CE5610: Finite Element Analysis January - May 2014: Duration: 180 Minutes Max. Marks: 50

CE5610: Finite Element Analysis
January – May 2014

Duration: 180 minutes End Semester Max. Marks: 50
Closed book and closed notes
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Answer any 15 Arabic numeral questions in part A. Each Arabic numeral question carries 2 marks.
2. Answer any 2 Arabic numeral questions in part B. Each question carries 10 marks.
3. Answer to questions in part A and part B should be in separate answer booklets.
4. Unless otherwise stated, assume the material to be obeying Hooke’s law, to be isotropic and is subjected
to small strains.
Part – A
1. What are the sources of error in the finite element method? Briefly describe how these errors can be
minimized or avoided.
2. With justification state whether the following statements about finite element method (FEM) is true or
false.
a. FEM can be used to solve any initial and/or boundary value problems
b. FEM can handle complex domains
c. FEM can be used to solve any differential equation
d. FEM can yield exact solution if the appropriate shape functions are used
3. Give reasons as to why the element stiffness matrix obtained from Galerkian formulation is symmetric
and non-invertible.
4. Give reasons as to why the global stiffness matrix obtained from Galerkian formulation before the
application of boundary conditions is symmetric, non-invertible, sparse and banded.
5. Distinguish between a conforming and non-conforming element
6. Given a linear differential equation of order ‘n’, state how will you decide on the continuity requirement
on the function used to approximate the solution.
7. Show that for ordinary differential equations, like in axial or beam element, the solution obtained from
the finite element method is exact at node locations irrespective of the degree interpolation function
used.
8. With justification state whether the following statements about weakening of the differential equation is
true or false.
a. Weakening of differential equations is required to convert the differentiable equation into system
of algebraic equations
b. Weakening reduces the differentiability requirement on the shape functions
c. Weakening is required to enable enforcement of the essential boundary conditions
d. Weakening enlarges the function space where solution is sought
9. Distinguish between the interpolation function and the shape function. List the properties that an
interpolation function should possess so that it can be used to construct the shape functions in the finite
element method.
1
10. With justification state whether the following statements about Isoparametric element is true or false.
a. Functions used to map from the actual to the standard element is same as that of the interpolation
functions
b. The Jacobian of the mapping from the actual to the standard element need not be positive
c. When Lagrange interpolation is used to construct the shape functions the mapping from the
actual to the standard element is isoparametric and not so when Hermite interpolation is used
d. To map curved edges without discretization error, linear shape functions are adequate
11. What is static condensation? What is the use of static condensation?
12. Distinguish between serendipity and Lagrangian 2D element. Give the advantage and disadvantage of
using these elements.
13. How will you know the mesh size used to obtain finite element solution of a mechanics problem is
optimal?
14. Give reasons for the following:

a. The shape function has to be zero on the part of the boundary where the displacement is
specified
b. The weight function has to be zero on the part of the boundary where the displacement is
specified
15. Give reasons as to why the global stiffness and mass matrix obtained after application of boundary
condition has to be positive definite. (A matrix is said to be positive definite if all its eigen values are
positive.)
16. For the mesh shown in the following figure with justification state whether the following is true or false
a. F113 + F211 = 0
b. F243 = 0
c. F143 = 0
d. F213 = 0
where FeiJ =  t e ( n )  υ ei da , ‘e’ stands for the element, ‘i’ for the ith shape function and ‘J’ for the jth
Surface_ J
surface ( 1 for surface formed by vertices 1-2-3, 2 for surface formed by vertices 1-2-4, 3 for surface
formed by vertices 1-3-4, 4 for surface formed by vertices 2-3-4)
2
17. Three springs are joined together as shown in the following figure:
Find the global stiffness matrix after applying the essential boundary conditions if the stiffness matrix
1 −1
for an axial element, 𝐾 𝑒𝑙 = 𝑘 [ ] where k is the spring constant.
−1 1
Part – B
d 2u
1. You are required to solve the differential equation: a  bu  0 over the domain 0  x  1 subjected
dx 2
to the boundary condition u(0) = 1; u(1) = 0 using the finite element method. Here ‘a’ and ‘b’ are
constants. For this purpose
a. Obtain the weak form of the differential equation
b. Develop a three node element using quadratic shape functions
c. Divide the domain into four equally spaced sub domains and use two of these three node element
and find the unknown degrees of freedom. Assume a = 1; b = 4
d. Find u at x = 1/3.
2. Use 2 by 2 Gauss quadrature to

integrate f = x2y over the
quadrilateral shown in figure 1. The
coordinates of the points in the
quadrilateral are: 1 (0,0), 2 (3,-1), 3
(2,4), 4 (-1,3). Develop an
appropriate mapping to map the
quadrilateral shown in figure 1 to
the master area also shown in the
figure and show that this mapping is Figure – 1
appropriate. Then, carry out the
integration over this mapped area by suitable transformations. For 2 point gauss quadrature, the
integration points are ±1/√3 and the corresponding weights are 1.
3. For the 2 span continuous beam subjected to loading as shown in the figure 2, find the unknown
boundary displacements/rotations and draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams using finite
element method. Assume L = 8m, E = 200 GPa, I = 10-3 q
m4, q = 10 kN/m. Element equation for two node beam
element with 4 degrees of freedom is: A B C
EI EI
 12 6 L  12 6 L   1   V1   1  L L
 2      L 
EI  6 L 4 L  6 L 2 L   1   M1  qL  6 
2
Figure – 2
     1 
L  12  6 L 12  6 L   2   V2  2 
3
 2 
L
 
 6 L 2 L  6 L 4 L   2   M 2 
2    
 6

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CE5610: Finite Element Analysis

January – May 2014

5. Distinguish between a conforming and non-conforming element

11. What is static condensation? What is the use of static condensation?

14. Give reasons for the following:

2. Use 2 by 2 Gauss quadrature to

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