reduced system is solved.
• This method enforces boundary condiAons exactly.
Advantages:
• Boundary condiAons are saAsfied exactly.
• No need for arAficial parameters.
Disadvantages:
• Requires modifying the sAffness matrix and force vector.
& Example: If node displacement = 0, its equaAon is removed from the matrix system.
%
$
#
" In short:
!
• Penalty approach → Add a large sAffness → approximate enforcement.
• EliminaEon approach → Remove constrained DOFs → exact enforcement.
11. What are the different types of Elements? Explain their characterisAc and importance
" Types of Elements in Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
!
Finite elements are classified based on their dimensions and geometry:
1. One-Dimensional (1D) Elements
* Used for structures like rods, beams, trusses.
)
(
'
+ Examples:
• Bar Element
• Truss Element
• Beam Element
+ CharacterisAcs:
• Only length is significant.
• Nodes are located at the ends.
• Used for axial, bending, or torsional loads.
+ Importance:
• Simple and efficient for frame, truss, and shaS problems.
2. Two-Dimensional (2D) Elements
* Used for plane stress, plane strain, and shell problems.
)
(
'
+ Examples:
• Triangular (CST – Constant Strain Triangle)
• Quadrilateral (4-node or 8-node)
+ CharacterisAcs:
• Used in thin flat components.
• Elements lie in a plane (X-Y).
• Carry in-plane loads.
+ Importance:
• Ideal for analyzing plates, walls, brackets, and 2D components.
3. Three-Dimensional (3D) Elements
* Used for solid structures with all three dimensions.
)
(
'
+ Examples:
• Tetrahedron (4-node or 10-node)
• Hexahedron (8-node brick)
• Wedge, Pyramid elements
+ CharacterisAcs:
• Captures full 3D stress condiAons.
• More computaAonally intensive.
+ Importance:
• Used in real-world solid models like engine blocks, gears, medical implants.
4. Axisymmetric Elements
* Used when geometry and loads are symmetric around an axis.
)
(
'
+ Examples:
• Ring elements for pipes, nozzles, pressure vessels
+ CharacterisAcs:
• Modeled in 2D but simulate 3D behavior.
• Saves computaAon Ame.
+ Importance:
• Efficient for analyzing rotaAonal bodies under symmetric loading.
5. Special Elements
* Used for specific applicaAons.
)
(
'
+ Examples:
• Shell Elements – for thin curved surfaces (aircraS body, car panels)
• Plate Elements – flat plates under bending
• Contact Elements – simulate interacAon between surfaces
+ Importance:
• Handle complex condiAons like large deformaAons, contact, or curved geometries.
" Summary Table:
!
Type Dimension Examples ApplicaEon Area
1D Element Line Bar, Beam, Truss Frames, shaSs, trusses
2D Element Plane Triangle, Quad Plates, sheet metal, walls
3D Element Volume Tetra, Hexa Solid parts, casAngs
Axisymmetric 2D (rot.) Ring Elements Pipes, nozzles, tanks
Special Mixed Shells, Plates Cars, aircraS, containers
12. What is global sAffness matrix? What are its properAes?
Global SEffness Matrix
• The global sEffness matrix is the sAffness matrix of the enEre structure in the global
coordinate system.
• It is obtained by assembling all the individual element sEffness matrices according to how
elements are connected at nodes.
• It relates the global nodal forces to the global nodal displacements:
{𝐹}!"#$%" = [𝐾]!"#$%" {𝑑}!"#$%"
Where:
• {𝐹}!"#$%" = global force vector
• [𝐾]!"#$%" = global sAffness matrix
• {𝑑}!"#$%" = global displacement vector
ProperEes of Global SEffness Matrix:
1. Square Matrix – number of rows = number of columns = total DOFs of the system.
2. Symmetric – Kij = Kji (for linear elasAc problems).
3. PosiEve Semi-Definite – ensures stable soluAons; sAffness values are always ≥ 0.
4. Band Matrix / Sparse Matrix – most terms are zero except near the diagonal (saves storage).
5. Size Depends on DOFs – larger structures → larger matrix.
6. AddiEve Property – obtained by summing all element sAffness contribuAons at common
nodes.
7. Boundary CondiEons Modify It – applying supports/constraints changes some
rows/columns.
What is meaning of refining a mesh?
Meaning of Refining a Mesh
• Mesh refinement means making the mesh finer by increasing the number of elements
(reducing their size).
• A finer mesh gives more nodes, which increases the accuracy of results because the
structure is represented more closely to the real geometry.
• Refinement is usually done in criEcal regions (like high-stress zones, sharp corners, holes)
instead of the whole structure, to save computaAon Ame.
Example:
• A plate with a hole → coarse mesh gives rough stress distribuAon,
• Refining mesh near the hole → shows the actual high-stress concentraAon more accurately.
13. Draw the sketch for tetrahedral element.
