1

9.10. A posteriori error estimate

For mesh refinement, it is important to take advantage of information contained in results to estimate errors Unlike order-of-convergence error, this gives a posteriori estimate that depends on the loading, material properties, etc. Jumps at nodes or from one element to next furnish crude estimates. Ideally want to quantify error in each element, so as to decide on which elements need subdividing Here we will describe one of many a posteriori estimates

R.T. Haftka

EML5526 Finite Element Analysis

University of Florida

ZZ error estimate
Due to Zienkiewicz and Zhu (1987) Calculate strain energy in a region
U
2

{ }i [ E ]{ }i d V
T i =1

Calculate global energy norm as difference with smoothened strains

e
2

({ } { } ) [E ]({ } { } )dV
m * T * i =1 i i i i

Can write in terms of stresses m

U
e
2

{ }i [E ]1 { }i dV
T i =1
T * i i

({ } { } ) [E ] ({ } { } )dV
m 1 * i =1 i i

R.T. Haftka

EML5526 Finite Element Analysis

University of Florida

Relative error
Alternatively can use L2 norm m T 2 U L = { } { }i dV i
2

e L =
2
2

i =1

({ } { } ) ({ } { } )dV
* T * i i i i
2 e

i =1

Or even Von-Mises stresses

u
2 L2

= dV
i =1

&

2 L2

= e dV
i =1 * e 2

Need to estimate exact energy

= U e
2 2 2

+ e

1/ 2

Instead denominator can be energy based on An acceptable value of ratio is 0.05

R.T. Haftka EML5526 Finite Element Analysis

University of Florida

9.11 Adaptive meshing

Allowable error budget for single element (of m)
In a single element : e all U 2+ e 2 = all m
2 *
1/ 2

Ratio of actual to budget

i =

ei e all

where e i =

({ } { } ) [E] ({ } { } )dV
T 1 * i i i i

Possible revision equation = 1 / p not adjacent to a singularity (hi )old (hi )new = where = 1 / adjacent to a singularity i p is degree of highest complete polynomial, strength of singularity (0.5 for plane crack)

R.T. Haftka

EML5526 Finite Element Analysis

University of Florida

Example
.

R.T. Haftka

EML5526 Finite Element Analysis

University of Florida

Problem 9.10-2
A straight uniform bar extends from x=0 to x=4. For each of the following FE meshes, linear (two node) bar elements are used. Axial displacement ui at nodes lie on the curve u=2x-0.1x3. Determine the exact energy norm, then from the FE model determine U , e , U 2 + e 2 , and . For simplicity, assume that A and E are both unity, and determine the smoothed gradient field from nodal averages (as in Fig. 9.9-2a). 1. Use two elements, each of length 2. 2. Use four elements, each of length 1. 3. What convergence rate of the axial stress is suggested by the change in ||e|| form part1 to part 2?
R.T. Haftka EML5526 Finite Element Analysis University of Florida