03-06-2014, 04:20 PM
Finite Elements –
A
practical introduction
1370417996-nmgiifemintro.pdf (Size: 1.57 MB / Downloads: 209)
Finite elements
A general discretization
procedure of continuum
problems posed by
mathematically defined
statement
Finite Elements –
t
he concept
Basic principle: building a complicated obj
e
ct
with simple blocks (e
.g. LEGO) or divide a
complicated object into manageable small
pieces.
How to proceed in FEM analysis:
• Divide stucture into pieces
• D
escrib
e b
e
haviour of the physical quantities
in each element
• C
onnect (assemble) the elem
ents at the nod
e
s
to form an approximate system of equations
for the whole structure
• S
olve
the system of equations involving unknown
quantities at the nod
e
s (e.g. displacements)
• C
alculate desired quantities (e.g. strains and
stresses) at selected elements
FEM allows discretization
of bodies with
arbitrary
shape. Originally designed for problems in static
elasticity.
FEM is the most widely applied computer simulation
method in engineering.
The require
d
grid generation techniques are
interfaced with graphical techniques (CAD).
Today numerous commercial FEM software is
available (e.g.