Evaluation of stiffness matrix in finite element analysis using element edge method for the 8-node brick element

Abstract

An element edge method is developed for the evaluation of stiffness matrix for the 8-node brick element. Handling of large data leads to take more computational time in finite element analysis. The new set of quadrature consist of 13 sampling points and weights out which 12 points are at the edges of the brick element and one point is considered at the center of the element. The new set of sampling points is a mimic of Gauss numerical integration method. Finally, the proposed element edge method is evaluated using the standard benchmarked problems and compared the results with conventional Gauss integration method and found that CPU execution time for the evaluation of finite element problems are found to be reduced considerably without compromising in the results mainly consist of accuracy of values and convergence rate.