Finite Element Method (FEM) is based on discretizing a continuous domain into a number of finite elements.  The domain, having an infinite number of degrees of freedom, is divided into a number of piecewise continuous models called elements.  The numbers of unknowns, called nodes, are then determined using a given relationship.  The elements are related to each other using these nodes, as one node can belong to two elements.  Within each element, a linear approximation is made, and the relationship therefore, is a linear one.  Some common equations used to relate the elements are F = kd or s = Ee.  An equation is derived for each element using the aforementioned relations.  A system of equations is then set up in matrix form using what is called a stiffness matrix, and solved simultaneously to obtain the unknown quantities.  A displacement function can also be derived in each element, which is used to determine the displacement at any point within the element, not just displacements at the nodes.  

            The advantages to FEM are it allows for irregular shaped bodies, bodies made from different materials, and it has the ability to compute many different general load conditions.  It can solve for unlimited numbers and types of boundary conditions.  In places of higher stress concentration, different element sizes can be used to get a closer approximation, and FEM has the ability to tackle non-linear problems using linear approximations.  It can also greatly reduce the system cost.    

TEAM MEMBERS                            CONTACT INFO.

BRIAN HAMMOND                                       bhamond@eng.fsu.edu     

IVAN LOPEZ                                                    ilopez@eng.fsu.edu

INGRID SARVIS                                             ingridsarvis@hotmail.com