Finite Element Analysis

of
2-Dimensional Problems

Jayadeep U. B.
M.E.D., NIT Calicut
Ref.: Finite Elements and Approximation, Zienkiewicz,
O. C., and Morgan, K., John Wiley & Sons.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Introduction
Examples of 2-D Problems Heat Transfer Problem:
The heat transfer problem in a 2-D plate can be analyzed as a
2-D problem (assuming temperature gradient to be zero in the
thickness direction).
Convective B.C. on h

q k
h
n
Dirichlet or
(Essential) B.C.
T

on

Neumann or (Natural) B.C.

q k

q on q
n

Even if the heat transfer is not 2D, e.g., if convective losses

are taking place from this surface of plate, we may be able to
formulate the problem as 2D.
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Introduction contd.
Examples of 2-D Problems Stress Analysis:
Problems in thin plate (no transverse loads or deflection,
except for Poissons effect) Plane Stress (P-) problem.
Problems in thick plate Plane Strain (P-) problem.
Axisymmetric problems (in both geometry and loads).
Dirichlet or (Essential) B.C.
u u

& v v on u

Neumann or (Natural) B.C.

Specified Surface Tractions on

Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Finite Elements for 2D

A fundamental idea in FEM is to discretize the complicated
domain into simple shapes, over which the integrations can be
easily performed.
In 2D, the normally used shapes are triangles and rectangles
other shapes are not having any special advantage.
The vertices of the triangles and the rectangles can be used as
the nodes, at which the finite elements are connected with
each other.
In case of higher order elements we can have nodes on the
edges as well as interior to the domain.
The simple forms of shape functions, which will be discussed
in subsequent sections will be applicable only for C0
continuous problems (Only first order derivatives are
occurring in the weak form).
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Linear Triangle Element

The simplest element type possible in 2D is the linear triangle.

Triangular element has the added advantage that any
complicated shape can be better approximated as compared to
rectangles.
A combination of triangles and rectangles can improve the
approximation (triangular elements near the boundary), but
there are better methods available!!!
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Linear Triangle Element cont.

Shape Functions for Linear Triangle:
We can use the same ideas as in 1D to derive the shape
functions for 2D triangular elements.
Any linear variation over a planar triangular element
(assumed to be in x-y plane) as a combination of three linear
shape functions.

Let node i be at xi , yi , j be at x j , y j & k be at xk , yk .

1 at ( xi , yi )

The shape function, N i 0 at ( x j , y j )

0 at ( x , y )
k
k

Assume, N i a bx cy
a bxi cyi 1, a bx j cy j 0 & a bxk cyk 0
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Linear Triangle Element cont.

Shape Functions for Linear Triangle contd.:
Writing in Matrix form:
1 xi
1 x
j

yi

y j
1 xk yk
1
det 0
0
a
1
det 1
1

Lecture - 01

b
c

0
0

xi
xj
xk
xi
xj
xk

yi

y j
det

yk
,b
yi

y j
det

yk

1
1
1
1
1
1

1
0
0
xi
xj
xk

1
yi

y
det 1
j

yk

1
&c
y
i
1
y
1
det
j

yk
1

x i 1
x j 0
x k 0
xi yi
x j y j
xk yk

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Linear Triangle Element cont.

Shape Functions for Linear Triangle contd.:
On Simplification:

x j yk xk y j
2

,b

y j yk

&c

xk x j

2
2
1 xi yi
where, 2 e det 1 x j y j 2(area of triangle)
1 xk yk
e

What does Ni mean?

Ni
k

i
j
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Linear Triangle Element cont.

Shape Functions for Linear Triangle contd.:
Further geometric meaning of Ni: The area coordinates
k

l l ( x, y , z )
Nj
Ni
i

Nk
j

area of jkl
area of ilk
area of ijl
Ni
, Nj
& Nk
area of ijk
area of ijk
area of ijk
Lecture - 01

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

The Bi-Linear Rectangle Element

Shape Functions for Bi-Linear Rectangle:
We can easily create the shape functions for a rectangular
element as a product of two linear shape functions along x and
y directions Hence the name Bi-linear Rectangle.
Hence, for the rectangular element given below, with nodes 1,
2, 3 & 4
y

N1
Lecture - 01

( x2 x) ( y4 y )
and similarly for other nodes.
( x2 x1 ) ( y4 y1 )

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Example Heat Transfer Analysis

Find the temperature distribution in the 2D domain (ABCD),
for the problem described below:
y

h = 200 W/m2K
0.004 m

T = 500 K
A

T = 300 K

x
0.012 m

B.C.: Fixed temperature of 500K on side AD and convective

B.C. on all other sides, with coefficient of convection, h =
200 W/m2K and Bulk Fluid Temperature = 300K.
The conductivity of the material is given to be 10 W/m K.
Assume unit thickness in the z-direction.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

k k Q 0
x x
y y
Since, k is constant and Q 0,

Governing D.E.:

2 2
2 0
2
x
y

on ABCD

B.C.:

500 on AD

h on h AB, BC , CD
n

10
200 300 on AB, 10
200 300 on BC
y
x

& 10
200 300 on CD
y
k

Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

FE Mesh using linear triangle elements:
y
9
5
1

Approximation:
3

j N j

7
1

10
8

10
7 11

6 9
4

2
2

12

5
3

on e (any element)

Weighted Residual Formulation is used.

j 1

Lecture - 02

12

11

x
4

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

W.R. Statement (Strong Form):

2 2
h
Wi x 2 y 2 d Wi n k ( ) d 0

h
h

Wi ( )d Wi
( )
d 0

n k

Since the essential B.C. (specified temperature) can be

enforced exactly, no residual is assumed on side AD.
Note: Strong form of W.R. statement can not be used since the
second derivative of the shape functions (linear polynomials)
are identically equal to zero. Only the boundary residuals will
have non-zero terms.
The Weak Form needs to be formulated.
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Gauss Divergence Theorem & Greens Lemma

Gauss Divergence Theorem:

f d
f

n d

If, f f x i f y j & n nx i n y j :
f x

d
f x nx d &

f y

d
f y ny d

Greens Lemma:

f .g f g d
f g n d

Lecture - 02

f g d
f g n d f .g d

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Applying Greens Lemma to the Strong form:
h

Wi . n d Wi d Wi n k ( ) d 0

We have:

. n
, h
n

and let Wi N i Wi ,
Using the Galerkin formulation & simplifying:

Lecture - 02

Ni
d N i d N i ( ) d 0
n
k

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Substituting the approximation, we have the Weak Form:

h j N j

N
d

i j j j
i k d

h
Ni k d Ni n d
h

Re-arranging the terms & Simplifying:

j
N i N
h
N i N j
j j x x d y y d k Ni N j d

Ni d Ni d
n
k h

Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The boundary terms will have to be considered only if the
element edge becomes a part of the boundary.
No need for any operation corresponding to the boundary
term due to Dirichlet boundary, since it will not be directly
used for solution. Some books do not even consider this term.
Considering the contribution from element 1, the element
edge 1-5 forms the part of boundary where the temperature is
specified (Dirichlet boundary), while 1-2 is a part of the
convective boundary.

Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Consider the shape functions for element 1:

N i ai bi x ci y , N j a j b j x c j y &
N k ak bk x ck y , where i 1, j 2 & k 5.
We get the shape function Ni:

x j yk xk y j

0.004 0.002
ai

1
e
6
2
2 4 10
y j yk
xk x j
bi
250 & ci
500
e
e
2
2
N i 1 250 x 500 y
Similarly we get the other shape functions:

N j 250 x & N k 500 y

Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Stiffness Matrix Components for element 1:
2

K ii1

N i
h
2
N i
d

N
i d
1 x
1 y

k ij

Area of
element 1

h
h
2
2
2
2
1
bi d ci d N i d bi ci N i d
k ij
k ij
1
1
2

Evaluation of the boundary term:

N
i

12

Ni

1
0.004
d Sij
0.00133,
3
3

where Sij is the length of side ij

i
Lecture - 02

(Ni)2
j

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Substituting the values:

h
2
K bi ci N i d
k ij
1
ii

2502 5002 4 106 20 0.00133 1.277

Right-side vector component:

h
fi

200 300 Sij

Ni d 10 2
ij

6000 0.002 12

Ni

i
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Second Stiffness Matrix component:
j
N i N
h
N i N j
1
K ij
d

Ni N j d

x x
y
y
k ij
1
1
h
bi b j ci c j d N i N j d
k ij
1
bi b j ci c j 1

h
Ni N j d

k ij

Evaluation of Boundary term:

1
0.004
Ni N j d 6 Sij 6 0.000667,
12

Ni

Ni Nj

Nj

where Sij is the length of side ij

i
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Substituting the values:

h
K bi b j ci c j N i N j d
k ij
1
ij

2502 4 106 20 0.000667 0.237

Third stiffness matrix component:
K ik1

N i N k
h
N i N
k
d

Ni N k d
1 x x
1 y y

k ij

bi bk ci ck

1
2
6
d

b
b

c
c

500

10
1

i k
i k

Lecture - 02

=0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:
2

2
N j
N
j
h
1
K jj
d
d N j d
x
k ij
1 y
1

h Sij
bj
2502 4 10 6 20 0.00133 0.277
k 3
2

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:

N j N k
N
j N k
h
K
d

N j Nk d 0

x x
k ij
1 y y
1

1
jk

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:

2

N k
h
2
N k
K
d Nk d
d
x
y
k ij
1
1
1
kk

ck 2 1 5002 4 106 1
Lecture - 02

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Right-side vector components:

h
f

1
j

200 300 Sij

N j d 10 2
ij

6000 0.002 12
h
f

1
k

N d 0
k

ij

Writing in the matrix form, the elemental system:

K 1

Lecture - 02

1.277 0.237 1
0.237 0.277 0
1
0
1

&

f 1

12

12

0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Assembly into the global system (Contribution
from element 1 only is calculated):
1.277 -0.237 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
-0.237 0.277 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

-1
0
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lecture - 03

&

12
12

0

0
0

0
f
0
0

0
0

0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Contribution from element 2:

N i ai bi x ci y , N j a j b j x c j y &
N k ak bk x ck y , where i 2, j 6 & k 5.
It is convenient to define the local coordinate system
Translate the coordinate system to coincide the origin with
node 2:

The nodal coordinates using the local coordinate system:

i 2 (0, 0), j 6 (0, 0.002) & k 5 (0.004, 0.002)
The shape functions:

N i 1 500 y, N j 250 x 500 y & N k 250 x

ai 1, bi 0 & ci 500
a j 0, b j 250 & c j 500
ak 0, bk 250 & ck 0
Lecture - 03

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Stiffness Matrix Components for element 2:
2

N i
N i
K
d
d

x
y
2
2
2
ii

bi 2 d ci 2 d bi 2 ci 2 2
2

Note: There is no boundary term, since the element 2 does not

share any convective boundary.
Substituting the values:

K ii2 bi 2 ci 2 2 02 5002 4 106 1

Lecture - 03

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Second Stiffness Matrix component:

N i
K

x
2

2
ij

N j
j
N i N

d
d

y
y
x
2

bi b j ci c j

d bi b j ci c j 2

0 500 500 4 106 1

Third stiffness matrix component:

N i N
k
N i N
k
K

d
x
x
y
y
2
2
2
ik

bi bk ci ck

d 0

Lecture - 03

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:
2

N j
N
j
K
d
d
x
2 y
2

2
jj

(b j 2 c j 2 ) 2 2502 5002 4 106 1.25

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:

N j
K

x
2

2
jk

N
j N k
N k

d

d
x
2 y y

b j bk c j ck 2 2502 4 106 0.25

Next Stiffness Matrix Component:

2

N k
N k
K
d
d

x
y
2
2
2
kk

bk 2 2 2502 4 106 0.25

Lecture - 03

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Right-side vector components are all zero, since there is no
convective boundary associated with element 2:
Writing in the matrix form, the elemental system:

K 2

Lecture - 03

1
0
1
1 1.25 0.25
0 0.25 0.25

&

f
2

0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Adding the contribution from element 2 to the
global stiffness matrix:
1.277 0.237
0.237 1.277

0
0

0
0

1
0

0
-1

K
0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0
Lecture - 03

0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
-1
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1.25 -0.25 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 -0.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The contributions from elements 3 & 5 will be same as

element 1:

K 3
K
5

1.277 0.237 1
0.237 0.277 0 ,
1
0
1

f 3 f 5

12

12
0

Contribution from 4 will be same as 2:

K 4
Lecture - 03

1
0
1
1 1.25 0.25
0 0.25 0.25

&

f
4

0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Considering the contributions from elements 1
to 5, the global stiffness matrix is:
0
0
1
0
0
0 0 0 0 0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 -0.237

0
0
-2
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
-0.237 2.554 -0.237
0
0
-2
0 0 0 0 0

0
0
-0.237
0.277
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
0
0
0
1.25 -0.25
0
0 0 0 0 0

0
-2
0
0
-0.25 2.50 -0.25 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
-2
0
0
-0.25 2.25 0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0
Lecture - 03

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The only difference between the elements 2
& 6 is due to the contribution from
convective boundary (side 6-8):
The elemental system, corresponding to element 6:

K 6

Lecture - 03

0
1.013 0.993
0.993 1.263 0.25

0
0.25 0.25

&

f 6

6
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Considering the contributions from elements 1
to 6, the global stiffness matrix is:
0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

Lecture - 03

0 0 0 0
0
0
2
0
0
0 0 0 0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0
0
2
0
0 0 0 0

0
0.237 1.29
0
0
0
-0.993 0 0 0 0
0
0
0
1.25 0.25
0
0
0 0 0 0

2
0
0
0.25 2.50 0.25
0
0 0 0 0
0
2
0
0
0.25 2.50 -0.25 0 0 0 0

0
0
-0.993
0
0
-0.25 1.263 0 0 0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The only difference between the elements 7,
9 & 11 and 1 is due to the absence of
contribution from convective boundary:
The elemental system, corresponding to element 7, 9 & 11:

K e

Lecture - 03

1.25 0.25 1
0.25 0.25 0
1
0
1

&

f
e

0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Adding the contributions from elements 7, 9 &
11, the global stiffness matrix is:
0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

Lecture - 03

0
0
0
2
0
0
0 0 0 0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0
0
2
0
0 0 0 0

0
0.237 1.29
0
0
0 0.993 0 0 0 0
0
0
0
2.50 -0.5 0
0
-1 0 0 0

2
0
0
-0.5 4.0 -0.5
0
0 -1 0 0
0
2
0
0
-0.5 4.0
-0.5
0 0 -1 0

0
0
0.993
0
0 -0.5 1.513 0 0 0 0
0
0
0
-1
0
0
0
1 0 0 0

0
0
0
0
-1
0
0
0 1 0 0

0
0
0
0
0
-1
0
0 0 1 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The difference between the elements 8 & 10
and 2 is due to the contribution from
convective boundary (side 9-10 & 10-11):
The elemental system, corresponding to element 8 & 10:

K e

Lecture - 03

1
0
1
1 1.277 0.237
0 0.237 0.277

&

f
e

0

12
12

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Considering the contributions from elements 111, the global stiffness matrix is:
0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

Lecture - 03

0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0

0
0.237 1.29
0
0
0
0.993
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.50 0.5
0
0
1
0
0
0

2
0
0
0.5 5.0 0.5
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0.5 5.0
0.5
0
0
2
0

0
0
0.993
0
0
0.5 1.513
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1.277 0.237
0
0

0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0.237 2.554 0.237 0

0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0.237 2.277 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The difference between the elements 12 and
10 is due to the contribution from
convective boundary (side 8-12):
The elemental system, corresponding to element 12:

K e

Lecture - 03

0
1.013 0.993
0.993 1.29
0.237

0
0.237 0.277

&

f
e

6

18
12

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

The complete global stiffness matrix is:
0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

0.237

2.554

0.237

0.237

1.29

0.993

0
1

2.50 0.5

0.5

5.0

0.5

0.5

5.0

0.5

0.993

0.5

2.526

0
0
0

0
0

0.993
0
1.277 0.237
0
0

0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0

0
0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0.993
0
0
0.237 1.29

Transpose of the Global Force Vector:

12
Lecture - 03

0
0

24 24 18 0 0 0 12 12 24 24 18

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Applying B.C.:
0
1.277 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

0.237

2.554

0.237

0.237

1.29

0.993

0
1

2.50 0.5

0.5

5.0

0.5

0.5

5.0

0.5

0.993

0.5

2.526

0
0
0

0
0

0.993
0
1.277 0.237
0
0

0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0

0
0
0.237 2.554 0.237
0.993
0
0
0.237 1.29

Transpose of the Global Force Vector:

12
Lecture - 04

0
0

24 24 18 0 0 0 12 12 24 24 18

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Deleting rows & columns:
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2.554 0.237
0.237 2.554 0.237

2
0
0
0
0

0
0.237 1.29
0
0
0.993
0
0
0

2
0
0
5.0

0.5
0

2
0
0

0
2
0
0.5 5.0
0.5
0
2
0

0
0

0.993
0

0.5
2.526
0
0

0.993

0
0
0
2
0
0
2.554 0.237
0

0
0
0
0
2
0
0.237 2.554 0.237

0
0
0
0
0
0.993
0
0.237 1.29

Modifying the Global Force Vector:

24 118.5
142.5
Lecture - 04

24 18 0 250 0 12 24 118.5 24 18

24 18 250 0 12 142.5 24 18

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Solving, we get the global displacement vector:
1

2
3

4
5

6

7
8

9

10
11

12
Lecture - 04

500
441.95
408.86

393.54
500

444.67

411.11

395.54

500

441.95

408.86

393.54

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Utilizing Symmetry to Reduce the Size of Problem:
We have the geometry and loading to be symmetric about the
axis A-A.

Hence, we only need to model one half (either above or below

of A-A), provided, the suitable B.C. are applied at nodes on
the axis A-A.
The B.C. to be applied is that there is no heat transfer across
the axis A-A (in y-direction) H.W..

k
0 at axis A-A
y
Lecture - 04

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

2D Heat Transfer Analysis contd.

Problems with Heat Generation:
If there is a uniform heat generation throughout the domain, a
minor modification is required in the formulation.
The only change will be for the right-side vector. The heat
generation should add a term of the form:

Q
Q1 e
e Ni k d k 3

This can be thought as if one-third of the heat generated in the

element is lumped at each node (Valid only for linear triangle)
H.W.
Cases of convection and temperature-dependent heat
generation can be similarly handled, with the only difference
that there will be a contribution towards the stiffness matrix in
addition to the change in right-side vector H.W.
Lecture - 04

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut

Concluding Remarks
By using the 2D Heat Transfer problem, we have introduced
the topic of FE analysis of a scalar field in 2D.
The Galerkin W.R. formulation is used, while the weak form
is obtained by using Greens Lemma (instead of integration
by parts in 1D).
As in case of 1D problems, the natural B.C. were introduced
at the time of formulating the W.R. statement, while the
essential B.C. were directly enforced in the global algebraic
system, just before the solution.
The methodology demonstrated in this example can be used in
case of any scalar field problems in 2D, while the extension to
vector field problems (e.g., elastic stress analysis) is
considered in the next chapter.
The method can be easily extended to problems in 3D
domains, by choosing proper elements & shape functions.
Lecture - 04