Higher order 3D isoparametric finite elements for improved magnetic field calculation accuracy

Author

Brauer, J.R. ; Larkin, L.A. ; MacNeal, B.E.

Author_Institution

MacNeal-Schwendler Corp., Milwaukee, WI, USA

Volume

27

Issue

5

fYear

1991

fDate

9/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

4185

Lastpage

4188

Abstract

The formulation and application of second-order isoparametric three-dimensional magnetic vector potential finite elements is described. For a hexahedral finite element, detailed expressions are derived for all the shape functions and their derivatives. A patch test is passed by hexahedrons of both first and second orders. An extremely coarse mesh of both element orders is used to model the pathological problem of a closed steel loop deformed in three-dimensional space. The first-order elements are shown to give only 2.4% of the correct magnetic field in the steel, while the second-order elements are shown to give 80 to 96% of the correct magnetic field.

Keywords

finite element analysis; magnetic fields; 3D isoparametric finite elements; FEA; coarse mesh; deformed closed steel loop; element orders; hexahedral finite element; magnetic field calculation; magnetic vector potential finite elements; patch test; pathological problem; shape functions; Accuracy; Deformable models; Finite element methods; Magnetic fields; Magnetostatics; Pathology; Permeability; Shape; Steel; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.105024

Filename

105024