INTRODUCTION

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Dr Mazin Alhamrany
CEO/Owner Ur-GeoTech

July 2023
Outline of presentation
❑Introduction
❑Methods of Solutions
❑The Finite Element Method (FEM)
▪ What is FEM
▪ Basic Concept
▪ Usefulness of FEM
▪ General Comments for applying FEM
Introduction
Geotechnical Engineering
ISSMGE defines Geotechnical Engineering as “a science that explains the mechanics of soil and rocks and it’s
engineering applications to the developments of humankind”.

Geotechnical Engineering is based on using Principles of Soil & Rock Mechanics to (1) investigate subsurface
conditions and (2) to determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials and (3) to
analyze / solve / design natural and humankind developments interacted with the ground.
Introduction
Practice of Geotechnical engineering:
1. Trial and Error,
2. Observation and Experience,
3. Empirical (based on experience),
4. Analytical (Scientifically based approach of Soil and
Rock Mechanics), and
5. Numerical Method (Soil-Structure Interaction).
Method of Solutions
Methods of Solution
The last decades have witnessed great expansion in the
applications of Numerical Methods, in particular, the
Finite Element Method (FEM) for tackling geotechnical
problems.
Analytical Numerical Empirical

Finite Boundary
Finite Element
Difference Integral
Method
Method Method
Method of Solutions
The large, high-speed computer has been essential to the phenomenal growth of Numerical Methods.

The geotechnical engineer has been one of the first to recognize the usefulness of numerical methods. The methods
are now accepted and employed in practice and considered as one of the main requirement when dealing with
complex soil-structure interaction problems.
The Finite Element Method
What is FEM
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions for partial differential
equations (PDE) for which no exact solution is available. The technique reduces PDE system to a system of algebraic
equations that can be solved using linear algebraic technique, which can be programmed.
The Finite Element Method
Basic Concept
Step 1: Discretization

Subdivide a continuum into small components or pieces

The shape of element and the proportion of its dimensions (Aspect Ratio) can play a role in refining the result’s
accuracy. Avoiding rather small angles could help preventing Singularity.
The Finite Element Method
Basic Concept Basic Concept
Step 2: Selection of approximation function
Identifying the pattern of solution (Linear, quadratic ,cubic,
etc.) for the variable field along the nodal lines of the
elements in the form of polynomials.
Variation of Variable Field along nodal line:
▪ Linear variation,
▪ Quadratic variation, and
▪ Cubic variation,
The “higher order” variation permits the solution between
the nodes to vary in non-linear ways, which is an important
feature when Variable Field changes rapidly along relatively
short distance, such as clusters of high stresses and
draining boundaries.
Very fine mesh is, therefore, recommended at such zones,
and helps avoiding Oscillating results.

​
The Finite Element Method
Basic Concept
Step 3: Derivation of element equation

Defining stress-strain relation and formulation of element equation that can be expressed in matrix notation as:
[k]{u}={q}

Step 4: Assembling the element matrix to form global equation

Solving of the global matrix equation. Gaussian elimination is perhaps the most common procedure employed for
solution of linear equations generated in numerical techniques.
The Finite Element Method
Usefulness of FEM
FEM is useful for its ability for tackling problems involving such complexities as:
▪ Non-homogeneous media,
▪ Non-linear material properties,
▪ In situe stress condition,
▪ Complex loadings,
▪ Spatial and temporal variations in material properties,
▪ Arbitrary geometry and boundary conditions,
▪ Simulation of construction sequence and construction method, and
▪ Soil-Structure Interaction and interactions with the existing adjacent structures.

The increase demand on improving infrastructure of modern cities has led to a rise in the number of challenging
projects. Design analysis of complex soil-structure interaction problems can ONLY be conducted by Finite Element
Technique. Simply, there is no Closed Form solution for such problems. Therefore, the use of 3D FE Analysis becomes
inevitable.
The Finite Element Method
General comments on applications of FEM
• It is essential that engineers have a “reasonable” understanding for the basic concepts of the theory of Finite
Element Method.
The engineer using FE Software for tackling geotechnical problems needs to have reasonable understanding for the
basic concepts of the FEM. Such knowledge should enable the engineer to ensure obtaining useful solutions,
anticipating issues before they become expensive and time-consuming and avoid delays and lapses.
• Fully understanding of Physical Problem.
In order to accurately model the problem under consideration the physical mechanism of the problem needs to be
fully understood. Based on that the construction sequence can then be reasonably simulated.
The Finite Element Method
General comments on applications of FEM
• Geometrical Model; Plane-strain, Plane-stress, Axisymmetric, and 3D Model.
The Finite Element Method
General comments on applications of FEM
• Material Model; Mohr-Coulomb, HS Model, HS-Small strain Model, etc.
The soil behaviour is far from the simple linear elastic model. Adopting this model may be justified as an initial
indication. However, for the detailed design, the more advanced constitutive models are considered essential.
Selecting and using the most suitable model for the problem under consideration is essential.
The Finite Element Method
General comments on applications of FEM
• Input data; accuracy & reliability of the input data.
The use of sophisticated Finite Element Method cab not be justified without ensure using reliable input design data.
The heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of soil and rock masses makes the task of evaluating the parameters
very challenging. Thus, a careful balance has to be struck between, on the one hand, adoption of simplified methods
of analysis with limited aims as to outcomes but requiring limited number of parameters to be evaluated and, on the
other hand, the use of sophisticated methods allowing far better predictions but requiring the evaluation of far more
data which are generally difficult to obtain even with the commitment of considerable additional resources.
The Finite Element Method
General comments on applications of FEM
• Solid theoretical background and Experience: Whenever possible, prior to start setting the sophisticated 3D FE
Model, it is highly recommended to conduct a sanity check. Despite the complexity of the problem under
consideration, certain simplified assumptions can be adopted in order to obtain a high-level assessment. Such
assessment, which is based on solid theoretical background and intensive experience, should provide an indication
regarding the anticipated results obtained from the proposed complex FE analysis.
• Numerical Analysis has become a standard tool for assessing the serviceability limit state (SLS) and, at least to
some extent, the ultimate limit state (ULS) of the geotechnical engineering problems.