Qn.

2 Description of Variational Formulation in Structural Mechanics and how it is applied in formulation

of Finite elements.
1.0 Formulation of Finite Element method by Variational Principle

The Concept of Variation of FUNCTIONALS Variation Principle: Is to keep the DIFFERENCE between a REAL situation and an

APPROXIMATE situation in MINIMUM

REAL SITUATION APPROXIMATIE = Minimum

SITUATION

In reality, we will find FUNCTIONALS to represent the “Real” and “Approximate” situations

Functional = “function of functions”

Thus, derivation of appropriate FUNCTIONALS is an important step in FE formulations

 1.1 Mathematical tool for determining MINIMUM of a function
Minimum/maximum values of function determined by calculus:

Given function: f(x)

Procedures in determining maximum value of f(x):

𝑑𝑓(𝑥)
1. Solve the equation : =0 with solution x= 𝑥𝑚
dx
The solution xm can be either maximum or minimum value of function f(x)

2. Check
𝑑 2 ∫{ x }
If >0 𝑥𝑚 is the minimum value of f(x)
dx2
X=xm

𝑑 2 ∫{ x }
If < 0 𝑥𝑚 is the maximum value of f(x)
dx2
X=xm
1.2 The Concept of Discretization
The essence of FEM is “Divide and Conquer” - meaning if the geometry/loading/boundary conditions of entire medium is too
Complicated to be solved by existing tools, one viable way is to divide the continuum into a finite number of sub-divisions (elements)
Inter-connected at nodes. This process is called DISCRETIZATION

1.3Example of Discretization:
Estimate the land area of Antarctic:

Antarctic
The land area of this continent is enclosed by complicated curved lines. One method for finding area is to use “squares” and “rectangles” enclosures
over the entire area, because we know how to find the enclosed areas of squares and rectangles. By super impose the surveyed land mass of the

Antarctic on square grids with each square mesh 40,000 km2 counting 404.5 Square meshes leading to total land area = 16.180 million km2 This
land area of Anarchic obtained by the above method of Discretization obviously is an approximated value. Because the actual area is 13.6% less than
this approximated value.

1.4 Convergence of an Area Computation by Discretization

There are two ways one may compute the approximation of areas by Discretization:

Method 1: Enclose the individual areas within the actual curved boundaries, and

Method 2: Enclose the individual areas outside the actual curved boundaries.

We observe that:

The “exterior envelope” (Method 2) exceeds the actual values, and the “interior envelope” (Method 1) results in less than actual values.
FE Method often involves ‘interior envelopes ‘so, FE results are often less than the actual solutions.
 Method 1

Method 2
 1.5Application of Discretization Principle in FEM

Example on WHY Discretization is necessary in real-world stress analysis:

Manageable by analytical
Solution method

NO available

analytical
solution

Original geometry Discretized (approximate) geometry

1.6 Variational Principle in FEM

MINIMUM

= for
Close
Approximation

Original geometry Discretized (approximate) geometry

The Difference in Results

≠0 but can be made
MINIMUM

VARIATIONAL PROCESS
1.7 Variational Process for General FE Formulation

A continuum subject to ACTIONS with induced REACTIONS and boundary supports (conditions):

Actions and Reactions in Mechanical Engineering Analysis

Stress analysis Heat transfer Fluid dynamics

ACTIONS: {P}: P1, P2, P3,……, Pn Forces {F}, pressures {p} Driving thermal forces: Driving pressure

Q, q, etc.
Induced REACTIONS: {Φ}: Local displacements {u}, Local temperatures T Local velocities
Φ1, Φ2, Φ3,……..,Φm {V}
Strains {ε}, stresses {σ}
1.7 Variational Process for General FE Formulation-Cont’d

Real situation:
Discretized (approximate) geometry
Original geometry + loading/boundary conditions
+ loading/boundary
conditions
Difference expressed in FUNCTIONAL
= Minimum
Variational Process for General FE Formulation:

Minimizing the FUNCTIONAL

1.8 Functionals for Variational Process for General FE Formulation

A continuum subject to ACTIONS with induced REACTIONS and boundary supports (conditions):

Real Situation of solids Approximate Situation with elements

Actions, Reactions and Functionals in Mechanical Engineering Analysis

Stress analysis Heat transfer Fluid dynamics

ACTIONS: {P}:P1, P2, P3,…,Pn Forces {F}, pressures {p} Driving thermal forces: Driving pressure

Q, q, etc.
Induced REACTIONS: {Φ}: Local displacements {u}, Local temperatures, T Local velocities V
Φ1, Φ2, Φ3,……..,Φm
Strains {ε}, stresses {σ}

FUNCTIONAL Governing Diff. Governing Diff.

Potential energy (P)
Equation plus Equation plus
boundary conditions boundary conditions
 1.9 Mathematical modeling of Variational Process in Finite Element Analysis Formulation

Real Situation on continuum

𝜕{𝜙} 𝜕{𝜙}
The FUNCTIONAL in the original continuum is 𝑋{𝜙} = ∫𝑉 𝑓 ({𝜙}, , … … . ) 𝑑𝑣 + ∫𝑠 𝑔 ({𝜙}, ,…….)𝑠
𝛿𝑟 𝛿𝑟

Where v is volume, s is surface (boundary), r denotes x, y, z coordinate

𝛿𝑥
𝛿𝜙1
𝛿𝑥
𝛿𝑥 {𝜙}
A number of equations for each induced reaction Φ: = 𝛿𝜙2 =0
𝛿{𝜙} .
.
{ .

Minimization of the functional will ensure the loaded continuum to be in equilibrium condition. Mathematically, This condition is
satisfied by the relations:

𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑥
= 0, = 0, = 0, ……………We will learn later that these are “element equations” for the Discretized FE model
𝛿𝜙1 𝛿𝜙2 𝛿𝜙3
1.9 Mathematical modeling of Variational Process in Finite Element Analysis Formulation Cont’d

Real Situation on solids Approximate Situation on elements

In FE Model with finite number of ELEMENTS interconnected at NODES: Actions {𝑃}, 𝑝1, 𝑝2, 𝑝3,………. 𝑝𝑛, in
Discretized continuum induced Reactions in elements.

{𝜙}𝑒 = 𝜙1 𝑒 , 𝜙2 𝑒 , 𝜙3 𝑒 ,…………………. , 𝜙𝑚 𝑒 in ELEMENTS of Discretized continuum

The FUNCTIONAL of the Discretized continuum is : 𝑋 {𝜙 } =∑ 𝑚 𝑒

1 𝑋 (𝜙)

Where 𝑋 𝑒 ( 𝜙) is the functional in elements of discretized solid, and m is the total number of elements in the FE
model.
1.9 Mathematical modeling of Variational Process in Finite Element Analysis Formulation Cont’d

The Variational process required for the equilibrium of the Discretized continuum becomes

𝛿𝑥 {𝜙} 𝑚 𝛿𝑥 𝑒 {𝜙}
=∑1 =0
𝛿 {𝜙 } 𝛿 {𝜙 } 𝑒

Element Equations in FE Model

The “element equations” derived from the above Variational process usually have the form of:

𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑥
= 0, 𝛿𝜙 = 0, 𝛿𝜙 = 0, …………… [𝐾𝑒 ]{𝜙} ={𝑞 }
𝛿𝜙1 2 3
Where

[𝐾𝑒 ] = coefficient matrix (usually a square matrix)

{𝜙} = matrix of unknown quantities at the nodes
{q} = the specified actions (or forces) at the nodes of the same element

The unknown quantities at ALL nodes in the FE mesh can be obtained by assembling all element equations in
the FE model, and result in the following OVERALL equation in the form:

[𝐾𝑒 ]{𝜙} ={𝑄 }

In which [𝐾𝑒 ] =∑𝑚 𝑚
1 [𝐾𝑒 ]= OVERALL coefficient matrix, and {𝑄 } = ∑1 {𝑞 } , with n =total number of nodes in the FE
model.
 SUMMARY OF VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLE

Variational principle is used to minimize the difference in the approximate solutions obtained by the FE method on
Discretized situation corresponding to the Real situations.
Functionals are derived as the function to be minimized by the Variational process
Functionals vary in the forms with the nature of the problems:
o functional for stress analysis of deformed solid structures is “Potential energy,”
o functional for heat conduction is the governing differential equation for heat conduction of solids
o functional for fluid dynamics is the differential equations called the Navier-Stoke’s equation
Outcome of the Variational process of Discretized media is the “element equations” for each element in the FE
model
Element equations are assembled to form the OVERALL stiffness equations, from which one may solve for all
Primary unknown quantities at all the nodes in the Discretized media
Therefore, it is not an over statement to refer the Variational principle to be the basis of FE method.