Thermal Finite Element Analysis Tutorial:

Steady-State Heat Conduction

Kyle Watson
University of the Pacific
Department of Mechanical Engineering
kwatson@pacific.edu
ph: 209.946.3081
For Use with SolidWorks Simulation 2010
Reference Text: engel and Ghajar, Heat and Mass Transfer, 4th Ed.
Expected Completion Time: 30-45 minutes
Applicable Courses: Heat Transfer, Finite Element Analysis

Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Educational Objectives
FEA Background
Problem Description
Problem Solving Steps
Using SolidWorks to Create a 3-D Model
Creating a Thermal Study using SolidWorks Simulation
Defining the Material Properties
Defining the Thermal Boundary Conditions
Meshing the Model and Running the Study
Post-Processing the Results to Find:
a.
b.

11.
12.
13.

the Steady-State Temperature Distribution

the Temperature at a Particular Location

Comparing the Results with Hand Calculations

Additional Exercises
Acknowledgement

Table of
Contents

Educational Objectives (1/2)

The educational goal of this tutorial is to provide
undergraduate engineering students with:

an understanding of a specific engineering topic (heat

transfer through a semi-infinite medium)
an understanding of finite element (FE) theory
an ability to apply commercial FE software (SolidWorks
Simulation) to typical engineering problems.

This educational goal will be accomplished through the

following four educational objectives:

Table of
Contents

Educational Objectives (2/2)

1.

2.
3.

4.

Engineering Topics: Understand the fundamental

basis of engineering topics through the use of finite
element computer models
FE Theory: Understand the fundamental basis of FE
theory
FE Modeling Practice: Be able to implement a
suitable finite element model and construct a correct
computer model using commercial FE software
FE Solution Interpretation and Verification: Be able
to interpret and evaluate finite element solution
quality, including the importance of verification
4

Table of
Contents

FEA Background (1/3)

FEA Theory Meshing

Meshing discretizes the

continuous 3-D model into
finite elements. The type of
elements created in this
process depends upon the
type of geometry involved.
SolidWorks Simulation offers
two types of elements:
tetrahedral solid elements (for
meshing solid geometry) and
shell elements (for meshing
surface geometry).

A Meshed 3-D SolidWorks Model

Table of
Contents

FEA Background (2/3)

FEA Theory Element Types
Tetrahedral solid elements can
be either first order (draft
quality) or second order (high
quality). First order tetrahedral
elements have four nodes,
straight edges, and flat faces.
Second order tetrahedral
elements have ten nodes and
are more accurate in modeling
problems. Each tetrahedral
element, whether 4 or 10 nodes
per element, has three degrees
of freedom for each node.

First Order Tetrahedral Element

and Nodes

Table of
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FEA Background (3/3)

FEA Theory The Math
A differential equation defining the physics of the problem
(the heat conduction equation for thermal analysis) is
approximated and solved at specific locations on each finite
element and extrapolated to each node of that element. For
each meshed 3-D model, these differential equations are
approximated with arrays of linear equations. The FEA
software has mathematical solvers which solve these large
arrays of equations for the temperature at each node of
each element.
An Array of Linear Equations

Table of
Contents

Problem Description (1/3)

A long bar with thermal conductivity, k, has the same fixed
temperature, Ts, on the upper and lower surface. Air moves over
the right surface with a temperature, T, and convection heat
transfer coefficient, h, while the left side is insulated. Find the
steady-state temperature distribution in the bar, T(x,y).
See sketch on the next slide.
Thermal material properties:
k = 1.5 W/mK (thermal conductivity)
= 2300 kg/m3 (material density)

Table of
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Problem Description (2/3)

Heat Conduction in a Long Bar with the Cross-Section Shown
Ts

Given:

Ly
T , h

Ts
Lx

T = 30C
h = 50 W/m2C
Ts = 200C
Lx = 40 cm
Ly = 60 cm

Table of
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Problem Description (3/3)

SolidWorks Simulation will be used to perform
the following:
a.
b.

determine the steady-state temperature

distribution throughout the bar.
determine the temperature at a particular
location in the bar by using the probe tool with
the results from part a).

10

Table of
Contents

Problem Solving Steps

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.

Using SolidWorks to Create a 3-D Model

Creating a Thermal Study using SolidWorks Simulat
ion
Defining the Material Properties
Defining the Thermal Boundary Conditions
Meshing the Model and Running the Study
Post-Processing the Results to Find:
a. the Steady-State Temperature Distribution
b. the Temperature at a Particular Location
Comparing the Results with Hand Calculations
Additional Exercises
11

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (1/6)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

1. Create a new part by clicking the New icon

from the dropdown menu

2. Select the Part option from the New

SolidWorks Document window

3. Click OK
12

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (2/6)
4.

5.

6.
7.
8.

Set the units to CGS

(Centimeter Gram
Second) by clicking
the Tools dropdown
menu and selecting
Options
Select the
Document
Properties tab
Select Units
Select CGS
Click OK

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

13

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (3/6)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

9. Draw the part by

selecting the
Sketch tab
10. Select the

Rectangle icon
and select the
Front Plane

14

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (4/6)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

11. Change to Front

view and sketch a

rectangle in the
center of the graphics
window

12. Dimension your

rectangle by
selecting the Smart
Dimension icon

15

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (5/6)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

13. Click on a horizontal

line from your

rectangle and enter
its dimension (the
width of the bar is 40
cm) and repeat for a
vertical line from your
rectangle (the height
of the bar is 60 cm)

14. Click the Zoom to Fit

icon in order to resize

your drawing to fit in
the drawing window

16

Using SolidWorks to Create

a 3-D Model (6/6)
15.

To make your part 3-D, select

the Features tab and select the
Extruded Boss/Base icon

16.

Extrude the part as a Blind

extrusion. This is a 2-D heat
transfer problem so you may
enter any dimension for this
depth (Note: less processing
time will be required for a
smaller dimension)

17.

Click the green checkmark and

note the creation of a 3-D model

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

17

Creating a Thermal Study

Using SolidWorks Simulation (1/3)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

1. Load SolidWorks

Simulation onto your

computer by clicking
the Tools dropdown
menu and selecting
Add-ins
2. Select SolidWorks
Simulation if it is not
already selected and
click OK
3. Note the creation of
the Simulation tab
18

Creating a Thermal Study

Using SolidWorks Simulation (2/3)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

4. Select the Simulation

tab

5. Select New Study

under the Study

Advisor icon

6. Select Thermal for

the study type and

click the green
checkmark

7. Note the creation of a

Study Manager

19

Creating a Thermal Study

Using SolidWorks Simulation (3/3)
8.

Specify that this is a

Steady-State thermal
study by right-clicking on
the Study icon in the
Study Manager and
selecting Properties

9.

Select the Steady-State

option and select FFEPlus
for the Solver

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

10. Click OK

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Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Defining the Material Properties (1/2)

1.

Right-click on the Part

icon under the Study
Manager and select
Apply/Edit Material

2.

Scroll down to the

Custom Materials folder
and right-click on this
folder and select New
Category

3.

Right-click on New
Category and select New
Material (note that this
new material will be
labeled Default)

21

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Defining the Material Properties (2/2)

4.

Select this New Material

(labeled as Default) and
enter the density and
thermal conductivity of the
bar as listed on Slide #8

5.

Click Apply. Note the

checkmark that appears
over the Part icon in the
Study Manager indicating
a material has been
defined

6.

Click Close

22

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (1/7)

1.

2.

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Specify the convection

boundary condition
on the right side:
Highlight the right
surface (in blue) by
clicking on that surface
Right-click on Thermal
Loads under the Study
Manager and select
Convection
23

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (2/7)
3.

Enter the fluid

temperature (Bulk
Ambient Temperature)
for this study (30C = 303
K) and the Convection
Coefficient (50 W/m2K)
and click the green
checkmark

4.

Note the entry that

appears under Thermal
Loads in the Study
Manager

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

24

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (3/7)
5.

6.

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Specify the temperature at the

top and bottom boundaries:
Highlight the top and bottom
surfaces of the part (in blue) by
clicking on those surfaces (it will
be necessary to rotate the view
of the object). Make sure both
surfaces are highlighted
Right-click on Thermal Loads
under the Study Manager and
select Temperature

25

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (4/7)
7.

Select Temperature
and enter the
temperature of these
surfaces (200C) and
click the green
checkmark

8.

Note the second entry

that appears under
Thermal Loads in the
Study Manager

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

26

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (5/7)

9.

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Specify the insulated

boundary condition on the
left side:
Highlight the left surface of the
part (in blue) by clicking on that
surface (it will be necessary to
rotate the view of the object)

10. Right-click on Thermal Loads

under the Study Manager and

select Heat Flux

27

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (6/7)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

11. Enter the heat flux at

this surface (insulated

implies heat flux = 0)
and click the green
checkmark

12. Note the third entry that

appears under Thermal

Loads in the Study
Manager

28

Defining the Thermal

Boundary Conditions (7/7)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

13. Note the appearance of

symbols indicating all of

the different boundary
conditions
14. These symbols can be
hidden by right-clicking
on Thermal Loads
under the Study
Manager and selecting
Hide All

29

Meshing the Model and

Running the Study (1/2)
1.

Right-click on Mesh under

the Study Manager and
select Create Mesh

2.

You can vary the

coarseness of the mesh in
the Mesh window that
opens; the default value is
typically adequate (a finer
mesh will require more
processing time)

3.

Click the green checkmark

to create the mesh; note
the meshed model that
appears

4.

To view statistics about the

meshed model, right-click
Mesh and select Details;
the number of nodes
(~10k) and elements (~6k)
can be seen

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

30

Meshing the Model and

Running the Study (2/2)
5.

6.

7.

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Right-click on Mesh
under the Study
Manager and select
Mesh and Run
A solver status window
will briefly appear for
this fast steady-state
study; note the elapsed
time
Note that a Results
folder is created in the
Study Manager with
the thermal results and
a temperature plot of
the object is displayed
31

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Post-Processing the Results to Find(1/2)

the Steady-State Temperature Distribution
1.

2.

3.

Right-click on
Thermal1 under the
Results folder and
select Edit
Definition
A Thermal Plot
window will appear
where you can select
the temperature units
Click the green
checkmark
32

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Post-Processing the Results to Find(2/2)

the Steady-State Temperature Distribution
4.

The temperature
distribution throughout
the bar appears along
with the temperature
scale; this scale can
be changed to decimal
form (instead of
scientific) by doubleclicking on the scale
and changing the
Number Format
under the Chart
Options window that
appears

33

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Post-Processing the Results to Find(1/1)

the Temperature at a Particular Location
1.

2.

Right-click on Thermal1
under the Results folder
and select Probe
A Probe Result window
will appear; if you select
a location on the object,
the x, y, z coordinates,
node number, and
temperature at that
location will appear

34

Comparing the Results with

Hand Calculations (1/2)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

The Finite Difference Method can be used to solve this problem by

hand. Symmetry can be used to reduce the number of nodes, and
therefore the number of algebraic equations that need to be
solved.
Utilizing symmetry and a square mesh
results in 15 nodes of unknown temperature

The finite difference solution

for these 15 unknown temperatures
(C)

35

Comparing the Results with

Hand Calculations (2/2)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

HAND CALCULATIONS AND FEA PRODUCE RESULTS WITHIN ~ 1C

= Node #3 of the hand
calculations
177C 176.387C
= Node #9 of the hand
calculations
161C 160.678C
= Node #2 of the hand
calculations
161C 159.798C
= Node #1 of the hand
calculations
155C 153.928C
= Node #8 of the hand
calculations
137C 137.023C

= Node #7 of the hand

calculations
129C 129.424C

36

Additional Exercises (1/3)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Exercise #1

Redo this study but change to

a Coarse mesh.
Compare the number of
elements and nodes that result
from this Coarse mesh with
your initial trial.
Does the Coarse mesh result
in the same temperature
distribution? Why or why not?
37

Additional Exercises (2/3)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Exercise #2

Redo this study but

change to a material that
has a higher thermal
conductivity.
What happens to the
minimum temperature in
the bar?
Explain what has
happened as a result of
changing the thermal
conductivity.
38

Additional Exercises (3/3)

Problem
Solving
Steps

Table of
Contents

Exercise #3

Use the Iso Clipping feature

by right-clicking on Thermal1
under the Results folder to
visualize isotherms (lines of
constant temperature).
You can select any temperature
and the corresponding isotherm
will show on the temperature
plot (an arrow will indicate this
temperature on the legend).
View multiple isotherms on the
same plot by clicking the Iso 2
box and entering another
temperature; this can be
repeated multiple times for
additional isotherms.
What happens to the isotherms
at the insulated boundary?

39

Table of
Contents

Acknowledgement
This work is partially supported by the National
Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate
Education grant, Transforming Undergraduate
Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (TUES) Phase 2; Award Numbers:
1023034 and 1023064

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