Introduction to FEA

Prof. M. Abdel Wahab

Professor of Applied Mechanics
Ghent University, Laboratory Soete, Belgium


2
Introduction to FEA
What is FE?
Numerical procedures for analysing structures
and continuum.
Why do we need FE?
The problem is too complicated to be solved
analytically (exact solution).
How does FE work?
FE procedures produces simultaneous algebraic
equations solved by digital computer.
3
Introduction to FEA
What type of problems?
Static
Thermal
Electro-Magnetic
Transient
Acoustics
4
Applications of FEA
FE procedures are used in the design of:
Civil Engineering constructions
5
Applications of FEA
Mechanical engines Bio-medical
6
Applications of FEA
Bridges
7
Element type
Type Shape Unknowns

bar

u, v, (w)


beam

u, v, u
z
, (w, u
x
, u
y
)


plane

u, v


axisymmetric

u, v


shell

u, v, w, u
x
, u
y
, (u
z
)


solid

u, v, w
x, u
z, w
y, v
u
y

u
z
u
x

8
Principle of FE
Element
Node
FE code determines the
displacement at every node [u]
that minimises the total
energy. From these
displacements the strains [c]
and stresses [o] can be found.
[c] = [B] [u]
[o] = [D] [c] = [D] [B] [u]
From energy principles:
[K][u]=[F]
FE solutions are always wrong!
9
Finite Element Guidelines
Results can often be incorrect:
incorrect constraints
incorrect loading
incorrect finite element mesh
Check that the approximated results are
acceptable

10
Finite Element Guidelines
Mesh density
refine where the changes of stress are highest
e.g. crack tip
11
Finite Element Guidelines
Convergence
mesh refinement requires more CPU
a compromise between accuracy of results and
computing time
convergence can be assessed from two analyses with
increasing mesh refinement

12
Finite Element Guidelines
Are the results correct?
Check deformed shape, do you expect that?
Check reaction forces, are they equal and opposite to the
applied load?
Sum all nodal forces, are they equal to zero?
Calculate a simple analytical solution, is it consistent with
the FE results?

13
How does FEM work?
Partial differential equations

a)Writing the variational equivalent or weak
form

b) Discretisation of space

A system of simultaneous algebraic equations
14
Finite Element Method (FEM)
A simple bar element

a)Weak form

b) Discretisation of space

FE equation
0
2
2
=
c
c
f
x
u
EA
0 ) (
2
2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

c
c
}
dx f
x
u
EA x |
| | | | U N u
T
=
| || | | | F U K =
15
STRESS ANALYSIS
Linear elastic


Hydraulic Manifold

3-D solid elements
In-service pressure
68 MPa
| || | | | F U K =
| | | || | U B = c
| | | || | c o D =
16
STRESS ANALYSIS
Non-linearity

Iterative solution
Incremental solution

Road sweeping brush
Large deformation
Penetration of 50 mm


| || | | | F U U K = ) (
| || | | | F U U K A A A = A ) (
17
Material non-linearity

Autofrettage
(manufacturing barrels of handguns
and cannons)
Mandrel residual hoop stress
2-D axsymmetric model
Overstrain


STRESS ANALYSIS
% 100

=
i
i m
R
R R
|
18
HEAT TRANSFER ANALYSIS
Governing differential equation

FE equation (transient analysis)

Numerical integration

Steady state analysis




|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
=
c
c
2
2
2
2
2
2
z
T
y
T
x
T
c
K
t
T
p

| | | || | | | q T K
t
T
C = +
(

c
c
t
t T t t T
t
T
A
A +
=
c
c ) ( ) (
| || | | | q T K =
19
HEAT TRANSFER ANALYSIS
Steady state analysis

Railko Marine Bearing
Two layers: a backing and a liner

2-D plane heat transfer elements
Inside T
i
=100
o
C, outside T
o
=30
o
C


20
Governing differential equation

Heat transfer

Lap strap CFRP



Transient analysis



DIFFUSION ANALYSIS
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
=
c
c
2
2
2
2
2
2
z
T
y
T
x
T
c
K
t
T
p

|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
=
c
c
2
2
2
2
2
2
z
c
y
c
x
c
D
t
c
/s m 10 3 . 9
2 13
=
a
D
/s m 10 6 . 3
2 13
=
CFRP
D
21
Multi-physics analysis


Thermal-stress analysis of the Railko bearing





COUPLED-FIELD ANALYSIS
T
t
A = o c
ref
T T T = A
22
Modelling of macro-crack
Crack faces should coincident

LEFM

EPFM

Composites



FRACTURE MECHANICS ANALYSIS
r u
r
1
o
r
1
c
1
1
+

m
m
r
c
1
1
1
+

m
r
o

r u
1

c r
23
Fatigue crack initiation
Damage variable D






Evolution of D in adhesive layer used for scarf joint





FATIGUE ANALYSIS
( )( )
1
1
2 /
1 1 1
+ +
+
(

A + + =
m
V
m
eq
N R m A D
|
| |
o |
24
Fatigue crack propagation
A modified Paris law






FATIGUE ANALYSIS
(
(
(
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1
max
max
max
1
1
n
c
n
th
n
G
G
G
G
DG
dN
da
25
Fatigue crack propagation

A single lap joint

Total strain energy release rate
(G
max
or G
T
)

Mode I strain energy release rate
(G
I
)





FATIGUE ANALYSIS
26
FE equation - generalised equation of motion

Un-damped free vibration

Solution

FE equation becomes

Eigenvalue problem is solved using iterative numerical
solution





MODAL ANALYSIS
| || | | || | | || | | | F U K U C U M = + +

| || | | || | 0 = + U K U M

| | | | ) sin( e + = t U U
n m
( )| | 0 ] [ ] [
2
=
m n
U M K e
27
Free vibration of a pre-stressed concrete bridge,
B14, between the villages Peutie and Melsbroek
and crosses the highway E19
3-D finite element model







MODAL ANALYSIS
28
FE equation - generalised equation of motion


Explicit direct numerical integration






TRANSIENT DYNAMICS ANALYSIS
| || | | || | | || | | | F U K U C U M = + +

| | | | ) ( ) (
2
1
) ( t t U t t U
t
t U A A +
A
=

| | | | ) ( ) ( 2 ) (
1
) (
2
t t U t U t t U
t
t U A + A +
A
=

29
A footbridge, Wilcott bridge
FRP composite
Shrewsbury, UK

3-D beam elements

Excited using a walking
Pedestrian (1.6 Hz)

BS5400: F(t)=180sin(.t) N








TRANSIENT DYNAMICS ANALYSIS
30
Governing partial differential equation -LWR (Lighthill,
Witham and Richards) model

FE equation

A simulation of a 5 km road
BC at x=0





TRAFFIC FLOW ANALYSIS
0 =
c
c
+
c
c
x
k
u
t
k
o
| | | || | 0 = +
(

c
c
k B
t
k
A
31
The Finite Element Method is a generic technique

Many disciplines and applications

FEA is well established numerical technique

However, research and development into FEM is still
going on in order to improve accuracy, facilitate the user
interaction with the software and further implementation of
specific applications.





CONCLUSIONS
32
QUESTIONS