EGME 541: FINITE ELEMENT

METHOD FOR MECHANICAL

ENGINEERS
LECTURE 1
Spring 2024
Prof. Justin Tran
 Instructor: Prof. Justin Tran
■ Office: E-220

■ E-mail: [email protected]

■ Grew up in Cypress, CA

■ B.S. from UCLA, M.S. from UCSD, and Ph.D. from Stanford University, all in Mechanical
Engineering

■ Research interests: applications of engineering tools for studying heart and blood disease, STEM
education
Class Learning Objectives

■ Describe the use and utility of finite element analysis in engineering work

■ Describe the steps of the finite element process

■ Prepare for the semester by understanding course expectations and policies

What is Finite Element Analysis (FEA),
and why is it important?
■ Finite Element Analysis is a numerical technique for solving differential equations on
arbitrary geometries
– Leverages computers to perform arithmetic and algebraic calculations at speeds
that far exceed human capabilities
– Allows engineers to predict how a physical system will react when subjected to
external effects from loads and the environment

■ Allows design and analysis of engineering systems with geometries, loading, and
boundary conditions that are too complicated to perform with hand calculations
– Most practical engineering systems of interest fall into this category!
Types of Analysis

1. Analytical – “Pen and paper” calculations that involve solving the governing equations, usually with
vastly simplified geometries and conditions. These are the kinds of calculations you did in previous
classes!
– Fast and inexpensive, but limited to simple problems

2. Experimental – Best way to get data is to try it out! Run an experiment or test and collect data. This is the
best way to get concrete evidence on how a physical system will respond
– Best data and can handle complex situations, but costly and time-consuming

3. Computational – Similar to analytical, in that the governing differential equations are solved. But
computers are used to perform calculations, which can far surpass human capabilities
– Can handle complex situations inexpensively but can be tricky to setup properly!
Example: Beam Analysis

Image: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Simply-supported-beam-subjected-to-uniformly-distributed-load_fig2_262004372
 Example: Beam Analysis

Image: https://sites.google.com/site/compsolidstructmechlab/ResearchProjects/ProgressiveCollapseModeling?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint
%2F&showPrintDialog=1
Example: Heat Transfer

Image: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Heat-transfer-through-a-plane-wall_fig6_275953412
Example: Heat Transfer

Image: https://www.comsol.com/multiphysics/fea-software
Example: Pipe Flow

Image: http://zeus.plmsc.psu.edu/~manias/MatSE447/04_FlowInVariedGeometries.pdf
Example: Pipe Flow

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cgcPHgV38w
Examples?

■ Brainstorm!
Finite Element Process: Discretize
■ It is difficult, even for a computer, to solve
differential equations on complex
geometries. First step is to discretize the
geometry or break it up into lots of simpler
shapes.
– This step is often called meshing
– Each individual shape is called an
element
Finite Element Process: Assume
functional representation
■ In order to get a solution to the governing
equation, we have to assume how our
solution will vary across an element
– Most commonly: linear function or
quadratic function
– These functions are often called
shape functions
Finite Element Process: Assemble

■ Next step is to assemble the global system, which is a very large system of linear equations.
FEA transforms a differential equation on a complex domain into a large system of linear
equations.
– Computers are really good at solving systems of linear equations.
Finite Element Process: Apply boundary
conditions
■ The global system from the previous slide
represents the physics of the governing equations.
It needs to be modified with boundary conditions.
– Boundary conditions are things like
constraints (i.e. fixed supports) or loads (i.e.
external force or pressure on the system)
– Boundary conditions will mostly affect the
right-hand side vector, but also will affect the
left-hand side matrix
Finite Element Process: Solve

■ Now that boundary conditions have been applied, we can solve the linear system. This
part is done by the computer since it involves many calculations that would take
humans a long time to perform

−1
𝑥=𝐾 𝑏
Finite Element Process: Postprocessing

■ Once the solution is obtained, it is time to analyze the results. Commercial softwares
will produce color contour plots of key variables. But sometimes this step requires you
to write your own code to process the results
FEA is just a tool!

■ While certainly powerful, FEA is no better than any other tool an engineer might use

■ A saw is great for cutting wood, but it cannot manufacture a chair on its own
■ A calculator is great for performing calculations, but it cannot do your test for you!

■ Like any tool, FEA must be used properly to get the most out of it. FEA is useless if the operator is
untrained.
– “Garbage in, garbage out!”

■ FEA solutions are only approximations (remember that we had to assume a functional form). They are
NOT exact. They can be really close to exact, but they never will be exact.
Course Overview

Finite Element
Course Direct Stiffness Solutions to Practical FEA
Introduction Method Differential Considerations
Equations
 ANSYS

MATLAB
Verification and
Validation

Finite Element
Course Direct Stiffness Solutions to Practical FEA
Introduction Method Differential Considerations
Equations
Mesh
MATLAB Trusses Frames Convergence
Review
Strong & Weak Finite Element
Shell and Beam
Beams Forms Forms
Elements

2D Finite
Elements
Why learn the background knowledge?
■ Finite element simulations, while powerful, are just one of many tools available to
engineers for performing their work
– It has limitations and best practices that need to be properly understood before it
can be used effectively

■ It is not going to “work” all the time!

– Understanding the fundamentals behind the technology will help debug problems
and interpret the reliability of results

■ It is our responsibility as experts to understand and be honest with our tools

Why learn the background knowledge?
■ Example: Veterinarian

■ Need to know “procedural” skills:

– Giving shots to animals
– Taking blood sample
– Performing eye and ear checks

■ Also need “conceptual” knowledge:

– Why/when to give animals shots
– Why an animal is sick, and what to do
– Interpreting animal behavior
EGME 541 Focuses on Theory!

■ In this class, we focus on the theory and implementation of finite element codes, not in
the practical application with ANSYS
■ We use a little bit of ANSYS just for context, but the majority of the focus is on the
theory and coding behind finite elements
– We will be writing finite element code from scratch! Final project will have you
writing a code to solve a 2D heat transfer problem in finite elements
■ Practical application of ANSYS and its various tools taught in EGME 540
Syllabus
Office Hours

■ Office Location: E-220 and Zoom (check Canvas for Zoom links)

■ Mondays 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. (Zoom only)

■ Tuesdays 2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
■ Thursdays 2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.

■ Office hours are for discussing points of confusion about course content, homework
questions, exam questions. Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself!
Course Learning Objectives

■ Learning objectives describe what skills students will be able to demonstrate through mastery
of course material
■ We will have daily learning objectives that organize class sessions
■ Also have course level learning objectives we will always be working towards:
1. Describe how and why finite element simulations can be used in practical engineering
situations.
2. Formulate and solve simple finite element problems involving trusses, beams, and frames.
3. Formulate general differential equation problems into a finite element framework and
solve for their discrete solutions.
4. Analyze complex engineering problems using commercial finite element software.
5. Assess the accuracy and reliability of finite element solutions and troubleshoot problems
arising from errors in finite element analyses.
Homeworks and Exams
■ There will be seven (7) assignments, two (2) midterm exams, and one (1) final project

■ Lowest homework grade will be dropped, but please do them all!

■ Midterms will NOT be cumulative, but final project will require knowledge gained from
whole course

■ No make-ups planned for exams, please talk to me as soon as possible if you cannot
make it to these exam dates:
– Midterm 1: Tuesday, March 12th
– Midterm 2: Thursday, April 25th
– Final Report (due): Monday, May 20th by 11:59 P.M.
Course grades

■ Course grade breakdown:

– Homework: 10%
– Midterm (Higher): 30%
– Midterm (Lower): 20%
– Final Project: 40%
■ Last homework will be a small project and will count double the normal points

■ Final letter grade

■ 97% - 100%: A+ 93% - 96%: A 90% - 92%: A-
■ 87% - 89%: B+ 83% - 86%: B 80% - 82%: B-
■ 77% - 79%: C+ 73% - 76%: C 70% - 72%: C-
■ 67% - 69%: D+ 63% - 66%: D 60% - 62%: D-
■ 0% - 59%: F
■ Final course grades may be scaled favorably in students’ favor. All such scaling will be applied equally to all students
Textbook

■ Course textbook is NOT required, but can be a useful reference

– Logan, “A first course in the Finite Element Method”, 4 th Edition, Thomson, 2006
(or any other edition)
– Koutromanos, “Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis: Linear Finite Element
Analysis”, Wiley, 2017

■ I will post full problem statements for the homework assignments so you do not need to
refer to the book

■ Find a cheap version!

Course Website (Canvas)

■ Lecture notes/slides, homework assignments, homework solutions, exam solutions,

study guides, and other course material will be posted on Canvas

■ Announcements will be made on Canvas as well as e-mailed to you

Course policies

■ Homework: Late homework will be accepted up to a week after its original due date. Each
day late the homework will be docked 10% of its maximum allowable points. You can scan
and e-mail homework to me directly if you cannot make it to class to turn it in

■ Regrades: Requests for regrades on homeworks and exams must be made within a week
after it is returned to you. Include original graded assignment with a note explaining why
you think a regrade is warranted.

■ E-mails: Please include [EGME 541] in the subject line of any direct e-mail to me
regarding the class so I can respond faster. I will try my best to respond to e-mails within
48 hours, except on weekends
Academic Dishonesty

■ Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course

■ Committing academic dishonesty will result in a 0 on that particular assignment and

referral to Student Conduct, up to an F in the course

■ Cheating takes away from your learning. Please, talk to me if you are struggling in the
course before resorting to cheating. I want everyone to succeed and learn in this course.
I am here to help!
Homework 0: E-mail introductions

■ Send me an e-mail to introduce yourself! Full credit just for completing it.

■ Include your name, year, and major

■ Some other questions to consider:

1. What kind of career would you like to have after graduating?
2. What would you most like to learn from this course?
3. Any worries or concerns about taking this class?
4. What are your interests and hobbies?

■ Due: 11:59 P.M. Friday, February 2nd

■ Do not forget to include [EGME 541] in the subject line!