SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

18MEE305T - FINITE ELEMENT

METHOD

UNIT : I
SESSION : 1
PREPARED BY : S.BALAMURUGAN
 CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Basics of FEA
• Historical background
• Applications of FEA in engineering
• Modeling of discrete and continuum
models
 INTRODUCTION

The finite element method is such a widely used analysis-and-design technique

that it is essential that undergraduate engineering students have a basic
knowledge of the theory and applications of the technique.
Courtesy : https://www.abet.org
 FEM

The finite element method (FEM), is based on the idea of building a

complicated object with simple blocks, or, dividing a complicated object
into small and manageable pieces. Application of this simple idea can be
found everywhere in everyday life as well as in engineering.

Sketch Product

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 INTRODUCTION

Virtually every phenomenon in nature, whether biological, geological, or

mechanical, can be described with the aid of the laws of physics, in terms of
algebraic, differential, or integral equations relating various quantities of interest.
Most engineers and scientists studying physical phenomena are involved with two
major tasks:
1.Mathematical formulation of the physical process
2.Numerical analysis of the mathematical model

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 INTRODUCTION

1. Mathematical formulation of the physical process

The mathematical formulation of a physical process requires background in
related subjects (e.g., laws of physics) and, most often, certain mathematical
tools. The formulation results in mathematical statements, often differential
equations, relating quantities of interest in the understanding and/or design of
the physical process.
2. Numerical analysis of the mathematical model
In a numerical simulation, using a numerical method and a computer to
evaluate the mathematical model and estimate the characteristics of the
process.

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a numerical method for solving

problems of engineering and mathematical physics.
 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a numerical method for solving
problems of engineering and mathematical physics.

Numerical Method :
Problems with complex material properties and boundary conditions, The
Engineer prefers numerical methods that gives approximate but acceptable
solutions.

Physical Mathematical
Solution
Problem Model

Identify control
variables
Assumptions
(empirical law)
 METHOD OF SOLUTION
Exact Solution
Classical
Method
Approximate Solution

Engineering
Analysis

Energy

Boundary Element
Numerical
Method
Finite Deference
Finite Element
Method
 INTRODUCTION
A. Method of Solution Classical methods

They offer a high degree of insight, but the problems are difficult or
impossible to solve for anything but simple geometries and loadings.

B. Numerical methods

(I) Energy: Minimize an expression for the potential energy of the

structure over the whole domain.
(II) Boundary element: Approximates functions satisfying the
governing differential equations not the boundary conditions.
(III) Finite difference: Replaces governing differential equations and
boundary conditions with algebraic finite difference equations.
(IV) Finite element: Approximates the behavior of an irregular,
continuous structure under general loadings and constraints with an
assembly of discrete elements.
 INTRODUCTION
Finite Element Method - Definition
FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of governing
equations over the domain of a continuous physical system,
which is discretized into simple geometric shapes called finite
element.
Continuous system Discrete system
Time-independent PDE Linear algebraic
Time-dependent PDE equation
Discretization
Modeling a body by dividing it into an equivalent system of
finite elements interconnected at a finite number of points on
each element called nodes.
 Analytical processes of FEM
1. Structural stress analysis problem
A. Conditions that solution must satisfy.
• Equilibrium
• Compatibility
• Constitutive law
• Boundary conditions
Above conditions are used to generate a system of equations
representing system behavior.

B. Approach
• Force (flexibility) method: internal forces as unknowns.
• Displacement (stiffness) method: nodal disp. As unknowns.
For computational purpose, the displacement method is more
desirable because its formulation is simple. A vast majority of
general purpose FE softwares have incorporated the
displacement method for solving structural problems.
 Analytical processes of FEM
2. Analysis procedures of linear static structural analysis
A. Build up geometric model
1D problem - Example line

2D problem - Example surface

3D problem - Example solid

1D ?
2D ?
3D ?
 Analytical processes of FEM
B. Construct the finite element model
a. Discretize and select the element types
(a) element type

1D line element 2D element 3D brick element

(b) total number of element (mesh)

1D: 2D: 3D:

 Analytical processes of FEM
b. Select a shape function
1D line element: u= ax+b

c. Define the compatibility and constitutive law

1D : σ = E ԑ

d. Form the element stiffness matrix and equations

(a) Direct equilibrium method
(b) Work or energy method
(c) Method of weight Residuals
[K]e {d} e = {F} e

e. Form the system equation

Assemble the element equations to obtain global system
equation and introduce boundary conditions
[K] {d} = {F}
 Analytical processes of FEM
C. Solve the system equations
a. elimination method
Gauss’s method
b. iteration method
Gauss Seidel’s method

D. Interpret the results (post processing)

a. deformation plot

b. stress contour
 HISTORY
1940 • Structural Engineering
• One Dimensional Element

1950 • Direct stiffness matrix

• Two dimensional element

1960
• Finite Element introduced

1970 • Three dimensional elements

• Large deflection
• Thermal analysis
1976
• Large deformation nonlinear dynamics

At present • New element , New softwares

Courtesy : https://www.abet.org
 HISTORY
Period Year Resource Development Overall
Person Development
1940-19 1941 Mr. Hrenikoff -”frame work method” Approximate
60 –Solution for elasticity solution for Stress
problem analysis, fluid
1943 Mr. Courent - Polynomial analysis, heat transfer
interpolation and other areas.

1956 Mr. Turner - derived “stiffness

matrix” for truss, beam
and other element
1960 Mr. Clough - “Finite Element” word
coined

1960- 1967 Mr. - “ Finite Elements” – Applied for non linear

1970 Zienkiewicz book published problems.
and Mr.
Cheung .
After 1972 Mr.Oden “Non linear Analysis” – Convergence studies
1970 Book published with new elements
Computer
 Applications of Finite Element Method
Applications of Finite Element Method
Structural Problem

- Stress Analysis
- truss & frame analysis
- stress concentrated problem
- Buckling problem
- Vibration Analysis
- Impact Problem

Non-structural Problem

- Heat Transfer
- Fluid Mechanics
- Electric or Magnetic Potential
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Civil Engineering structures
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Air craft structures
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Nuclear Engineering
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Bio mechanics
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Automobile Engineering
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Marine Engineering
 Applications of Finite Element Method
- Oil and Refinery
 Advantages of Finite Element Method
• Irregular Boundaries
• General Loads
• Different Materials
• Boundary Conditions
• Variable Element Size
• Easy Modification
• Dynamics
• Nonlinear Problems (Geometric or Material)

Courtesy : “Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis” by David V. Hutton

 DISCRETE AND CONTINUUM
MODELS

• Discrete model: the state variables change only at a countable

number of points in time. These points in time are the ones at
which the event occurs/change in state.

• Continuum: material behavior descriptions combine multiple

physical processes into complex functions that are difficult to
apply to natural (variable & inhomogeneous materials).

• The study of the physics of continuous materials

• Continuous: the state variables change in a continuous way,

and not abruptly from one state to another (infinite number of
states).
 REFERENCES
• Hutton, D.V., “Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis”, McGraw Hill,
International Edition, 2004.
• Chandrupatla, T.R., Belegundu, A.D., “Introduction to Finite Elements in
Engineering”, Prentice Hall of India, 1997.
• P.Seshu, “Text book of Finite Element Analysis”, PHI learning Private
Ltd., 2012.
• S,S,Rao, “The Finite Element method in Engineering”, Elsevier Science
&Technology Books, 2004
• Cook R.D., Malkus, D.S., Plesha, M.E., Witt, R.J., “Concepts and
Applications of Finite Element Analysis”, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons,
2001.
• J.N Reddy, An introduction to the Finite Element Method, 2005, Mcgraw
Hill
• Jacob Fish & Ted Belytschko, “A first course in Finite Elements” , 2007,
Wiley
Course Committee Members
Course faculty /
S.No Members campus
Coordinator
1 Mr.S.Balamurugan Course Coordinator Kattankulathur
2 Dr.Sandipan Roy Course faculty Kattankulathur
3 Dr. Srihari Dodla Course faculty Kattankulathur
4 Mr.D.Raja Course faculty Kattankulathur
5 Dr.P.V.Jeyakarthikeyan Course faculty Kattankulathur
6 Mr.J.Daniel Glad Stephen Course faculty Kattankulathur
7 Mr.K.Jegadeesan Course faculty Kattankulathur
8 Mr.P.Susai Manickam Course faculty Kattankulathur
9 Mr.M.Sachidhanandam Course faculty Kattankulathur
Mr. Esakkiyappan alias
10 Course Coordinator Ramapuram
Gurusamy S
11 D.K.Mohan Kumar . Course faculty Ramapuram
12 Mr. Arunraj Course faculty Ramapuram
13 Mr.Ravikumar Course Coordinator Vadapalani
14 Mr. Arunnath Course faculty Vadapalani
Thank you