IntroductiontoFiniteElementMethod.pptVIP

Introduction to Finite Element Method Mathematic Model Finite Element Method Historical Background Analytical Process of FEM Applications of FEM Computer Programs for FEM 1. Mathematical Model * * Physical Problems Mathematical Model Solution Identify control variables Assumptions (empirical law) (1) Modeling (2) Types of solution ◎ ◎ Approx. Sol. ◎ ◎ Exact Sol. Approx. Eq. Exact Eq. Eq. Sol. (3) Methods of Solution (3) Method of Solution Classical methods They offer a high degree of insight, but the problems are difficult or impossible to solve for anything but simple geometries and loadings. B. Numerical methods (I) Energy: Minimize an expression for the potential energy of the structure over the whole domain. (II) Boundary element: Approximates functions satisfying the governing differential equations not the boundary conditions. (III) Finite difference: Replaces governing differential equations and boundary conditions with algebraic finite difference equations. (IV) Finite element: Approximates the behavior of an irregular, continuous structure under general loadings and constraints with an assembly of discrete elements. 2. Finite Element Method (1) Definition FEM is a numerical method for solving a system of governing equations over the domain of a continuous physical system, which is discretized into simple geometric shapes called finite element. Continuous system Time-independent PDE Time-dependent PDE Discrete system Linear algebraic eq. ODE (2) Discretization Modeling a body by dividing it into an equivalent system of finite elements interconnected at a finite number of points on each element called nodes. 3. Historical Background Chronicle of Finite Element Method Year Scholar Theory 1941 Hrennikoff Presented a solution of elasticity problem using one-dimensional elements. 1943 McHenry Same as above. 1943 Courant Introduced shape functions over triangular subregions to model the whole region. 1947 Levy Developed