Tutorial

CHAPTER 3

DETAILS OF FEM

ELEMENT PROPERTIES :

The discretization of the structure or body into Finite Elements forms the basic first step in the analysis of a complicated structural system.

Rules For Discretization Of The Structure Into Elements :

Sub-division of a body or structure into Finite Elements should satisfy the following requirements :

1. Two distinct elements can have common points only on their common boundaries if such boundaries exist. No overlapping is allowed. Common boundaries can be points, lines or surfaces.
   
2. The assembled element should leave no holes within the two elements and approximate the geometry of the real body or structure as closely as possible to do.
   

When the boundary of a structure or body cannot be exactly represented by the elements selected, an error cannot be avoided. Such error is called Geometric Discretization Error and it can be decreased by reducing the size of the elements or by using elements allowing boundaries to become curved.