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    Sources of Error

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    Zeeshan Anwar
    The three main sources of error in finite element modeling are discretization error, formulation error, and numerical error. Discretization error results from approximating the physical system with a finite element model. Formulation error occurs when unsuitable elements are used that do not accurately describe the physical behavior. Numerical error comes from numerical calculations like truncation and round-off errors.

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    Sources of Error

    Uploaded by

    Zeeshan Anwar
    5K views7 pages
    The three main sources of error in finite element modeling are discretization error, formulation error, and numerical error. Discretization error results from approximating the physical system with a finite element model. Formulation error occurs when unsuitable elements are used that do not accurately describe the physical behavior. Numerical error comes from numerical calculations like truncation and round-off errors.

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    The three main sources of error in finite element modeling are discretization error, formulation error, and numerical error. Discretization error results from approximating the physical system with a finite element model. Formulation error occurs when unsuitable elements are used that do not accurately describe the physical behavior. Numerical error comes from numerical calculations like truncation and round-off errors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    5K views7 pages

    Sources of Error

    Uploaded by

    Zeeshan Anwar
    The three main sources of error in finite element modeling are discretization error, formulation error, and numerical error. Discretization error results from approximating the physical system with a finite element model. Formulation error occurs when unsuitable elements are used that do not accurately describe the physical behavior. Numerical error comes from numerical calculations like truncation and round-off errors.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
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    The key takeaways are that the FEM can model complex geometries, loading conditions, material properties and effects but is an approximate numerical method susceptible to various errors.

    The three main sources of error in the FEM are discretization errors, formulation errors, and numerical errors.

    Formulation errors occur when elements are used that do not precisely describe the physical behavior, such as using a linear element to model a non-linear problem. This can produce significant errors.

    Sources of Error in the FEM

    The three main sources of error in a typical FEM solution are


    discretization errors, formulation errors and numerical errors.
    Discretization error results from transforming the physical system
    (continuum) into a finite element model, and can be related to
    modeling the boundary shape, the boundary conditions, etc.

    Discretizationerrorduetopoorgeometry
    representation.

    Discretizationerroreffectivelyeliminated.

    Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)


    Formulation error results from the use of elements that don't precisely
    describe the behavior of the physical problem.
    Elements which are used to model physical problems for which they are not
    suited are sometimes referred to as ill-conditioned or mathematically
    unsuitable elements.
    For example a particular finite element might be formulated on the assumption
    that displacements vary in a linear manner over the domain. Such an element
    will produce no formulation error when it is used to model a linearly varying
    physical problem (linear varying displacement field in this example), but would
    create a significant formulation error if it used to represent a quadratic or cubic
    varying displacement field.

    Sources of Error in the FEM (cont.)


    Numerical error occurs as a result of numerical calculation
    procedures, and includes truncation errors and round off
    errors.
    Numerical error is therefore a problem mainly concerning
    the FEM vendors and developers.
    The user can also contribute to the numerical accuracy,
    for example, by specifying a physical quantity, say Youngs
    modulus, E, to an inadequate number of decimal places.

    Advantages of the Finite Element Method


    Can readily handle complex geometry:
    The heart and power of the FEM.
    Can handle complex analysis types:
    Vibration
    Transients
    Nonlinear
    Heat transfer
    Fluids
    Can handle complex loading:
    Node-based loading (point loads).
    Element-based loading (pressure, thermal, inertial
    forces).
    Time or frequency dependent loading.
    Can handle complex restraints:
    Indeterminate structures can be analyzed.

    Advantages of the Finite Element Method (cont.)


    Can handle bodies comprised of nonhomogeneous materials:
    Every element in the model could be assigned a different set of
    material properties.
    Can handle bodies comprised of nonisotropic materials:
    Orthotropic
    Anisotropic
    Special material effects are handled:
    Temperature dependent properties.
    Plasticity
    Creep
    Swelling
    Special geometric effects can be modeled:
    Large displacements.
    Large rotations.
    Contact (gap) condition.

    Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method


    A specific numerical result is obtained for a specific problem. A
    general closed-form solution, which would permit one to examine
    system response to changes in various parameters, is not produced.
    The FEM is applied to an approximation of the mathematical model
    of a system (the source of so-called inherited errors.)
    Experience and judgment are needed in order to construct a good
    finite element model.
    A powerful computer and reliable FEM software are essential.
    Input and output data may be large and tedious to prepare and
    interpret.

    Disadvantages of the Finite Element Method


    (cont.)

    Numerical problems:
    Computers only carry a finite number of significant digits.
    Round off and error accumulation.
    Can help the situation by not attaching stiff (small) elements
    to flexible (large) elements.
    Susceptible to user-introduced modeling errors:
    Poor choice of element types.
    Distorted elements.
    Geometry not adequately modeled.
    Certain effects not automatically included:
    Buckling
    Large deflections and rotations.
    Material nonlinearities .
    Other nonlinearities.

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