Master 1 Université Grenoble Alpes

Finite Element Analysis - Exercises

Exercise n◦ 1 - Shape functions

Let us consider a field A (which can be displacement, temperature...) that we want to approximate
along a finite element. A depends on x and y, on the dimensions of the element and on the nodal
variables. Pour each proposed element, give the most appropriate expression of A.

x x
L L

1 2 1 2 3

y y L
3 L 4 3

H H

x x
1 2 1 2

Exercise n◦ 2 - Shape functions - Beam element

In the case of the beam element, the degree of freedom are the translations along the y axis and the
rotations around z. Determine the shape functions of the element.

Exercise n◦ 3 - Beam torsion

The beam of the figure has a uniform circular cross-section of radius r. This beam is supposed to be
only submitted to torsion at its ends, noted M1 and M2 . The rotations of the ends are noted φ1 and

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φ2 . Build the individual elements stiffness matrix in function of r, L and the shear modulus G. The
analogy between traction and torsion will be used to avoid making unnecessary calculations.

1 2

Exercise n◦ 4 - Structure submitted to torsion

Let us consider a tube AB of length 3L with inside diameter d and outside diameter D. This tube
is embedded at both ends and submitted to a torsion moment M at point C, with AC = L. Let us
note G the shear modulus of the material and θc the angle at the point C.

A C B
x
l 2l

1. By using the beam element established in the previous exercise, let us propose the minimum
mesh that permit to find the exact solution of the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory.
2. Build the system stiffness matrix and the vector of nodal forces.
3. Calculate θc and the reactions at the ends of the beam.

Exercise n◦ 5 - Bar in tension

The objective of this exercise is to determine the displacement field, the strain and stress in the bar
submitted to gravity g oriented along axis x (see figure). The length of the bar is 3h, the section is
constant and noted S, the Young modulus of the material is noted E and the density is noted ρ. In
addition, the bar is submitted to a tensile force F .
It is proposed to perform a finite element analysis by using a mesh with 3 elements with the same
g
F

0 3h

length h.

1. Build the system stiffness matrix and the vector of nodal forces.

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i j x
0 h

2. Solve the displacement problem.

3. Calculate the strain and stress in the elements.
4. Calculate the force at the end of the beam.
5. How is modified the solution if the gravity is neglected ?

Exercise n◦ 6 - Articulated structure

Consider a machine support consisting of two rectilinear bars AB and BC articulated in B. This
√
support is linked with two revolute joints in A and C. The lengths AB = h and BC = h 2 are such
that ABC is a right triangle in A (cf. figure). A force F = F →
−
y is applied in B. Let us note E and
ν the Young modulus and the Poisson ratio of the material. The ultimate stress of the material is
noted Ra , determine the minimal section of the beam.
Numerical application :

x
A B

F = 4000N
h = AB = AC = 60mm
E = 200000M P a
ν = 0, 3
Ra = 150M P a

Exercise n◦ 7 - Development of the linear beam element

Let us consider the following rectilinear beam element with two nodes :
Build the individual elements’ stiffness matrix of this element.

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y,v
Fi Fj
Mi Mj

x, u
vi vj
i j

Exercise n◦ 8 - Bending and Tension

We consider a slender structure modelled as follows :

A B C X

2l Y l

Calculate the displacement of the point C by means of the finite element analysis.

Exercise n◦ 9 - Uniformly distributed load

We consider a linear beam element with two nodes. By using the results of the previous exercises,
calculate the vector of nodal forces, which corresponds to an uniformly distributed load. The loading
is oriented in direction y with an intensity q (N/m).

Exercise n◦ 10 - Beam with uniformly distributed load

Let us consider a beam fixed at its two ends submitted to an uniformly distributed load.

1. Write the finite element problem to obtain the deformation of the beam (no calculation is
needed).
2. Use the linear beam element and solve the finite element analysis problem. In this Exercise,
the focus is to compare finite element method and beam theory, a specific comparison of the
deflexion of the end of the beam and of the point located at L/4.
3. Let us do again the same exercise with a mesh with two elements.

Exercise n◦ 11 - Quadratic element in two dimensions

We consider a two dimension quadrangular element in intrinsic coordinates (r, s) varying from −1

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and 1. This element has 8 nodes (1 to 8 as illustrated in the figure) with two degrees of freedom by
node : the displacement components u and v in the axis x and y.

The shape functions Ni (i = 1...8) are given by :

Ni = 1/4(−1 + ri r + si s)(1 + ri r)(1 + si s) for i = 1, 3, 5, 7.
Ni = 1/2(1 − r2 )(1 + si s) for i = 2, 6.
Ni = 1/2(1 − s2 )(1 + ri r) for i = 4, 8.

1. Verify that the shape functions give nodal displacement values, which are equal to real displa-
cements.
2. Express the displacement approximation of the side 3-4-5.
3. An uniformly distributed load r with an intensity t (in N/m) is applied along the side 3-4-5.
Calculate the vector of nodal forces corresponding to the element. Conclusions ?

s
7 6 5

8 4 r

1 2 3

Exercise n◦ 12 - Plate in elasticity

Let us consider a rectangular plate with a length of L = 2l, a width of H = 2h and a thickness e.
Let us note E and ν the Young modulus and the Poisson ratio of the material. We want to study
the mechanical behaviour of the plate by means of the finite element method when submitted to a
tensile force F concentrated at the middle of the width of the plate.
1. By using the symmetries, to which geometry the problem can be resumed ?
2. Using the appropriate geometry, two different meshes using triangular linear elements with
three nodes are proposed (cf. figure). For each mesh, express the different components of the
strain tensor in function of the nodal displacement (with plane stress hypothesis).
3. Compare the values in A and B for the two meshes.

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1 4
D C
I
II

2 3
H=2h
Maillage 1

A B 4 3

II
I

1 2
L=2l Maillage 2

Exercise n◦ 13 - Articulated arm

It is proposed to study an articulated arm presented in the following figure. The system is studied in

a particular case ; the link in A is fixed. The length of the arm AB is L and is oriented in →
−
y direction.
→
−
The link in B is blocked, the arm BC has a length H and is oriented in z direction. An instrument
is fixed at the point C and applies a force F→
−
x . The gravity is neglected. In the proposed study, we
limit the study to the arm AB.
1. To perform the study on AB, we need to know all the applied forces on the arm. What are
the force and moment applied on the arm at the point B ?
2. What are the kinds of loadings on the arm AB ? Why degrees of freedom do you need to solve
the finite element problem ?
3. A mesh with two elements will be used. Expose the finite element problem that you should
solve.
4. Determine the displacement of the point B by solving the finite element problem.
5. Explain how to obtain the stress in each point of the arm by the finite element method
(explanations, no calculation).

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Exercise n◦ 14 - Lifting gantry

The following photo presents a lifting gantry of a bascule bridge located in a port. The lifting gantry
is composed of three identical poles, on which an arrow is articulated. A tie rod links an end of the

arrow to the bridge to lift. A counterweight, situated at the other end of the arrow, counteracts the
forces due to the tie rod. The lift of the bridge is generated by electrical motors located in the poles
and drive the rotations of the axis. The following study aims to analyse mechanical stress in the poles
and the arrows. We suppose that the three poles are submitted to the same loading.
This study focuses on the stress evaluation in one of the pole of the lifting gantry. The material is
characterized by a Young Modulus E a Poisson ratio ν and its elastic limit σe . An engineer propose
the following calculation by means of a finite element model on a bar, represented by the following
figure :

1. Identify the different hypothesis proposed by the engineer to define his model. The loading
that were not taken into account in this model will be detailed.
2. By means of the individual element stiffness matrix of a bar, write the expression of the
different element stiffness matrices.
3. Deduce the system stiffness matrix.
4. Determine the displacement of the nodes of the mesh and deduce the displacement of each
point of the pole.

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5. Deduce the expression of the stress in any point of the pole and discuss the validity of the
obtained results.

Exercise n◦ 15 - Articulated system

It is proposed to study the system of the figure below in the context of small displacements and linear
elasticity. The system is composed of two rods AB and BC. These two rods are in pivot connection at

point B. The rod AB is embedded at point A while the rod BC is pivotally connected to the ground
at the point C. The rod AB is of length L and the rod BC of length H.
1. We wish to determine the displacements of the structure by a finite element analysis. In this
way, the rod AB is modelled by a beam element, and the rod BC by a bar element. Is this
modelling pertinent ? Justify.
2. Draw a scheme of the system highlighting the degrees of freedom to take into account.
3. Write the system stiffness matrix by assembly of the element stiffness matrices of the two
elements.
4. Determine the displacements of the points A, B et C.

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