Finite Element Method

Dr. Abdulrahman Aljabri

Email: [email protected]
 Chapter 3

Trusses
Objective: to know the basic concepts in finite element formulation
of trusses and introduce various elements starting from simple one-
dimensional linear element adopted for analysis of truss
• Definition of a truss
• Finite element formulation
• Space trusses
• ANSYS program
• Examples using ANSYS
• Verification of results
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 3.1 Definition of a truss
• What is a truss?
An engineering structure consisting of straight members connected at their ends by
means of bolts, rivets, pins, or welding.
Plane truss: members lie in a single plane, and as well as forces.
Assumption 1: Weights of members may be negligible compared to those of the
applied loads. If weights are considered, half weight of each member is applied
to the connecting joints.
Assumption 2: Two force member
• No couple moments and forces
applied at only two points on
the member (Definition in
Statics)
• Internal forces act in equal and
opposite directions along the
members. No bending allowed

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 Cannot be solved in
Statics where the
truss members are
assumed rigid and
result in Statically
Indeterminate
Roller Pin problem.
support support
Rigid body
restriction can be
removed in
Mechanics of
Materials. This
problem can be
easily solved using
FEM

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10-bar plane truss structure 15-bar plane truss structure

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25-bar spatial truss structure
 2.2 Finite element formulation
A single member when it is subjected to force F, what is the
deflection?
• The average stresses in any two-force member are given by

 =F,  = L ,  = E
A L

• Combining above equations

AE AE
F= L, F = kx, so k =
eq
L L

i.e. we can assume a solution to represent

the physical behaviour of a two-force
member. A centrally loaded member of
uniform cross section can be modeled as
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spring with an equivalent stiffness
• Take a small balcony truss with five nodes and six elements as an
example.
• Consider isolating a member with an arbitrary orientation.

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Two frames of reference are required to describe truss problems
• A fixed global coordinate system XY for whole system
• A local (or an element) coordinate system xy

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A fixed global coordinate system XY
• represent the location of each joint (node)
• keep track of the orientation of each member (element), using
angle such as 
• apply the constraints and the applied loads in terms of their
respective global components
• represent solution: the displacement of each joint in global
directions

A local coordinate system xy (i.e. an element coordinate systemin

this problem)
• Describe the force member behaviour of individual members (i.e.
each element in this case)

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• The relationship between global and local displacements
U iX = uix cos − uiy sin y
Y
U iy = uix sin + uiy cos x
U jX = u jx cos − u jy sin
U jY = u jx sin + u jy cos θ
X
In matrix form: {U}=[T]{u} [T]-1{U}= {u}
where
U iX  cos − sin 0 0  u ix 
   
U iY 
sin cos 0 
, and u= u iy 
0
{U} =  , [T ] = 
U jX   0 0 cos  − sin  u jx
 UjY     ujy 
   0 0 sin cos   
{U} - displacements of nodes i and j with respect to global XY
{u} - displacements of nodes i and j with respect local xy
[T] is the transformation matrix.
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• In a similar way, the local and global forces may be related
according to the equations
F iX = f ix cos − f iy sin
F iy = f ix sin  + f iy cos
F jX = f jx cos − f jy sin
F jY = f jx sin + f jy cos

• In matrix form: {F}=[T]{f} [T]-1{F}= {f}

 F iX   f ix 
  f 
 F iY   iy 
{F} =  , and f =  
f
 F jX   jx 
F jY  f jy 

{F} - forces acting on nodes i and j with respect to global XY

{f} - forces acting on nodes i and j with respect local xy
[T] is the transformation matrix.
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• For the problem, the
displacements and
the forces in the local
y-direction are 0.
• The forces and
displacements act
only in the local x-
direction.

• In term of local (or element) coordinate system, the relationship

between the local internal forces and displacements through the
stiffness matrix can be obtained easily
f 
 ix  k 0 −k 0u ix 
 
i.e. {f}=[K]{u}
f  0 0 0 0 u iy 
=
iy
 0u jx 
f − k 0 k
jx 
   0  k = k eq =
AE
0ujy 
f
0 0 L
jy 
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• After substituting for {f} and {u} in terms of {F} and {U}
{u}
 
{f }

{f} = [K]{u} [T]−1{F} = [K ][T]−1{U}

[T]−1 is the inverse of the transformation matrix [T]

 cos sin 0 0 
− sin cos 0 0  −1
[T ] = 
−1  So {F} = [T ][K ][T ] {U}
 0 0 cos sin 

 0 0 − sin cos 

• In term of global coordinate system, the relationship between the

applied forces, the element stiffness matrix and the global
deflection of the nodes of an arbitrary element can also be
obtained easily. It will be much more complicated to get it
directly in global coordinate system.
F  iX  cos  sin cos
2
− cos  −sin cos U  2
iX
   sin cos sin 2   
F iY  − sin cos −sin 2   U iY 
  = k 
 F jX   − cos2  − sin cos cos 
2
sin cos U jX 
 
FjY  − sin cos − sin 2  sin cos sin 2  UjY 
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The stiffness matrix for any member (element) of the truss (in term
of global coordinate system)
 cos2  sin cos − cos2  −sin cos 
 sin cos sin 2  − sin cos 
−sin 2   AE
[K ] = k 
(e)
k = k eq =
 − cos2  − sin cos cos2  sin cos  L
 
− sin cos − sin 2  sin cos sin 2
 

Following basic steps in FEM to solve problem

• Assembling or connecting
• Elemental stiffness matrices
• Applying boundary conditions and loads
• Solving for displacements
• Obtaining other information, such as normal stresses
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 Example 3.1
• Determine the deflection of each joint under the loading
I. Preprocessing phase
Step 1 - Create and discretize solution domain into finite elements

The relationship between the elements and

their corresponding nodes

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I. Preprocessing phase
Step 2 - Assume a solution that approximates the behavior of an
element

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I. Preprocessing phase
Step 3 - Develop equations for elements

For elements 1, 3 and 6, θ = 0°

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The relationship between the elements and
their corresponding nodes

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For element 4, θ = 90°

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I. Preprocessing phase
Step 4 - Assemble the elements to represent the entire problem →
Construct the global stiffness matrix

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 {R} = [K]{u}-{F}

If no boundary conditions, the number of unknown parameters is

than more than that of available equations. It is impossible to solve
the equations.

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I. Preprocessing phase
Step 5 - Apply boundary conditions, initial conditions and loading

U1x = 0
U1y = 0
U3x = 0
U3y = 0
F4y = -500 lb
F5y = -500 lb

[K]{u} = {F}
[stiffness matrix]{displacement matrix} =
{load matrix}
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II. Solution phase
Step 6 - Solve a set of linear or nonlinear equations simultaneously
Results (at nodes): Displacement

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III. Postprocessing phase
Step 7 - To obtain other important information
Reaction Force {R} = [K]{u}-{F}

To obtain

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 Internal Force and Normal Stress
It is convenient to calculate
internal force in local
(element) coordinate system

For the sake of

consistence in the
forthcoming
derivation
Local displacements required
To obtain local displacements from globe displacements

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Local displacements required

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Local displacements Global displacements

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 3.3 Space truss
• A three-dimensional truss is often called a space truss
• Assumption:
▪ members are connected together by ball-and-socket joints
▪ All loads must be applied at the joints

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• Global displacement of an element
y
U iX ,U iY ,U iZ ,U jX U
, jY U
, jZ x
z
• Orientation of a member

 X , Y , Z

= X j− Xi
cos X
L
Y j− Yi
cos Y =
L
= Z j− Zi
cos Z
L

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 Two force member
Internal forces act in equal and opposite directions along the members
So in local coordinate system uy=0, uz=0 fy=0, fz=0

The procedure for the assembly of individual element matrices for a

space truss member – applying boundary conditions, loads, and
solving for displacements is exactly identical to that for a two 56
dimensional truss.
3.4 ANSYS program

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• Working directory
• Jobname: be used as the prefix
• Go to Run button
• Program Organisation
• Two level: Begin level (gateway) and Processor level

The organisation ofANSYS 58

Three distinct steps:
1. Processing: Using the PREP7 processor, you provide data such
as the geometry, materials, and element type to the program
2. Solution: Using the Solution processor, you can define the type
of analysis, set boundary conditions, apply loads, and initiate
finite element solutions
3. Postprocessing: Using POST1 (for static or steady-state problem)
or POST26 (for transient problems), you review the results of
your analysis through graphical displays and tabular listings.

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 3.5 Example using ANSYS
• ANSYS offers two types of elements for the analysis of trusses:
LINK1 and LINK8
LINK1 - 2D spar for plane truss problems
2 nodes and 2 degrees of freedom (UX, UY) at each node
LINK8 - 3D spar for space truss problems
2 nodes and 3 degrees of freedom (UX, UY , UZ) at each node
• To determine the deflection of each joint under the loading shown
in the figure

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 3.6 Verification of Results

Various ways to verify the findings in the analysis of truss problem

1. Check the reaction forces
To obtain the reaction forces and the external forces to check for
statics equilibrium
2. The sum of the forces at each node should be zero
3. Pass an arbitrary section through the truss

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 Summary
Should understand:
• The underlying assumptions in truss analysis
• The significance of using global and local coordinate system in
describing problem, a transformation matrix
• The difference between the elemental stiffness matrix and global
stiffness matrix, and to know how to assemble elemental matrices
to obtain a truss’s global stiffness matrix
• How to apply the BC and loads to a global matrix to obtain the
nodal displacement solution
• How to obtain the internal forces and stresses in each member
• How to use the ANSYS software: pre, sol and post
• How to verify the results of the truss analysis
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 Tutorial questions

Chapter 3: 3, 5, 6 and 8

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