FEM Modelling

ME438 Finite Element Analysis

FEM Terminology
Degrees of freedom (DOF)
State (primary) variable:

displacement in mechanics

Conjugate variable:

force in mechanics

Stiffness matrix

Global stiffness equations

Physical Significance of Vectors u and f in

Miscellaneous FEM Applications
Application
Problem

State (DOF) vector u

represents

Forcing vector f
represents

Structures and solid mechanics Displacement

Mechanical force

Heat conduction

Temperature

Heat flux

Acoustic fluid

Displacement potential

Particle velocity

Potential flows

Pressure

Particle velocity

General flows

Velocity

Fluxes

Electrostatics

Electrical potential

Charge density

Magnetostatics

Magnetic potential

Magnetic intensity

Mathematical Model

Traditional
definition

Scaled fabricated version of a physical

system e.g. a car or train model

Simulation
oriented
definition

A model is a symbolic device built to

simulate and predict aspects of
behavior of a system

Finite Element Method

ELEMENTS

Attributes of Mechanical Finite Elements

Dimensionality
Nodes: serve two purposes
Geometric definition
Home for DOFs (connectors)

Degrees of freedom (DOFs)

Conjugate nodal forces
Material properties
Fabrication properties

Element Geometry Defined by Node Locations

Classification of Mechanical Finite Elements

Primitive Structural
Continuum
Special
Macro Elements
Superelements

Substructures

Primitive Structural Elements

Often built from MoM models

Continuum Elements

Special Elements

Macro Elements

Substructures

Substructures

Early Use of Substructuring

FEM

EXAMPLES OF STRUCTURAL MODELS

Machined Component (Mechanical)

Dam Underground Motion (Civil Engineering)

Rocket Nozzle (Aerospace)

Super Tanker (Marine)

F-16 Internal Structure (Aerodynamics)

General FEM Modelling Rules

Use the simplest elements that will do the job
Do not use complicated elements or special elements
unless sure of what is happening

Use the coarsest mesh that will capture the

dominant behavior of the physical model,
particularly in design situations
Simplest model is the best model

Simplicity
In production design situation
Several FEM models of increasing refinement will be
set up as design evolves
Do not overkill at the beginning

Finite Element Method

MESH

Where to Use a Finer Mesh?

Avoid Elements of Bad Aspect Ratio

Elements Must Not Cross Interfaces

Element Geometry Preferences

Other things being equal, prefer

In 2D
Quadrilaterals over Triangles

In 3D
Bricks over Wedges

Wedges over Tetrahedra

Finite Element Method

LOADS

Load Types
Concentrated / Point Loads
Distributed Loads (more common in structural problems)
Surface
Loads

Wind / Water
Pressure
Snow Weights on
Roofs

Volume
Loads

Weight

Inertia

Lift in Airplanes

Centrifugal

Live Loads on
Bridges

Thermal

Prestress

Electromagnetic

Line
Loads

Integration of
surface loads
along a
transverse
direction
Integration of
volume loads
along two
transverse
directions

Finite Element Method

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Boundary Conditions
The most difficult topic for FEM program users
the devil hides in the boundary

Essential
Two Types
Natural

Minimum Support Conditions to Suppress

Rigid Body Motions in 2D

Minimum Support Conditions to Suppress

Rigid Body Motions in 3D

Visualizing Symmetry and Antisymmetry

Conditions in 2D

Example of Application of Symmetry BCs

Example of Application of Antisymmetry BCs

Breaking Up Point Loads at Symmetry BCs

Breaking Up Point Loads at Antisymmetry BCs