For 2D systems, elements are oriented at angles, requiring a transformation matrix. This modular function calculates and transforms the stiffness matrix for a 2D truss element. Save this file as truss2d_element.m .
%% ---------- STEP 7: PLOT DEFORMED SHAPE ---------- % Original coordinates X_orig = nodes(:,1); Y_orig = nodes(:,2);
% Define Free DOFs all_dofs = 1:DOF; free_dofs = setdiff(all_dofs, fixed_dofs);
function [K,F] = assemble_global(nodes, elems, D, fe_func) nnode = size(nodes,1); ndof = 2*nnode; K = sparse(ndof, ndof); F = zeros(ndof,1); for e=1:size(elems,1) enodes = elems(e,:); xy = nodes(enodes,:); ke = element_stiffness(xy, D); fe = fe_func(enodes, nodes); % user-defined element force vector dofs = reshape([2*enodes-1;2*enodes],1,[]); K(dofs,dofs) = K(dofs,dofs) + ke; F(dofs) = F(dofs) + fe; end end matlab codes for finite element analysis m files
Boundary conditions are applied to restrict rigid body motion. In MATLAB, this is frequently handled using the or the Penalty Method .
Plotting results is where MATLAB shines. Write reusable functions:
Uses patch or trisurf in MATLAB for plotting meshes, contours, and deformation. 4. Key MATLAB Functions for FEM For 2D systems, elements are oriented at angles,
for e = 1:nele sctr = element(e, :); el_coords = node(sctr, :); el_disp = d([2 sctr-1; 2 sctr]); % Extract element displacements
A professional-grade MATLAB FEA program is often split into a "runner" script and separate function files for stiffness calculations
What Is Finite Element Analysis? - MATLAB & Simulink - MathWorks %% ---------- STEP 7: PLOT DEFORMED SHAPE ----------
tol = 1e-6; maxit = 1000; [U_free, flag] = pcg(K_free, F_free, tol, maxit);
% Vectorized Assembly Initialization Template ii = zeros(num_elements * 16, 1); % Assuming 4 DOFs per element (4x4=16 entries) jj = zeros(num_elements * 16, 1); ss = zeros(num_elements * 16, 1); index = 0; for e = 1:num_elements % ... compute k_local and dof vector ... % Flatten local matrix operations into position index vectors for r = 1:4 for c = 1:4 index = index + 1; ii(index) = dof(r); jj(index) = dof(c); ss(index) = k_local(r, c); end end end % Instantaneous generation of a highly efficient sparse global matrix K_sparse = sparse(ii, jj, ss, total_dof, total_dof); Use code with caution.
Every robust MATLAB FEA script follows a structured, sequential pipeline. Standardizing this workflow makes your M-files modular, reusable, and easy to debug. 1. Pre-Processing (Input Data)
Save the following code as a script in your MATLAB working directory. This script solves a stepped bar fixed at one end and subjected to an axial load at the free end.