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Finite Element Methods in Civil Engineering

This document discusses the principles of elasticity and equilibrium equations in finite element methods for civil engineering. It presents the equations of equilibrium for 2D and 3D infinitesimal elements under stress. The equations account for changes in stress in different directions of the element due to partial derivatives. They equate the divergence of stress to applied body forces like weight. These equilibrium equations are applicable to different material types and do not alone determine stresses, requiring supplementation with kinematic relations and material properties in finite element methods.

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Naveen Kumar
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88 views3 pages

Finite Element Methods in Civil Engineering

This document discusses the principles of elasticity and equilibrium equations in finite element methods for civil engineering. It presents the equations of equilibrium for 2D and 3D infinitesimal elements under stress. The equations account for changes in stress in different directions of the element due to partial derivatives. They equate the divergence of stress to applied body forces like weight. These equilibrium equations are applicable to different material types and do not alone determine stresses, requiring supplementation with kinematic relations and material properties in finite element methods.

Uploaded by

Naveen Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FINITE ELEMENT METHODS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

IV YEAR B-Tech. CIVIL I-SEMESTER 2008

UNIT # II: PRINCIPLES OF ELASTICITY: EQUILIBRIUM


EQUATIONS

An infinitesimal element of a body must be in equilibrium. For the two-


dimensional case, the system of stresses acting on an infinitesimal element (dx)(dy)(1) is
shown in second Figure. In this derivation, the element is of unit thickness in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the board.
Note that the possibility of an increment in stresses from one face of the element to
another is accounted for.
For example, since the rate of change of x in the x direction is x/x and a step of dx is
made, increment is (x/x)dx.

The partial derivative notation has to be used to differentiate between the directions.

The inertial or body forces, such as those caused by the weight or the magnetic effect, are
designed X and Y and are associated with the unit volume of the material. With these
notations,
Simplifying and xy = yx holds true, one obtain the basic equilibrium equations for the
x direction. Hence,
x yx
+ +X =0
x y
Similarly for the y direction,

xy y
+ +Y = 0
x y

In case of three dimensional element, a typical equation from a set of three is

x yx zx
+ + +X =0
x y z

xy y zy
+ + +Y = 0
x y z

xz yz z
+ + +Z =0
x y z

Important Notes:
1. In deriving these equations, mechanical properties of the material have not been
used. Hence, these equations are applicable whether a material is elastic, plastic,
or viscoelastic.
2. Also it is very important to note that there are not enough equations of
equilibrium to solve for unknown stresses.
3. In the FEM, the equations of statics are supplemented by kinematic relations and
mechanical properties of a material.

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