Chapter 1
Brief introduction to
Finite Element Method
( 有限元素法 )
1
Teaching contents
Analysis methods for mechanics problems
History of FEM Development
FEM Analysis for engineering problems
General concept of FEM
FEM procedure
Two examples
2
Analysis methods
for mechanics problems
Force method
(1) Express forces as unknowns
(2) Satisfy equilibrium equations
(3) Meet compatibility conditions
(4) Solve the unknown forces
Displacement
FEM
method
(1) Express displacements as unknowns
(2) Meet compatibility conditions
(3) Satisfy equilibrium equations
(4) Solve the unknown displacements 3
History of FEM Development
Lord Rayleigh (1870) and Ritz (1909) 使用 Trial
functions ，並應用虛功原理求得一邊界值問題的近似
解。
Galerkin (1915) 利用餘數加權法 (Method of
Weighted Residuals) 求得一邊界值問題的近似解。
R. Courant (1943) 為提出有限元素法概念的第一人，
他在 1940 年以分段的多項式內差法 (piecewise
polynomial interpolation) 求解一個扭轉問題。
R. W. Clough (1960) 年首先使用 Finite Element 這個
名詞。
馮康 (1964) 中國第一次提出有限元素法並奠定其數學
理論基礎。
4
History of FEM Development
Born: January 8, 1888
Died: January 27, 1972 (aged 84)
Nationality: German American
Fields: Mathematics
Institution:
University of Cambridge
R. Courant 5
History of FEM Development
Born: July 23, 1920
Nationality: American
Fields: Structural Engineering
Institution:
Department of Civil Engineering,
University of California,
Berkeley
Ray William Clough
6
History of FEM Development
Born: September 9, 1920
Died: August 17, 1993 (aged 74)
Nationality: China
Fields: Mathematics
Institution:
Tsinghua University
馮康 7
FEM Analysis
for engineering problems
Identify the physical problems
(rod, truss, beam, frame, plate, shell, plain stress,
plane strain, 3D solid)
(static or dynamic, linear or nonlinear, small or large
deformation)
(heat transfer, thermal stress, etc)
Establish the mathematic model
Discretize the physical domain
Design the algorithm
8
General concept of FEM
Represent the physical domain with many but finite
elements
(Each element consists of several nodal points)
Select nodal displacements (rotations) as unknowns
(Displacement field can be described in terms of
nodal displacements (rotations) via shape function )
Determine the global stiffness matrix
(By equations of equilibrium or energy method)
Solve the nodal displacements
Calculate the stress field
9
General concept of FEM
10
FEM procedure
Pre-processing ( 前處理 )
Solution (Finite Element Analysis)
( 運算求解 )
Post-processing ( 後處理 )
11
A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 5 th Edition Daryl L. Logan
12
© 2012 Cengage Learning Engineering. All Rights Reserved.
A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 5 th Edition Daryl L. Logan
© 2012 Cengage Learning 13
Engineering. All Rights Reserved.
A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 5 th Edition Daryl L. Logan
© 2012 Cengage Learning 14
Engineering. All Rights Reserved.
A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 5 th Edition Daryl L. Logan
© 2012 Cengage Learning 15
Engineering. All Rights Reserved.
Two examples
• Collapse mechanism of the WTC towers
• Linking of DEM with FEA
16
Collapse mechanism of the WTC towers
美國世貿中心倒塌機制的研究
17
WTC tower collapse movie
Finite element model:
(1) Reasonable fire scenarios
(2) Temperature-dependent mechanical properties
(3) Non-linear geometry (large deformation)
18
“How did the WTC towers collapse? A new theory” Fire Safety Journal 38, 501-
533, 2003. (Citation number = 88) 19
Linking of DEM with FEA for analysing
structures in contact with particulate solid
結合離散元素法與有限元素法之理論模式
20
Discrete element method I
( 離散元素法 )
• Granular assembly can flow and exhibit discrete nature
→ not a whole solid → FEM is not suitable.
• Every individual particle is a solid → not fluid
→ CFD is also not suitable.
• Discrete element method (DEM) is a suitable
computational method for modeling a granular assembly. 21
Discrete element method II
( 離散元素法 )
DEM was introduced in 1971 by Cundall
Cundall, P.A., Strack, O.D.L.,
“Discrete numerical model for granular assemblies,”
Geotechnique 29, 47-65, 1979.
(citation number = 7000)
Features: (c.f. continuum theory)
( 顆粒力學與連體力學之比較 )
• Interactions between particles are computed
contact by contact
• Motion of the particles is modelled particle
by particle
• Newton's equations of motion effectively In 1st International
replace the equilibrium equations PFC Symposium 2002
22
Discrete element method III
( 離散元素法 )
Features:
• Inter-particle contact model replaces the
constitutive law
• No need for control tests to establish
constitutive models
• Inter-particle and particle-wall interaction laws
• Particle shape, size distribution, 2D & 3D
• Needs extensive computer resource
23
Steel bead confined compression
(DEM)
X-Z plane contact force chain Y-Z plane contact force chain
24
FEA Mises stress distribution
of the cylindrical shell
Top force = 0 N Top force = 2013 N
Top force = 1018 N Top force = 3034 N 25
The End
Thank you for your attention ！
26