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    L00 CAE Glossary

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    Manuel Rocha Díaz

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    L00 CAE Glossary

    Uploaded by

    Manuel Rocha Díaz
    11 views2 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    11 views2 pages

    L00 CAE Glossary

    Uploaded by

    Manuel Rocha Díaz

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    TERMINOLOGY

    The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique to find


    Finite Element approximate solutions of partial differential equations. It was originated from
    Method (FEM) the need of solving complex elasticity and structural analysis problems in Civil,
    Mechanical and Aerospace engineering.
    Any continuum/domain can be divided into a number of pieces with very
    Finite
    small dimensions. These small pieces of finite dimension are called Finite
    Elements
    Elements.
    Field The field variables, displacements (strains) & stresses or stress resultants must
    Conditions satisfy the governing condition which can be mathematically expressed.
    A set of independent functions satisfying the boundary conditions is chosen
    Functional
    and a linear combination of a finite number of them is taken to approximately
    Approximation
    specify the field variable at any point.
    A structure can have infinite number of displacements. Approximation with a
    Degrees reasonable level of accuracy can be achieved by assuming a limited number of
    of Freedom displacements. This finite number of displacements is the number of degrees
    of freedom of the structure.
    The formulation for structural analysis is generally based on the three
    Numerical
    fundamental relations: equilibrium, constitutive and compatibility. There are
    Methods
    two major approaches to the analysis: Analytical and Numerical.
    Analytical approach which leads to closed-form solutions is effective in case of
    simple geometry, boundary conditions, loadings and material properties.
    Analytical
    However, in reality, such simple cases may not arise. As a result, various
    approach
    numerical methods are evolved for solving such problems which are complex
    in nature.
    For numerical approach, the solutions will be approximate when any of these
    Numerical relations are only approximately satisfied. The numerical method depends
    approach heavily on the processing power of computers and is more applicable to
    structures of arbitrary size and complexity.
    The application of finite difference method for engineering problems involves
    Finite
    replacing the governing differential equations and the boundary condition by
    Difference
    suitable algebraic equations.
    Method
    Nodes The elements are connected through number of joints which are called Nodes.
    Discretization is the process of transferring continuous functions, models,
    variables, and equations into discrete counterparts. This process is usually
    Discretization
    carried out as a first step toward making them suitable for numerical
    evaluation.
    The FEM has been developed to solve problems of continuum mechanics. The
    continuum will subdivided into finite elements (continuum elements), which
    Continuum
    can be described with a finite number of parameters. Approach functions are
    be defined within these elements.
    The displacement at any point of a deformable body may be expressed by the
    components of u, v and w parallel to the Cartesian coordinate’s axes. The
    Strain- components of the displacements can be described as functions of x, y and z.
    Displacement Displacements basically the change of position during deformation. If point P
    (x,y,z) is displaced to P’ (x’,y’,z’), then the displacement along X, Y and Z
    direction.
    Discretization
    The continuum is divided into a number of elements by imaginary lines or
    of the
    surfaces. The interconnected elements may have different sizes and shapes.
    continuum
    After continuum is discretized with desired element shapes, the individual
    element stiffness matrix is formulated. Basically it is a minimization procedure
    Element
    whatever may be the approach adopted. For certain elements, the form
    stiffness
    involves a great deal of sophistication. The geometry of the element is defined
    matrix
    in reference to the global frame. Coordinate transformation must be done for
    elements where it is necessary.

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