Finite Element Analysis using MATLAB

Abstract: Finite Element Analysis or FEA is the simulation of a physical phenomenon using a numerical mathematic technique referred to as the Finite Element Method or FEM. This process is at the core of mechanical engineering, as well as a variety of other disciplines. It also is one of the key principles used in the development of simulation software. Engineers can use these FEM to reduce the number of physical prototypes and run virtual experiments to optimize their designs. Finite Element Analysis is used in various fields like structural, fluid flow, heat transfer to estimate the behavior of a component in real environment. There now exists growing body of knowledge connected with the development of mathematical models and numerical simulations of physical model. There are various software packages like Ansys, OptiStruct, COMSOL, Solidworks and many more which provide a close estimate in simulation models. Apart from these software MATLAB also has a Partial Differential Equation (PDE) toolbox which enables us to perform these simulations using some built-in functions and codes. However, a computational numerical technique is not an end of design rather it just provides a great estimate of the final component for which the results are only as good as the input provided and the final component in most of the cases require a physical testing in environment which it is meant to perform as a validation. Keywords: Brake pedal, MATLAB, Partial differential equation (PDE) toolbox, Tetrahedral mesh.