A04 Introduction To FEM

A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1
Introduction to the Finite Element Method

Background Material
AERO 306 notes and Introduction to Aerospace Structural Analysis,
Allen and Haisler
http!!ceaspu"#eas#asu#edu!structures!FiniteElementAnal$sis#htm
http!!%%%#m$"&o#net!m$"&ous!Anal$sis!Features!10'4(#htm
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Assumptions
It is assumed that $ou are 0amiliar %ith "asic FEM theor$ 1AERO 3062
and %ith applications to truss or "eam elements and structures, and
3no% FEM theor$ "ased on an ener+$ or ,ariational 0ormulation,
3no% %hat a sti00ness matri4 is,
3no% ho% to assem"le element sti00ness and 0orce matrices into
+lo"al 1structural2 sti00ness and 0orce matrices,
3no% ho% to sol,e the resultin+ e5uili"rium e5uations
6 78 9 8 9 K q Q
0or displacements, and
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &
3no% ho% to determine resultin+ strains and stresses#
.tructures are o0ten anal$:ed usin+ comple4 0inite element anal$sis
methods# )hese tools ha,e e,ol,ed o,er the past decades 1since
earl$ 1-60;s2 to "e the "asis o0 most structural desi+n tas3s# A
candidate structure is anal$:ed su"<ect to the predicted loads and
the 0inite element pro+ram predicts de0lections, stresses, strains,
and e,en "uc3lin+ o0 the man$ elements# )he desi+ned can then
resi:e components to reduce %ei+ht or pre,ent 0ailure# In recent
$ears, structural optimi:ation has "een com"ined %ith 0inite
element anal$sis to determine component +au+es that ma$
minimi:e %ei+ht su"<ect to a num"er o0 constraints# .uch tools are
"ecomin+ ,er$ use0ul and there are man$ e4amples o0 su"stantial
%ei+ht reduction usin+ these methods# .urprisin+l$, ho%e,er, it
appears that modern methods do not do a "etter <o" o0 predictin+
0ailure o0 the resultin+ desi+ns, as sho%n "$ the 0i+ure "elo%,
constructed 0rom recent Air Force data# )he data compares static
test 0ailures o0 %in+, 0usela+e, ,ertical tail, hori:ontal tail, landin+
+ear and other components 0or New Aircraft 1desi+ned %ith 0inite
element methods2 and Older aircraft 1desi+ned %ithout FEM2#
Moral of the story as presented by the chart above= >on;t "elie,e that
<ust "ecause $ou are usin+ modern, sophisticated 0inite element tools that
the anal$sis %ill in some %a$ "e "etter or sa0er# It still ta3es en+ineerin+
<ud+ment, 3no%-ho% and e4perience#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '
Aircra0t ha,e man$ main structural components in the %in+s, 0usela+e,
tail section, landin+ +ear, etc# as sho%n "elo%
.tructural mem"ers sho%n a"o,e ma$ "e ,ariousl$ modeled as
"eams, thin plates, mem"ranes, shells, etc# In some cases, it ma$
"e necessar$ to per0orm a 0ull 3-> stress anal$sis 1an elasticit$
t$pe anal$sis as opposed to an appro4imate one li3e plate theor$2#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method (
)he webs in %in+ ri"s and 0loor "eams, and %in+ and 0usela+e
skins are t$picall$ thin mem"ers that mi+ht "e considered as "ein+
in a state o0 plane stress#
*lane stress descri"es a three-dimensional +eometr$ %herein the
non-:ero stresses all occur in a sin+le plane# For a thin plate, %e"
or s3in l$in+ in the 4-$ plane, the onl$ non-:ero stress components
are
, ,
xx yy xy

#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method ?
@e no% consider the de,elopment o0 a plane stress 0inite element#
.uppose %e ha,e a +eometr$ li3e that sho%n "elo% %here the
thic3ness is small compared to the other t%o dimensions
)he onl$ ma<or stress components are
, ,
xx yy xy

# Aonsider
another e4ample o0 a thin "rac3et in tension and the correspondin+
0inite element mesh# )he "oundar$ at the hole is %elded and
there0ore 0i4ed# A static tensile load o0 ','00 l"s is applied to one
end# )he dimensions are &'B 4 10B 4 0#'B thic3#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method -
Crac3et /eometr$ D FEM Mesh, Eoadin+ and CA
t = 0.5 in.
Fotice that the +eometr$ has "een di,ided up into a num"er o0
rectan+ular re+ions 1elements2 - these are called Guad elements#
@e could also use trian+ular elements# @e %ill demonstrate the
de,elopment o0 the sti00ness matri4 and load ,ector 0or a trian+ular
element as sho%n
"elo%# @e assume that
plane stress occurs in the
4-$ plane and de0ine
displaceent
coponents
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
# @e de0ine
nodal displaceents at
the three corners as
Fode 1
1
u
and
1
v
Fode &
&
u
and
&
v
Fode 3
3
u
and
3
v
)he process o0 de,elopin+ the equilibriu equations 0or a +i,en
element re5uires that %e utili:e an ener+$ or ,ariational principleH
0or e4ample, the principle o0 minimum potential ener+$ +i,en "$
1 2 0 ! " +
%here I is the internal strain ener+$ and J is the e4ternal potential
ener+$#
For a plane stress state, the internal 1potential2 ener+$ is +i,en "$
1
&
8 9 8 9
#
"
! d"
%here
8 9 8 9
xx xx
yy yy
xy xy
and

' ) ' )

A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1&
Assumin+ a linear elastic material, the constituti,e e5uation ma$
"e %ritten as
8 9 6 78 9 $
%here 6>7 0or plane stress is +i,en "$
&
1 0
6 7 1 0
1
0 0 11 2 ! &
%
$

1
1
1
]
Fote that 6>7 is s$mmetric#
)he in0initesimal strains are +i,en
, ,
xx yy xy
u v u v
x y y x

+

%here
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
are the displacement 0ields#
.u"stitutin+ into +i,es the strain ener+$ as
1
&
8 9 6 78 9
#
"
! $ d"
%here use has "een made o0 the s$mmetr$ o0 6>7# Fote that i0 %e
su"stitute into , I is no% in terms o0 the displacement 0ields
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
#
)he e4ternal potential J can "e e,aluated once the e4ternal
tractions and "od$ 0orces are speci0ied# In +eneral, J %ill ha,e the
0orm o0
2 1 2
x y x y
S "
" p u p v ds & u & v d" + +

%here
x
p
and
y
p
are "oundar$ tractions, . is the element
"oundar$ sur0ace,
x
&
and
y
&
are "od$ 0orces# Fote that J is in
terms o0 displacements
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
#
@e no% ha,e I and J in terms o0
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
H and the
e5uili"rium e5uations 0or are an element are de0ined "$ the ener+$
principle
1 2 0 ! " +
# Ho%e,er, %e can;t appl$ <ust $et# Why?
Cecause
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
must "e in terms o0 discrete ,aria"les
1nodal displacements2 "ut
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
are continuous
0unctions#
onstant !train "riangle
For an$ element, the displacement components
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y

are un3no%n# Follo%in+ a Ra$lei+h-Rit: t$pe solution, %e assume
a solution 0or each# )he simplest assumption that can "e made in
this case is to assume that the displacement ,aries linearl$ o,er the
element# Hence, %e assume
1 & 3
1 & 3
1 , 2
1 , 2
u x y x y
v x y x y

+ +
+ +
%here the ; s and
; s
are constants# )hese constants can "e
related to nodal displaceents 0or the trian+ular element
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1'
Assume the corners o0
the trian+le 1nodes2 are
num"ered AA@, and
ha,e coordinates
1 1
1 , 2 x y
, etc# as sho%n#
At each node 1iK1,&,32,
assume the nodal
displacements are +i,en
"$
1 , 2
i i
u v
# @e can no%
%rite 6 B"oundar$
conditionsB as 0ollo%s
For u14,$2
At node 1
1 1 1 1 & 1 3 1
1 , 2 u u x y x y + +
At node &
& & & 1 & & 3 &
1 , 2 u u x y x y + +
At node 3
3 3 3 1 & 3 3 3
1 , 2 u u x y x y + +
For ,14,$2
At node 1
1 1 1 1 & 1 3 1
1 , 2 v v x y x y + +
At node &
& & & 1 & & 3 &
1 , 2 v v x y x y + +
At node 3
3 3 3 1 & 3 3 3
1 , 2 v v x y x y + +
@e can no% sol,e 0or the constants in terms o0 nodal
displacements# E5s# can "e %ritten in matri4 0orm as
1 1 1 1
& & & &
3 3 3 3
1
1
1
x y u
x y u
x y u
1

1
' ) ' )
1

1
]
.olution is
1 1 1 & & 3 3
& 1 1 & & 3 3
3 1 1 & & 3 3
1 2 !1& 2
1 2 !1& 2
1 2 !1& 2
a u a u a u A
b u b u b u A
c u c u c u A
+ +
+ +
+ +
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1(
%here
1 & 3 3 & & 3 1 1 3 3 1 & & 1
1 & 3 & 3 1 3 1 &
1 3 & & 1 3 3 & 1
, ,
, ,
, c , c
a x y x y a x y x y a x y x y
b y y b y y b y y
c x x x x x x

and
1 1
& &
3 3
1
& 1 &1 2
1
x y
A x y area of trian'le
x y

.u"stitutin+ into and rearran+in+, u14,$2 can "e %ritten
1 1 1 1 & & & &
3 3 3 3
1
1 , 2 61 2 1 2
&
1 2 7
u x y a b x c y u a b x c y u
A
a b x c y u
+ + + + +
+ + +
Fote that the a;s, ";s and c;s are constants and depend onl$ upon the
nodal coordinates 14,$2 o0 the 3 corner nodes#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1?
>e0inin+ the coe00icients o0
i
u
as
i
N
, e5uation "ecomes
3
1
1 , 2
i i
i
u x y N u
%here
1
1 , 2 1 2
&
i i i i
N x y a b x c y
A
+ +
A similar result is o"tained 0or ,14,$2
3
1
1 , 2
i i
i
v x y N v
)he 5uantities
1 , 2
i
N x y
are called shape functions# Fote that the
same shape 0unctions appl$ 0or "oth
1 , 2 u x y
and
1 , 2 v x y
#
@e can no% o"tain the strains "$ su"stitutin+ displacement
0unctions and into strain e4pressions to o"tain
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1-
3 3
1 1
3 3
1 1
3 3 3 3
1 1 1 1
&
&
& &
i i
xx i i
i i
i i
yy i i
i i
i i i i
xy i i i i
i i i i
N b u
u u
x x A
N c v
v v
y y A
N N c b u v
u v u v
y x y x A A

+ + +

)he last 3 e5uations 0or strains can "e put into matri4 notation as
1
1
1 & 3
&
1 & 3
&
1 1 & & 3 3
3
3
0 0 0
1
0 0 0
&
xx
yy
xy
u
v
b b b
u
c c c
v A
c b c b c b
u
v

1

1
' ) ' )
1

1
]

A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &0
Or, more compactl$ as 10or an$ element BeB2
8 9 6 78 9
e e e
( q
%here
1 & 3
1 & 3
1 1 & & 3 3
0 0 0
1
6 7 0 0 0
&
e
b b b
( c c c
A
c b c b c b
1
1
1
1
]
and
1
1
&
&
3
3
8 9
e
u
v
u
q
v
u
v

' )

.ince the terms in
6 7
e
(
are constant 0or an element, the strains
8 9
e
are constant %ithin an elementH hence the name )constant
strain trian'le) or *S##
@e can no% e,aluate the internal strain ener+$ I# .u"stitutin+
into +i,es
1
&
1
&
8 9 6 7 6 76 78 9
K 8 9 6 7 6 76 7 8 9
e e # e # e e e
"
e # e # e e e
"
! q ( $ ( q d"
q ( $ ( d" q
_

,
)he 5uantit$ in parentheses can "e identi0ied as the eleent

stiffness atrix
6 7
e
k
and can "e %ritten as
1
&
8 9 6 78 9
e e # e e
! q k q
%here the eleent stiffness atrix
6 7
e
k
is de0ined "$
6 7 6 7 6 76 7
e e # e e
"
k ( $ ( d"
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &&

I0 the element has a constant thic3ness t
e
, then dJKtdA# Assumin+
that E is constant o,er the element and notin+ that the terms in C
are constants, then
6 7 6 7 6 76 7
e e e e # e e
k t A ( $ (
Fote that the element sti00ness matri4
6 7
e
k
is a 646 matri4, i#e#, %e
ha,e a 6 de+ree-o0-0reedom 1do02 element#
Fote that the +eneral 0orm 0or the strain ener+$ can "e %ritten in
inde4 notation also
6 6
1 1
& &
1 1
8 9 6 78 9
e e # e e e e e
i+ i +
i +
! q k q k q q

Cecause
6 7
e
$
is s$mmetric, the sti00ness matri4
6 7
e
k
de0ined "$
either or is a s$mmetric matri4 1al%a$s the case2#
)he sti00ness matri4 0or the A.) de0ined "$ can "e %ritten in su"-
matri4 notation as
11 1& 13
&1 && &3
16 62
31 3& 33
6 7
e
x
k k k
k k k k
k k k
1
1
1
1
]
%here each o0 the
i+
k
is a 1&4&2 su"-matri4 de0ined "$
11 33 1& 33
1
4
&1 33 && 33
1& &2
1 2 1 2
6 7
1 2 1 2
i + i + i + i +
i+
A
i + i + i + i +
x
b b $ c c $ b c $ c b $
k
c b $ b c $ c c $ b b $
+ +
1
1
+ +
1
]
%here the
i+
$
are material properties 1
, %
2 de0ined "$ and the

i i
b and c
are +eometr$ parameters 14-$ coordinates o0 nodes2
de0ined "$ #
)o de0ine the e4ternal potential
ener+$ J, %e ha,e to de0ine the
e4ternal load# .uppose %e ha,e a
uni0orm traction 1pressure2 p applied
on the element ed+e de0ined "$
nodes 1 and &# )he e4ternal
potential then "ecomes
0
6 1 2 cos 1 2 sin 7
,
e
" u s p v s p tds +
Fote that
cos p
is the component o0 p in the 4 direction#
>isplacements u and , on "oundar$ 1-& must "e %ritten as
0unctions o0 position s on the "oundar$
1 & 1 &
1 & 1 &
1 2 11 ! 2 1 ! 2
1 2 11 ! 2 1 ! 2
u s s , u s , u
v s s , v s , v
+
+
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &'
.u"stitutin+ u1s2 and ,1s2 into J, and inte+ratin+ o,er the
"oundar$, +i,es
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
1 1 1 1
1 1 & &
& & & &
cos sin cos sin " pt, u pt, v pt, u pt, v
1
+ + +
]
)he last result can "e %ritten in matri4 notation as
6
1
8 9 8 9
e e # e e e
i i
i
" q & & q
%here
1
&
1
&
1
&
1
&
cos
sin
cos
8 9
sin
0
0
e
e
e
e
e
pt ,
pt ,
pt ,
&
pt ,
' )

)he matri4 8F9 represents the equivalent 'enerali-ed nodal force
vector due to pressure load on "oundar$ 1-&, i#e#, %e ha,e replaced
the pressure p on "oundar$ 1-& "$ the nodal 0orces 8F9 at nodes 1
and &#
Fote that the total 0orce due to p
on "oundar$ 1-& is 1ptE2 and di,ides e5uall$ "et%een nodes 1 and
&#
=
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &(
Another set o0 0orces e4ists on the "oundar$ o0 an$ element#
)hese are due to surroundin+ elements that appl$ 0orces due to
contact %ith the element in 5uestion, i#e#, surroundin+ elements are
"ein+ de0ormed and hence the$ tr$ to de0orm the element in
5uestion and there"$ put 0orces on this element# Additionall$,
%here a node is at a support or B0i4ed,B there %ill "e a reaction
0orce on the element node# Aall these reaction 0orces
8 9 S
#
1
S
1
&
3
&
S
3
S
4
S
'
S
6
S

i
S reactions fro ad+acent eleents
)he e4t# pot# ener+$ due to reactions is 8 9 8 9
e e # e
" q S
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &?
@e can determine the e5uations o0 e5uili"rium 0or the element#
Isin+ and notin+ that
e
!
and
e
"
are 0unctions o0 nodal
displacements , 1,###, 6
e
i
q i , %e ha,e
6
1
1 2
1 2 0
e e
e e e
i
e
i i
! "
! " q
q

+
+
.ince
0
i
q
, then
1 2
0 1, &,###, 6
e e
e
i
! "
for i
q
+

.u"stitutin+ I and J 6 and 7 into +i,es the equilibriu equation

for any eleent#
6 78 9 8 9 8 9
e e e e
k q & S +
Fote that
6 7
e
K
is 16462 and 8 9
e
& D 8 9
e
S are 16412 matrices#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &-
E5uations - pro,ide the e5uili"rium e5uation 0or a sin+le element#
.uppose %e loo3 at a collection o0 elements 1i#e#, a complete
structure2# )hen the total ener+$ o0 the structure is +i,en "$ the
sum o0 internal and potential ener+$ o0 all the elements 1
el
N
2
( )
6 6
1 1
& &
1 1 1 1 1
8 9 6 78 9
el el el
N N N
e e # e e e e e
str i+ i +
e e e i +
! ! q k q k q q

_

,

and
( ) ( )
1 1 1
6 6
1 1 1 1
8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9

el el el
el el
N N N
e e # e e # e
str
e e e
N N
e e e e
i i i i
e i e i
" " q & q S
& q S q

_ _

, ,

)he principle o0 minimum potential ener+$ 0or the structure
re5uires that
1
1 2
1 2 0
M
str str
str str i
i i
! "
! " q
q

+
+
%here
8 9 q
contains the M de+rees o0 0reedom 0or the structure
1FO) do0 0or each element2# For
0
i
q
, the last e5uation
re5uires that
1 2
0 1, &,###,
str str
i
! "
for i M
q
+

.u"stitutin+
str
!
and
str
"
into +i,es
( ) ( ) ( )
1
&
1 1 1
8 9 6 78 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9
0
el el el
N N N
e # e e e # e e # e
e e e
i
q k q q & q S
q

_

,

1, &,###, for i M
*ro"lem )he ener+$ terms 0or each element are in terms o0 the
element do0, "ut in order to o"tain the e5uations o0 e5uili"rium 0or
the structure 1a"o,e e5uation2, %e ha,e to ta3e the partial
deri,ati,es %ith respect to the +lo"al structural do0# In order to
complete the a"o,e, the element de+rees o0 0reedom 8 9
e
q must "e
%ritten in terms o0 the M +lo"al structural de+rees o0 0reedom
8 9 q
#
For an$ element, %e can %rite a trans0ormation "et%een element
local and +lo"al do0 1called the local-+lo"al trans0ormation2
16 2 16 12 1 12
8 9 6 7 8 9
e e
xM x Mx
q # q
)he trans0ormation %ill "e nothin+ more then 1;s and 0;s# As an
e4ample, suppose %e ha,e the 0ollo%in+ element and structural
node num"erin+
1
2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
x
y
1
q
&
q
3
q
4
q
'
q
6
q
(
q
?
q
&3
q
&4
q
-
q
10
q
1(
q
1?
q
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
x
y
p
Aonsider element (# .uppose %e place element node 1 at +lo"al
node 6#
1
&
3
1
e
q
&
e
q
3
e
q
4
e
q
'
e
q
6
e
q
(

Element nodes
and local dofs
(

Structural nodes
and global dofs
6
11
q
1&
q
13
q
14
q
(
11
&1
q
&&
q
@e see that 0or element (, there is a correspondence "et%een the 6
element local do0s at element nodes 1, & and 3, and the 6 structural
+lo"al do0s at nodes 6, 11and (# @e see that local 1element2 node
1 corresponds to +lo"al node 6, local 1element2 node & corresponds
to +lo"al node 11, and local node 3 corresponds to +lo"al node (#
@e can %rite this local to +lo"al trans0ormation 8 9 6 78 9
e e
q # q as
1,&
3,4
',6
(,?
(
-,
1,&
(
3,4
(
',6
1 0
607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607
0 1
1 0
607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607
0 1
1 0
607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607 607
0 1
e
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
1 1
1 1
]
1
1
1
1
' )
1
]
1

1

1
1
1
1
] ]
10
11,1&
13,14
1',16
1(,1?
1-,&0
&1,&&
&3,&4
q
q
q
q
q
q
q

' )

Each 607 is a 1&4&2# )he a"o,e sa$s that 0or element (, local
1element2 node 1 corresponds to +lo"al node 6, i#e#, local do0s 1,&
correspond to +lo"al do0s 11,1&H local node & corresponds to +lo"al
node 11, i#e#, local do0s 3,4 correspond to +lo"al do0s &1,&&, etc#
+lo"al node L
1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1&
Fo% trans0orm
e
!
and
e
"
0rom local to +lo"al do0 "$ su"stitutin+
into and to o"tain
1 1 1
& & &
8 9 6 78 9 8 9 6 7 6 76 78 9 8 9 6 78 9
8 9 6 7 8 9 8 9 6 7 8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9
e e # e e # e # e e # e
'
e # e # e # e # e # e # e
' '
! q k q q # k # q q K q
" q # & q # S q & q S

Fo% %e can de0ine the 0ollo%in+ element matrices in +lo"al do0
1instead o0 local element do02
1 62 16 62 16 2
1 2
1 62 16 12
1 12
6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7
8 9 6 7 8 9
8 9 6 7 8 9
e e # e e
'
Mx x xM
MxM
e e # e
'
Mx x
Mx
e e # e
'
K # k #
& # &
S # S
)o see %hat an element sti00ness and 0orce matri4 %ritten in +lo"al

do0 loo3s li3e, consider element ( a+ain# @e o"tain 0or
(
6 7
'
K and
(
8 9
'
&
Element #
Each "loc3 is a 1&4&2 su"-matri4
1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1&
1
&
3
4
'
6
(
11
k
(
13
k
(
1&
k
(
(
31
k
(
33
k
(
3&
k
(
3
&
?
-
10
11
(
&1
k
(
&3
k
(
&&
k
1&
Fo% the internal and e4ternal potential ener+$ is +i,en "$
( ( (
11 1& 13
( ( (
&1 && &3
( ( (
31 3& 33
k k k
k k k
k k k
1
1
1
1
1
]
6 11 7
6
11
7
(
1
(
&
(
3
&
&
&

' )

(
6 7
'
K
(
8 9
'
&
( )
1 1
& &
1 1 1 1 1
8 9 6 78 9
el el el
N N N
M M
e # e e
str ' 'i+ i +
e e e i +
! ! q k q k q q

_

,

( ) ( )
1 1 1
1 1 1 1
8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9

el el el
el el
N N N
e # e # e
str ' '
e e e
N N
M M
e e
'i i 'i i
e i e i
" " q & q S
& q S q

_ _

, ,

Fo% %e can su"stitute and into to o"tain
( ) ( ) ( )
1
&
1 1 1
8 9 6 78 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9
0
el el el
N N N
# e # e # e
' ' '
e e e
i
q k q q & q S
q

_

,

1, &,###, for i M
%hich +i,es a s$stem o0 M e5uations in terms o0 the structural
displacements
( )
1 1 1
6 78 9 8 9 8 9 809
el el el
N N N
e e e
' ' '
e e e
k q & S

or
1 1 1
6 7 8 9 8 9 8 9
el el el
N N N
e e e
' ' '
e e e
k q & S

1
+
1
1
]

@hen all the element contri"utions ha,e "een summed, %e simpl$
%rite
6 78 9 8 9 8 9 K q Q S +
Fote that %hen the element sti00ness and 0orce matrices are %ritten
in terms o0 structural displacements 1usin+ local to +lo"al
trans0ormation2, the$ "ecome additi,e 6see e5# 7H i#e#, to +et the
structural sti00ness matri4 6M7, %e sum the contri"utions 0or all
elements#
Assem$lage o% Elements
A sin+le element "$ itsel0 is useless# @e ust deterine the
equilibriu equations for an assebla'e of eleents that coprise
the entire structures#
Aonsider the 0ollo%in+ structure 1onl$ a 0e% elements are ta3en to
simpli0$ the discussion2 %ith a uni0orml$ pressure p on the ri+ht
"oundar$ and 0i4ed on the le0t "oundar$ 1assume a constant
thic3ness t2#
@e num"er the structural nodes
0rom 1 to 1& as sho%n# @e also
num"er the elements 0rom 1 to
1& as sho%n 1in an$ order2#
For each +lo"al node o0 the structure, %e can speci0$ the 14,$2
coordinates
i
x
,
i
y
, iK1, &, N, 1&#
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
x
y
p
Each node o0 the structure %ill
ha,e t%o de+rees o0 0reedom
1do02# @e la"el these
structural .'lobal/ de'rees of
freedo in order as sho%n to
the ri+ht# Fote that the
structural nodal displacements
are %ritten %ithout the superscript Be#B )he nodal displacement
,ector is %ritten as
8 9 q
and is 1&4412 0or this pro"lem#
@e note that the le0t side is 0i4ed 1nodes 1, ' and -2# Hence,
displaceent boundary conditions %ill re5uire that
1 & - 10 1( 1?
0 q q q q q q
#
Fote %e do not ha,e to num"er the do0 consistentl$ and in
se5uence %ith the structural nodes# Ho%e,er, this ma3es the
"oo33eepin+ much, much simplerO
For each element, %e can construct a ta"le called the eleent
connectivity that speci0ies %hich structural 1+lo"al2 nodes are
1
2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
x
y
1
q
&
q
3
q
4
q
'
q
6
q
(
q
?
q
&3
q
&4
q
-
q
10
q
1(
q
1?
q
connected "$ an element# Hence, 0or the pro"lem a"o,e, %e ha,e
the 0ollo%in+ eleent connectivity table
Element &o. Element &ode ' Element &ode ( Element &ode )
1 1 ' &
& ' 6 &
3 ' 10 6
4 ' - 10
' & 6 3
6 6 ( 3
( 6 11 (
? 6 10 11
- 3 ( 4
10 ( ? 4
11 ( 1& ?
1& ( 11 1&
Fote that 0or the A.), element nodes MI.) "e +i,en as AA@#
Element node 1 can "e attached %ith an$ +lo"al node o0 the
element#
Fote that i0 %e are care0ul in num"erin+ the nodes and choosin+
the element connecti,it$ in a Bs$stematicB manner, there %ill "e a
pattern to the element connecti,it$ ta"le 1see a"o,e2# An
autoatic esh 'enerator, li3e the one in FEMA*, tries to 0ollo%
this pattern#
Fote that the +lo"al node num"ers 0or the structure are some%hat
ar"itrar$, i#e#, %e could num"er them in an$ order# Ho%e,er, it
%ill turn out that there are optimum %a$s to num"er nodes 10or a
+i,en structure and mesh2 in order to reduce the "and%idth o0 the
structural sti00ness matri4 6M7 - this sa,es time sol,in+ the
e5uations# For the mesh a"o,e, it %ould "e optimum to num"er
do%n%ard and le0t-to-ri+ht, as opposed to le0t-to-ri+ht and
do%n%ard# @e;ll discuss that later# Ei3e%ise, the element
num"erin+ is ar"itrar$, "ut a+ain there ma$ "e optimum
approaches# An automatic mesh +enerator tries to do the
num"erin+ in an optimum 0ashion#
Fote that 0or this structure, %e ha,e 1& +lo"al nodes# )here are &
de+rees o0 0reedom 1do02 at each node 1u and ,2# Hence, the
structure has &4 do0 and the structural sti00ness matri4 6M7 %ill "e
1&44&42# )he structural e5uili"rium e5uations can "e %ritten as
1&4 &42 1&4 12 1&4 12
6 7 8 9 8 9 8 9
x x x
K q Q S +
%here 6M7Kstructural sti00ness matri4,
8G9Kstructural 0orces matri4 1due to applied tractions
and "od$ 0orces2
8.9Kstructure reaction 0orces due to "oundar$ conditions
Eets see ho% each element contri"utes to +lo"al matrices# )a3e
element 1 to start %ith# Fote that %e can use su"-matri4 notation
to di,ide the element matrices as 0ollo%in+# Ise a superscript o0 1
on the 3 terms to indicate element 1#
1 1 1 1
11 1& 13 1
1& &2 1& 12
1 1 1 1 1 1
&1 && &3 &
16 62
1 1 1 1
31 3& 33 3
6 7 , 8 9
x x
x
k k k &
k k k k & &
k k k &
1
1
1

1
' )
1

1

1

]
@e no% loo3 at element 1 and note that element node num"ers 1, &, 3
correspond to +lo"al node num"ers 1, ', & 10rom the dra%in+ o0 the
mesh, or 0rom the element connecti,it$ ta"le2# @e can indicate this
in0ormation on the sti00ness and 0orce matrices as 0ollo%s
1 ' &
1 1 1 1
11 1& 13 1
1& &2 1& 12
1 1 1 1 1
1
&1 && &3 &
16 62
16 12
1 1 1 1
31 3& 33 3
6 7 ,
8 9
x x
x
x
k k k &
k k k k &
&
k k k &
1
1
1

1
' )
1

1

1

]
1
'
&
1
'
&
Hence, %e see that element 1 contri"utes sti00ness and 0orces to
+lo"al nodes 1, ' and &# *lacin+ these contri"utions into the +lo"al
sti00ness matri4 +i,es
Element ' only
M 1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1& 859 G
1
1
11
k
1
13
k
1
1&
k 1,&
q
1
1
&
&
1
31
k
1
33
k
1
3&
k 3,4
q
1
3
&
3 ',6
q
4 (,?
q
'
1
&1
k
1
&3
k
1
&&
k -,10
q
1
&
&
6 =
(
?
-
10
11
1& &3,&4
q
PP remem"er, each "loc3 is a 1&4&2 su"-matri4
Fo% ta3e element (#
Element # only
M 1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1& 859 G
1 1,&
q
& 3,4
q
3 ',6
q
4 (,?
q
' -,10
q
6 =
(
?
-
10
11
1& &3,&4
q
( ( (
11 1& 13
( ( (
&1 && &3
( ( (
31 3& 33
k k k
k k k
k k k
1
1
1
1
1
]
6 11 7
6
11
7
(
1
(
&
(
3
&
&
&

' )

Fote that the distri"uted pressure load p is applied onl$ to the ri+ht
"oundar$ o0 elements 10 and 11# Hence 8F9 0or all elements
e4cept 10 and 11 %ill "e :ero# For elements 10 and 11, %e %ill
ha,e
1
4 ?
&
10
1
4 ?
&
0
0
8 9
0
0
pt,
&
pt,
' )

8
4
7
1
? 1&
&
11
1
? 1&
&
0
0
8 9
0
0
pt,
&
pt,
' )

7
12
8
%here
4 ?
,

is the len+th "et%een +lo"al nodes 4 and ?, etc#
I0 %e assem"le all element sti00ness matrices 637 and 0orces
matrices 8F9 to the +lo"al e5uili"rium e5uations, %e ha,e the
0ollo%in+ result
!tructural E*uations o% E*uili$rium
M 1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1& 859 G
1 Q Q Q 1,&
q
& Q Q Q Q Q 3,4
q
3 Q Q Q Q Q ',6
q
4 Q Q Q Q (,?
q
Q
' Q Q Q Q Q Q -,10
q
6 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q =
( Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
? Q Q Q Q Q
- Q Q Q
10 Q Q Q Q Q
11 Q Q Q Q Q
1& Q Q Q Q &3,&4
q
Q
Q means that one or more elements ha,e contri"uted here
Fote that 6M7 is syetricH also it is banded 1semi-"and%idthK1&2#
In the pre,ious pa+e, each Q
means that one or more elements
ha,e contri"uted to that 1&4&2
su"-matri4# For e4ample, %e note
that node & %ill ha,e sti00ness
0rom elements 1, & and '# Hence,
the &,& position o0 the +lo"al
sti00ness matri4 %ill "e e5ual to
1note $ou ha,e to re0er to the element connecti,it$ to see %hich
element node 0or each element corresponds to +lo"al node &2
1 & '
&& 33 33 11
6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 K k k k + + each su"-matri4 is 1&4&2
)he +lo"al node &-6 couplin+ term
&6
6 7 K
%ill ha,e contri"utions
0rom elements & and ' since onl$ these elements share the
"oundar$ "et%een nodes & and 6
& '
&6 3& 1&
6 7 6 7 6 7 K k k + #
/lo"al node 6 %ill ha,e sti00ness contri"utions 0rom elements &, 3,
', 6, (, and ?
& 3 ' 6 ( ?
66 && 33 && 11 11 11
6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 K k k k k k k + + + + + #
1 2 3
5
6
7
11 10 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3 1
1
2
2
3
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
Guestion= @hat happened to the reactions 8.9 0or each element=
@h$ don;t the$ sho% up in the structural sti00ness matri4=
.imple# It is e5uili"rium# Recall that %hen %e ma3e a 0ree-"od$,
in this case ta3e a sin+le 0inite element as the 0ree-"od$, %e %ill
ha,e e5ual and opposite reactions %here the cut is made thou+h the
"od$# Aonsider elements 1 and & "elo%
1
&
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
S
1
&
S
1
3
S
1
4
S
1
'
S
1
6
S
1
&
3
&
6
S
&
'
S
&
4
S
&
3
S
&
&
S
&
1
S
At the "oundar$ "et%een elements 1 and &, the reactions are e5ual
and opposite# Hence, %e add them up %e ha,e
1 &
1 3
0 S S + ,
1 &
& 4
0 S S + ,
1 &
' '
0 S S + , and
1 &
6 6
0 S S + # Hence, all the reactions
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '0
"et%een elements sum to :ero and do not ha,e to "e put into the
structural e5uili"rium e5uations#
OM, "ut %hat a"out the "oundar$ %here there are supports= @hat
happens to the reactions there= For e4ample, the cantile,er plate
e4ample a"o,e
)he$ don;t disappear and should
"e included in the structural
sti00ness matri4#
@e 3no% that there %ill "e
un3no%n reactions at +lo"al
nodes 1, ' and -# @e could call
these reactions
1
0
,
&
0
,
-
0
,
10
0
,
1(
0
and
1?
0
1consistent %ith
+lo"al displacements2# .o %e
ha,e the 0ree "od$ o0 the
structure
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
x
y
p
1
2 3 4
5 6 7
8
12 11 10
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
x
y
p
1
0
&
0
-
0
10
0
1(
0
1?
0
!tructural E*uations o% E*uili$rium +ith !upport ,eactions
M 1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1& 859 G
1 Q Q Q 1,&
q
1,&
0
& Q Q Q Q Q 3,4
q
3 Q Q Q Q Q ',6
q
4 Q Q Q Q (,?
q
Q
' Q Q Q Q Q Q -,10
q
-,10
0
6 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q =
( Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
? Q Q Q Q Q
- Q Q Q
1(,1?
0
10 Q Q Q Q Q
11 Q Q Q Q Q
1& Q Q Q Q &3,&4
q
Q
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '&
OM, no% one last step# @e ha,e to appl$ displaceent boundary
conditions# )he structure is 0i4ed at nodes 1, ' and -H thus,
1 & - 10 1( 1?
0 q q q q q q
# )he easiest %a$ to appl$
"oundar$ conditions to an$ s$stem o0 e5uations is as 0ollo%s
1# Rero out the ro% and column on the le0t side matri4 1the 6M7
matri42 correspondin+ to each C#A#, and :ero out the ro% o0 the
ri+ht side 1the 8G9 matri42 correspondin+ to each C#A#
&# *lace a 1 on the dia+onal o0 the le0t side matri4 1the 6M7 matri42
correspondin+ to each C#A#
Sou %ill notice that e,er$ do0 that has a C#A# also corresponds to
a do0 %here a support reaction 1R2 occurs# Appl$in+ C#A# as
descri"ed a"o,e %ill thus eliminate the reactions 0rom the
e5uili"rium e5uations#
A theoretical reason %h$ %e donTt ha,e to %orr$ a"out reactions
in structural e5uations o0 e5uili"rium= Cecause these support
reactions R do no %or3 1displacement is :ero at support2 and
hence do not a00ect e5uili"rium o0 the structureOOO
!tructural E*uations o% E*uili$rium +ith B.. Applied
M 1 & 3 4 ' 6 ( ? - 10 11 1& 859 G
1
1
1
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
1,&
q
0
0

' )

&
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
Q Q
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
Q 3,4
q
3 Q Q Q Q Q ',6
q
4 Q Q Q Q (,?
q
Q
'
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
1
1
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
-,10
q
0
0

' )

6 Q Q
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
Q Q Q Q =
( Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
? Q Q Q Q Q
-
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
1
1
1
1
]
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
0
0

' )

10
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
Q
0 0
0 0
1
1
]
Q Q
11 Q Q Q Q Q
1& Q Q Q Q &3,&4
q
Q
)he structural e5uations %ith C#A# ma$ no% "e sol,ed 0or the
un3no%n displacements# Fote that %hen %e sol,e the s$stem o0
e5uations, the solution %ill +i,e
1 & - 10 1( 1?
0 q q q q q q
,
i#e, the 1
st
e5uation simpl$ sa$s
1
112 0 q
, etc#
Element !trains and !tresses
Fo% %e are read$ to sol,e 0or the element strains and stresses# For
each element, %e can su"stitute the 6 +lo"al displacements
correspondin+ to that element into
13 62 13 12 16 12
8 9 6 78 9
e e e
x x x
( q
eK1, &, N, no# o0 elements
)he stresses 0or each element can then "e o"tained "$ su"stitutin+
the strains 0or that element into
13 32 13 12 13 12
8 9 6 78 9
e e e
x x x
$
eK1, &, N, no# o0 elements
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method ''
E,aluation o0 stress results "ased on stress components in the
Aartesian coordinates directions 1
, , , #
xx yy xy
etc
2 lea,es
somethin+ to "e desired# @h$= .tresses in these directions ma$
not necessaril$ represent the lar+est stresses and %e need these in
order to consider $ieldin+ or 0ailure# Sou alread$ 3no% that $ou
can calculate principal stresses and ma4imum shear stress usin+
stress trans0ormation e5uations or Mohr;s Aircle# Hence, stress
results 1stress components2 are o0ten represented in t%o additional
%a$s
*rincipal stresses and ma4imum shear stress, and
,on Mises stress#
*rincipal stresses can, as noted a"o,e, "e o"tained "$ either stress
trans0ormation e5uations or throu+h the use o0 Mohr;s Aircle# An
alternate approach to de0ine principal stresses is to %rite
0
xx p xy xy
yx yy p y-
-x -y -- p

E4pansion o0 the determinant pro,ides a cu"ic e5uation that can "e

sol,ed 0or the three principal stresses
p
# Aomparin+ principal
stresses to a tensile $ield stress pro,ides some measure o0
e,aluationH ho%e,er, one has to 3eep in mind that comparin+ the
principal stress 1o"tained 0rom a three-dimensional stress state2 to
a $ield stress o"tained 0rom a unia4ial tension test is ris3$ at "est#
)he ,on Mises stress pro,ides a means to e4trapolate unia4ial
tensile test data 10or $ield stress2 to a three-dimensional stress state#
In e00ect, the ,on Mises stress pro,ides an Be5ui,alentB unia4ial
stress appro4imation to the three-dimensional stress state in a "od$
throu+h the 0ollo%in+ e5uation
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '(
1
& & & &
1
&
1 2 1 2 1 2
6 6 6
xx yy yy -- -- xx
"M
xy y- -x

1
+ +
1
+ + +
1
]
or
1
& & & &
1
1 & & 3 3 1
&
1 2 1 2 1 2
"M p p p p p p

1
+ +
]
%here
1 & 3
1 , , 2
p p p

are the principal stresses# /i,en the stress
components 1
, , , #
xx yy xy
etc
2 or principal stresses, one can
compute the ,on Mises stress#
)his representation has "een used 5uite success0ull$ to model the
onset o0 $ieldin+ in ductile metals and colla"orates %ell %ith
e4periment# It is %idel$ used in industr$# For a material to remain
elastic,
"M y
<
10or no $ieldin+2
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '?
E5uation 0orms an ellipsoid in 3-> 1ellipse in &->2 %hen the
stresses are plotted in principal stress space# As lon+ as the stress
state represented "$ the principal stresses is inside the ellipse 1the
$ield sur0ace2, the material is elastic#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method '-
Element -i$raries
.or1 choose the ri'ht eleent for a structural coponent and
loadin'1 in order to axii-e potential for correct results with the
least aount of coputation/
Man$, man$ 0inite elements ha,e "een de,eloped 0or use in
modern FEM so0t%are# Ahoosin+ the correct element 0or a
particular structural is paramount# For e4ample,
i0 a structural mem"er "eha,es li3e a "eam in "endin+, %e
should choose a "eam element to model it,
i0 a structural mem"er "eha,es li3e a thin plate in plane stress,
%e should choose an appropriate element to model it,
i0 a structural mem"er loo3s li3e a shell o0 re,olution, %e
should use a thin shell o0 re,olution element,
i0 a structural mem"er %ill e4perience a three-dimensional
stress state, %e ha,e to choose an element that models that
"eha,ior,
etc#
Here are some e4amples o0 the t$pes o0 elements a,aila"le
)russ element 1&-> and 3->2
Ceam "endin+ element 1&-> and 3->H strai+ht and cur,ed2
Mem"rane
element 1no "endin+H 0lat and cur,ed2
)rian+ular, Guad 1"oth strai+ht and cur,ed sides2
dof at eac node
*lanes .tress and *lane .train elements
)rian+ular and Guadrilateral shapes 1"oth strai+ht and cur,ed
sides2#
*lane stress re5uires that the onl$ non-:ero stresses occur in
the plane o0 the element 1ho%e,er, strain does occur normal
to plane2# /enerall$ applica"le to thin +eometries# )%o
displacement do0 per node 1FO rotational do02#
*lane strain re5uires that the onl$ non-:ero strains occur in
the plane o0 the element 1strain is :ero normal to plane, "ut
stress is not :ero2# Eon+ constrained +eometries 10or
e4ample, a lon+ pipe, a dam2# Elements %ith cur,ed
"oundaries %ill al%a$s ha,e 3 or more nodes per ed+e#
*late and shell "endin+ elements 1"endin+ and in-plane
stressesH 0lat and cur,ed elements2
)rian+ular, Guad 1"oth strai+ht and cur,ed sides2
*late and shell "endin+
elements are characteri:ed
as "ein+ thin compared to
other dimensions, and
ha,in+ no stress normal to
the plate 1similar to plane
stress2#
*late and shell "endin+ elements %ill ha,e in-plane and normal
displacements 1
, , u v w
2 and rotations 1
,
x y

2 a"out the t%o a4es
in the plane o0 the plate!shell# Fo sti00ness a"out the normal
a4es#
A4is$mmetric shell "endin+ element 10or shell o0 re,olution2
)he shell o0 re,olution can "e
descri"ed +eometricall$ "$ a cur,ed
1or strai+ht2 line that is re,ol,ed
a"out the a4is o0 s$mmetr$# )op
t%o 0i+ures are e4amples o0 thin
shells o0 re,olution# >e+rees o0
0reedom and stress state 0or a shell
o0 re,olution are similar to plate
and shell "endin+ elements, i#e#,
displacements parallel and
perpendicular to the shell sur0ace,
and rotations a"out the t%o a4es
that lie in the plane o0 the shell# Fo
stress normal to sur0ace#
Eo%er 0i+ure 1multicell tu"e2 is FO) a shell o0 re,olution, "ut
%ould re5uire plate or shell elements#
A4is$mmetric "od$ o0 re,olution element 13-> stress anal$sis2
Cod$ is solid and a4is$mmetric a"out some a4is o0 re,olution#
.tress state is 0ull$ three-dimensional 1includes all stress
components2# Fote that the
element 0orms a trian+ular-shaped
rin+, i#e#, the element itsel0 is a
"od$ o0 re,olution#
/eneral solid element 10or 0ull 3-
> stress anal$sis2
)etrahedron, Cric3 shapes 1"oth strai+ht and cur,ed sides2
.tress state is 0ull$ three-dimensional 1includes all stress
components2# )hree-dimensional solid elements ha,e 3
displacements per node 1FO rotational do0s2# Elements %ith
cur,ed "oundaries %ill al%a$s ha,e 3 or more nodes per
ed+e#
Mesh .eneration/ 0re and 0ost1processing/ !ol2ers
In order to +enerate the structural sti00ness matri4, %e must speci0$
the nodal coordinates 14,$,:2 o0 each +lo"al node and element
connecti,it$ 0or each element# For a lar+e pro"lem %ith comple4
+eometr$, this is a monumental tas3 i0 done "$ hand# Mesh
+enerators are so0t%are tools that automate this process#
Mesh .eneration and 0reprocessing
In +eneral, mesh +eneration starts "$ speci0$in+ the coordinates o0
a 0e% 3e$ locations that %ill su00icientl$ de0ine the outer "oundar$
t = 0.5 in.
o0 a structural component and other distin+uishin+ 0eatures such as
holes, 0illets, etc# Aonsider the "rac3et sho%n a"o,e# @e could
0irst de0ine the corners o0 a 10B 4 &'B rectan+le# )o speci0$ the
rounded ed+es on the ri+ht "oundar$, %e could speci0$ that a 4B
radius 0illet is to "e placed at each ri+ht corner# Finall$, to speci0$
the location o0 the hole, %e %ould de0ine a &B radius circle %hose
center is located 'B 0rom the ri+ht "oundar$#
)o speci0$ the mesh 1ho% man$ elements are to "e used2, %e
%ould speci0$ so man$ elements in the 4 direction and so man$
elements in the $ direction#
.ince the structure is &-> and in plane stress, %e %ould speci0$ the
t$pe o0 element 1trian+ular, 5uad, etc#2 to "e used in de0inin+ the
mesh#
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method (0
)he mesh +enerator %ould then automaticall$ determine the
coordinates o0 all +lo"al nodes and determine the element
connecti,it$ 0or all elements#
As a part o0 the mesh +eneration, %e %ould also speci0$ the
thic3ness to "e used 0or each element# /enerall$, the mesh
+enerator %ould allo% 0or a linear thic3ness ,ariation %ithin the
re+ion "ein+ meshed# For a ,aria"le thic3ness case, one %ould
ha,e to speci0$ the thic3ness at se,eral 3e$ locations and mesh
+enerator %ould determine the thic3ness 0or all elements in the
re+ion#
Also, the material properties %ould "e speci0ied 0or each element
in the re+ion# Most mesh +enerators onl$ pro,ide 0or one material
set to "e used %ithin a re+ion 1i#e#, same material 0or all elements2#
Fe4t, the mesh +enerator 1also called the preprocessor, "ecause it
processes all the re5uired input2 %ould re5uire the t$pe o0 loadin+
that is applied to elements or element "oundaries 1point 0orces,
"od$ 0orces, sur0ace tractions2# For a thermal stress anal$sis, the
preprocessor %ould also re5uire in0ormation on thermal loadin+#
For a d$namic 1transient2 anal$sis, %e %ould ha,e to speci0$ mass
properties 0or each element and the time histor$ o0 the loadin+#
Eastl$, the displacement "oundar$ conditions must "e speci0ied#
/i,en all this in0ormation, the mesh +enerator!preprocessor %ill
ha,e +enerated a model somethin+ li3e that sho%n "elo%
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method (&
@ith this in0ormation, the preprocessor %ould create a data set 1an
output 0ile2 in a 0ormat suita"le to "e read and processed "$ the
0inite element anal$sis pro+ram 1also called the solver2#
!ol2er
Once the solver has created the structural sti00ness and 0orce
matrices, sol,ed 0or +lo"al nodal displacements, and sol,ed 0or
stresses and strains 1plus a 0e% other thin+s appropriate to each
element t$pe2, it +enerates an output 0ile and %e are no% read$ to
e4amine and interpret the results#
0ost1processing
Alearl$, 0or a complicated structure %ith man$ nodes and
elements, the e4amination and e,aluation o0 all results is an
enormous tas3 "ecause o0 the shear ,olume o0 data 1displacements,
strains, stresses, etc2# )he post2processor no% ta3es o,er# Its
purpose is to pro,ide output such as the de0ormed +eometr$,
contour plots o0 principal stress components, contour plots o0 ,on
Mises stress, contour plots o0 strain components, etc# 1%hat e,er
you decide is important2# @hat, and ho%, the postprocessor can
displa$ in0ormation depends on the t$pe o0 elements "ein+ used#
Celo% are outputs o0 the de0ormed +eometr$ and ,onMises stress#
O0ten the pre and post-processor are com"ined into one so0t%are
pac3a+e 1li3e FEMA* or *A)RAF2# Most preprocessor pro+rams
%ill create output 0iles in 0ormats accepta"le to ,arious sol,ers
A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method ('
1li3e AAEFEM, FA.)RAF, AF.S., ACAAI., etc#2# Ei3e%ise,
most postprocessor pro+rams %ill accept the output 0ile o0 most
sol,ers and displa$ a ,ariet$ o0 data results +enerated "$ the
sol,er#
East )hou+hts on Mesh /enerators, *re!*ost-*rocessors D .ol,ers
)he$ %ill do a lot the tedious %or3 0or $ou#
)he$ are not a su"stitute 0or +ood en+ineerin+ 3no%-ho%,
<ud+ement and e4perience#
In the end, SOI are responsi"le 0or the model $ou ha,e
+enerated 0or the structure, and 0or the correct interpretation and
usa+e o0 the anal$sis results#
)he$ aid $ou in the desi+n processH "ut in the end, SOI are the
desi+ner#

A04 Introduction To FEM

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A04 Introduction To FEM

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A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method 1

Introduction to the Finite Element Method

)he 5uantit$ in parentheses can "e identi0ied as the eleent

A04 - Introduction to the Finite Element Method &&

.u"stitutin+ I and J 6 and 7 into +i,es the equilibriu equation

)o see %hat an element sti00ness and 0orce matri4 %ritten in +lo"al

E4pansion o0 the determinant pro,ides a cu"ic e5uation that can "e

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