Finite Element Modeling with ANSYS - ETH

What is the Finite Element Method?• For many engineering problems analytical solutions are not suitable because of thecomplexity of the material properties, the boundary conditions and the structureitself.• The basis of the finite element method is the representation of a body or a structureby an assemblage of subdivisions called finite elements.• The Finite Element Method translates partial differential equation problems into aset of linear algebraic equations.Stiffness matrixK qFNodal vector forceNodal displacement vectorReference: Introduction to the finite element method, C. S. Desai and J. F. Abel, Van Nostrand ReinholdCompany, New York, 1972.www.structures.ethz.chCENTRE OF STRUCTURE TECHNOLOGIESFull Name01.03.2011, page 3