Introduction to Finite

Element Analysis for

Structure
Design
Dr. A. Sherif El-Gizawy

Elasticity Principles
F : Applied Force & A : Area
l : Initial Length

l
A

Stress = = F/ A
dl
dl= displacement (deformation)
Strain = = dl/l

Stress-Strain Relation
(Hookes Law)
Elastic Deformation Zone

Modulus of Elasticity =

E = /
= E * x

in the x-direction

= /E

Plastic Work (Deformation Energy)

Plastic Work/ Unit Volume = dW = F x dl/Volume
=F x dl/ (A x l) = x

dW = x

3D Stress-Strain Relationship
x = 1/E*(( x- ( y + z))
Where
x : normal strain along x direction
: Poisson Ration
Shear Strain, xy = xy / G

: Shear Stress
G : Shear Modulus of Elasticity
xy

Effective Stress (Von-Mises)

= 1 ((x- y)2 + (y- z)2 + (z- x)2)1/2
2

when reaches a certain value (yield stress),

the applied stress state will cause yielding

Effective Strain

=(

2 2
(x +
3

y2+ z2))1/2

FEM Solution for Structural Design

= E X (Hookes Law)
F = A X(E X ) = A X E ( l /l)

F = (A X E/l) X l
This is an analogy to spring
Force with

A x E/l = Element Stiffness

= Keq

F = Keq

F
F = Keq

Fsp = K x l

 Element Stiffness = A x E/l = K

eq

The Applied force F is given.

Deformation (deflection or displacement)
l = F / Keq

= Strain = l /l (calculated)
= Stress = E x

Introduction to the Finite Element Method

Typically, for the structural stress analysis, it is required to

determine the stresses and deformation (strains) throughout

the structure which is in equilibrium and is subjected to
applied loads.

The finite element method involves modeling of the

structure using small units (finite elements).

A displacement function is associated with each finite

element. The followings are the steps used in finite element

method. This will be followed by illustration of the
application of these steps on springs and plane stress
cases.

Developing a Model for Finite Element Analysis

The problem to be solved is specified in a) the physical

domain and b) the discretized domain used by FEA

Line Element

Two-dimensional Elements

Three-dimensional Elements

Axisymmmetric Element

Step 1. Discretize and Select Element Types

Divide the structure into an equivalent system of finite
elements with associated nodes.
The simplest line elements, Fig.1.a has two nodes, one at each
end.
The basic two-dimensional elements, Fig. 1.b are loaded by
forces in their own plane (plane stress). They are triangular or
quadrilateral elements.
The common three dimensional elements, Fig.1.c, are
tetrahedral and hexahedral (brick) elements. They are used to
perform three dimensional stress analysis in 3-D solid bodies.

Developing a Model for Finite Element Analysis

Overall steps in FEA software

Step 2. Select a Displacement Function

Choose a displacement function within each element
using the nodal values of the element. Linear,
quadratic, and polynomials are frequently used
functions.

Step 3. Define the Stress/Strain

Relationships

= dl/l
= E

Step 4. Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations

The stiffness matrix and element equations relating nodal
forces and displacements are obtained using force equilibrium
conditions or the principle of minimum potential energy.
Step 5. Assemble the Element Equations to obtain the Global
Equations
Step 6. Solve for the Unknown Displacements
Step 7. Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
Step 8. Interpret the Results
The final goal is to interpret and analyze the results for use in
the design process.

Von Mises stress in

model of thin plate
under tension using 1st
order elements

A disaster waiting to
happen using first order
elements

Approximation of stress function in a model

A mesh of solid
tetrahedral (4 nodes) helements

A mesh of tetrahedral pelements produced by

MECHANICA

Two common convergence measures using p-elements

Finite Element Analysis

by Pro- Mechanica

Steps in FEA using Pro-Mechanica

Step 1: Draw part in Pro-Engineer
Step 2: Start Pro-Mechanica
Step 3: Choose the Model Type
Step 4: Apply the constraints
Step 5: Apply the loads
Step 6: Assign the material
Step 7: Run the Analysis
Step 8: View the results by post-processing

Step 1: Creation of the part

Use Protrusion by Sweep to create this
part (bar.prt)

Step 2: Starting Pro-Mechanica

In Pro-Engineer window, go to
Applications Mechanica to start ProMechanica.
The part (bar.prt) will be loaded in ProMechanica with a new set of icons for
Structural, thermal Analysis

Step 3: Choosing the model type

In Mechanica menu, select
Structure Model Model Type
Four different models can be created:

3D Model
Plane Stress
Plane Strain
2D Axisymmetric

We will select 3D Model

Step 4: Applying the Constraints

Create a new constraint by
Model Constraints New Surface
Give a name for the constraints
(fixed_face) and select the surface to be
constrained
Specify the constraints (in our case will be
fixed for all degrees of freedom)
Preview and press Ok

Step 5: Applying the loads

Similar to Constraints, create a new load

by Model Load New Surface

Give a name for the applied load
(endload)
Select the surface where the load will be
applied
Specify the loads (Fx:500, Fy:-250, Fz:0)
Preview and press Ok

Step 6: Assigning the material

Model Materials
A window will pop up with the list of ProMechanica materials. Add the required
material and then assign the material to
the part.
Click on Edit if any change in material
properties are to be made.
Press Ok

Modeled part with constraints and

loads

Step 7: Running the Analysis

In Mechanica menu, select Analysis
Select File New Static in Analysis and Design

Studies dialog box and give a name for the

analysis (bar).
The constraints and loads are automatically
loaded.
In Convergence tab, select Quick Check to check
for errors and then select Multi-pass adaptive for
the reliable and accurate results. Change the
order of the polynomial and percentage of
convergence as required.
Finally, click on Run icon to start the analysis
(click on Display Study Status to view the current
status and completion of the analysis)

Step 8: Viewing the results

For post-processing, select Results from Pro-

Mechanica window
A new window will open, and click on Insert a
New Definition icon. In the dialog box, select the
folder where the analysis is saved.
Select Fringe as Display type, Stress as
Quantity and von-mises as the stress
component to display
Similarly, other quantities can be displayed in
one window.

Post-processing Results