G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
An introduction
Finite element analysis of a stretched cylinder from FE Bio.
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite Element Analysis -- a technique that reconstructs
stress, strain, and deformation in a digital structure.
(Rayfield, 2007)
Used to simulate the consequences
of forces that are applied to an
object
Applied to structures or materials
that are too complex to estimate
responses based on ordinary
differential equations
Used to study the relationship
between form and function in
morphological structures
Simulates the distribution of stress,
Graphic representation of stress in a digital model of a skull of
strain, and deformation in a solid Dinocrocuta, an extinct hyena from the Miocene, as it bites
object when forces and constraints down on the left third premolar (from Tseng, 2009)
are applied to it
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Origin: engineering
small deformation Vehicle
large deformation
Simulated
deformation of a
bridge under load
Illustration from LUSAS engineering analysis software, IMDplus.
http://www.lusas.com/products/options/imdplus.html
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Definitions
Strain () - change in length / length
Strain is a type of deformation, the physical change in the size or shape of an
object when force is applied. Strain is essentially the proportional change in
the size (length) of the material at a particular point on the object. For
example, compression decreases the size (negative strain) and tension
(stretching) increases it (positive strain).
This particular strain metric is also known as Cauchy strain or engineering
strain. Other strain measures include stretch ratio, true strain, Green strain,
Almansi strain, etc.
Stress () - force per unit area, F/A.
Stress is the amount of internal force that arises from strain, or deformation of
the object. Stress can arise from external forces like gravity or loads place on
an object, from friction, from internal elastic stress that propagates through a
deformed object, etc.
Patterns of strain and stress are strongly affected by the material properties of
the object, which affect whether it is compressible, brittle, stretchable, etc.
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Strain vs. Stress
Strain () - change in length / length Stress () - force per unit area, F/A
Simulated with FE-Bio
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite element strategy: Cantilever beam example
Exact method Finite element method
http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/thermal-expansion/printall.php http://klobouk.fsv.cvut.cz/~jirkanie/femap-ex/doc/ex02_Sig_zz.jpg
Exact equations can be Result can be
used to estimate approximated by dividing
deformation, stress, strain beam into small sections
and other mechanics of and calculating how
simple structures deformation, stress, strain
propagate
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite elements in morphology
Rayfield, 2007
http://emilysyogamat.com/uploads/3/0/9/7/3097189/1343769773.jpg
Biological structures often have difficult shapes and unusual loadings.
But they can be divided into small blocks (finite elements) where exact
equations can be applied. The stresses and strains can be estimated
by simultaneously solving the equations for all blocks.
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
What happens in a single element?
E = elastic properties of material
A = area
L = length
Richmond et al., 2005
Kinds of elements
2D 3D
simple quadratic
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite element method
1 . Model creation = finite element mesh of object +
material properties +
boundary constraints +
boundary loads or displacements
2 . Model solution = solve equations for all finite
elements in the mesh based on
material and boundary conditions
3 . Model output = numerical and visual output of
distribution of stresses and strains
throughout the object
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Finite element meshes
Rayfield, 2007
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
What is a mesh?
Digital object composed of elements with vertices, edges, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dolphin_triangle_mesh.png
faces. Elements can be 2D or 3D, triangular, quadrilateral, or
polygonal. Mesh can be a surface (no interior elements) or a
solid (with interior elements). For FEA, the mesh elements are
the finite elements.
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
How do I get a mesh?
Create by hand by designing mesh object in CAD (computer assisted
drafting) or other software.
Digitize a real object and create mesh (surface or solid)
Digitization
Objects can be photographed to create 2D meshes.
Points on 3D object can be digitized and then meshed (Microscribe arm, Reflex
microscope)
Surface of an object can be scanned with laser or optical scanner and meshed.
Surface mesh can be converted to solid mesh with certain software.
Volume of an object can be scanned with CT, MRI, or similar. Data must be processed
by segmenting (isolating bones or structures of interest from the background) and
meshing (either as surface or solid mesh)
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Example of laser scanned objects
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
CT scanned objects
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Material properties
Youngs modulus - stress / strain (force per area relative to deformation)
Also known as elastic modulus or tensile modulus, Youngs modulus is a measure of
stiffness or elasticity. Substances that are very elastic, like rubber bands, have low
Youngs modulus; stiffer substances like diamond, have high Youngs modulus.
Bulk modulus -
Measure of uniform resistance to compression.
Density -
mass per volume.
Isotropic -
response to load is the same in all directions (i.e., strength is the same in all directions)
Aniosotropic -
response to load differs depending on direction (strength is not the same in all
directions)
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Bone materials and histology (anisotropic)
Collagen - elastic protein fibers, low Youngs modulus
Hydroxyapatite crystals - phosphate mineral, high Youngs modulus
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Examples of differences in biological materials
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Measuring failure of a material with Von Mises stress
Von Mises Yield criterion
Objects can deform in two ways: elastically, which is where they bounce back
to their resting shape when force is relieved, and plastically, which is where
they dont return to their original shape. Breaking and cracking are extreme
examples of plastic yield, permanent bending of a coin is a less extreme
example.
Von Mises yield is a measure of when a particular material will start to yield
plastically instead of elastically, in other words it is a property related to when
the material starts to fail.
Von Mises Stress
Von Mises stress is a specific measure of stress in multiple planes (e.g.,
longitudinal, horizontal). When Von Mises stress reaches the yield strength of
a particular material, then that material will start to yield plastically.
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Constraints and Loads?
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
G563 Quantitative Paleontology
Bibliography
Rayfield, E. J. 2007. Finite element analysis and understanding the biomechanics and evolution of living and fossil
organisms. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Science, 35: 541-576.
Tseng, Z. J. 2009. Cranial function in a Late Miocene Dinocrocuta gigantea (Mammalia: Carnivora) revealed by
comparative finite element analysis. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 96: 51-67.
Things to look for in the papers for next week:
Meshes: how did they obtain them? Are meshes 2D, 3D, solid or hollow? What kinds of elements, how many elements,
what shape elements?
Materials: what was the real material? what properties did they use to model the material?
Constraints: where did they place the constraining boundary conditions? how do those constraints related to the real
biology of the problem?
Loads: ditto.
Outputs: What output do they focus on? stress, strain? what measure of?
Software: what software for the data collection? FEA models? processing?
Department of Geological Sciences | Indiana University (c) 2012, P. David Polly
