Chapter 1

application
finite element method in
structural analysis

1.1. brief bases

and algorithms of the finite element
method ........................ 28
1.2. static calculation
designs ...................... 38
Application of the finite element method based constructs 27

Let's see first how the finite element method is correlated with other methods of
engineering analysis, which can be divided into two categories of classical and numerical
methods (Fig. 1.1).

Fig. 1.1. Methods for engineering analysis

Using classical methods of field distribution problems are solved directly by using a
system of differential equations, constructed on the basis of fundamental physical
principles. The exact solution is possible only for the simplest cases, the geometry, loads
and boundary conditions. Approximate methods can be resolved over a wide range of
classical problems. The results in this case are in the form of series in which after the
convergence of research discarded younger members. Approximate methods also
require regular geometric shape, simple boundary conditions and loads of easy
application.

The principal advantage of the classical methods is that they provide a deeper
understanding of the problem under investigation.

Energetic methods [ 13] at least seek out the expression for the total potential energy
of the design throughout the defined area. This approach works well only for specific
tasks.

AT the boundary element method [ 2] dimensionality of the problem is reduced by the

fact that the elements are only the boundary of the modeled area. However, the use of
this method requires knowledge of the fundamental solution of the equation system,
which can be difficult to obtain.
28 Application of the finite element method based constructs

Finite difference method converts the set of differential equations and boundary
conditions to the corresponding system of algebraic equations. This method allows us to
solve the problem rather irregular with complex geometry, boundary conditions and
loads. However, the finite difference method is often too slow due to the fact that the
requirement of a regular grid in the entire study area leads to a system of equations is
very large orders [3], [13].

Finite element technique It can be generalized to virtually an unlimited class of

problems due to the fact that allows the use of elements of different shapes for the grid
partitions any irregular areas. The dimensions of finite elements in a partition can vary by
tens of times. Loads and boundary conditions can be arbitrary view. The main problem is
the increase in costs on the understanding of results. For common solutions to pay loss
of intuition as finite element solution - it is essentially a bunch of numbers that are
applicable only to a specific task. A change in any significant aspect in the model usually
requires re-solving the problem. However, this price is insignificant, because the finite
element method is often the only possible way to solve. The method is applicable to all
classes of field distribution problems

1.1. Brief bases and algorithms of the finite

element method
The finite element method is a numerical method for solving differential equations. In this
capacity, he is also a method of constructing a mathematical model, and the method of
its investigation.
The basic idea of the method is that continuous quantity on the area under
consideration is approximated by a plurality of piecewise continuous functions defined on
a finite number of subdomains. Continuous value may be a scalar function of the
coordinates, such as temperature, or the vector function such as the movement of a
deformable body points.

Consider an elastic body, which is in equilibrium under the action of external loads.
Let v - arbitrary field of possible over-
Brief bases and algorithms of the finite element method 29

displacements satisfying the boundary conditions. The total potential energy of the system
can be written as follows:
P( v) = U (v) - W (v), (1.1)
Where U - the potential energy of deformation, W - the potential of the external loads.

From the principle of virtual work, it follows that in equilibrium the total potential
energy of the system is minimal. Therefore, to find a solution to equation (1.1) should be
minimized on the set of all functions v, satisfying the boundary conditions, and the function
which delivers a minimum, is the desired displacement field w.

Finding the minimum current P ( v) is equivalent to solving a differential equation

theory of elasticity and is an infinite task. The idea of grid method is to replace the
infinite-dimensional problems n- dimensional, that is, in the transition to a discrete model.
In the finite element method, such a transition is carried out as follows:

1. In the considered area of the elastic body is fixed the final

Noah the number of points. These points are called nodes. Further, without loss of
generality, we assume that the unknown function in the node is defined by a single
value.
2. The value of a continuous function v at each node considered
a variable that must be determined.
3. The region is partitioned into a finite number of sub-areas called elements. These
elements have common nodes and collectively approximate the shape of the
elastic body.
4. Each element is a continuous function v approksimiruet-
Xia polynomial functions k, i, called shape functions, values are inside the cell and
on its borders are determined through the values of the nodes. here, the index k

It refers to an element, and the index i - to the node. For each element are
assigned their polynomials, but they are selected so as to satisfy certain
conditions with respect to functions k, i
when passing through the border elements. In the classical implementation of the
finite element method functions when passing through the border elements must
remain continuous. The algorithm is based on the method of Rayleigh-Ritz. His idea is
that the infinite task is replaced n- dimensional introduction n test functions v = V 1, v = V 2
..., v = V n. In class vsevoz-
thirty Application of the finite element method based constructs

possible linear combinations V = y 1 V 1 + ... + y n V n calculated such private combination

. which minimizes P ( V).
So, the idea is that the minimization of expression (1.1) for all possible functions v minimization
replaced by the subspace V and instead of the function w sought function w ~. We hope
that these features will be close.

The coefficients { u 1, u 2 ... u n} - options Ritz called nodal values of the function w ~. The
closeness of the approximate solutions to the exact solution will depend on the type of
function V i and the degree of details of the partition area on the finite elements.

Recall that the function V i selected in advance, and the unknowns are the coefficients
u i.
Consider the kind of piecewise linear functions and their combinations for the
one-dimensional problem. The simplest and most widely used are piecewise linear
functions. Fig. 1.2a shows the function V i, relating to i- th node model. This function is
matched to i- th node of shape functions elements k and k + 1, adjacent to this node, and
takes a value 1 in i- node 0 and m - in other nodes. To ensure this condition, form
elements function k

and k + 1 - k, i and k + 1, i You must assume the value 1 in the node i element and 0 - in other
nodes. Fig. 1.2b shows one of the possible linear combinations of functions V i: V = u 1 V 1 + ...
+ u 5 V 5.

Fig. 1.2. function V i ( a) and their linear combinations

for the one-dimensional problem (b) and

We write the approximate solution in the form of:

and the condition for a minimum of the functional P ( V) - a system of equations:

Brief bases and algorithms of the finite element method 31

The deformation energy is calculated in the functional integration of the product of

functions in terms of deformation and tension. For this it is necessary to determine the
appropriate strain and stress. Let L - differentiation operator which translates movement in
deformation, whereas for strain can be written symbolically:

and to stress:

where the operator S It is determined by adding to the operator L corresponding matrix

(Hooke matrix). indices i and j vary in the same range, the use of various indexes indicates
that the summation is carried out independently as well as in calculating the matrix
product. The expression for the strain energy becomes:

where the integral is defined on the entire region of interest.

designating

write strain energy in matrix form:

Where K ij - a common element of the matrix [ K]. Potential external loads is:

Where r It includes bulk, surface, and concentrated loads.

denote
32 Application of the finite element method based constructs

Then, in matrix form

W = {u} t { R}.
The total potential energy of the system is written in matrix form:

From the condition that the variation of the total potential energy

get n Equations for determining the unknown parameters in the form Ritz

[ K] {u} = {R}, (1.2)

wherein matrix coefficients of the unknowns is the global stiffness matrix of the structure [ K],
unknown vector is the displacement vector { u}, and the right side is the load vector { R}.

In essence, the result of finite element modeling is to create a system of equations

(1.2).
Calculating the global stiffness matrix [ K] It is carried out in two stages. Initially
calculated stiffness matrices of each finite element. Then the elements of the matrix [ K e] are
combined by summation coefficients K e

ij with the same indices.

This method differs from the output of the equation (1.2) only algorithmically.

stiffness matrix k- th element [ K e] k It connects the generalized displacement vector

components { u e} k the forces at the nodes attached on areas of generalized displacements
{ r e} k:
[ K e] k { u e} k = { r e} k. (1.3)
Obviously, the formal system (1.2) is obtained by summing the equations (1.3). The
coefficients of the stiffness matrix element defined geometry and properties of the
medium shape functions. The vector components { R e} k the directions j- th element
assembly according to the equilibrium conditions are determined as the sum of the
reactions in this node from other elements and external loads in the same node.

Type of functions of the form element to the user of the program is determined by the
choice of the type of element. Since the displacement field in each element is uniquely
determined by its
Brief bases and algorithms of the finite element method 33

shape functions and the values of its displacements in the nodes, after solutions of (1.2)
can be calculated strain and stress on all elements.

1.1.1. The basic relationships for discrete systems

Consider the finite element method from the formal point of view. Every finite element is
characterized by a certain set of internal displacement { e} and corresponding internal
forces { e}. Under internal displacement is meant a characteristic value for the element,
such an elongation of the rod and matching understood in the sense of energy coupling,
the scalar product of vectors { e} and { e} It provides employment U e = { e} t { e}.

The vectors { e} and { e} connected to each other by physical law, expressed by the
equation { e} = [ F e] { e}.
Matrix [ F e] is positive definite, thus any non-zero vector elements will cause
deformation, accompanied by accumulation of energy on the inner member. This means
in particular that the vector { e} forms should not contain displacement finite element as a
rigid body, and therefore permissible terminology identify strains with internal
displacement finite element.

Internal displacement element associated with the outer member for moving nodes { u
e} conditions of strain compatibility

{ e} = [ Q e] t { u e}.
But the internal forces { e} satisfy the equations of equilibrium [ Q e] { e} = { r e}.

The operation resulted in the assembly of finite elements that make up the design
scheme, it turns out a complete system of equations for the unknowns { }, {} and { u}:

equilibrium equations [ Q] { } = { R};

geometric equation { } = [ Q] t { u}; (1.4)
physical equations { } = [ F] { }.
Dimension vectors { } and { } the same and equal m - summar-
Nome for the system of internal number of unknown forces. Dimension vectors { R} and { u}
also the same and equal n - the total number of nodal unknowns. equilibrium equations of
the matrix [ Q] It has
34 Application of the finite element method based constructs

dimension n Ohno m. Square symmetrical matrix [ F] order m

It has a block diagonal structure. The number of blocks equal to the number of elements
and the size of each block is equal to the number of internal unknowns. For farms matrix
[ F] It is diagonal.

1.1.2. Physical and normal coordinates

The equation [ K] {u} = {R} defines a linear transformation vector { u} in vector { R}. This
transformation is determined in the basis matrix rows [ K]. Coordinates this basis are
physical variables, which is determined by a set of selected types of finite element
models. In our case it is the displacement and rotation of the model nodes. The
advantage of such a basis is clear physical interpretation of each coordinate.

This basis is not orthogonal, in fact, many vectors defining its nearly linearly
dependent. Therefore, in particular, a large number of variables to describe even simple
designs required in the selection as the basis of physical coordinates.

Any linear combination of rows of the matrix [ K] will provide another basis [ K_] for the
same space and entails a change of coordinates of vectors { u} and { R}. For example, a
coordinate system rotation XYZ by a certain angle around one axis changing means shifts
the physical coordinates.

You can build an orthogonal basis. The special case of orthogonal basis when the
linear conversion matrix [ K_] = [ ]
becomes diagonal, it corresponds to the transition to normal coordinates. The physical
meaning of the normal coordinates is defined by concepts such as form, or fashion. The
form can be associated with her image in physical coordinates. For example, for a planar
cantilever beam fashion normal coordinates are characterized by the number of grid
points in their image. 1 deflection mode - without nodal points deflection mode 2 has one
nodal point, etc...

The advantage of the normal coordinates is that in ordinary tasks to describe the
system requires many times less variable. The coefficient i determines the stiffness in the
direction of the system i- th normal coordinate.

The diagonal elements of the matrix [ ] They can be sorted in ascending order. The
increase in value i It means that the primary response of the system will take place on the
junior forms and the contribution of senior forms in the work of the internal forces will
decrease rapidly.
Brief bases and algorithms of the finite element method 35

1.1.3. displacement method

If the main variables selected nodal displacements { u}, that of excluding (1.4) vectors { } and
{ }, easy to get
[ Q] t [ F] [Q] {u} = {R}.
Assuming that the stiffness matrix of the system [ K] = [Q] t [ F] [Q] is non-degenerate,
that is guaranteed by the rank r matrix [ Q]
equal to the number of its rows n, get

{ u} = [K] -1{ R}.

Efforts are calculated as { } = [ F]
[Q] t { u}.
And this completes the determination of stress of the deformed state of the system.

1.1.4. work method

The second way to solve the system (1.4) - on the basis of the method of forces.
Let the rank of the matrix [ Q] is r. Then the degree of redundancy of the system k is
defined as
k = m - r.
In accordance with the procedure of the method forces the general solution of the equilibrium
equations [ Q] { } = { R} It is in the form

{ } = [ A] {x} + [B] {R}. (1.5)

Here { x} - vector of unknown forces in different dropped connections
dimensionality k, [A] - matrix of size m Ohno k - matrix of efforts in the main system from
the effects of individual values of the directions { x},
[ B] - matrix of size m Ohno n - matrix of efforts in the basic system of the individual values of
the nodal loads. The properties of these matrices are such that

[ Q] [A] = [ 0]; (1.6)

[ Q] [B] = [I]. (1.7)
The property (1.7) - This is an orthogonal matrix property [ B] and [ Q].
Eliminating deformation { } of geometric equations system (2.1) by physical
equations, we obtain the relationship between the vector of internal forces and nodal
displacement vector in the form of
[ F] -1{ } = [ Q] t { u}.
After substituting (1.5) in this equation we obtain [ F] -1[ A] {x} + [F] -1[ B]
{R} = [Q] t { u}.
36 Application of the finite element method based constructs

We multiply this equation on the left by the matrix [ A] t:

[ A] t [ F] -1[ A] {x} + [A] t [ F] -1[ B] {R} = [A] t [ Q] t { u}.

By (1.6) the right-hand side of this equation vanishes.

finally [ D] {x} = - [ A] t [ F] -1[ B] {R}.

(1.8)
Here [ D] = [A] t [ F] -1[ A] - degenerate matrix podatlivo- STI the basic system of the force
method. Italicized definition emphasizes the dependence of this matrix by the choice of
the basic system.

From equation (1.8) we obtain { x} = - [ D]

-1[ A] t [ F] -1[ B] {R}.
Internal forces are calculated after (1.5) formulation of this decision:

{ } = ([ I] - [ A] [D] -1[ A] t [ F] -1)[ B] {R}.

Duality method of displacements and the method of forces manifested in the fact that
they apply to the same initial equations (1.4), so any concept and any formula related to
the displacement method has its symmetrical counterpart in the method of force, and vice
versa.

Theoretical basis of the finite element method and the features of its algorithmic
implementation described in detail in [1], [5], [13], [16].

1.1.5. Algorithm for solving the static problem

At the first stage the user must specify the necessary data for the construction of the
global stiffness matrix and load vector.
Global matrix structure is constructed by combining the finite element stiffness
matrices. To compute matrix stiffener, i.e. integrating the potential energy of deformation
on the element, it is necessary to set the geometry and material properties. Geometry
element defined by the coordinates of nodes belonging to the element.

In practice, often used types of schematic elements, for which additional geometric
parameters are necessary. For example, for one-dimensional elements, representing a
line geometrically required additional geometric parameter - the cross-sectional area of
the rod.