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CATEGORIES CHECK US OUT MESHING Course new Breakthrough FEA course get free video
You really can do Finite Element Analysis by hand. The real question is, All about Buckling
why would you?! Even with computer aid, you would be more or less Analysis
posted on August 20th, 2019
bound to linear analysis… as nonlinear stuff is actually pretty di cult to
develop. But just for giggles, let’s take a look at how this could be done!
FEA by Hand
posted on March 9th, 2019
A fair warning: here be mathematics! While I try to avoid that at all cost,
apparently this is a popular topic. I gured I will write on it, adding my
How Accurate is
anty-math twist to the mix! Take a look and let me know what do you
FEA?
think! posted on February 3rd, 2019
Linear vs Nonlinear
This is a long post (solid 30 min to read it all!), so I’ve made a FEA!
posted on February 20th, 2019
content list.
Simple stuff
Simple example
Complex example
Global stiffness matrix
Load and displacement vectors
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Matrix operations
with it.
Outcomes checking
Ok
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Internal forces
Shape functions, strains and stresses Stay
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Simple Stuff
Your name
I think that every “basic” FEA book or a guide starts in the same way.
Well, they are more about “how FEA works”, but it’s the same thing. Your e-mail
Usually, such guides focus on rod elements. Without much comment, the I agree to receive
more…
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There is a really good reason why that is the case. The above is the
simplest possible element: a 1 DoF “spring”. And what I mean is not only
that this is a 1D beam element (but of course this is included!). What is CATEGORIES
also important is, that our element can carry only tension or
compression. The only deformation we “see” is along the length of the
element. FEA: Basics
FEA: Intermediate
Why this is important? Well… rst of all, because such an element won’t
“see” bending nor shear. It is only carrying a normal force and nothing FEA: Advanced
more!
FEA Design Tips
This makes the problem simple, and we can easily follow the math in Benchmarks
such a case! Let’s take a look!
FEA Topics:
Firstly, a few basic equations you should easily recognize. The only thing • Linear Analysis
I did there is, that the elongation of our rod is u2-u1 based on the drawing
• Nonlinear Analysis
above. Technically, this could be de ned differently because it only
depends on what you would consider “positive”. However, the above • Meshing
setup seems to be the most “popular” (at least as far as explaining
• Boundary Conditions
goes).
• Post Processing
• Contact
• Linear Buckling
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with it. Case Studies
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• Structural Steel
• Stability
• Connections
Art of Engineering
Q&A
The above shows you the basic relation between stress and strain. I also RFEM
explained how all of the parameters can be established in the case of our FEMAP
rod (Note that Young’s Modulus is a material constant).
Events
I remember well, that in the primary school I had problems in
physics class. When I had no idea how to solve a task I would just write
down all the equations I know. Then I would just substitute stuff between
them until something worked. This approach rarely failed me… so let’s try Free FEA
it here!
essentials
course!
First Name
materials. More
Now, let’s get back for a second to our rod. We would love it to be in
Start learning FEA today!
equilibrium right? This means that the forces on both ends should have
equal values, but work in opposite directions. In such a case…
You can notice that I’ve decided to make the F1 force “negative”. One of
them had to be (for them to work in the opposing directions), and F1 just
“draw the shorter straw”. If I would do it the other way around it would
still work at the end : )
Ok
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It’s easy to notice, that if you would know the forces (or deformations)
you could relatively easily solve the above. It’s just a set of 2 “linked”
equation. But if there would be plenty of those (and there will be!) it’s
much more convenient to solve those in a matrix form. Well… maybe not
convenient for you, but de nitely more convenient to your computer!
I don’t want to go into matrix notation here, but if you don’t know how
vectors and matrixes interact check this out lesson from Khan
Academy!
There are also other lessons in the subject so if you need more
basics or if you want to go deeper into this check out the linear
algebra portion of what Khan Academy offers.
The above 2 equations are pretty easy to write in the matrix form. You
just take the forces and put it in one vector, and you do the same with
corresponding deformations. The rest is just matrix multiplication really:
Now you can start to notice things. First of all, if we gather up forces and
displacements into vectors there is some “stuff” left. This stuff, as you
can see above will form a matrix. The terms there, clearly correspond to
how “rigid” the model is, and this is why it’s called the stiffness matrix.
This is how your solver “knows” what cross-sections and thicknesses
you used in your model, along with correct material properties.
For now, it’s only a matrix for a single element (rod in our case), but if we
would have more elements in our example we would “bash them”
together into one big “global” stiffness matrix.
Keeping It Real
So far it’s simple I hope… normally I would test if the previous equations
“work” but the above is not a “real case”. We just assumed that we will
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apply equal forces at both ends of the element to keep it stable.
with it.
Ok
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As you can see, this would be the simplest static task you can have.
There is a 2m long rod loaded on one end and supported on another end.
The difference here is, that it’s actually a “solvable” task, so we can try to
use FEA to solve it, and gain some con dence that it actually works!
All I did below, is simply input the “real numbers” from the example into
the equation from the previous part. All the logic still applies, nothing
fancy happened. You just need to remember that in a place where
support is, deformations are equal to zero (hence u1=0) but there is a
force applied (reaction force)… you just don’t know how big the reaction
force is (this is why F1 is written as… F1 – we don’t know the value yet):
I’m pretty sure there is plenty of ways in which you could solve such a set
of equations. Heck, at the Uni as a student I most likely knew at least a
few myself…
… a quick google later I know that the easiest for the 2×2 matrix is to
actually write the equations 😛
This sucks, as I will have to make a bigger example to use any sort of
matrix operations (!). But there is also another “rule”. Somewhere it was
called “elimination” but I’m not too fancy with math “names” so don’t
quote me on this. Basically, if you have a “u” that is equal to “0” you can
cross out the row containing the zero, as well as the corresponding
We usecolumn. In ensure
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If you and to use this site we will assume that you are happy
the rst column (because it is corresponding to the rst row
with it. obviously):
Ok
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We got the u2 deformation. But at this stage, we can also check if what
we are getting makes any sense at all. Since u1 = 0, u2 is the
deformation of node 2, but it will also be equal to total element
elongation. If you remember the equation, you know that this is what we
did above. But in any case you can google for it, and check what the total
elongation of our rod would be:
Since we already solved u2, we can get back and solve F1… the only
other thing that is left to solve. I got back to the original matrix equation
and “multiplied out” the rst equation (for F1):
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Ok
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Ok, I will have to incredibly dumb down this example if we want to solve it
with FEA by hand. It’s just that doing more elements, or more degree of
freedom (i.e. to capture bending) is simply too much! I want this example
to be relatively easy to follow!
Important note!
You know… use the software when you try to solve real stuff! This is
just for demonstration/fun!
The rst step is pretty easy. Since elements are loaded at nodes I need to
have a node at every place where the load or support is applied. However,
I’ve decided to divide the 8000mm part of the column into 2 elements.
It’s not even about the length of the elements (outcomes would be the
same)… I simply wanted to make an “unloaded” node (2). This will allow
me to point out something later.
Ok
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Last time we assumed that the “positive” direction is to the right… now
let’s assume it’s upward (I guess I’m an optimist like that). As you already
know the stiffness matrix of a single element looks like this:
Firstly, let’s build the individual stiffness matrixes for all elements
separately. All I do is just take the “template” above, and input the
variables for each element. To make the matrixes shorter I will already
calculate values. This is a steel column so I will use E = 210GPa. Values
in the matrixes themselves are in MN/m.
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with deformations and loads in nodes (3) and (4). This can be visualized
like that (using our element B as an example):
What is cool about each FEA model is, that the nodes are connecting
elements together. As you can see above, element A and element B
“share” the node (2). This means that both elements A and B “add”
something to the “situation” in the node (2). When we will build a global
stiffness matrix it’s made from “blocks”. Since we already know that
matrixes of each element correspond to speci c DOF, we can denote
them as:
Ok
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Wow… now that was a lot of matrixes! Anyway, we know the schematic
for building the global stiffness matrix (click on the image above for a
larger version if needed). The trick is, that on the “overlaps” components
of the matrix are added together. In such a case, we create a matrix for
our task:
Well… on its own not too much to be honest. We still need the
deformation and load vectors and to solve the whole thing. If you are
following me from the start in one go… maybe a small break would do at
this point? I know I need one before I will write more!
Ok
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Let’s wonder for a second what just happened. As before I marked the
corresponding DOF in the circle. Firstly the force “F”. For (3) and (4) loads
are applied, so it’s obvious. The only “di cult” thing is, that we have to
remember that we agreed that the positive direction is upward – so the
applied load is negative! The curious thing happens in (2). Note, that
there is no load applied in node 2, so the value is 0. However, it doesn’t
mean that there is no “internal force” in the elements meeting at node 2.
It only means that we are not applying an external load in that DOF!
Just as previously, the reaction force is applied in (1). We don’t know the
value yet, so I marked it as R1.
On a side note:
Ok
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This is the moment you’ve been waiting for (I’m sure!). We have all the
things needed to make this one “ nal” move! Let’s gather up all the things
we did so far… and wonder how to solve this!
I knew that, but I admit I double checked just in case. The matrix above is
a set of “normal” equation. This means that the normal “algebra” still
works. It’s like solving a set of equations in high school. You can multiply
on both sides, or add/subtract equations from each other. The goal is, to
have the “bottom left triangle” in matrix equal to 0 (positions {2,1}, {3,1},
and {3,2}). This is basically solved in such a form, as starting from the
last equation you just calculate each parameter per matrix row (going
upward). To do this I did some mathematical “harm” to the initial matrix.
Let’s take a look:
Ok
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With the last row having {0, 0, 185.3} it’s very easy to calculate u4. There
is only one parameter in the last equation so:
Now, we have u3 and u4… so we can solve the rst row for u2. At this
stage I think it’s clear why I wanted to have zeros in the bottom left
corner of the matrix – such a state makes solving really easy:
Yes! We actually did it. I must say that I was writing this post step by step
doing the math as I went. I was wondering if this will play out right. After
all, I’ve only made a few calculation errors I had to x, and it seems this is
doable 🙂
This is how you do FEA by hand… at least part of it! Let’s see if the
outcomes have any sense!
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with it.
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Total load was 280kN, the reaction I’ve got is 279.4kN. It seems I’m
missing 0.2% of the outcome. This is due to round up errors. I was only
using 3-4 digits, and those add up. No worries though, the computer uses
much more than 4 digits… I’m just lazy!
With deformations, it’s a bit more tricky, but we can check this as well.
This alone isn’t helpful for checking, but the total deformation of the
column (so deformations at node 4) should be equal to the sum of the
values above:
Internal Forces
Great! Above we’ve managed to solve displacements and reaction forces
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on our obviously
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of them. Now, let’s wonder how to calculate the internal forces in each
element – those can come in handy in design right? Ok
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As you can see, nding the internal forces isn’t so bad! We are losing
some accuracy as before (in element C the force is 119kN instead of
120kN), but this is because I’m lazy and I round up numbers pretty fast!
Note, that in element C and B we did not use the applied loads. However,
the difference in internal forces, of course, is present. At node 3 element
C shows 119kN while element B shows 279.4. The difference is, that at
node 3 (think about it as “between” elements C and B) additional load of
160kN is applied!
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with it.
Ok
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The twist is… we don’t know yet how the elements deform! I mean we
know how the beginning and the end of each element deforms, and we
are using linear elements, so it’s painfully obvious. But our solver doesn’t
know how the elements deform… and we need to do something about
this if we want to use it!
Since we are using a linear element, the shape functions are relatively
easy. This is how a typical element looks like:
I’m using “i” as the “beginning number” and “j” as the “ending number”.
Obviously depending on the element different DOF will be at the
beginning and end so using “real” numbers isn’t the best choice!
This is a very simple linear ramp, but we want to use coordinates in the
mix, so the solver knows where it is. Also, instead of an “equation”, I will
prepare a vector, you should use with the deformation vector. This way it
will have an option to use the deformation vector we already have! This
vector is the shape function for our element. Usually, it’s described as
“N”:
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with it.
Ok
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Note, that for x = xi the rst value is 1, while the second is 0. On the same
note for x = xj the rst value is 0, while the second is 1. This is because
the shape functions are always “calibrated” in such a way, that at a node,
only the value from that node impacts the outcome. It can also be seen
that regardless of the value of x, both terms in the vector will add up to 1.
Think about the shape functions, not as any physical value… it’s just a
mathematical tool to “spread out and average” nodal values to the entire
nite element.
Of course, on its own shape function is useless. But using it, we can
describe the deformation state of the entire element. Such deformation
will be a function of coordinate x because depending on the x value the
deformation in the given point on the element will vary. Let’s call the
“elemental” deformations U(x), while the nodal deformation will use
lower case u as before. In such a case:
The above looks nice and dandy, but let’s do a quick test if it is any good.
Element “B” seems to be a good candidate. It starts with node 2 (u2 =
-0.355mm) and ends with node 3 (u3 = -0.71mm). It’s pretty obvious that
in the middle of the element the deformation should be -0.533mm, Well,
let’s see if this is also obvious to our solver:
Of course, we already know the coordinates. I will use the global ones
here, assuming that x=0 is at the bottom of the column. This means that
xi, being the beginning of element B will be at xi = 4m, the xj = 8m and the
We useplace
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element) x = 6m.onWith
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with it.
simply solve the above:
Ok
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Nice! It seems that our solver has a new trick – it knows how to
distribute displacements along nite elements. In itself, it’s not all that
fancy, but there is a neat thing going on in here. And that is strain is a
derivative of displacements! Now, since we have the displacement
function, we can actually mathematically calculate strain… nally we are
getting somewhere! Normally there would be a matrix [D] describing to
the solver which derivatives to use on which displacements (in a real 3D
problem). But here, we know that we will do a d/dx, since this is the only
coordinate we have! Regardless, the outcome is usually denoted with [B],
so let’s keep the classical notation:
Above I could “throw out” [u] from the derivative, as those are constant
values of nodal deformations. Notice, that B(x) doesn’t really depend on x
in our case! We are using elements with the linear distribution of
deformation along the length… so the resulting strains will be constant
on the entire element!
It’s easy to see, that nally, all the operations lead to the correct one:
displacement at the end minus the displacement at the beginning divided
by length. It looks like we can calculate strains as well! Following the
same method, strain in element A is the same and in the element B, and
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strain in element C is 0.011333%.
with it.
Ok Ok
Take heart! Only stresses are missing and we will call it a day!
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Luckily for us, the relation between stress and strain is primitive at best.
Sure, out FEA solver should have a matrix of “potential” material
parameters but in our case, it’s obvious that we will use Young’s
modulus:
A Cruel Twist!
I must admit that I was surprised that I pulled this off. I never did FEA by
hand, and it took me several hours to nd materials in books to make this
work. But I did it, and I de nitely learned something new. I think that this
post contains more equations than all other posts I’ve written in the last
3 years O.o’
But being me, I want to nish in a traditional way when it comes to math:
is this useful?
The answer is: no, not really. I mean if I would be aiming at writing my
own solver than perhaps this would be the rst step. But if I would like to
design that column form the example? Don’t be ridiculous – this is not
how it’s done! Even if I would expand the example to 6 DOF to take
bending into account this would be far from “perfect”.
Here are some questions that are important in solving this problem from
a design standpoint… that has nothing to do with anything I wrote today.
Answering those is far more important than learning how to operate on
matrixes. After all, you can use a solver done by someone else (there are
plenty, even open-source), but not a single solver will answer you those
questions:
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with it.
Ok
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Look, I admit that this is far fetched. I know, that the above does not
cover today’s topic at all, and instead go into “steel design” much more
than into FEA. Trust me, I really know there are codes and rules to follow
in such designs, and there is speci c software that will aid you in such a
task to some degree.
I wrote it here because I see that more and more people do FEA, but have
no clue on what is going on. I mean I’m all for “FEA democratization”. For
me, FEA was a wonderful tool that greatly helped my career. I wish
everybody to be even more successful then I am.
But… this is still engineering for crying out loud! The fact that you know
how to move a matrix around does not mean that you know how to
design stuff! In fact, I would say that those are two completely different
things!
I know that at Uni they mostly (if not only) talk about this stuff in a way I
did in this post… but this doesn’t mean that this is the only thing that
exists. Far from it… it’s not even the beginning. After all, I’ve been
successfully using FEA in design for a decade now… and I learned how to
solve those freaking equations a few hours ago…
Ok
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