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AE 2351 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

PART A QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

UNIT 1
1. What is meant by finite element?
A small units having definite shape of geometry and nodes is called finite element.
2. What is meant by node or joint?
Each kind of finite element has a specific structural shape and is inter- connected with
the adjacent element by nodal point or nodes. At the nodes, degrees of freedom are
located. The forces will act only at nodes at any others place in the element.
3. What is the basic of finite element method?
Discretization is the basis of finite element method. The art of subdividing a structure
in to convenient number of smaller components is known as discretization.
4. What are the types of boundary conditions?
Primary boundary conditions
Secondary boundary conditions
5. State the methods of engineering analysis?
Experimental methods
Analytical methods
Numerical methods or approximate methods
6. What are the types of element?
7. 1D element
2D element
3D element
8. State the three phases of finite element method.
Preprocessing
Analysis
Post Processing
9. What is structural problem?
Displacement at each nodal point is obtained. By these displacements solution
stress and strain in each element can be calculated.
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10. What is non structural problem?

Temperature or fluid pressure at each nodal point is obtained. By using these
values properties such as heat flow fluid flow for each element can be calculated.

10. What are the methods are generally associated with the finite element analysis?
Force method
Displacement or stiffness method.
11. Explain stiffness method.
Displacement or stiffness method, displacement of the nodes is considered as the
unknown of the problem. Among them two approaches, displacement method is
desirable.
12. What is meant by post processing?
Analysis and evaluation of the solution result is referred to as post processing.
Postprocessor computer program help the user to interpret the result by displaying
them in graphical form.
13. Name the variation methods.
Ritz method.
Ray-Leigh Ritz method.
14. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
When the force or reaction act at nodal point node is subjected to deformation. The
deformation includes displacement rotation, and or strains. These are collectively
known as degrees of freedom
15. What is meant by discretization and assemblage?
The art of subdividing a structure in to convenient number of smaller components
is known as discretization. These smaller components are then put together. The
process of uniting the various elements together is called assemblage.
16. What is Rayleigh-Ritz method?
It is integral approach method which is useful for solving complex structural
problem, encountered in finite element analysis. This method is possible only if a
suitable function is available.
17. What is Aspect ratio?
It is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of the element to the smallest
dimension. In many cases, as the aspect ratio increases the in accuracy of the
solution increases. The conclusion of many researches is that the aspect ratio
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should be close to unity as possible.

18. What is truss element?

The truss elements are the part of a truss structure linked together by point joint
which transmits only axial force to the element.
19. What are the h and p versions of finite element method?
It is used to improve the accuracy of the finite element method. In h version, the
order of polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant and the numbers of
elements are increased. In p version, the numbers of elements are maintained constant and
the order of polynomial approximation of element is increased.
20. Name the weighted residual method
Point collocation method
Sub domain collocation method
Least squares method
Galerkins method.

UNIT 2

21. List the two advantages of post processing.

Required result can be obtained in graphical form. Contour diagrams can be used to
understand the solution easily and quickly.
22. During discretization, mention the places where it is necessary to place a
node?
Concentrated load acting point
Cross-section changing point
Different material interjections
Sudden change in point load
23. What is the difference between static and dynamic analysis?
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as
static analysis
Example: stress analysis on a beam
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as
dynamic analysis
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Example: vibration analysis problem.

24. Name any four FEA softwares.

ANSYS
NASTRAN
COSMOS
25. Differentiate between global and local axes.
Local axes are established in an element. Since it is in the element level, they change
with the change in orientation of the element. The direction differs from element to
element.

Global axes are defined for the entire system. They are same in direction for all the
elements even though the elements are differently oriented.
26. Distinguish between potential energy function and potential energy functional
If a system has finite number of degree of freedom (q1,q2,and q3), then the potential
energy expressed as,
= f (q1,q2,and q3)
It is known as function. If a system has infinite degrees of freedom then the potential
energy is expressed as
dy d y
f x , y ,
2
, ....dx
2

dx dx
27. What are the types of loading acting on the structure?
Body force (f)
Traction force (T)
Point load (P)
28. Define the body force
A body force is distributed force acting on every elemental volume of the
body Unit: Force per unit volume.
Example: Self weight due to gravity
29. Define traction force
Traction force is defined as distributed force acting on the surface of the
body. Unit: Force per unit area.
Example: Frictional resistance, viscous drag, surface shear
30. What is point load?
Point load is force acting at a particular point which causes displacement.
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31. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element modeling.
Discretization of structure.
Numbering of nodes.
32. Write down the general finite element equation.
{F }=[K ]{u}
33. What is discretization?
The art of subdividing a structure in to a convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization.
34. What are the classifications of coordinates?
Global coordinates
Local coordinates
Natural coordinates
35. What is Global coordinates?
The points in the entire structure are defined using coordinates system is known as
global coordinate system.
36. What is natural coordinates?
A natural coordinate system is used to define any point inside the element by a set
of dimensionless number whose magnitude never exceeds unity. This system is
very useful in assembling of stiffness matrices.
37. Define shape function.
Approximate relation (x,y) = N1 (x,y) 1 + N2 (x,y) 2 + N3 (x,y) 3
Where 1, 2, and 3 are the values of the field variable at the nodes N1, N2, and
N3 are the interpolation functions.
N1, N2, and N3 are also called shape functions because they are used to express the
geometry or shape of the element.
38. What are the characteristic of shape function?
It has unit value at one nodal point and zero value at other nodal points. The sum of
shape function is equal to one.
39. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function?
Differentiation and integration of polynomial are quit easy.
The accuracy of the result can be improved by increasing the order of the
polynomial. It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equations
40. How do you calculate the size of the global stiffness matrix?
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Global stiffness matrix size = Number of nodes X Degrees of freedom per node
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UNIT 3

41. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for one dimensional bar element.
AE 1 1
[ K ]=
l 1 1
42. State the properties of stiffness matrix
It is a symmetric matrix
The sum of elements in any column must be equal to zero
It is an unstable element. So the determinant is equal to zero.
43. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for a truss element.
u
1
u1 l m 0 0 u2
=
u 0 0 l mu
2 3

u
4
44. Write down the expression of shape function N and displacement u for one
dimensional bar element.
U= N1u1+N2u2
N1= 1-X /
l N2 = X / l
45. Define total potential energy.
Total potential energy, = Strain energy (U) + potential energy of the external forces
(W)
46. State the principle of minimum potential energy.
Among all the displacement equations that satisfied internal compatibility and the
boundary condition those that also satisfy the equation of equilibrium make the
potential energy a minimum is a stable system.
47. Write down the finite element equation for one dimensional two noded bar element.
AE 1 1

[K ] =
l 1 1

48. What is truss?

A truss is defined as a structure made up of several bars, riveted or welded together.
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49. States the assumption are made while finding the forces in a truss.
All the members are pin jointed.
The truss is loaded only at the joint
The self weight of the members is neglected unless stated.
50. State the principles of virtual energy?
A body is in equilibrium if the internal virtual work equals the external virtual work
for the every kinematically admissible displacement field
51. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC Boundary condition which in terms of field
variable is known as Primary boundary condition.

52. Natural boundary conditions?

Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form
of field variable is known as secondary boundary condition
53. How do you define two dimensional elements?
Two dimensional elements are define by three or more nodes in a two dimensional
plane. The basic element useful for two dimensional analysis is the triangular
element.
54. What is CST element?
Three noded triangular elements are known as CST. It has six unknown
displacement degrees of freedom (u1, v1, u2, v2, u3, v3). The element is called
CST because it has a constant strain throughout it.
55. What is LST element?
Six nodded triangular elements are known as LST. It has twelve unknown
displacement degrees of freedom. The displacement function for the elements are
quadratic instead of linear as in the CST.
56. What is QST element?
Ten nodded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also
called as cubic displacement triangle.
58. What meant by plane stress analysis?
Plane stress is defined to be a state of stress in which the normal stress and shear
stress directed perpendicular to the plane are assumed to be zero.
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60. Define plane strain analysis.

Plane strain is defined to be state of strain normal to the xy plane and the shear
strains are assumed to be zero.

UNIT 4

61. Write down the stiffness matrix equation for two dimensional CST elements.
T
Stiffness matrix [K ]=[B ] [D ][B ]At
[B]T -Strain displacement [D]-Stress strain matrix [B]-Strain displacement matrix
62. Write down the stress strain relationship matrix for plane stress conditions.

1 0
E
1+ 12 0 1 0

( )( )

12
0 0
2

63. What is axisymmetric element?

Many three dimensional problem in engineering exhibit symmetry about an axis of
rotation such type of problem are solved by special two dimensional element called
the axisymmetric element
64. What are the conditions for a problem to be axisymmetric?
The problem domain must be symmetric about the axis of revolution All
boundary condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution All
loading condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution
65. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an axisymmetric triangular
T
element. Stiffness matrix [K ]=[B ] [D ][B ]2rA
66. What is the purpose of Isoparametric element?
It is difficult to represent the curved boundaries by straight edges finite elements. A
large number of finite elements may be used to obtain reasonable resemblance
between original body and the assemblage.
67. Write down the shape functions for 4 noded rectangular elements using natural
coordinate system.
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N1 = 1 (1)(1) N2 = 1 (1+)(1)
4 4

N3 = 1 (1 +)(1+) N4 = 1 (1 )(1 +)
4 4
68. Write down Jacobian matrix for 4 noded quadrilateral elements.
J J
[J ]= 11 12
J J
21 22
69. Write down stiffnes matrix equation for 4 noded isoparametric quadrilateral elements.

1 1
Stiffness matrix [K ]=t [B ]T [D ][B ] J
1 1

70. Define super parametric element.

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is more than of nodes used
for defining the displacement is known as super parametric element
71. Define sub parametric element.
If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is less than number of nodes
used for defining the displacement is known as sub parametric element.
72. What is meant by Isoparametric element?
If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is same as number of nodes
used for defining the displacement is known as Isoparametric element.
73. Is beam element an Isoparametric element?
Beam element is not an Isoparametric element since the geometry and displacement
are defined by different order interpretation functions.
74. What is the difference between natural coordinate and simple natural
coordinate?
L1 = 1-x/l
L2 = x/l
75. What is Area coordinates?
L1 = A1/A L2 = A2/A L3 = A3/A
76. What is simple natural coordinate?
A simple natural coordinate is one whose value between -1 and 1.
77. Give example for essential boundary conditions.
The geometry boundary condition are displacement, slope.
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78. Give example for non essential boundary conditions.

The natural boundary conditions are bending moment, shear force
79. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
When the force or reaction act at nodal point node is subjected to deformation. The
deformation includes displacement rotation, and or strains. These are collectively
known as degrees of freedom.
80. What is QST element?
Ten noded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also
called as cubic displacement triangle.

UNIT 5

81. What meant by plane stress analysis?

Plane stress is defined to be a state of stress in which the normal stress and shear
stress directed perpendicular to the plane are assumed to be zero.
82. Define plane strain analysis.
Plane strain is defined to be state of strain normal to the x,y plane and the shear
strains are assumed to be zero.

83. What is truss element?

The truss elements are the part of a truss structure linked together by point joint
which transmits only axial force to the element.

84. List the two advantages of post processing.

Required result can be obtained in graphical form.
Contour diagrams can be used to understand the solution easily and quickly.
85. What are the h and p versions of finite element method?
It is used to improve the accuracy of the finite element method. In h version, the order
of polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant and the numbers of
elements are increased. In p version, the numbers of elements are maintained constant
and the order of polynomial approximation of element is increased.
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86. During discretization, mention the places where it is necessary to place a node?
Concentrated load acting point
Cross-section changing point
Different material inter junction point
Sudden change in point load
87. What is the difference between static and dynamic analysis?
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as
static analysis
Example: stress analysis on a beam
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as
dynamic analysis
Example: vibration analysis problem.
88. What is meant by discretization and assemblage?
The art of subdividing a structure in to convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization. These smaller components are then put together. The
process of uniting the various elements together is called assemblage.
89. What is Rayleigh-Ritz method?
It is integral approach method which is useful for solving complex structural
problem, encountered in finite element analysis. This method is possible only if a
suitable function is available.
90. What is Aspect ratio?
It is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of the element to the smallest
dimension. In many cases, as the aspect ratio increases the in accuracy of the solution
increases. The conclusion of many researches is that the aspect ratio should be close
to unity as possible.
91. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC, Boundary condition which in terms of field
variable is known as Primary boundary condition
92. Natural boundary conditions.
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential
form of field variable is known as secondary boundary condition.
93. How do you define two dimensional elements?
Two dimensional elements are define by three or more nodes in a two dimensional
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plane. The basic element useful for two dimensional analysis is the triangular
element.
94. State the principles of virtual energy?
A body is in equilibrium if the internal virtual work equals the external virtual
work for the every kinematically admissible displacement field.
95. Define Eigen value problem.
The problem of determining the constant is called eigen value problem.
d du

a

= u dx dx
96. What is non-homogeneous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables are non-zero, the boundary
conditi said to be non-homogeneous.
97. What is homogeneous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables is zero, the boundary condition
are said to be homogeneous.
98. Define initial value problem.
An initial value problem is one in which the dependent variable and possibly is
derivatives are specified initially.
99. Define boundary value problem.
A differential equation is said to describe a boundary value problem if the dependent
variable and its derivatives are required to take specified values on the boundary.
100. Define governing equation.

d du
dx EA dx + A = 0
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16 MARKS QUESTIONS & ANSWER

1. Using Rayleigh Ritz methods calculate the deflection at the middle and end for the
following cantilever beam.

7 3
A=80 sq.cm, l=300 cm, E= 2x10 N/ sq.cm, = 0.075 N/ cm
2
2 l
l EA = l
a1 2 l
2 4 3 a = A +P 2
l
3
l 2 l l
3
3
2
2 300
300 300
7 a1 2 5 300
2 X 10 X 80 = 2 4 3 a = 0.075X 80 3 +10 2
300 300 2 300 300
3
3
-5 -9
a1= 6.36X10 a2= -1.88X10
2. Solve the given problem for temperature distribution consider the end convection
0 20 20 0
coefficient .Take t1=170 C , h1= 0.0025 w/ cm c, h2= 0.0625 w/ cm c T=25 c,
0
l=10 cm, k= 0.17 w/ cm c
KA 1 1 hphe 2 1t1 hpT he 1
= + = =
t 1
he 1 1 6 1 2 2 2
0.17 X X 12 1 1 0.0025 X X 2 X 2 2 1 t1 0.0025 X X 25 X 2 X 2 1
= + = =
1 2 t 1
2 1 1 6 2 2
0 0
T1=170 C, T2=73 C
3. A beam with clamped support at one end and spring support at the other end. A
linearly varying transverse load of max.magnitude 100 N/cm is applied in the span
7 2
4 cm <x<10 cm. solve the problem by FEM method EI= 2X10 N cm
 he
2

12 6 he 12 6he 1 2 Q
Q1
h

6 h 2h 2
e

EI 6 h
2
4 he
2
[K ]= e e 2 = h 2
e f ( x) +
Q
h
3
12
e 6 he 12 6h
e 3 e 3
2 he
2
6 h 4h 2
2 Q
6 he h 2 4
e e 4
e

2
12 24 12 24 u1 90 Q1
7
2 X10 24 64 24 32 120 u

Q

4 3 12 u =
2 2

24 12 + Q
24
210
3 3

24 32 24 64 u 180 Q
4 4
U1= 0.0001 mm, U2= 0.0001 mm, U3= 0.0001 mm, U4= 0.0001 mm
7 2
4. Evaluate the displacement at node 1, 2. Take t=0.5 cm, E=2X10 N/cm = 0.27
using plane stress condition.

[K ]=tAB T DB
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1 0
E
D= 2 1 0
1
1
0 0
2
y
y 23 0 31 0 y12 0
1
B= 0 x 0 x 0 x
2A 32 13 21
x y x y x y
32 23 13 31 21 12

A = 1 bh
2
2 0 3
3 2
2 0 0 0 2 0 0

0 3 ,
1
A = X 3 X 2 = 3cm , B = 1 0 3 0 3 00 , B = 0
T 1


2 6 3 2 3 0 0 2 60 3 0
2 0 0

0 0 2


7 1 0.27 0
2 X10
D= 2 0.27 1 0
1 0.27
1 0.27
0 0
2
5. Tow point Gauss integration method

1 f (r )dr = w1 f (r1 )+w2 f (r2 )

1

1 f (r )dr = w1 f (r1 )+w2 f (r2 )

1

f (r )dr w1 f (r1 )+w2 f (r2 ) = 0

1
1
1
2 3
(1+r +r +r )dr w f r + w f (r ) = 0
1 (1) 22
1

W1+W2=2
W1=W2=1
r1 = r2 = +or 0.57735
6. Consider the bar element as shown in fig. An axial load of 200kN is applied at point
2 9 2 2 9 2.
P. Take A1= 2400 mm , E1 = 70 * 10 N/m , A2= 600 mm , E2=200 * 10 N/m
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Calculate the following: The nodal displacement at point P, Stress in each

material, Reaction force.

Finite element equation for one dimensional two nodded bar element is

Element 1

Assemble the finite elements,

5
1 10

Boundary Conditions:u1 = u3 = 0, F1 = F3 = 0

5
1 10

u2 = 0.2325 mm

Stress in each element,

2
1 = 54.25 N/mm

2
2 = - 116.25 N/mm

Reaction Force:

5 5
R1 = -1.302 10 N, R2 = 0, R3 = -0.6975 10 N
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2
7. Consider the bar element Area of element 1, A1=300 mm Area of element 2, A2= 300
2 2
mm ,Area of element 3, A3=600 mm ,Length of element 1, l1=200mm,Length of
2
element 2, l2=200mm, Length of element 3, l3=400mm, E = 2*10^5 N/mm ,Point Load p
= 400kN =400 * 10^3 N Calculate The nodal displacement at point P,

Finite element equation for one dimensional two nodded bar element is

Element 1:

Element 2:

Element 3:

5
Assemble the finite elements, 1 10

Boundary Conditions: u1 = u4 = 0, F1 = F3 = F4 = 0

5
1 10

u3 = 0.4444 mm, u2 = 0.8888 mm

8. For a tapered plate of uniform thickness t=10mm, find the displacement at the nodes by
forming into two element model. The bar has mass density =7800 kg/m3, Youngs
modulus, E=2*10^5MN/m2.In addition to self-weight, the plate is subjected to the point
load p=10kN at its centre.
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Element 1:

Element 2:

Global Force Vector,

Finite element equation for one dimensional two nodded bar element is

Assemble the finite elements,

5
2 10

Boundary Conditions: u1 = 0

5
2 10

u3 =u2 = 0.01073 mm

9. A rod subjected to an axial load p = 600kN is applied at end Divide the domain into
two elements. Determine the following: The nodal displacement at point P, Stress in
2
each material. Take A=250mm ,E=2*10^5N/mm, The gap between the wall and
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node 3 is 1.2mm.

The gap between the wall and node 3 is 1.2mm.(i.e.) u3 = 1.2mm

Finite element equation for one dimensional two nodded bar element is

Element

Assemble the finite elements,

5
1 10

Boundary Conditions:u1 = 0, u3 = 1.2 mm, F1 = F3 = 0

5
1 10

u2 = 1.50 mm

2
Stress in each element, 1 = 2000 N/mm

2
2 = - 400 N/mm

10. A thin plate of uniform thickness 25mm is subjected to a point load of 25N at mid
depth, the plate is also subjected to self-weight. If E=2*10^5 N/mm2,
-4 3
=.8*10 N/mm . Calculate, Nodal displacement

Area at node, A=Width*Thickness

A1=2500 mm2, A2=2000 mm2

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Body Force Vector ,

Element 1:

Element 2:

Global Force Vector,

Finite element equation for one dimensional two nodded bar element is

Element 1:

Element 2:

Assemble the finite elements,

5
2 10

Boundary Conditions: u1 = 0

5
2 10

-4 -4
u3 =1.968* 10 mm, u2 = 1.888*10 mm
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Stress in each element,

2
1 = .188 N/mm

2
2 = 0.008 N/mm

11. A spring assemblage with arbitrarily numbered nodes. The nodes 1 & 2 are fixed
& a force of 500 kN is applied at node 4 in the x direction. Calculate the following;
Global stiffness matrix, Nodal displacements

Solution: Finite element equation for spring element is

Element 1:

Element 2:

Element 3:

Assemble the finite elements,

Boundary Conditions: u1 = u2 = 0, F1 = F3 = F2 = 0

u3 = 0.9091 mm, u4 = 1.364 mm

12. Determine the nodal displacements in each element & the reactions. E = 70 GPa , A
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= 2 * 10 ^ -4 m2, For the bar assemblage, k = 2000 kN/m.

Element 1:

Element 2:

Element 3:

Assemble the finite elements,

3
10

Boundary Conditions: u1 = u4 = 0, F1 = F3 = F4 = 0

3
10

u3 = 0.727 *10 ^ -3 mm, u2 = 0.935 * 10 ^ -3 mm

Reaction Force:

3
10
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3
10

R1 = -6.546 k N, R2 = 0, R3 = 0, R4 = -1.45 k N

13. For the two bar truss shown in fig determine the displacement of node 1 & stress

in element 1-3.

Element 1:
le1 = le1 = 500 mm

, , , m1 = 0
Element 2: le2 = , le1 = 500 mm

, , , m1 = -0.6

Stiffness matrix,

Assembled Stiffness matrix is,

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Boundary conditions,
u at 3,4,5,6 is 0, F at 1,3,4,5,and 6 is 0
By elimination,

u1 = -0.571 mm, u 2 = -1.952 mm

2
Stress in element 2 is, 2 = -100 N /mm
14. Determine the stiffness matrix for the CST shown in fig. Assume plane stress
conditions. Co ordinates are in mm. Take E = 210 GPa , = 0.25, t= 10 mm

2
Area of element, A= 2700 mm

Strain- displacement matrix

Stress strain relationship matrix,

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Stiffness matrix,

[K] = 46.656 N/mm

15. Evaluate the element stiffness matrix for the triangular element shown in fig.
Assume plane stress condition. Take E= 2 * 10^ 5GPa, =0.3, t= 10mm.

Stiffness matrix,

2
Area of element, A= 6 mm

Strain- displacement matrix

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Stress strain relationship matrix,

Stiffness matrix,

[K] = 91.6

16. Using two finite elements, find the displacement in a uniformly tapering bar of
2 2
circular cross-sectional area 3cm and 2cm at their ends, length 100mm, subjected
to an axial tensile load of 50 N at smaller end and fixed at larger end. Take the
5
value of youngs modulus 2x10 .

2
A1= (A1+A2)/2 = 2.75cm
2
A2= (A2+A3)/2= 2.25cm
1
K =E1 A1/L1
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1 6
K = 10

2 6
K = 10
1 2
K = K +K

6
K= 10

Applying boundary condition,

Since 1 and 3 neglect 1and 3 row and column,
We get,
Result:
-5
U2= 4.545x10 mm
-4
U3=1.01x10 mm

17. For the bar assemblage as shown in fig. Determine (i)Global stiffness
matrix (ii)Nodal displacement

1 2 15KN 3 4m

-4 2
E=70Gpa, A=2x10 m ,K = 2000KN/m

1
K =E1 A1/L1

1 6
K = 10

2 6
K = 10

3 6
K = 10

K=
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Applying boundary conditions,

We get,
Result:
U2=7.27E-4m
U3=1.454E-3m
18. Calculate the nodal displacement and slope of the beam loading as shown in fig.

50KN

400cm 800cm

Kij=

K=

Apply the boundary conditions,

st rd
Eliminate 1 and 3 row and column, we get
Result:
U2= -1.975
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19. For the plane strain element the nodal displacements

are U1=0.005mm, v1= 0.002mm
U2 =0mm, v2=0.0mm
U3=0.005mm, v3=0mm
Determine the element stresses Given E=70Gpa, and and
use unit thickness for plane strain.
Solution:
2
A= 100mm

[B]=

[B]=

[D]=26.923E3

We know that,

20. A steel bar of length 800mm is subjected to an axial load of 3 kN 1.Find the
5 2 2
elongation of the bar, neglecting self weight.Take E = 2*10 N/mm , A = 300mm .
Solution:
For one dimensional two noded bar element, the finite element eqn

is =
For element 1:
3
Finite element equation is = 150*10
For element 2

3
Finite element equation is = 150*10
1 2
K = K + K
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Applying Boundary conditions,

We get the values
U2 = 0.02mm
U3 = 0.04mm.
L = 0.04 mm.
21. A thin steel plate of uniform thickness 25mm is subjected to a point load of 420 N
at mid depth. The plate is also subjected to self weight. If Youngs modulus, E =
5 2 -4 3
2*10 N/mm and unit weight density = 0.8 * 10 N/mm ,
Calculate the following: Displacement at each nodal point, Stresses in each
element Solution:

Body force vector, =

For element 1: =

For element 2: =

Therefore global force vector =

For one dimensional two noded bar element, the finite element eqn is

=
For element 1: Finite element equation is:
5
= 2*10
For element 2;Finite element equation is:
5
= 2*10

K = =

Applying boundary conditions we get

-4 -4 2 2
U2 = 1.888 * 10 mm, U3 =1.9698 * 10 mm, 1 = 0.188 N/mm , 2 = 0.008 N/mm
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22. The three bar assemblage. A force of 2500N is applied in the x direction at node
5 2 2
2. The length of each element is 750 mm. Take E = 4*10 N/mm . A = 600mm
5 2 2
for elements 1 and 2.Take E = 2*10 N/mm and A = 1200mm for element 3.
Nodes 1 and 4 are fixed. Calculate the following: Global stiffness matrix,
Displacements of nodes 2 and 3. Reactions at nodes 1 and 4.
Solution:

5
For element 1: = 1*10
5
For element 2: = 1*10
5
For element 3: = 1*10

5
K = 10

Applying boundary conditions:

-3
U2 = 5.127*10 mm
-3
U3 = 2.604*10 mm
R1 = -1640 N
R4 = -833 N
23. A steel bar of length 800mm is subjected to an axial load of 3 KN. Find
the elongation of the bar, neglect self weight. A= 300 sq mm

3
For element 1: Finite element equation is: = 300*10

3
For element 2: Finite element equation is: = 300*10

3
For element 3: = 300*10

3
For element 4: = 300*10
Applying boundary conditions:
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We get the values

U1 = 0
U2 = 0.01mm
U3 = 0.02mm
U4 = 0.03mm
U5 = 0.04mm
24. Explain Finite element method procedure.
(i) Finite element discretization: the domain circumference is represented as a
collection of finite number of n sub domains. This is called discretization of the
domain. Each sub domain is called as element. Collection of element is called as
finite element mesh. The elements are connected to each other at point is called
nodes. The line segment can be same length or of different length. When all the
segment are of same length the resulting mesh is called as uniform mesh on the
other hand is called as non-uniform mesh
(ii) Element equation: An element is isolated and its required properties ie length
is computed by some approximate means
(iii) Assembly of element equation and solution : The approximate values of
circumference f the circle is obtained by putting together the element properties in a
meaningful way. This process is called assembly of element equation.
(iv) Converge and error estimate: The exact solution is known to us P=2r
25. A bridge is supported by several concrete piles and the geometry and loads of
typical piles. The load 20 KN/sq.m represent weight of the bridge and an assumed
distribution of the traffic on the bridge. The concrete weight approximately 25
6
KN/cu.m and its modulus f is 28X10 KN/sq.m. Analyse the pile for stress and
displacement by FEM having more than one element.

K = EA dN j dN i dx

ij
dx dx
N =1 ; N = x
x
1 h 2 h
e e
Element 1:
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2
1 1
K =E
11 4
(1 + x )
h dx
e
h
E 1 x
K11 = 4 h + h 2 dx
e

0 e e

K =1.5 E
11
4
K = 1.5 E
12
4

ri = A( x ) N i dx + Pi ( L)
r= 1
25(1 + x )(1 x )dx +Q
1 4 1
0

r1= 4.167+Q1
r2= 5.167+Q1
1.5 0 4.167
1.5 Q
E 1 1
2.5 =

1.5 4
3.33 + Q2
A 0 2.5 2.5 24 2
Q
3 3
=1.2173X 106 mm
1
=3.4525X 107 mm
2