Chapter 1:

Introduction
to
Finite Element Method

Jayadeep U. B.
M.E.D., NIT Calicut
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Introduction
 The finite element method is a numerical procedure for
obtaining approximate solutions for problems in continuous
systems.
 The solution means finding the distribution (functions) of
system parameters (variables).
 In general, these distributions should satisfy various
conditions, like the equilibrium equations in solid mechanics,
which become the system governing equations.
 A fundamental step in FEM is the ‘hypothetical’ discretization
of the domain (body) into simpler shapes (like rectangles in
2D), which are called the finite elements.
 The whole method can be summarized as conversion of the
system governing equations (Differential Equations) into a set
of algebraic relations and solving them, using these finite
element discretization (details later).
Lecture - 01 2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Why Finite Element Method (FEM)?

An example: The elasticity problem
 We need to find the stresses, strains
and displacements in the engine block
shown, under the action of various
surface and body loads:
 Equilibrium Equations (3D):
 x  xy  xz
  X 0
x y z
 xy  y  yz
  Y  0
x y z
 xz  yz  z
  Z 0
x y z

Lecture - 01 3
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The elasticity problem contd.…

 Stress-strain relations (constitutive relations; generalized
Hooke’s law):
1    0 0 0 
  1    0 0 0 

 x   x 
     1  0 0 0   
 y   y 
 z  E  0 1  2    z 
0 0 0 0
   2   
 xy  
 1   1  2    xy 
 yz  1  2
 0 0 0 0 0   yz 
   2  
 xz   
1  2   xz 
 0 0 0 0 0 
 2 

 Using Voigt notation for converting second order stress and

strain tensors to vectors…

Lecture - 01 4
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The elasticity problem contd.…

 Strain-displacement relations:
u v w v u
x  , y  , z  ,  xy   ,
x y z x y
w v w u
 yz   &  xz  
y z x z
 Boundary conditions (BCs):
u  u  0 / v  v  0 / w  w  0 on  u
 x nx   xy n y   xz nz  t x  0 

 xy nx   y ny   yz nz  t y  0  on 

 xz nx   yz ny   z nz  t z  0 

 Why compatibility conditions are not there? Any other BCs?

Lecture - 01 5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The elasticity problem contd.…

 Hence there are 15 equations (3 equilibrium equations, 6
stress-strain relations & 6 strain-displacement relations),
which can be solved (at least in theory!!!) for the 15
unknowns (6 stresses, 6 strains & 3 displacements).
 The solution means finding the stress, strain and displacement
distributions within the body, satisfying the above differential
equations at all interior points and boundary conditions on
the surface points.
 Therefore, even with the assumptions like linear elasticity,
isotropy etc., this problem can NOT be solved exactly, except
for some special, simplified cases.
 This necessitates the use of numerical procedures for getting
approximate solutions, and FEM is arguably the most
powerful method available in today’s world for doing it.

Lecture - 01 6
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

ME6612D Finite Element Method

and Applications
• Course Outcomes:
 CO1 – Understand basics and significance of FEM.
 CO2 – Develop formulations using FEM.
 CO3 – Solve problems by writing programs or using commercial
software.
 Associated Programme Outcomes (Machine Design):
 PO1 – Independent research (CO2, M; CO3, H)
 PO2 – Technical reports / presentations (CO3, M)
 PO3 – Mastery over the area (All COs, H)
 PO4 – Self-learning and sharing knowledge (CO3, H)
 PO6 – Modern computer/software tool usage (CO3, H)
 Associated POs for other branches may vary somewhat, but
can easily be formulated…
Lecture - 01 7
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

ME6612D: Evaluation Policy

 Mark Distribution (to be approved by CC):
 Interim Test – 30 marks
 Course project – 30 marks
 End Semester Exam – 40 marks
 Notes:
1. Assignment sheets will be given, but need not be
submitted. It is only for self-study.
2. Being an M.Tech. level course, tutorial classes are not
planned. However, the students may request for it, if
need arises.
3. Students are welcome to have discussions on their
project or other topics, outside the class.

Lecture - 01 8
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

ME6612D: Course Project

 Course project is to be done in groups of two or three
members (in groups with 3 members, the quantum of work
should justify the same) – Form the groups today itself…!
 Topic – should develop a finite element code for a
particular class of problems (using Matlab / Python
preferably, but any other language is fine).
 Deadline for finalizing the title of project: 10-1-2020
 There will be a presentation and a report is to be submitted
towards the end of the semester (softcopy is sufficient; to
be uploaded on NITC Eduserver – refer next slide)
 Students in the class are expected to give an evaluation for
the project done by each group – including own group.
 All projects are part of the syllabus – questions will be
there from them for the exams.
Lecture - 01 9
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

ME6612D: NITC Eduserver

 Course will heavily make use of NITC Eduserver – A
Moodle server hosted by NALANDA Digital Library.
 These presentations will be uploaded on Eduserver.
 List of student projects will be uploaded.
 Course project report and presentation are to be uploaded.
 Student grading of course projects will be collected using it.
 Course end feedback will be collected.
 Assignments and extra study materials will be uploaded.
 Students can create blogs and discussion items – some
credits can be given for those who are active in such
discussions (details will be worked out and informed)
 Announcements regarding the course.
 Suggestions regarding other uses are welcome…
Lecture - 01 10
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Finite Element Method

Why the term “Finite Element”?

Infinitesimal Finite Infinite

Leads to differential equations Used to create elements for

(Recall the derivation of eq’um problems with infinite /
eq’ns in elasticity) semi-infinite domains (e.g.:
underground explosions)

Leads to system of algebraic equations – Can be solved

using computers (No elaborations here – the complete
course is about it!!!).
Lecture - 02 11
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Finite Element Method contd. …

The Fundamental Idea (Common to many Numerical Methods):
 Problem at hand, say P, is not solvable – replace it with
another problem Pn, with solution Sn.
 Solution Sn should be close to the exact solution S… within
acceptable limits (concepts of error & tolerance).
 It would be great, if we can obtain Sn with varying levels of
accuracy – may be at different costs of time, resources …
(convergence studies).
 In FEM, we achieve this by two main steps:
 Discretize (mesh) the domain into geometrically simple
shapes – the Finite Elements.
 Piece-wise approximation of the variable of interest (say,
temperature profile) over these finite elements.
Lecture - 02 12
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Fundamental Idea - Discretization

You have already used Discretization?!!
 Find the second moment of area of the “I” beam cross-section
below:

t1 = t3

t2
h

t1 = t3
b

 By symmetry the centroidal axis is known.

Lecture - 02 13
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Discretization contd. …
t1 = t 3 1
I1  I 3  121 b(t1 )3
t2
I2  1
t ( h)
12 2
3
h
2
t1 = t3 3

 By Parallel Axis theorem: 2

h t 
I  I3 
' ' 1
b(t1 )  (bt1 )   1 
3
1 12 2 2
 
 Net second moment of area:
I  I1'  I 2  I 3'

Lecture - 02 14
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Discretization contd. …
A “Closer” look at the Procedure:
 Problem: Find the second moment of area of the “I” beam
cross-section.
 Assumptions: By symmetry the centroidal axis is known.
 Discretize the geometry into geometrically simple shapes –
finite elements?
 Perform element level calculations.
 Co-ordinate transformation.

 Assembly into the global system. (In this case, the required
results are obtained at this step itself, but it is not generally the
case).

Lecture - 02 15
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

What is FEM?
 One of the numerical methods to obtain approximate solutions
to physical/Engg. field problems.
 The domain of the problem is (hypothetically) divided into
sub-domains (called Finite Elements).
 Elements are inter-connected at points (called nodes) – but
some level of continuity of field variables to be ensured.
 Over each finite element, the variable of interest (primary
variable) is approximated using simple functions (generally
polynomials, but not necessarily!).
 Element-level calculations lead to algebraic equations in
terms of nodal variables (details later).
 Assembly process to get the global equations.
 Boundary conditions (BCs) are applied and solved for nodal
variables.
 Secondary variables (if any!) are calculated.
Lecture - 02 16
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Why is it so Widely Used?

Advantages of FEM:
 Strong mathematical foundation – aids in error analysis.
 Versatile – a lot of problems solved by same methodology.
 Convergence studies are possible by increasing the number of
sob-domains or elements – mesh refinement studies or by
increasing the order of functions used in approximation.
 Very much linked to computers – became much cheaper with
improvement in computational resources.

Disadvantages of FEM:
 The complete process needs to be repeated for small changes
in the domain – no sensitivity studies.
 Mistakes are easily made (like using wrong BC or material
properties).
Lecture - 02 17
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Origins of FEM
 Closely related to many other numerical methods – no precise
date (or even time period) of origin.
 Discretization was used by ancient Greeks and Chinese for
problems in geometry. E.g., finding the area / perimeter of a
circle by approximating using regular polygons.
 By AD480, a Chinese Engineer called Tsu Chung Chik,
determined “π” to lie between 3.1415926 & 3.1415927 (my
calculator gives: 3.141592654!!!).
 Archimedes used finite elements(!) for determining the
volume of solids – almost near the invention of Calculus.
 Development of numerical procedures like Weighted Residual
Methods, Finite Difference methods, Variational Calculus …
 The (now!) famous paper by Richard Courant in 1943 – he
suggested use of triangular mesh to solve torsion problem.
Lecture - 02 18
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Family Tree of FEM

Ref.: Zienkiewicz, O. C., The Finite Element Method, TMH Edition.

Lecture - 02 19
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Origins of FEM
Contributions by Mathematicians:
 Mainly interested in devising ways to solve the partial
differential equations, convergence studies …
 Finite difference and variational finite difference methods.
 Variational methods, weighted residuals, piecewise
continuous trial functions…

Contributions by Engineers:
 Interested in actual problems in design – specifically related
to the structural design of aircrafts.
 Matrix methods in structural analysis of discrete systems.
 Approximation of continuous systems as discrete systems.
 The stiffness method and continuum elements.

Lecture - 02 20
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Concluding Remarks
 FEM is a method for obtaining approximate solution for
problems with continuous systems, i.e., field problems.
 Continuous systems lead to differential equations –
Mathematically speaking, FEM can be thought as a numerical
procedure for solving differential equations.
 The basic idea is to convert the differential equations into a
system of algebraic equations, which can be solved for getting
an approximation for variables (functions) involved.
 This conversion is achieved by the discretization of the
domain into simpler finite elements, and using an
approximation for the functions over these sub-domains.
 The method aims at the solution of the D.E. only; hence, FEM
can be used for a large variety of physical problems.
 We will study the analysis of discrete systems, which directly
lead to algebraic equations, before delving into the real FEM.
Lecture - 02 21
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

About the Course – ME6612D

 Focus is mainly on Solid Mechanics, but Heat Transfer
problems will also be discussed (scalar field problem).
 Though FEM is for continuous systems, we will be starting
our study with discrete systems like spring systems –
reasons in the next class.
 Afterwards, continuous systems will be discussed, starting
with 1D, and moving on to 2D – and a little bit of 3D.
 We will develop the course sequentially, addressing the
issues one by one.
 Variational calculus, which is commonly used in FE
formulation, will be discussed in detail.
 More advanced topics like analysis of nonlinear problems
and transient problems will only be discussed briefly,
towards the end of the course.
Lecture - 02 22