Finite element modeling overview

Finite element modeling (FEM) can be invaluable in developing and/or applying acceleration models for thermal and mechanical tests. Two-dimensional nonlinear modeling capability will usually be required in order to get meaningful results. Models can be constructed to estimate the stresses and strains in the material (e.g., the Cu in a PTH barrel or the solder in a surface-mount or through-hole joint) under operating conditions as well as under test conditions. These estimates will be far more accurate than the simple models provided in this overview because they can account for the interactions between materials in a complex structure and both elastic and plastic deformation. 

Finite element methods are one of several approximate numerical techniques available for the solution of engineering boundary value problems. Analysis of materials processing operations lead to equations of this type, and finite element methods have a number of advantages in modeling such processes. This document is intended as an overview of this technique, to include examples relevant to polymer processing technology. 

Four research teams—AECB, CLAY, KIPH and LBNL—studied the task with different computational models. The computer codes applied to the task were ROCMAS, FRACON, THAMES and ABAQUS-CLAY. All of them were based on the finite-element method (FEM). Figure 6 presents an overview of the geometry and the boundary conditions of respective models, including the nearfield rock, bentonite buffer, concrete lid, and heater. The LBNL model is the largest and explicitly includes nearby drifts as well as three main fractures... 

This chapter presents an overview of modeling by finite elements (FE) for analysis of part and assembly models. The theory and application of this method for problem solving in different areas of engineering in static and dynamical as well as linear and nonhnear tasks of deformation, temperature, vibration, frequency, shape, etc., analyses are not discussed in this text. This material concentrates on the less published topic of FE models and advanced modeling procedures, as they are available for advanced analyses in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems. CAE emphasizes the analysis based development of products while CAD/CAM... 

By means of introduction, section 1.1.1. presents a brief overview of several of the key features of fiber-reinforced composites. Thereafter, a discussion of the multi-scale modeling methodology within the context of the finite element method is given. The Introduction concludes with an overview of the use of multi-scale modeling to determine material properties at the macro-scale. These issues will be explored in more depth in subsequent sections. 

In this section we give a brief introduction and overview of those aspects of the finite element method that are relevant to micro-macro modeling. A detailed treatment may be found, for example, in [13]. 

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