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Finite Difference, Finite Element and Finite Volume

This document discusses and compares three numerical methods for solving engineering problems: finite difference method, finite element method, and finite volume method. It explains that these methods are used to solve differential equations in areas like fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and structural analysis. The finite difference method uses a structured mesh and is best for simple geometries. The finite element method uses an unstructured mesh and triangular or tetrahedral elements, making it suitable for complex geometries. The finite volume method is similar to finite difference but can handle both structured and unstructured meshes, so it is commonly used for problems with irregular geometries.

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JosueAlfredoGonzalez
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61 views3 pages

Finite Difference, Finite Element and Finite Volume

This document discusses and compares three numerical methods for solving engineering problems: finite difference method, finite element method, and finite volume method. It explains that these methods are used to solve differential equations in areas like fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and structural analysis. The finite difference method uses a structured mesh and is best for simple geometries. The finite element method uses an unstructured mesh and triangular or tetrahedral elements, making it suitable for complex geometries. The finite volume method is similar to finite difference but can handle both structured and unstructured meshes, so it is commonly used for problems with irregular geometries.

Uploaded by

JosueAlfredoGonzalez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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You are on page 1/ 3

Josu Gonzlez Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len

Facultad de Ingeniera Mecnica y Elctrica

Finite difference, finite element and finite volume


There are different methods to explain or solve engineering problems. Depending of the
problem, and initial conditions, the equations to use can be algebraic, differential, or
integral. Such problems involve areas like aerodynamics, heat transfer, structural
analysis, etcetera. Although numerical methods have been used for a long time, it is in
the early 50 and 60s where they started to be more popular with the introduction of the
computer, a tool that allowed engineers to solve more complex problems in a short period
of time using simulations. As this technology evolved, the simulations where more
accurate and with more variables involved.
There are different methods to solve problems such as CFD and structural analysis, but
depending of the application, the complexity of the problem, and how accurate the results
need to be, engineers need to choose a numerical method. In this case we will focus only
in three methods: finite difference method, finite element method and finite volume
method. We will discuss each method and how each one is different from each other, but
first is necessary to understand what is and the difference between a structured and an
unstructured mesh because the three methods mentioned above depend on these
definitions.
Structured mesh
The main advantage of this type of mesh is how the elements (nodes) are organized,
using square elements (2D) or hexahedral elements (3D), making it easier to access other
cells. Structured meshes can be classified as orthogonal meshes and non-orthogonal
meshes. In the first one, the lines intersect creating a 90 angle.
Unstructured mesh
This type of mesh offers great flexibility when dealing with complex geometries. The main
advantage of this type of mesh is that the triangles (2D geometry) or (3D geometry) can
be generated automatically, no matter how complex the domain is. The time required for
a computer to generate the unstructured mesh is much less compared to the structured
mesh. The disadvantage of this mesh is that it requires more space on the computer
compared to the structured mesh.
Finite difference
The finite difference method (FDM) is based in the Taylor series, dividing the geometry
or body in nodes. The corresponding partial differential equation is then applied to each
node, where the partial derivatives are replaced by finite differences. This method
requires a structured mesh, making it difficult to apply it to systems with irregular
geometries or unusual conditions, so the areas where it can be applied are reduced to
problems with simple geometries.
An important advantage of the finite difference method is its theoretical simplicity and the
possibility of increasing the precision of the solution. This method is no longer used in
applications such as structural mechanics because is impractical. However, it is still very
relevant in fluid mechanics.

Finite element
The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method used to solve differential
equations, and it is applied in various engineering and physics problems. Unlike the finite
difference, this method divides the domain in simple shapes or elements. An approximate
solution of the partial differential equation can be developed for each element. The total
solution is generated putting together every individual solution.
This method employs triangular (2D) or tetrahedral (3D) elements on the domain,
generating an unstructured mesh. Depending of the type of element and how much
precision is desired, there will be necessary to create a fine mesh.
Typically, the finite element method is programmed computationally to calculate the
displacement field and, subsequently, through kinematic and constitutive relations, the
deformations and stresses respectively. Besides, this method is easily adaptable to heat
diffusion problems, fluid mechanics, etcetera.

Finite volume
The finite volume method (FVM) allows to discretize and numerically solve differential
equations. It is an alternative to the finite difference and finite element method. This
method is similar to the finite difference method because it divides the domain in nodes,
but instead of applying the partial differential equation to each node, the approximation is
applied to the volume surrounding the point.
The main advantage of the finite volume method is that spatial discretization is carried
out directly in the physical space of the problem. Therefore, there are no problems with
the transformation between coordinate systems. Compared with the finite difference
method, this method can be adapted with structured and unstructured meshes, making
the finite volume method the most used for the resolution of problems with complex
geometries.
It is important to note that under certain conditions, the finite volume method is equivalent
to the finite difference method. This is why, nowadays, it is the most popular method.

References
1. Captulo 3: Dinmica de Fluidos Computacional (CFD). agosto 16, 2017, de
Universidad de Sevilla Sitio web:
http://bibing.us.es/proyectos/abreproy/3718/fichero/Parte+I%252FCapitulo+3.pdf
2. Palafox, A. & Alonzo, J. Mtodos Numricos para la solucin de Ecuaciones
Diferenciales Parciales Elpticas. agosto 16, 2017, de Wordpress Sitio web:
https://jaerazcuammx.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/alonzo_palafox_reporte_ultim
o.pd
3. Captulo 8: conceptos bsicos del mtodo por elemento finito. agosto 16, 2017,
de UNAM Sitio web:
http://www.ptolomeo.unam.mx:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/132.248.52.100/2548
/011-MPM-Cap8-Final.pdf?sequence=11
4. Chapra, S. (2007). Mtodos numricos para ingenieros. Mxico, D.F.: McGraw-
Hill.

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