Finite Elements for Nanoscale IGERT

FEM Introduction
Alan Zehnder April 8, 2008

Plan for Today

What is FEM? FEM example Poisson equation Everyone should have USB Drive Check that you can run ANSYS.

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What is FEM?
Finite element is a method for the approximate solution of partial differential equations that model physical problems such as:
Steady state and transient heat conduction Solution of elasticity problems
Determine displacement, stress and strain fields. Static, transient dynamic, steady-state dynamic, i.e. subject to sinusoidal loading, modes and frequencies of vibration, modes and loads of buckling.

Calculation of electrostatic fields,

Problems can be linear or non-linear, coupled or uncoupled.

Electrostatic actuation is an example in which electrostatic field induces force, which deforms MEMS structure, which changes electrostatic field
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FEM Development
Roots are in structural engineering
Matrix structural analysis - beam and column elements modeled as springs with extensional, torsional and bending stiffnesses and equivalent masses connected together. Solution of matrix equation for displacements of the nodes (connections) of this model provides solution under given loading. This approach, extended to a continuum (rather than discrete structural elements) forms the finite element method. The term FEM first appears in mid-1950s. FEM, typically for structural and thermal analysis is now a standard part of the toolbox for mechanical and civil engineers. Method is introduced in undergraduate years. FEM is constantly and rapidly being expanded, adding capabilities for multi-physics models, optimization, probabilistic design, integration of deformable and rigid body dynamics.
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FEM Software
Many commercial packages
Abaqus (used a lot at Cornell, CCMR has a license) Ansys (we will use. 1st assignments - work through tutorials) NASTRAN, Adina, Cosmos, LS-DYNA, Algor, Matlab PDE Toolbox

Many research packages

FEAP UC Berkeley FRANC Cornell specialized for fracture mechanics

Integration with CAD/CAM software and built-in preand post-processors greatly speed up model development and interrogation of the results.
Until about 20 years ago most pre-processing done by setting up an input file specifying the geometry, material models and analyses. Solution results in a lengthy output file.

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Sample models and results

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Generic Steps
Define problem type and level of abstraction, i.e. 2D vs. 3D. Or continuum vs. structural element. Define geometry Define physical properties and assign them to subregions of geometry Define boundary and initial conditions Steps in the solution, i.e. do a static nonlinear analysis, followed by modal analysis about the current state. Or specify time span for the analysis Mesh the model
Nodes are located and numbers assigned to them. Nodes are locations for calculation of primary solution variables. Define element type(s). Elements defined by connecting nodes and associating physical properties with each element. At this step the FEM software generally writes an input file that is read by the solver program. May need to change default solution parameters, such as solver method, tolerances, number of processors used, memory used, location of scratch files.

Solve the system of equations

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Validate results
Lots of ways to get no or wrong answer. All FEM solutions are approximations How wrong? How approximate? Look at output, e.g. plot deformed shape, or contour plot primary solution or derivative results (i.e. temperature and heat flux)
Do results seem reasonable? Does deformed shape appear to be correct? Do parts of the model that should be connected have the same displacements? Is the problem in overall balance?
Do reaction forces balance applied loads?

Can you get an analytical approximation to the solution, or can you solve a similar problem that uses all the same steps and physical properties, but that has a simplified geometry that would allow analytical solution? Refine model discretization and calculate degree to which solution changes.
Some software come with built-in error estimators and adaptive mesh refinement.

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Post-processing
Once satisfied that you are obtaining sufficiently accurate solution, extract useful information
Contour plots on original or deformed geometry, from any view. Can set contour levels and variables to plot Line plots of solutions. Typically distribution along a specified line, or time history of a limited number of solution variables at one or a few points. Line plots of loads peaks may tell you strength, or a bifurcation point. Animation of results useful to gain physical insight and to communicate your results to others. Some programs can output .vrml files for viewing results in 3D.
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FEM for Poisson Equation

Start by showing that minimization of a certain functional provides solution to the PDE. Show how to develop system of equations Interpolation of solution How to determine flux given nodal values Theoretical development will be VERY brief. Focus in our class is practical. Learn to use ANSYS to solve elasticity, thermal, electrostatics and coupled elasticityelectrostatics problem.
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Assignment
Before next class meeting work through 1st ANSYS tutorial, see
http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ansys/index.htm Complete problem set #1. Have your model ready to demonstrate

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