Understanding the Finite Element Method

The finite element method is a powerful numerical technique that is used in all major engineering industries - in this video we'll explore how it works.

We'll look at why it's useful to split the body being analysed into small elements and the different elements types that can be used. We'll also cover the key concept behind the finite element method, which is the stiffness matrix, including how the element stiffness matrices are derived, using techniques like the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. Once we have the element stiffness matrices we can assemble them into a global stiffness matrix that describes how the body will displace for a set of applied loads and boundary conditions.

FEM is a complex topic, and this video is really just an introduction. For those of you who would like to explore the topic in more detail, I recommend the book Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis by David Hutton.

---

This will allow me to create more high quality videos covering a range of engineering topics.

---

The Efficient Engineer is a channel aimed at mechanical and civil engineers. The mission is to simplify engineering concepts, one video at a time!

[RealEngineering]

Wish I had this in college. Fantastic work!

[hari-sankar]

I am a guy knee-deep in FEM (it being part of my job) and in my 8 years of experience in the field, I can vouch for the fact that nothing that I have seen on the internet has so elegantly defined the topic with such lucidity. Thanks and subscribing.

[greekmusicetc]

As a computational mechanics masters student, I can easily say this was way more efficient in introducing me in FEA than the whole first semester :)

[SpokewTheBoss]

As a CAE professional, I can say this is a very illustrative video. I will definitely recommend it to my students. Also, I am waiting for more on this, going beyond the linear static problem.
Thank you

[storminmormin]

Taking an entire semester and smashing it down to one video.

[davidannenkoff]

I recently became a teacher and I have to dust my FEM theory off. I went through a lot of videos and articles in order to build my course up and your video is by far the best one, and I mean by far. Visually, mathematically, verbally, it's the best one on all aspects! Huge respect for your work!

[BrunoVieiraC]

10 minutes was enough to teach me the basics that the teacher couldn't do in a whole semester.

I have no words to thank you enough for the video. Keep up the excelent work!

[Hobbit]

I think FEA is one of the coolest engineering courses!

[Agol]

Do you realize how many lives did you just saved with this AWESOME video.

[McPlaySpot]

This channel is a treasure. I really appreciate your work. Thank you so much.

[dehno]

My daily prayers have been answered with this video! Assignment due in 2 days, what perfect timing! Thank you for doing these videos

[rainman]

This is the video I will point everyone to when they ask me about understanding FEA. Everything was so clear and augmented with excellent animations and representations.

[SAXASIANGUY]

Have a project due tomorrow for FEA. This came in at just the right time

[FEAnalyst]

FEA is my job, field of scientific research and hobby. And yet so far I haven’t seen such a good, clear, and comprehensive but not too long explanation of the Finite Element Method before. When it comes to the next videos, as others already suggested, I’d like to watch your video about buckling.

[andreasjauss]

University education should start with overview and "what is the sense of" information like this first and then jump into the details and big literature like Bathe etc. Very few university professors are good with didactics wasting the time of their students. Good education methodology like this is rare - congradulation !

[vaibhavtoshniwal]

As a CAE Engineer, I can say that this has to be one of the best video which illustrates the concepts with in depth knowledge in 18 min. Great Work !

[MerkleCAE]

You can see directly how much work went into the video. Good videos on the subject are rare! Very nice

[RahulNatha]

I recollected all the topics I learnt in FEM in college by watching this less than 20 minute video.

[krisztianprim]

Bruh. This is exactly what youtube is meant to be. This is so professional, high quality I can't believe I'm actually watching this.

[AmeenTopa]

As someone who is specialized in FEM software, I can say you did a great job. I will share this video on my channel!