Numerical Methods PHELMA Project 2016-2017

PROJECT on NUMERICAL METHODS

1 INTRODUCTION
In this project we will study a process of material elaboration involving heating by electrode. We 'll study the
steady state of this process. The objective is to model the physical phenomena which take place in this
process with finite element method.
In this project the study configuration is considered cylindrical. A scheme of the study geometry is given in
the figure 1.1 :

electrode

material U
crucible

electrode

3D view Vertical cut view

Figure 1.1 : 3D view and vertical cut view of the configuration

The process is constituted by :

• a cylindrical crucible,
• the material which is elaborated. The geometry of the study domain occupied by the material is
cylindrical.
• 2 electrodes.
The electrodes are in graphite. An electrical potential difference is applied between the top electrode and the
bottom electrode included in the crucible : Δ U . This electrical potential difference is continuous. An
electrical current pass through the material placed in the crucible. We suppose that the contact between the
electrodes and elaborated material is perfect. Joule effect heat the material. The material of the crucible is an
insulating material. The crucible is not model and will be replaced by an adapted boundary condition.
Electrical problem has to be solved in the electrodes and in the elaborated material. The heat transfer has to
be solved in the material only.
The dimensions of the elements of the installation are given in the table 1. The physical properties are given
in the table 2.
Table 1 : Dimensions of the elements of the installation

Radius m Height m Thickness m

crucible 0,1 (intern radius) 0,4 0,03
material 0,1 0,3 ------------
Top electrode 0,02 0,1 ------------
Bottom electrode 0,04 0,02 ------------

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Table 2: Physical properties of the material and of the electrode

Electrical conductivity Thermal conductivity
Material (iron for example) 9,93⋅106 Ω−1 m−1 80,2 W m−1 K −1
Electrode 2,5⋅105 Ω−1 m−1 -----

2 EQUATIONS OF THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA AND BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

The objective of this part is to present the physical equations of the process in the steady state and boundary
conditions. In this process two physical phenomena occur :
• electrical phenomenon,
• thermal phenomenon.

2.1 Presentation of the study domain

Describe (draw) the study domain. Precise where each phenomenon is solved.

2.2 Electrical problem

Give the partial differential equation of the electrical problem.

Give the boundary conditions of the electrical problem.

Give the expression of the current density and of the Joule power density.

2.3 Thermal problem :

Give the partial differential equation of the thermal problem.

Give the boundary conditions of the thermal problem.

3 PRINCIPLE OF THE MODELING

In this project, in a first step, each equation will be developed and test. In a second step, the model with the
two coupling equations will be developed and test. For numerical modeling the finite element method is
used. In this project, describe the steps of the calculation and the variables used. Take time to define how you
will present your numerical results.

4 NUMERICAL MODELING OF HEAT TRANSFER PROBLEM WITH FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

4.1 Study Domain and Mesh

Precise the study domain for heat transfer equation. Draw a scheme of the mesh.
Describe the mesh :
• precise the variables that you will use for the description of the mesh,
• give an algorithm in which you precise the principle of the mesh (calculation of coordinates of the
nodes, definition of the elements).

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Numerical Methods PHELMA Project 2016-2017

4.2 Galerkin’s Formulation of Heat Transfer Equation

Give the description of the Galerkin’s formulation of heat transfer equation.

• Projection of the partial differential equation on an element of the basis of the functions αi .
• Give the weak formulation of the Galerkin’s method. Introduce the boundary conditions in the
formulation.
• Precise the expression of the elementary volume, the elementary surface for respectively the volume
integral and surface integral.
• Give the expression of the integrals on the reference element.
• Detail the expression of the elementary matrix on an element e . Precise the size of each
elementary matrix (sub matrix). Precise the expression of each integral and the principle of
calculation. For each integral, precise the nature of the element e
• Detail the elementary second term on an element e . Precise the size of each elementary second
vector (sub vector). Precise the expression of each integral and the principle of calculation. Precise
the principle of the construction of the matrix system. For each integral, precise the nature of the
element e .
• Precise the principle of the construction of the matrix and the second term vector of the system.

4.3 Algorithm of the Finite Element Formulation of Heat Transfer Equation

In this part you create a program for the heat transfer equation. The program must be structured and the
choice and definition of functions must be done with care. Don’t forget the representation of the results.

Give the flowing algorithms :

• Algorithm of the main step of calculation. Define the input parameters of this program.
• Algorithms of each step. List the various functions used in this program. For each function, precise
the input parameters, the output parameters, the local variables.
4.4 Programming and calculation

• Construct the program : main program, and functions. Insert comments.

• Test the program. Explain and comment the various tests that you present.
• Presentation of repartition of the temperature in the material.
• Define the power Q TH which is necessary to have a maximal temperature in the material equal to
1773K.

5 MODEL ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

5.1 Study Domain and Mesh

Precise the study domain for heat transfer equation. Draw a scheme of the mesh.
Describe the mesh :
• precise the variables that you will use for the description of the mesh,
• give an algorithm in which you precise the principle of the mesh (calculation of coordinates of the
nodes, definition of the elements).

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Numerical Methods PHELMA Project 2016-2017

5.2 Galerkin’s Formulation of the Electrical Equation

Give the description of the Galerkin’s formulation of the electrical equation.

• Projection of the partial differential equation on an element of the basis of the functions i .
• Give the Weak formulation of the Galerkin’s method. Introduce the boundary conditions in the
formulation. What happen at the interface between the electrode and the material ?
• Precise the expression of the elementary volume, the elementary surface for respectively the volume
integral and surface integral.
• Give the expression of the integrals on the reference element.
• Detail the expression of the elementary matrix on an element e on one of the region. Precise the
size of each elementary matrix (sub matrix). Precise the expression of each integral and the principle
of calculation. For each integral, precise the nature of the element e .
• Detail the expression of the elementary second term on an element e . Precise the size of each
elementary second vector (sub vector). Precise the expression of each integral and the principle of
calculation.
• Precise the principle of the construction of the matrix and the second term vector of the system.
• Precise the principle of the calculation of the current density, the Joule power density and the Joule
power.
5.3 Algorithm of the Finite Element Formulation of the Electrical Equation
In this part you create a program for the electrical equation. The program must be structured and the choice
and definition of functions must be done with care. Don’t forget the representation of the results.

Give the flowing algorithms :

• Algorithm of the main step of calculation. Define the input parameters of this program.
• Algorithms of each step. List the various functions used in this program. For each function, precise
the input parameters, the output parameters, the local variables.
5.4 Programming and calculation

• Construct the program : main program and functions. Insert comments.

• Test the program. Explain and comment the various tests that you present.
• Presentation of the repartition of the electrical potential, the Joule power density and the electrical
current.
• Define the electrical potential difference to have Joule power equal to Q TH defined in the heat
transfer equation.

6 MODEL COUPLED PROBLEM WITH FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

6.1 Finite Element Formulation

Give the finite element formulation of the Galerkin’s method for the 2 equations.
How do you take into account the interaction between the two phenomena ? Explain the link between the
two equations. Precise the treatment of the interaction between the 2 equations.

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6.2 Algorithm of the Coupled Problem

• Algorithm of the main step of calculation

• Algorithms of each steps and functions. List the various functions used in this program. For each
function, precise the input parameters, the output parameters, the local variables.
6.3 Programming and Calculation

• Construct the program : main program and functions. Insert comments.

• Test the program. Explain and comment the various tests that you present.
• Results : Presentation of the repartition of the electrical potential, the Joule power density,
temperature and the electrical current.

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7 ANNEXE : REFERENCE ELEMENTS

7.1 : Quadrilateral with 8 nodes

Node αi (ξ , η)
1 1
− ( 1+ ξ+η )⋅( 1−ξ )⋅( 1−η )
η 4
2 1
(−1+ξ−η)⋅( 1+ξ )⋅( 1−η )
1 3 4
4
7 3 1
(−1+ξ+η )⋅( 1+ξ )⋅( 1+ η )
4
8 6 4 1
(−1−ξ+ η)⋅( 1−ξ )⋅( 1+ η )
-1 1 4
ξ 5 1(
1−ξ 2 )⋅( 1−η )
5 2
1 -1 2 6 1
( 1+ξ )⋅( 1−η2 )
2
7 1(
1−ξ 2 )⋅( 1+ η)
2
8 1
( 1−ξ )⋅( 1−η2 )
2
Figure 7.1 : Reference element 8 nodes quadrilateral

7.2 Quadrilateral with 4 nodes

η
Node αi (ξ , η)

1 3 1 1 (
4 ⋅ 1−ξ )⋅( 1−η )
4
2 1
⋅ 1 ⋅1− 
4
-1 1 3 1
ξ ⋅ 1 ⋅1 
4
4 1
⋅ 1− ⋅1 
1 4
-1 2

Figure 7.2 : Reference quadrilateral element with 4 nodes

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Numerical Methods PHELMA Project 2016-2017

7.3 Linear element with 3 nodes

1 3 2

-1 0 1 

Figure 7.3 : Reference linear element with 3 nodes

The expressions of the polynomial functions on the reference element are :

1 =−0.5⋅⋅1− 2 =0.5⋅⋅1 3 =1⋅1−

7.4 Linear element with 2 nodes

1 2

-1 0 1 

Figure 7.4 : Reference linear element with 2 nodes

The expressions of the polynomial functions on the reference element are :

α1 (ξ)=0.5⋅(1−ξ) α2 (ξ)=0.5⋅(1+ξ)