General Steps of the finite element method
1. Discretise and select element types
Finite element method I
2. Select an element interpolation function
(A displacement function)
3. Derive element stiffness matrix and equations
4. Assemble the element equations to obtain
the global equations
5. Apply boundary conditions
6. Solve a system of simultaneous equations
for the unknowns
7. Solve for the element stresses and strains
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Terms of equation
The Stiffness Matrix
A matrix which relates nodal displacements and nodal forces
in each element and is determined from geometry and characteristics
Finite element method I
of the system
The Force Vector
The forces that are acting on the system. These include the
applied loads and the forces of reactions.
The Displacement Vector
The displacements at each degree‐of‐freedom. This vector is a
Measure of the response of structure to the applied loads.
Global coordinates
Coordinate according to the whole structural system
Local coordinates
Coordinate according to the element of interest
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Degree of Freedom
DOF, is the unknown nodal, primary variable. A model has a total
number of DOFs. Every element have also a number of DOFs.
DOF in structural problem is displacement vector.
Finite element method I
Spring element has 1 DOF per node which is axial displacement, u .
Bar element in 1D has 1 DOF per node which is axial displacement, u.
Bar element in plane truss structural problem has 2 DOFs per node,
which axial displacement,u and transverse displacement, v.
2D structural element has 2 DOF per node which are axial and transverse
displacement.
DOF in heat transfer problem is temperature vector
Line element in 1D has 1 DOF per node which is temperature. 2D‐ Bar
element has 1 DOF per node which is temperature.
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
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The direct stiffness method (DSM)
Importance: DSM is used by all major commercial FEM codes
Finite element method I
The method, works the same no matter what the element:
This class will firstly use spring and bar element to teach the DSM
Next the focus will be on the use of DSM to assembly the element equations
to obtain the global equations (step 4) by using spring element to explain
the method
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Linear spring element (1D element)
Finite element method I
Apply force equilibrium
Node j
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Assembling the Total stiffness matrix by superposition
(Direct stiffness method)
Finite element method I
Element 1
Element 2
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Total stiffness matrix
Finite element method I
or assembly using index number
(1) (2) (1) (2) (3)
(1)
(2)
assembly
(2) (3)
(2)
(3)
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Example
Finite element method I
Element stiffness matrix
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Applying boundary condition
Homogeneous boundary condition
Node 1 is fixed to the wall.
Finite element method I
d1x=0
and
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Inhomogeneous boundary condition
If spring extension at node 1
Finite element method I
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The use of finite element method to solve spring problem
Finite element method I
Given
Find •Total stiffness matrix
•Displacement at node 2 and node 3
•Reaction forces at node 1 and 4
•Spring element force
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
Element 1
Element 2
Element 3
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
Boundary conditions
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Finite element method I
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Reaction of node 1 and node 4 is
Finite element method I
Consider element equations for element 2
Spring force in element 2
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
Given
Find displacement at node 2 and element forces
and
Total stiffness matrix of the system is
Node 1 is fixed such that
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Total global equation of the system is
Finite element method I
Then
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Find element force
Element 1
Finite element method I
Element 2
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Interpolation function or approximation function
Finite element method I
Describe distribution of solution within the element
The approximation function should be continuous within the element.
Polynomial function is usually used since it is easy to manipulate
Polynomial with several terms or with higher order terms provide
closer approximated solutions to exact solutions but leading to more
complicated calculation
Order of polynomial function used depends on problem and required
accuracy
Eg. 1D structural problem second order polynomial (3 terms) gives more
accurate solutions than single‐term or two‐term polynomial function.
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I 1D Element
Bar Element
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Beam Element
2 nodes for one element consists
of 4DOFs .
Finite element method I
2 external nodes at the boundary
2D Element
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
u and v are displacements in x and y direction respectively
a is coefficient of polynomial and
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
xy term leads to constant
displacement in x or y directions
3D Element
u ,v and z are displacements in x , y and z direction respectively
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
Number of DOFs are increasing to 30 DOFs
Number of polynomial coefficients are 30 DOFs
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Interpolation function for linear elastic bar element
Finite element method I
Axial displacement varies linearly along x axis
Node 1 d1x
Node 2 d2x
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Finite element method I
is shape function
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N1 and N2 are linear function and have the following properties
at node 1
at node 2
Finite element method I
at node 1
at node 2
For element that has I nodes, shape function must have
Must be a continuous function
at node i
at other node
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Selecting approximation functions for displacements
General guideline for selecting displacement functions
1. The approximation function should be continuous within the element to prevent
Finite element method I
openings overlaps and jumps.
Eg. Simple linear function for u is certainly continuous within the element.
2. Common approximate functions are usually polynomials
3. The approximate function should provide interelement continuity for all degrees of
freedom at each node i.e. the function must follow compatibility requirement.
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
3. The approximation function should allow for rigid‐body displacement within
element.
Eg. For 1D element the linear displacement function is term a1
Finite element method I
the term that allows for rigid body motion (constant motion of the body
without straining).
4. The approximation function should allow for a state of constant strain within
element .
It is the constant term of the first derivative al the function. e.g. the term a2x
allows for constant strain since when a structure or workpiece is discretized into small
elements the strain of each element is approaching constant.
E.g. for 2D element
the terms that allow for constant strain are the terms with a2 and a6
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
Class exercises
1. Three linearly elastic springs supporting 2. Two trolleys are connected by the
three equal weights W suspended in a arrangement of springs shown below
vertical plane. Treating the spring as finite a) Determine the complete set of
elements determine the vertical equilibrium equations for the system b) if
displacement of each weight k=50 lb/in, F1=20 lb and F2=15 lb compute
Finite element method I
the displacement of each trolley and the
force in each spring.
3. Find displacement at each node
reaction forces at node 1 and force
in each element.
FE I-TGGS Dr. Julaluk Carmai
