FEM

Session 8
Modelling

Prepared by zacoeb@ub.ac.id
Introduction
 Finite element modeling is partly an art guided by visualizing
physical interactions taking place within a body, In modeling t
he user is confronted with the difficult task of understanding
physical behavior taking place and understanding behavior o
f various elements available for use. Matching the appropriat
e FEM to the physical behavior being modeling is one of ma
ny decisions. Understanding the boundary conditions can be
one of the most difficult tasks.
Introduction (cont ’d)
 Equilibrium is not usually satisfied between elements. A differ
ential element including parts of two adjacent finite elements
is not usually in equilibrium. This is the case for two- and thre
e-dimensional elements but not for line elements. The coars
eness of the mesh causes this lack of inter-element equilibriu
m to be even more pronounced.
 The aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the longest dimensi
on to the shortest dimension of a quadrilateral element, in ge
neral, as the aspect ratio increases, the inaccuracy of the fini
te element solution increases.
General Modeling Rules
 Use the simplest elements that will do the job, avoid bad sha
pe ratio.
 Never, never, never use complicated or special elements unl
ess you are absolutely sure of what you are doing.
 Use the coarsest mesh that will capture the dominant behavi
or of the physical model, particularly in design situations.
 3 word summary: Keep It Simple
General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 1. 2D/3D Elements of aspect ratio

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 2. Typical finite element geometries in 1- through 3-D

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 3. Examples of primitive structural elements

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 4. Continuum element examples.

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 5. Special element examples

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 6. Macro-element examples

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 7. Symmetry model

General Modeling Rules (cont ’d)

Figure 8. Axisymmetric model

Example

Exact = PL/AE
= (10000×20 )/10×(30×106)
= 670×10-6 in
Aspect Ratio
Case 1 (L/d = 1) Case 3 (L/d = 5)

Case 2 (L/d = 2)
Aspect Ratio (cont ’d)
Case Aspect Number of Number of FEM Exact Error
Ratio Nodes Elements 10-6 10-6 %
1 1 6 4 674.7 670 0.701
2 2 4 2 663.7 670 0.940
3 5 22 20 663.4 670 0.990
The Number of Elements
Case 1 (L/d) = 1 Case 3 (L/d) = 2

Case 2 (L/d) = 1 Case 4 (L/d)=2

The Number of Elements (cont ’d)
Case Aspect Ratio Number Number of FEM Exact Error
of Nodes Elements 10^-6 10^-6 %
1 1 6 4 674.7 670 0.701
2 1 15 16 671.9 670 0.284
3 2 4 2 663.7 670 0.940
4 2 10 8 670.4 670 0.060
Conclusions
 The element increases and keep same L/d, the accuracy of t
he finite element solution increases.
 The aspect ratio decreases, the accuracy of the finite elemen
t solution increases.
 When the mesh size is reduced (that is the number of eleme
nts is increased), we are ensured of monotonic convergence
of the solution when compatible and complete displacement f
unctions are used.
Conclusions (cont ’d)

Figure 9. Convergence of a finite element solution based on

the
compatible displacement formulation
Thanks for the attention!