Extension of the FEM Analysis Using the PDE-Toolbox of Matlab with Regard to Point Loads, Line Loads, and Freeform Surface Loads: Feature Surface Concept

Abstract

In this article, we present a novel method to extend the Finite-Element-Analysis concept of Matlab's Partial-Differential-Equation (PDE) Toolbox to perform the stress calculation for any point, line or freeform surface load using surface models. The current implementation of the PDE-Toolbox only allows the user to apply surface loads on the surfaces which are calculated by the PDE-Toolbox. Currently, there is no chance to specify a sub-region of a surface by the user. This is a remarkable drawback since the stress distribution of many objects like spheres, cylindric objects or freeform surfaces cannot be analyzed with respect to a point load, line load or any specified freeform surface load. We present and describe in detail how it is possible to calculate the feature surfaces as it is done by Matlab and how to modify the surface models to create feature surfaces of any freeform shape. With this new method the PDE-Toolbox is able to perform stress and displacement analysis for any point, line or freeform surface load.