5.

25

5.2.11 Basic Steps in FEA Process

Discretization

Numbering of nodes
Preprocessing
and elements

Selection of displacement
function

Define the material behaviour

Derivation of element
Stiffness matrix and equations

Assemble the element equations Analysis

Apply boundary conditions

Solution of unknown displacements

Computation of the element stresses

and strains

Interpret the results Post Processing

Fig. 5.14 FEA Process steps

Step-1: Discretization of structure
The art of subdividing a structure into a convenient number of smaller
elements is known as discretization, Smaller elements are classified as follows
 5.26

One dimensional elements " Two

dimensional elements
Three dimensional elements "Axis symmetric
elements
Step-2: Numbering of nodes and Elements
The nodes and elements should be numbered after
discretization
process. The numbering process is most important since it decides the size of
the stiffness matrix and it leads the reduction of memory
requirement while
numbering the nodes, the following condition should be satisfied.
Maximum Node Number - Minimum Node Number = Difference
Step-3: Selection of a Displacement Function or Interpolation Function
It involves choosing a displacement function within each element. It will
be Polynomial of linear, quadratic and cubic form within finite element
formulation

Step-4: Define the Material Behavior by using strain displacement and

stress-strain relationships
Strain-Displacement and stress-strain relationships are necessary for
deriving the equations for each finite element.
Step-5: Derivation of element stiffness matrix and equations
The finite element equation is in matrix form as
KË1 K12 K13 " Kim
F2 K12 K22 K23 " K2m
F3 K13 K22 K33

L K,1 Kn2 K.n3

In compact matrix form as, {F} = (K°} (u)

Where, e= element, {F = vector of element nodal forces, {K'} =
element stiffness matrix, {u} = element displacement vector.
This equation can be derived by any one of the following methods.
 5.27

1. Direct Equilibrium Method.

2. Variational Method. 3. Weighted Residual Method.
Step-6: Assemble the element equations to obtain the global (or) total
equations
The individual element equations obtained in step 5 are add togethet by
using a method of superposition i.e., direction stiffness method. The final
global equation is
{F} = (K] (u} (A)
(Where (K] -Global stiffness matrix, [ul- Global displacement vector)
Step-7: Applying boundary conditions
From equation (A) we know that, global stiffness matrix is a singular
matrix because its determinant is equal to zero. It order to remove this
singularity problem, certain boundary conditions are applied so that the
structure remains in place instead of moving as a rigid body.
Step-8: Solution for the unknown displacements
The finite element equation in step 6 can be solved and unknown
displacements (u} are calculated by using Gaussian elimination method.
Step-9: Computation of the element strains and stresses from the nodal
displacement
In structural stress Analysis problem, stress and strains are important
factors. From the solution of displacement vector {ul, stress and strain value
can be calculated.
Step-10: Interpret the results (postt processing)
Analysis and evalation of the solution results in referred to as post
processing. Post processor computer programs help the user to interpret ue
results by displaying them in graphical form.
5.2.11 Basic Steps
S in FEA Process
Step-l: 6CC60) D0S)O UUGm6S6 W6) (Discretization of structure)
6)U Efwr0T 6T 600T 600f 6) 6U
)60T Discretization 6T6oT M) ))9` GUrO. fpw
U6oT 6J G0n 6J60) 6ÜoG5ÜU6oT 6oT.
o, a 0 s i(T) [NI
 5.27

One dimensional elements " Two dimensional elements

C

Three dimensional elements " Axis symmetric elements

Discretization

Preprocessing
Numbering of nodes
and elements

Selection of displacement
function

Define the material behaviour

Derivation of element
Stiffness matrix and equations

Assemble the element equations Analysis

Apply boundary conditions

Solution of unknown displacements

Computation of the element stresses

and strains

Interpret the results Post Processing

Fig. 5.14 FEA Process steps

 Step-2:
5.28
and Elements)

O4w6)p609) DG wSg)NÒ 6)OMs0S). J6)6oT Gßt gn6ù

6T 606T 66of 60)

56ß epBw
stiffness matrix-st
Maximum Node Number -
Minimum Node Number =
Step-3: Displacement function Difference
oo interpolation
(Selection of a Displacement Function or functíon-)w G5 6) 505ç
Interpolation Function)
polynominal of linear, quadratic and cubic JgQl6) 6
66NrU.
Step-4: Strain displacement oomo GO0
G60T 68) D60) ) 6)5nLj)U UwaT
6J68) Wm G6æ (Define the Material
g U 6)urG st
displacement and stress-strain relationships) Behavior by using strain
Q6U6)6nG on ySn o G06oT UsQ6)ar stress-strain o) mò strain
displacement
Step-5: R6)O stiffness matrix
N6)G WMGÜ (Derivation of element stiffness matrix and
equations)
The finite element equation is in matrix form as
[F1 K11 K12 K13 " K1m
F2 KË2 K22 Kz3
F3 KË3 Kg2 K33 "" K3m

Knl Kn2 Kn " " Knm Un

In compact matrix form as, {F°} = {K} {u!

(K} = element
Where, e= element, {F} = vector of element nodal forces,
stiffness matrix, {u} = element displacement vector.
the following methods.
1s equation can be derived by anyone of (N]
JSP (9.)668T gooÜ Joag 6t6T6U6)ostLsi (T)
 5.29

1. Direct Equilibrium Method.

2. Variational Method. 3. Weighted Residual Method.
Step-6: pi)r6
s080cL (Global equation) 6)oMGÜ (Assemble the element6)ung)rar
to obtain theglobal (or) total equations) equations
Step 5 6)UmnULL GOrGOr n Gn' 06OT
osSOA direction stiffness method vwoT U0 UNG56)M super position (pgm6)u
6)ung)r6N (Global (or) final)
IF} = [K]{u)
----- A)
(Where [K] Global stiffness matrix, [u) - Global
displacement vector)
Step-7: n)sor o boundary )UrGG)T Usg@50 (Applying boundary
conditions)

determinant 4 wiòG G0U. 6T60r G G06T UNL 65) fi£6 GG6)vwrar

boundary condition-s6)m Ugsw Govo Qù.
Step-8: 6)6fwsG LÚ6) uw! PW )m 66d 56 (Solution for the unknown
displacements)
)9fwng 6)um Gaussian elimination
uwatuisÜUb6ws.
Step-9: pi)nG Gn)Gr 6t stress, strain wfüys)6T nodal
displacement-aP6 S
6 68 L 6ù (Computation of the element strains and stresses from the
nodal displacement)
GLL69wæl stress uGÜUsÜal6), stress wmpo strain wÜUsTS £swi.
Gn sor 6i 6)ungG)UN6N G06TUGLa656) stress, strain value s6r ` LnUfms.

Ume)(lnterpret the results (post processing))

UGUUNÜPs Si6n6 wgiUGs6Ü post processing 6)swN OMwsGÜ. Post
processor &600f 6of program oQuò UsæUfwel6a i6) 6lor d6ÜULÚ (Graphical

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