Natural Coordinate System in 3D and XFEM — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the concept of the natural coordinate system in three-dimensional problems. It explains how to map the local coordinate system to the global coordinate system using a brick element as an example. The lesson also discusses the shape function of an element and how it can be expressed in terms of the local coordinate system. It further explains how to convert the global system into the local system for easier handling. The lesson also delves into the formulation of three-dimensional heat transfer problems, explaining how temperature is interpolated within an element. It also covers the discretization of the governing equation and boundary conditions using the Galerkin weighted residue technique. The lesson concludes with the assembly of the elemental matrix and the solution of the linear system of equations.

Video Highlights

01:25 - How to define the natural coordinate system
10:13 - How to calculate the heat loss from the surface by convection
29:59 - Machining process and the different elements involved in it
43:47 - Concept of a finite element solver
54:57 - Concept of interface tracking in the context of finite element analysis
01:08:16 - Concept of the extended finite element method

Key Takeaways

- The shape function of an element can be expressed in terms of the local coordinate system.
- The global system can be converted into the local system for easier handling.
- Temperature is interpolated within an element in three-dimensional heat transfer problems.
- The governing equation and boundary conditions can be discretized using the Galerkin weighted residue technique.
- The elemental matrix is assembled and the linear system of equations is solved to find the solution.