Finite Element Method in

Finite Element Method in

Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + Dynamics Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + Dynamics
Boulder, Colorado Boulder, Colorado
January 5-8, 2004 January 5-8, 2004
Stein Sture
Professor of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Boulder

Contents
Contents

Steps in the FE Method

Steps in the FE Method

Introduction to FEM for Deformation Analysis

Introduction to FEM for Deformation Analysis

Discretization of a Continuum
Discretization of a Continuum

Elements
Elements

Strains
Strains

Stresses, Constitutive Relations

Stresses, Constitutive Relations

Hookes Law
Hookes Law

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix

Solution of Equations
Solution of Equations
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Steps in the FE Method
Steps in the FE Method
1. 1. Establishment of stiffness relations for each element. Material Establishment of stiffness relations for each element. Material
properties and equilibrium conditions for each element are used in this properties and equilibrium conditions for each element are used in this
establishment. establishment.
2. 2. Enforcement of compatibility, i.e. the elements are connected. Enforcement of compatibility, i.e. the elements are connected.
3. 3. Enforcement of equilibrium conditions for the whole structure, in the Enforcement of equilibrium conditions for the whole structure, in the
present case for the nodal points. present case for the nodal points.
4. 4. By means of 2. And 3. the system of equations is constructed for the By means of 2. And 3. the system of equations is constructed for the
whole structure. This step is called assembling. whole structure. This step is called assembling.
5. 5. In order to solve the system of equations for the whole structure, the In order to solve the system of equations for the whole structure, the
boundary conditions are enforced. boundary conditions are enforced.
6. 6. Solution of the system of equations. Solution of the system of equations.
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Introduction to FEM for
Introduction to FEM for
Deformation Analysis
Deformation Analysis

General method to solve General method to solve

boundary value problems in an boundary value problems in an
approximate and discretized way approximate and discretized way

Often (but not only) used for Often (but not only) used for
deformation and stress analysis deformation and stress analysis

Division of geometry into finite Division of geometry into finite

element mesh element mesh
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Pre-assumed interpolation of Pre-assumed interpolation of

main quantities (displacements) main quantities (displacements)
over elements, based on values in over elements, based on values in
points (nodes) points (nodes)

Formation of (stiffness) matrix, Formation of (stiffness) matrix,

K K, and (force) vector, , and (force) vector, r r

Global solution of main quantities Global solution of main quantities

in nodes, in nodes, d d
d d D D K D = R K D = R
r r R R
k k K K
Introduction to FEM for
Introduction to FEM for
Deformation Analysis
Deformation Analysis

Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Discretization of a Continuum
Discretization of a Continuum

2D modeling:
2D modeling:
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Discretization of a Continuum
Discretization of a Continuum

2D cross section is divided into element: 2D cross section is divided into element:
Several element types are possible (triangles and quadrilaterals) Several element types are possible (triangles and quadrilaterals)
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Elements
Elements

Different types of 2D elements: Different types of 2D elements:

Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Elements
Elements
Other way of writing: Other way of writing:
u u
x x
= N = N
1 1
u u
x1 x1
+ N + N
2 2
u u
x2 x2
+ N + N
3 3
u u
x3 x3
+ N + N
4 4
u u
x4 x4
+ N + N
5 5
u u
x5 x5
+ N + N
6 6
u u
x6 x6
u u
y y
= N = N
1 1
u u
y1 y1
+ N + N
2 2
u u
y2 y2
+ N + N
3 3
u u
y3 y3
+ N + N
4 4
u u
y4 y4
+ N + N
5 5
uy uy
5 5
+ N + N
6 6
u u
y6 y6
or or
u u
x x
= = N N u u
x x
and u and u
y y
= = N N u u
y y
( (N N contains functions of x and y) contains functions of x and y)
Example:
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Strains
Strains
Strains are the derivatives of displacements. In finite elements they are Strains are the derivatives of displacements. In finite elements they are
determined from the derivatives of the interpolation functions: determined from the derivatives of the interpolation functions:
or or
(strains composed in a vector and matrix B contains derivatives of N ) (strains composed in a vector and matrix B contains derivatives of N )

xx

u
x
x
a
1
+2a
3
x+a
4
y
N
x
u
x

yy

u
y
y
b
2
+2b
4
x+b
5
y
N
y
u
y

xy

u
x
y
+
u
y
x
(b
1
+a
2
)+(a
4
+2b
3
)x+(2a
5
+b
4
)y
N
x
u
x
+
N
y
u
y

Bd
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Stresses, Constitutive Relations
Stresses, Constitutive Relations
Cartesian stress tensor, usually Cartesian stress tensor, usually
composed in a vector: composed in a vector:
Stresses, Stresses, , are related to strains , are related to strains : :
= = C C
In fact, the above relationship is used In fact, the above relationship is used
in incremental form: in incremental form:
C is material stiffness matrix and C is material stiffness matrix and
determining material behavior determining material behavior
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Hookes Law
For simple linear elastic behavior C is based on
For simple linear elastic behavior C is based on
Hookes law:
Hookes law:

C
E
(12)(1+)
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 0
1
2
0 0
0 0 0 0
1
2
0
0 0 0 0 0
1
2

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Hookes Law
Basic parameters in Hookes law:
Basic parameters in Hookes law:
Youngs modulus Youngs modulus E E
Poissons ratio Poissons ratio
Auxiliary parameters, related to basic parameters:
Auxiliary parameters, related to basic parameters:
Shear modulus Oedometer modulus Shear modulus Oedometer modulus
Bulk modulus Bulk modulus

G
E
2(1+)

K
E
3(12)

E
oed

E(1)
(12)(1+)
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters Meaning of parameters
in axial compression in axial compression
in axial compression in axial compression
in 1D compression in 1D compression

E
oed

1
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering
axial compression 1D compression

Hookes Law
Hookes Law
Meaning of parameters Meaning of parameters
in volumetric compression in volumetric compression
in shearing in shearing
note: note:

K
p

xy

xy

xy

xy
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Hookes Law
Hookes Law
Summary, Hookes law:
Summary, Hookes law:

xx

yy

zz

xy

yz

zx









_
,

E
(12)(1+)
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 0
1
2
0 0
0 0 0 0
1
2
0
0 0 0 0 0
1
2

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

xx

yy

zz

xy

yz

zx









_
,








Hookes Law
Hookes Law
Inverse relationship:
Inverse relationship:

xx

yy

zz

xy

yz

zx









_
,

1
E
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 0 2+2 0 0
0 0 0 0 2+2 0
0 0 0 0 0 2+2









1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

xx

yy

zz

xy

yz

zx









_
,







Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Formation of element stiffness matrix Formation of element stiffness matrix K K
e e
Integration is usually performed numerically: Gauss integration Integration is usually performed numerically: Gauss integration
(summation over sample points) (summation over sample points)
coefficients coefficients and position of sample points can be chosen such that the integration is exact and position of sample points can be chosen such that the integration is exact
Formation of global stiffness matrix Formation of global stiffness matrix
Assembling of element stiffness matrices in global matrix Assembling of element stiffness matrices in global matrix

dV
T e
CB B K

pdV
i
p
i
i1
n

Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
Formulation of Stiffness Matrix
K K is often symmetric and has a band-form: is often symmetric and has a band-form:
(# are non-zeros) (# are non-zeros)

# # 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
# # # 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 # # # 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 # # # 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 # # # 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 # # # 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 # # # 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 # # # 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # # #
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # #















1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Solution of Equation
Solution of Equation
Global system of equations:
Global system of equations:
KD
KD
=
=
R
R
R
R
is force vector and contains loadings as nodal forces is force vector and contains loadings as nodal forces
Usually in incremental form:
Usually in incremental form:
Solution:
Solution:

( (i i = step number) = step number)
KDR

DK
1
R
D D
i1
n

Solution of Equations
Solution of Equations
From solution of displacement
From solution of displacement
Strains:
Strains:
Stresses:
Stresses:
Dd

i
Bu
i

i1
+Cd
Computational Geotechnics Finite Element Method in Geotechnical Engineering