Short Notes Unit - 2-FEM

Describe the finite element modelling process for a one-dimensional
problem in detail.
The finite element modelling process for a one-dimensional bar problem
involves the following steps:
Problem Definition:
The first step is to define the problem that needs to be solved, including the
geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions. In the case of a one-
dimensional bar problem, we need to know the length of the bar, the cross-
sectional area, and the material properties such as Young's modulus and
Poisson's ratio.
Discretization:
The second step is to discretize the bar into a finite number of elements. For
a one-dimensional bar problem, this means dividing the bar into a finite
number of sections or nodes. Each section is assigned a finite element, and
the nodes are used to define the boundary conditions.
Element Formulation:
The third step is to formulate the stiffness matrix for each element. This
involves determining the element stiffness matrix based on the material
properties and the geometry of the element. For a one-dimensional bar
element, the stiffness matrix is a 2x2 matrix that relates the nodal forces and
displacements.
Global Assembly:
The fourth step is to assemble the element stiffness matrices to form the global
stiffness matrix. This involves combining the individual element stiffness
matrices to create a larger matrix that represents the entire system.
Boundary Conditions:
The fifth step is to apply the boundary conditions to the system. This involves
specifying the nodal displacements or forces at the boundary nodes. For
example, if one end of the bar is fixed, the displacement at that node is set to
zero.
Solution:
The sixth step is to solve the system of equations to determine the nodal
displacements or forces. This can be done using numerical methods such as
Gaussian elimination or iterative solvers.
Post-processing:
The final step is to post-process the results to obtain the desired quantities,
such as stresses, strains, or reactions. This involves using the nodal
displacements or forces to calculate the element strains and stresses, and
then using these values to determine the overall response of the system.
Explain the shape functions used in 1-D Bar problems
Shape functions are mathematical functions used to approximate the
displacement field in finite element analysis. In 1-D bar problems, the shape
functions describe how the displacement varies along the length of the bar,
and they are typically polynomial functions.
In a 1-D bar element, the displacement field can be expressed as a linear
combination of the nodal displacements and the shape functions. For
example, in a two-node bar element, the displacement field can be expressed
as: u(x) = N1(x)u1 + N2(x)u2
where u(x) is the displacement at any point along the length of the bar, u1
and u2 are the nodal displacements at the two ends of the bar, and N1(x) and
N2(x) are the shape functions.
The shape functions must satisfy two important properties:
They must satisfy the partition of unity property, which means that the sum
of all shape functions at any point along the bar must be equal to 1.
Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
N1(x) + N2(x) = 1
They must be continuous and differentiable over the entire length of the bar.
This ensures that the displacement field is also continuous and differentiable.
The most commonly used shape functions for 1-D bar elements are the linear
shape functions, which are defined as:
N1(x) = (1 - x/L)
N2(x) = x/L
where L is the length of the bar, and x is the distance from one end of the bar.
These shape functions satisfy both the partition of unity property and the
continuity and differentiability requirements.
Determine the element stiffness matrix and nodal load vectors for a two-
noded one-dimensional element.
• Properties of Stiffness Matrix
1. It is a symmetric matrix.
2. The sum of elements in any column must be equal to zero.
3. It is an unstable element. So, the determinant is equal to zero.
4. The dimension of the global stiffness matrix [ K ] is N x N, where N is the
number of nodes. This follows from the fact that each node has only one
degree of freedom.
5. The diagonal coefficients are always positive and relatively large when
compared to the off-diagonal values in the same row.
Derivation of Stiffness; Matrix for One Dimensional Linear Bar Element

Consider a one-dimensional bar element with nodes 1 and 2 as shown in
Figure below. Let u and u₂ be the nodal displacement it parameters or
otherwise known as degrees of freedom.
DERIVATION OF FINITE ELEMENT EQUATION FOR ONE DIMENSIONAL
LINEAR BAR ELEMENT
A two noded truss element is shown in Fig.(i). The nodal
displacements are u1, = 5 mm and u₂ = 8 mm. Calculate the
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
displacement at x= 𝟒 , 𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟐
A steel bar of length 800 mm is subjected to an axial load of 3 kN
as shown in Fig. (i). Find the elongation of the bar, neglecting self-
weight. Take A= 300 mm 2, e= 2 x 10 ^5 N/mm2
Consider a taper steel plate of uniform thickness, t = 25 mm as shown in
Fig. The Young's modulus of the plate, E = 2 X 105 N / mm2 and weight
density, ρ= 0.82 * 10-4 N / mm3 In addition to its self-weight, the plate is
subjected to a point load p = 100 N at its mid-point. Calculate the following
by modeling the plate with two finite elements:
(i) Global force vector {F}.
(iii) Displacements in each element.
(v) Reaction force at the support.
The three-bar assemblage
is shown in Fig.(i). A force
of 2500 N is applied in the
x direction at node 2. The
length of each element is
750 mm. Take E=4x105
N/mm² and A= 600 mm² for elements 1 and 2.
Take E=2x105 N/mm2 and A= 1200 mm² for element 3. Nodes 1 and 4 are
fixed. Calculate the following: (i) Global stiffness matrix. (ii)
Displacements of nodes 2 and 3. (iii) Reactions at nodes 1 and 4.
Derive a Stiffness matrix and finite element equation for two nodded truss element
Home Work
Home Work
For the truss shown in Fig.(vii), determine
the horizontal and vertical displacements of
node 1 and also calculate the stresses in
each element.
Home Work
TWO MARK QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. What are the types of loading acting on the structure?
There are three types of loading acting on the body.
They are:
(i) Body force (f).
(ii) Traction force (T).
(iii) Point load (P).
2. Define body force (f).
A body force is a distributed force acting on every elemental volume of the
body.
Unit: Force per unit volume.
Example: Self-weight due to gravity.
3. Define Traction force (T).
Traction force is defined as a distributed force acting on the surface of the
body.
Unit: Force per unit area.
Examples: Frictional resistance, viscous drag, surface shear etc.
4. What is Point Load (P).
Point load is a force acting at a particular point which causes displacement.
5. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element modelling.
Finite element modelling consists of the following:
(i) Discretization of structure.
(ii) Numbering of nodes.
6. What is discretization?
The art of subdividing a structure into a convenient number of smaller
components is known as discretization.
7. What are the classification of co-ordinates?
The co-ordinates are generally classified as follows:
(i) Global co-ordinates.
(ii) Local co-ordinates.
(iii) Natural co-ordinates.
8. What is Global co-ordinates?
The points in the entire structure are defined using co-ordinate system is
known as global co-ordinate system.
9. What is natural co-ordinates?

A natural co-ordinate system is used to define any point inside the element
by a set of dimensionless numbers, whose magnitude never exceeds unity.
This system is very useful in assembling of stiffness matrices.
10. Define shape function.
In finite element method, field variables within an element are generally
expressed by the following approximate relation:
(x, y) = N₁(x, y) Ø1; + N₂ (x, y) Ø2 + N3 (x, y) Ø3
where 1, 2 and 3 are the values of the field variable at the nodes and 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.
11. What are the characteristics of shape function?
The characteristics of shape function are as follows:
1. The shape function has unit value at one nodal point and zero value at
other nodal points.
2. The sum of shape function is equal to one.
12. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function?
Polynomials are generally used as shape function due to the following
reasons.
1. Differentiation and integration of polynomials are quite easy.
2. The accuracy of the results can be improved by increasing the order of the
polynomial.
3. It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equations.
13. How do you calculate the size of the global stiffness matrix?
Global stiffness matrix size = Number of nodes X {Degrees of freedom per node}

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Describe the finite element modelling process for a one-dimensional

Derivation of Stiffness; Matrix for One Dimensional Linear Bar Element

9. What is natural co-ordinates?

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