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Finite Element Analysis


Bijan Sobhi
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Summary
Introduction
Background
Electromagnetics: governing equations
Other disciplines
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History
Goes back to Archimedes famous
studies on circle 250 B.C./
approximating circle to polygon.
Structural analysis.
since of the appearance of first
computer around 1950.
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Analytical vs Numerical
Analytical (closed)
Simplifying assumptions
Numerical/discrete
No simplifying assumptions
Allow us to solve problems with complex
geometry
Error/approximations can be minimised by
increasing disceretisation
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Other Numerical Methods
/Discretisation Method
Finite Difference Method (FDM) (only node
values)
Finite Element Method (all the triangle
surface points are known) (FEA is the most
accepted method (due to its simplicity and
generality)
Finite Volume Method
Boundary Element Method
Meshless Method


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Design Models
Lumped parameter models (coarse)
Distributed parameter (or discrete)
models
Field models

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Lumped Parameter Models
Insensitive to topological changes
Based on simplifying and linear
assumptions
Computationally inexpensive
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Distributed Parameter (or
Discrete) Models
Sensitive to topological changes
Moderate computational expense
Easy to interpret
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FE, FD, Models
Sensitive to topological changes
Computationally very expensive
Difficult to interpret
Accounts for non-linearities
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Types of FEM Analysis
Static/Quasi steady-state
Dynamic/Transient
Linear
Nonlinear
1D
2D
3D
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FEM shapes
Triangle (they can be fitted into any
shape
Quadrantal
Curvilinear
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Preliminary Math
Requirements
Vectors
Dot products
Cross products
Coordinate systems (Cartesian,
Spherical, cylindrical)
Etc
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Math Sample Equations
z
z
f
y
y
f
x
x
f

c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
= V
z
x
A
y
A
y
z
A
x
A
x
y
A
z
A
A
y
x x z z
y

(

c
c

c
c
+
(

c
c

c
c
+
(

c
c

c
c
= V

z
A
y
A

x
A
A
z
y
x
c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
= V

.
z
z
f
y
y
f
x
x
f
f

c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
= V
z A y A x A A
z
2
y
2
x
2 2

V + V + V = V

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
z
f
y
f
x
f
f f .
c
c
+
c
c
+
c
c
= V = V V
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Maxwells Equations

In order to solve electromagnetic field
problems, it is necessary to solve
Maxwells Eq in differential or Integral
D . = V

0 E . = V

J H

= V
0 B . = V

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
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Poissons Equation: Magnetics
A ) A . ( A
2

V V V = V V
J A
2
= V
1
0 A = V V

.
A B

V =
z J J
z

=

0
z
=
c
c
z A
2

z
V In 2D FEA
From (1)
From (2)
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Boundary Conditions
Boundary is where the surface do not
feel what is happening inside.
Neumann(dA/dn=0) at boundary
interfaces
Dirichlet (A=0) at boundary interfaces

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FEM Solution Process
Starting from known nodes (eg. Boundary
conditions and material properties
Setting the algebraic equations for the
triangles
Solving the unknowns values of nodes by
using unknown values
Using triangle properties to interpolate the
node values to the whole surface
Equipotential lines do not intersect each other
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Steps in FEA
Pre Processing
Forming the model geometry/drawing the model
geometry/
Define physical parameters
Define boundary conditions
Meshing
Solving
Post processing
All the above steps can be
Programmed
Manual
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Other disciplines
J A
2
= V
1
0 or c b a = V
2
Magnetics
Others (eg, fluid flow, Heat flow, etc)
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Equations for Incompressible
Fluid Flow with Heat Transfer
Continuity equation
x-momentum
y-momentum
Energy equation
where o is the angle between the gravity force vector
and x-axis

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