Finite Element Method

Dr. Asad-ur-Rehman Khan

Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
NEDUET, Karachi

Modeling and Analysis Concepts

The Simplified Structural System

STRUCTURE
RESPONSES

EXCITATION
Loads
Vibrations
Settlements
Thermal Changes

Finite Element Method - Introduction

pv

Displacements
Strains
Stress
Stress Resultants

Analysis of Structures
xx yy zz

pvx 0
x
y
z
pv

Real Structure is governed by Partial

Differential Equations of various order

Direct solution is only possible for:

Simple geometry
Simple Boundary
Simple Loading
Finite Element Method - Introduction

The Need for Modeling

A - Real Structure cannot be Analyzed:
It can only be Load Tested to determine response
B - We can only analyze a
Model of the Structure
C - We therefore need tools to Model the
Structure and to Analyze the Model

Finite Element Method - Introduction

The Need for Structural Model

STRUCTURE
RESPONSES

EXCITATION
Loads
Vibrations
Settlements
Thermal Changes

Displacements
Strains
Stress
Stress Resultants

pv

Structural
Model

Finite Element Method - Introduction

Finite Element Method: The Analysis Tool

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
A discretized solution to a continuum
problem using FEM

Finite Element Method (FEM)

A numerical procedure for solving (partial)
differential equations associated with field
problems, with an accuracy acceptable to
engineers

Finite Element Method - Introduction

Continuum Vs Structure
A continuum extends in all direction, has infinite
particles, with continuous variation of material
properties, deformation characteristics and stress state
A Structure is of finite size and is made up of an
assemblage of substructures, components and members
Dicretization process is used to convert Structure to
Finite Element Models for determining response

Finite Element Method - Introduction

Continuum to Discrete Model

pv

3D-CONTINUM
MODEL
(Governed by partial
differential equations)
Finite Element Method - Introduction

CONTINUOUS MODEL
OF STRUCTURE
(Governed by either
partial or total differential
equations)

DISCRETE MODEL
OF STRUCTURE
(Governed by algebraic
equations)

From Classical to FEM Solution

Classical

Equilibrium

Actual Structure

xx yy zz

pvx 0
x
y
z
Partial Differential
Equations

FEM

Assumptions

Structural Model

Kr R

Stress-Strain Law
Compatibility

Algebraic
Equations
_

dV p u dV p u ds
t
v

t
s

(Principle of Virtual Work)

Finite Element Method - Introduction

K = Stiffness
r = Response
R = Loads

Simplified Structural System

Loads (F)

Deformations (D)
Fv

F=KD
Finite Element Method - Introduction

The Structural System

STRUCTURE
RESPONSES

EXCITATION
pv

Static
Dynamic

Finite Element Method - Introduction

Elastic
Inelastic

Linear
Nonlinear

The Equilibrium Equations

1. Linear-Static

Elastic OR Inelastic

Ku F
2. Linear-Dynamic Elastic

Mu(t ) Cu (t ) Ku (t ) F (t )
3. Nonlinear - Static

Elastic OR Inelastic

Ku FNL F
4. Nonlinear-Dynamic

Elastic OR Inelastic

Mu(t ) Cu (t ) Ku (t ) F (t ) NL F (t )
Finite Element Method - Introduction

Basic Steps in FEA

Evaluate Real Structure
Create Structural Model
Discretize Model in FE
Solve FE Model
Interpret FEA Results
Physical significance of Results

Finite Element Method - Introduction

Engineer
Engineer + Software
Software

Global Modeling of Structural Geometry

(a) Real Structure

(b) Solid Model

(c) 3D Plate-Frame

(e) 2D Frame
Fig. 1 Various Ways to Model a Real Struture

Finite Element Method - Introduction

(d) 3D Frame

(f) Grid-Plate