FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

BEAM ANALYSIS
 LEARNING OUTCOME
• At the end of the session, students should be
able to:
– developing the finite element equations for a
system of beams using stiffness (displacement)
method

– solve problem regarding beam element by using

stiffness (displacement) method
(CO2-PO5)
 RECALL…
SPRING HORIZONTAL FORCE (depend on the axis)

BAR HORIZONTAL FORCE (depend on the axis)

BEAM VERTICAL FORCE AND MOMENT

VERTICAL FORCE DISPLACEMENT
MOMENT ROTATION

1 M1 2 M2

F1Y F2Y
K for beam Refer to the final exam appendix
 1dy 1θ 2dy 2θ
 12 EI 6 EI 12 EI 6 EI 
 L3  2
L
 3
L
 2 
L
 6 EI 4 EI 6 EI 2 EI 
 2   2  
Beam stiffness matrix, k   L L L L 
  12 EI 6 EI
 2
12 EI
 3
6 EI 
 2
 L3 L L L 
 6 EI 2 EI 6 EI 4 EI 
 2   2  
 L L L L 

1 M1 2 M2

F1Y F2Y
 Steps in solving a problem
• Step 1: Draw the Free Body Diagram (FBD)and label all the nodes to obtain the node-
element connectivity which will link local and global displacements

• Step 2: Write down the stiffness matrix of each element

• Step 3: Assemble the element stiffness matrices to form the global stiffness matrix for the
entire structure using the node element connectivity table

• Step 4: Incorporate appropriate boundary conditions

• Step 5: Solve resulting set of reduced equations for the unknown displacements

• Step 6: Compute the unknown nodal forces. Then, we can also calculate for stress or
strain (if required).
 EXAMPLE
• Figure Q1 shows a symmetrical continuous beam which has a
constant value of modulus of elasticity E of 70 GN/m2 and is
subjected to a vertical concentrated load as shown. Use finite
element matrix stiffness method (with reflective symmetry as
in Figure Q1a) to

I. Solve for unconstrained displacements D1, D2 and D3

II. Determine the vertical reactions at A (Q4) and B (Q5)
III. Evaluate the internal moment Q6 in the beam at M, midpoint of BC

Given: E = 70 GPa, I = 0.0001 m4

8 kN
Figure Q1

3m 2m M 2m 3m
A B C D
 8 kN
SOLUTION
Figure Q1a 3m 2m M 2m 3m
A 4 kN B C D
4 5 3
(i) 1 2 EI = 70(106)(0.0001)
6
= 7000 kNm2
 12 EI 6 EI 12 EI 6 EI 
1 2 M  L3 
L2

L3

L2 
A B  6 EI 4 EI 6 EI 2 EI 
 2   2  
Beam stiffness matrix, k   L L L L 
  12 EI 6 EI
 2
12 EI
 3
6 EI
 2 
 L3 L L L 
 6 EI 2 EI 6 EI 4 EI 
 2   2  
 L L L L 

Element 12/L3 6/L2 4/L 2/L

1 0.444 0.667 1.333 0.667
2 1.5 1.5 2 1

4 1 5 2 5 2 3 6
0.444 0.667  0.444 0.667  4 1.5 1.5  1.5 1.5  5
 1 . 333  0 . 667 0 . 667 1  2
k 1  7000   2  1 . 5 1
 0.444  0.667  5 k 2  7000  
 1 .5  1 .5  3
   
 1 . 333 2  2 6
(i)
4 1 5 2 5 2 3 6
0.444 0.667  0.444 0.667  4 1.5 1.5  1.5 1.5  5
 1  2  1 . 5 1 2
1 . 333  0 . 667 0 . 667 k 2  7000  
k 1  7000  
 1 .5  1 .5  3
 0.444  0.667  5
   
1.333  2  2 6


1 2 3
 1.333 0.667 0 1
 0.667 3.333  1.5 33 2
 
 0  1 . 5 1 .5 3
K   7000  
 0.667 0.667 0 4
 0.667 0.833  1.5 33 5
 
 0 1  1 .5 6
(i) F  Kd
 F1   1.333 0.667 0   d1 
F   0.667 3.333  1.5 33  d 
 2
  2 
F3   0  1 . 5 1 .5  d 3 
   7000   
F4   0.667 0.667 0  d 4 
F5   0.667 0.833  1.5 33  d 5 
    
F6   0 1  1 .5  d 6 

0   1.333 0.667 0   d1 
0   0.667 3.333  1.5 33  d 
    2 
 4   0  1 .5 1 .5  d 3 
   7000   
F
 4  0.667 0.667 0  0 
 F5   0.667 0.833  1.5 33  0 
    
F
 6  0 1  1 .5  0 

Partitioning and solving;  d1   1.907  rad

    4
d
 2   3 . 81110 rad
d   7.621 m
 3  
(ii)  F4   0.667 0.667 0   1.907 
   0.667 0.833  1.5  3.81110 4
F
 5  7000   
F   0 1  1 . 5   7.621
 6   
 F4   0.889kN  reaction at A
   
F
 5  4 .889 kN  reaction at B
 F  5.334kNm  moment at M
 6  

(iii) PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR ANSWER…………