ME 478 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Chapter 1. Introduction
This course consists of three parts
1. Finite element formulation
2. Discretization techniques
3. Computer implementation of FEM
Where the course fits
The field of mechanics is divided into three parts
Theoretical
Applied
Computational
Computational mechanics can be distinguished according to the
physical focus of attention
Particle
Micromechanics
Solids and structure
Fluids
Coupled systems
Computational Solid and Structural Mechanics (CSM)
Linear
Statics
Nonlinear
CSM
Dynamics
1.1
For the numerical simulation on the computer we must now choose
a spatial discretization method:
Finite Element Method
Finite Difference Method
Boundary Element Method
CSM Linear Statics
Finite Volume Method
Spectral Methods
Mesh-Free Methods
CSM Linear Statics by FEM
Having selected the FEM for discretization, we must next pick
a formulation and a solution method:
Displacement
Equilibrium
Formulation of FEM Model
Mixed
Hybrid
Stiffness
Solution of FEM Model Flexibility
Mixed
1.2
Summary: This Course Covers
Computational Structural mechanics
Linear statics problems
Spatially discretized by displacement-formulation FEM
Solved by stiffness method
Role of FEM
Idealization Discretization Solution
Physical athematica Discrete Discrete
System Model Model Solution
Solution Error
Discretization +Solution Error
Modeling + Discretization +Solution Error
1.3
The Idealization Process
Physical Model
Idealization
Matematical Model
1.4
EXAMPLES
ALUMINUM/EPOXY BIMATERIAL SPECIMEN IN BENDING
1.5
RIGID PUNCH ON AN ELASTO-PLASTIC SUBSTRATE
THERMAL INDUCED DEFORMATION OF A MICRO MIRROR
1.6
SINGLE CRYSTAL SILICON PLATE WITH SQUARE HOLE
LOADED IN TENSION
1.7
CRACK PROPAGATION OF A PMMA T-STRUCTURE SPECIMEN
LOADED IN TENSION
CRACK KINKING AND PROPAGATION IN A SILICON/GLASS
MICRO ACCELEROMETER PACKAGE
1.8
WHAT NOT TO DO
1.9