Application of FEM For Electro-Static Field

APPLICATION
OF
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
TO ELECTROSTATIC FIELD
K. N. Sheth
Department of Civil Engineering
Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad
Engineering Problems are defined as correlations of
variables expressed in terms of Differential Equations.
Solid Mechanics : External Forces & External Reactions

keeps the system in Equilibrium.
Stress , f =F/A
(A : Material Geometry)
Strain, e = f/E
(E : Material property)And
Displacement,
L= .
= /. = PL/AE
Differential Equation:
2u
AE 0
x 2
Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 2

A Generalized Solution of problem is to solve the
differential equation for displacement u any point
The problem becomes more complex when Material

and/or Geometry varies & point of application of forces
are multiple
FEM is a powerful technique for solution of Differential

Equations with complex situations of Materials,
Geometry and Boundary Conditions
FEM converts Continuum problem having unknown u at

infinite points to a problem with unknowns at finite
points. Thus the solution of Differential Equation is now
reduced to solution of simultaneous equations.

FEM is Technique to solve Differential Equations with
complex material combinations, complex geometry etc.
Hence, it is used across all branches.
Solid mechanics: Displacement Strain Stress - Force

relationship governs & solved for Displacement
Electrostatic: Electric Potential - Electric Field Intensity -

Electric Field Density - Electric Flux relationship governs
& solved for Electric Potential
Fluid Mechanics : Water Head Gradient Velocity -

Discharge relationship governs & solved for Head of
Water
FEM :
Easy to apply - difficult to interpret Results
FEM makes Good Engineers Better

&
Poor Engineer Dangerous
An Engineer could make mistakes on his own,

He needs a computer & FEM software to make
BLUNDER

FLOW OF PRESENTATION:
1. Introduction :
Electrostatics parameters relationships - presentation
objectives and Introduction to FEM
2. Element Formulation for Triangular Elements in Steady
State Electrostatic Field
3. Global formulation, Boundary conditions and Solution of
Simultaneous Equation using Illustrative problem
4. Sample Problems with MatLab Applications

INTRODUCTION (Applications of Electrostatics )
Electric Power Transmission, X-Ray Machines, devices used

in Solid State Electronics, Medical Equipment like Electro
Cardiogram
Computer peripheral devices viz. Touch Pads, Keyboards,
CR Tubes, LC displays, Printers etc.
Machining Equipment, Paintings etc.
Agriculture Equipment, viz. sorting of seed, sp ray to plants,
baking of breads etc.
(Modern Applications are very complex . Classical solutions
of Steady State Electro-Statics Solutions are not adequate)

INTRODUCTION (Parameters : Q, E, , D)
Basis of Electro-Statics:
Coulombs Law: electric field with any charge

distribution.
Force F = (1/) (Q1 x Q2 / R2 ). aR12
( = Permittivity of Material)
Then Electric Field Intensity (Force per unit Charge),

E=F/Q
And Electric Flux Density

D = . E

INTRODUCTION (Parameters : Q, E, , D, , v, V )
Gauss Law: simplified solution for Symmetrical charge

Distribution. Gauss law :
Electric Flux, = Qenc (enclosed Charge)
It gives Maxwells First Equation as
Charge Density, v = D

Del Operator is : D = ( Dx Dy Dz)
x y z
Electric Potential, V is given as V = Q /(4 r2)

Maxwells equation gives relationship between V & E as,
=

INTRODUCTION
Electric Flux line is an imaginary line its direction at any

point is the direction of Electric Field at that point.
Electric Flux Lines and Equipotential Lines (V) are Orthogonal
To Obtain Distribution of Electric Potential in an Electrical

Field for given Boundary Conditions and plotting
Equipotential Lines and Electric Flux Lines in a given Field
is one of the main objectives.

INTRODUCTION
This can be obtained using the principle of minimization of

Work done in the field. Work done in a field is given as,
WE = (D. E) dv
Poissons & Laplace Equations , Boundary Value Problem:

Gauss Law gives
v = D = ( . E)
v = . (- V) (Poissons Eq.)
If v = 0, it is known as Laplaces Equation

INTRODUCTION
Thus governing Differential Equation for general medium is

V V V
x y z 0
x x y y z z
For Homogeneous stratum

2V 2V 2V
x 2 y 2 z 2 0
x y z
For 2D Homogeneous medium it becomes,

2V 2V
x 0
x 2 y 2
y
For 2D Homogeneous & Isotropic medium it is,

2V 2V
0 (Laplace Equation)
x 2 y 2

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVE: SOLUTION OF 2D EQUATIONS FOR GIVEN

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
A Typical Square Electrostatic Field and its solution

INTRODUCTION
A Typical Complex problem:

With a Central hole and with 2 material having different
permittivity

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
1.Model is divided into a no.

of finite elements with
predefined nodes on each
element. Element to Element
Flow takes place through
nodes only.

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
2. Potential at any point within

the element is defined by some
approximate function called
Shape Function.
Thus unknown potential per
each element shown has 3
unknowns. Also Total no. of
potential points are total no. of
nodes only.

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
3. Hence Infinite no. of

unknown potential is
converted to finite no. of
unknowns. Solution for which
is obtained by formulation of
Simultaneous equations.

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
TO FORMULATE SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

FOLLOWING STEPS ARE FOLLOWED:
1. Discretize continuum into small elements of suitable
configuration and proportion.
2. Define or Obtain an Approximate function to define

potential, V at any Point within the element in terms of
nodal Potential values, as
1
V = [N1, N2, N3] x {2 } = [N] x {V} e
3
where Ni is function of (x,y)

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
3. Express Electric Field Intensity in terms of Nodal potential

=
Hence, E = [N] x {V} e = [B] x {V} e
4. Obtain Material Characteristic Matrix, [Dm] as
0
{ }=[ ]
0
Hence Field Density, D = [Dm] x [B] x {V} e
5. Element Coeff. is to be de rived using Energy principle

1
W =
2
1
W = {} [] [ ] [] {}
2

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
1
W = {} [] [ ] [] {}
2
and Minimizing w. r. to V gives,

[C] e x {V} e = 0
where
1
[C] e = [] [ ] []
2
6. Assemble Element Coeff. Matrix (3x3) to Global Coefficient

Matrix (n x n).
[C] s x {V} s = {0}

INTRODUCTION TO FEM
Assign prescribed Boundary Values (V=0 or 100 as given) at

appropriate Nodes & solve Simultaneous Equations for
remaining Nodes in equation [C] s x {V} s = {0}
Once {V} s is calculated E and D can be calculated

separately for each element as
E = [B] x {V} e
&
= [ ] [] {}

FE FORMULATION FOR ELECTROSTATIC FIELD
(2D PROBLEM)
Element Formulation: Variables are V, E and D in the field

Primary variable is V
1
Element Potential Vector {V} e = {2 }
3

FINITE ELEMENT FORMULATION
To interpolate V at any point (x, y) within the element in

terms of nodal Potential (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 ) an approximate
function is employed.
Approximate Potential function represents variation of

Potential within the element.
A convenient way to express it is by the use of polynomial

expressions or trigonometric function and it should be
continuous within the element
For 1-D problem it can be chosen as a polynomial with no.

of unknown = no. of nodal potentials,
u = 0 + 1 x + 2 x 2 + 3 x 3 + 4 x 4

Choice of approximate function for 2 -D problem:
1. No. of unknown constants = No. of Nodes in element

2.It should be capable to include Constant potential, i.e. it
should have a constant term
3. It should be capable to include Constant Field Intensity
term E i.e. it should have terms with variable x and
variable y
4. It should be balanced w.r. to coordin ate system. If it has
x 2 .y term it should have x.y 2 also.

This balanced representation can be achieved with the help

of Pascal triangle for two-dimensional polynomial.
Const.
x y
x 2 xy y2
x 3 x 2 y xy 2 y 3
x 4 x 3 y x 2 y 2 xy 3 y 4

Typical Potential functions are shown below: Elements with

higher order polynomial are called higher order elements.
V = 1 + 2 x + 3 y
V = 1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 xy
V = 1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 x 2 + 5 xy + 6 y 2

For the selected triangular elements,

V = 1 + 2 x + 3 y
1
= {1 } {2 } .. (1)
3
= {} {}
Substituting nodal values of V in (1)
V1 = 1 + 2 x 1 + 3 y1
V2 = 1 + 2 x 2 + 3 y2
V3 = 1 + 3 x 1 + 3 y3

1 1 1 1 1
{2 } = [1 2 2 ] {2 }
3 1 3 3 3
{} = [A] x {}
where [A] is a geometric matrix with node coordinate values.
{} = [A]1 {}
1 2 3
1
[A]1 = [1 2 3 ]
2
1 2 3

1 2 3
1
[A]1 = [1 2 3 ]
2
1 2 3
a1 = x 2 y3 x 3 y2 b 1 = y2 y3 c1 = x3 x2
a2 = x 3 y1 x 1 y3 b 2 = y3 y1 c2 = x1 x3
a3 = x 1 y2 x 2 y1 b 3 = y1 y2 c3 = x2 x1
= {} {} = {} [A]1 {}

1 2 3 1
1
= {1 } [1 2 3 ] {2 }
2
1 2 3 3
1
= {1 2 3 } {2 }
3
= []{} .. (2)
3
=
=1
(This gives V at any point in the element in terms of Nodal
Potential)
[] = {1 2 3 } is called shape function vector.
1
1 = ( + 1 + 1 )
2 1
1
2 = ( + 2 + 2 )
2 2
1
3 = ( + 3 + 3 )
2 3
Typical Calculation for Shape Functions:

Node x i y i a i b i c i a1 = x 2 y3 x 3 y2
b1 = y2 y3, c1 = x3 x2
1 0 0 1 -1 -1
a2 = x 3 y1 x 1 y3
2 1 0 0 1 0 b2 = y3 y1, c2 = x1 x3
3 0 1 0 0 1 a3 = x 1 y2 x 2 y1
b3 = y1 y2, c3 = x2 x1
[] = {1 2 3 } is called shape function vector.
1
1 = ( + 1 + 1 )
2 1
1
2 = ( + 2 + 2 )
2 2
1
3 = ( + 3 + 3 )
2 3
Typical Calculation for Shape Functions:
Node xi yi ai bi ci Here, 2 = 1
1 0 0 1 -1 -1
N1 = 1 x y
2 1 0 0 1 0
N2 = x
3 0 1 0 0 1 N3 = y

Characteristics of Shape Function:

(1) Value of Shape N i is unity at node i and zero at rest of the
nodes. N 1 = 1 x y, N 2 = x, N 3 = y
(2) At any point (x,y), 3=1 = 1

Use of Shape function reduces number of variable V from
infinite in the field of element to number of nodes in the
element.

Electric field intensity , E

=
V N1 N2 N3 1
x x x x
= = {2 }
N1 N2 N3
3
{ } [ y y y ]
1
1 1 2 3
= [
2
] {2 }
1 2 3
3
[] = Field Intensity-Node Potential Matrix

= [] {} .(3)

Flux Density, D
[] = [] {}
V
0 x
{ }=[ ]{ }
0

0
{ }=[ ] [] {}
0
[] = [ ] [] {} .(4)

Governing equation is formulated by minimizing Work done.

1
W =
2
1
W = {} [] [ ] [] {} (unit thickness)
2
1
W= {} [] [ ] [] {}
2
Triangular Element is basic element with [B] independent of
x and y. It is called Constant Potential Element, so
integration is simplified.
W
For W to be minimum, = 0 within the element
V
Hence, {[] [ ] [] } {} = 0
[C] = Element Coefficient Matrix

For homogeneous and isotropic material,

[C] = {[] [ ] [] }
1 1
1 1 2 3 1
[] = [2 2 ] [ ]
2 1 2 3 2
3 3
1 2 + 1 2 1 2 + 1 2 1 3 + 1 3
1
[] = [ + 2 1 2 2 + 2 2 2 3 + 2 3 ]
4 2 1
3 1 + 3 1 3 2 + 3 2
3 2 + 3 2
.(5)
(in FEM, flow/flux takes place through nodes only and there
is no storage at the nodes)

GLOBAL FORMULATION
Element formulation shall be extended to Global.

The values of Potential at the boundary nodes if prescribed
shall be known. Hence the characteristic equation,
[] {} = {0} .(6)
Shall be solved for unknown nodal potential, V.
Global formulation process and solution is explained by an
illustrative problem

GLOBAL FORMULATION
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM:
NNP = 6, NEL = 4, NBC = 4

Input Data: Node coordinates and Element indices
Node,i xi yi Element,n i j k
1 0 0 1 1 4 2
2 0 1 2 1 3 4
3 1 0 3 3 6 4
4 1 1 4 3 5 6
5 2 0
6 2 1
x = y = = 1 (isotropic material)
GLOBAL FORMULATION
Calculation Element Coefficient Matrix:

ELEMENT 1
Node xi yi ai bi ci
1 0 0 1 0 -1
4 1 1 0 1 0
2 0 1 0 -1 1
= 0.5
As derived above,
1 2 + 1 2 1 2 + 1 2 1 3 + 1 3
1
[] = [ + 2 1 2 2 + 2 2 2 3 + 2 3 ]
4 2 1
3 1 + 3 1 3 2 + 3 2 3 2 + 3 2

GLOBAL FORMULATION

ELEMENT 1
Node xi yi ai bi ci
1 0 0 1 0 -1
4 1 1 0 1 0
2 0 1 0 -1 1
= 0.5
1 4 2
0.5 0.0 -0.5 1
[C1] = 0.0 0.5 -0.5 4
-0.5 -0.5 1.0 2

GLOBAL FORMULATION

ELEMENT 2
Node xi yi ai bi ci
1 0 0 1 -1 0
3 1 0 0 1 -1
4 1 1 0 0 1
= 0.5
1 3 4
0.5 -0.5 0.0 1
[C2] = -0.5 1.0 -0.5 3
0.0 -0.5 0.5 4

GLOBAL FORMULATION
Also, [C 3 ] = [C 1 ] and [C 4 ] = [C 2 ]
1 4 2 1 3 4
0.5 0.0 -0.5 1 0.5 -0.5 0.0 1
[C1] = 0.0 0.5 -0.5 4 [C2] = -0.5 1.0 -0.5 3
-0.5 -0.5 1.0 2 0.0 -0.5 0.5 4
3 6 4 3 5 6
0.5 0.0 -0.5 3 0.5 -0.5 0.0 3
[C3] = 0.0 0.5 -0.5 6 [C4] = -0.5 1.0 -0.5 5
-0.5 -0.5 1.0 4 0.0 -0.5 0.5 6

GLOBAL FORMULATION
Positioning all Element Coefficient Matrix (3x3) to

appropriate locations in Global Coefficient Matrix (6x6).
This is done using concept of expanded Element Coefficient
Matrix. For element 1, [C 1 E ] is obtained as,
1 4 2 1 2 3 4 5 6
0.5 0.0 -0.5 1 0.5 -0.5 0 0.0 0 0 1
[C1] = 0.0 0.5 -0.5 4 -0.5 1.0 0 -0.5 0 0 2
-0.5 -0.5 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
[C1E]=
0.0 -0.5 0 0.5 0 0 4
0 0 0 0 0 0 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 6

GLOBAL FORMULATION
Global Coefficient matrix can be obtained as, summation

of all expanded coefficient matrix.
4
[] = [ ]
=1
1 2 3 4 5 6
1.0 -0.5 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1
-0.5 1.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 2
-0.5 0.0 2.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 3
[C]s =
0.0 -0.5 -1.0 2.0 0.0 -0.5 4
0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0 1.0 -0.5 5
0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.5 -0.5 1.0 6

GLOBAL FORMULATION
Construction of Global Potential Vector {}

Input Boundary Conditions V 1 = V 2 = 10, V 5 = V 6 = 0
1 10
2 10
3 3
{} = =
4 4
5 0
{6 } {0}
Hence, obtain set of simultaneous equations to be solved as per
equation, [] {} = {0}

GLOBAL FORMULATION
1.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 10 0
0.5 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 10 0
0.5 0.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 3 0
=
0.0 0.5 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.5 4 0
0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 1.0 0.5 0 0
[ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 ] {0} {0 }
Solution of Simultaneous equation using row 3 and 4 for

unknown potential values V 3 and V 4
-5 + 2 V 3 - V 4 = 0
-5 - V3 + 2 V4 = 0
Gives, V 3 = 5 and V 4 = 5

Once {V} s is calculated E and D can be calculated
separately for each element as
E = [B] x {V} e
&
= [ ] [] {}
Dx = /(2. ) x (b1,V1 + b2V2+b3V3)
Dy = /(2. ) x (c1,V1 + c2V2+c3V3)

Compatibility in FEM : compliance for Solution on edges of
the elements obtained from connected Elements
&
Convergence in FEM : FEM Solution to Approach Exact

Solution is Convergence Attained by
(i) Using a Finer Mesh Large No. of Nodes
(ii) Using Higher Order Element

Problem: 15.7 (Elements of Electromagnetics, Matthew N. O)

THANK YOU

Application of FEM For Electro-Static Field

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APPLICATION

Solid Mechanics : External Forces & External Reactions

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 2

The problem becomes more complex when Material

FEM is a powerful technique for solution of Differential

FEM converts Continuum problem having unknown u at

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 3

Solid mechanics: Displacement Strain Stress - Force

Electrostatic: Electric Potential - Electric Field Intensity -

Fluid Mechanics : Water Head Gradient Velocity -

Easy to apply - difficult to interpret Results

FEM makes Good Engineers Better

An Engineer could make mistakes on his own,

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 5

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 6

Electric Power Transmission, X-Ray Machines, devices used

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 7

Coulombs Law: electric field with any charge

Then Electric Field Intensity (Force per unit Charge),

And Electric Flux Density

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 8

Gauss Law: simplified solution for Symmetrical charge

Electric Potential, V is given as V = Q /(4 r2)

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 9

Electric Flux line is an imaginary line its direction at any

To Obtain Distribution of Electric Potential in an Electrical

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 10

This can be obtained using the principle of minimization of

Poissons & Laplace Equations , Boundary Value Problem:

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 11

Thus governing Differential Equation for general medium is

For Homogeneous stratum

For 2D Homogeneous medium it becomes,

For 2D Homogeneous & Isotropic medium it is,

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 12

OBJECTIVE: SOLUTION OF 2D EQUATIONS FOR GIVEN

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 13

A Typical Complex problem:

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 14

1.Model is divided into a no.

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 15

2. Potential at any point within

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 16

3. Hence Infinite no. of

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 17

TO FORMULATE SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

2. Define or Obtain an Approximate function to define

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 18

3. Express Electric Field Intensity in terms of Nodal potential

5. Element Coeff. is to be de rived using Energy principle

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 19

and Minimizing w. r. to V gives,

6. Assemble Element Coeff. Matrix (3x3) to Global Coefficient

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 20

Assign prescribed Boundary Values (V=0 or 100 as given) at

Once {V} s is calculated E and D can be calculated

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 21

Element Formulation: Variables are V, E and D in the field

Application of FEM to Electrostatic Field 22

To interpolate V at any point (x, y) within the element in

Approximate Potential function represents variation of

A convenient way to express it is by the use of polynomial

For 1-D problem it can be chosen as a polynomial with no.