Finite Element Method (FEM)or Finite Element Analysis(FEA):
· Finite element method is a numerical method for solving problems of engineering and mathematical physics.
· In this method, a body or a structure in which the analysis to be carried out is subdivided into smaller elements of finite dimensions called finite elements. Then the body is considered as an assemblage of these elements connected at a finite number of joints called nodes or nodal points. The properties of each type of finite element is obtained and assembled together and solved as whole to get solution.
· In other words, in the finite element method, instead of solving the problem for the entire body in one operation, we formulate the equation for each finite element and combine them to obtain the solution of the whole body.
· Finite element method is used to solve physical problems involving complicated geometrics, loading and material properties which cannot be solved by analytical method. This method is extensively used in the field of structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer electric and magnetic fields problems.
Based on application, the finite element problems are classified as follows:
1. Structural problems.
2. Non-structural problems.
1. Structural problems:- In structural problems, displacement at each nodal point is obtained. By using these displacement solutions, stress and strain in each element can be calculated.
2. Non-structural problems:- In non-structural problems, temperature or fluid pressure at each nodal point is obtained. By using these values, properties such as heat flow, fluid flow etc., for each element can be calculated.
