Bahir Dar University

Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT)

Faculty of Civil and Water Resource Engineering

Post Graduate Program in Structural Engineering

Finite Elements Method in Structures

Assignment-01

Prepared by: Natinael Wolde

ID: BDU1022155

Submitted to: Instructor Seyfe N.

Submission Date: June 4, 2020

 Finite Element Method in Structure Assignment -1
#Q-1: Explain the concept of FEM briefly and Outline the procedure.

Answer

 The finite element analysis is a numerical technique for solving boundary value problem in
which large domain is divided in to small. In this method all the complexities of the
problems, like varying shape, boundary conditions and loads are maintained as they are but
the solutions obtained are approximate. Because of its diversity and flexibility as an analysis
tool, it is receiving much attention in engineering. The fast improvements in computer
hardware technology and slashing of cost of computers have boosted this method, since the
computer is the basic need for the application of this method. A number of popular brands of
finite element analysis packages are now available commercially. Some of the popular
packages are Abacus, STAAD-PRO, GT-STRUDEL, NASTRAN, NISA and ANSYS. Using
these packages one can analyze several complex structures.
 The finite element analysis originated as a method of stress analysis in the design of aircrafts.
It started asan extension of matrix method of structural analysis. Today this method is used
not only for the analysis in solid mechanics, but even in the analysis of fluid flow, heat
transfer, electric and magnetic fields and many others. Civil engineers use this method
extensively for the analysis of beams, space frames, plates, shells, folded plates, foundations,
bridge, rock mechanics problems and seepage analysis of fluid through porous media.Both
static and dynamic problems can be handled by finite element analysis. This method is used
extensively for the analysis and design of ships, aircrafts, space crafts, electric motors and
heat engines.
Thus, the various steps(procedure) involved in the finite element analysis are:
1) Select suitable field variables and the elements.
2) Discretize the continua.
3) Select interpolation functions
4) Find the element properties.
5) Assemble element properties to get global properties.
6) Impose the boundary conditions.
7) Solve the system equations to get the nodal unknowns.
8) Make the additional calculations to get the required values.

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#Q-2: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FEM over Classical method

Answer

 Advantages of FEM over classical

Using finite element method, we are able to

1) Any domain with curved boundaries, heterogeneous material properties, irregular support
constraints including dynamic effects, and varying loading conditions, may be sub-divided
into a suitable number of finite elements, appropriate material and behavior properties may
be ascribed to them ,and the resulting governing equations may be solved quickly and
accurately by computer
2) Handle unlimited number and kinds of boundary conditions
3) Alter the finite element model easily and cheaply
4) Availability of large number of computer software packages and literature makes FEM a
versatile and powerful numerical method.
 Disadvantage of Finite Element Method
1) FEM cannot produce exact results(solution) and Output result will vary considerably
2) It requires a digital computer and fairly extensive
3) When solved with the same computer by different analysts, will often result in answers
differing to a smaller or larger degree.
4) If we are not having sound background in mathematics, especially in matrix algebra,
differentiation and integration, then solving problems using FEM is highly difficult.
5) Precision of the output to a larger number of significant digits is no guarantee of the
accuracy of the solution. Even convergence with refinement of mesh is not absolute proof of
the correctness of solution

#Q-3: Draw a typical three-dimensional element and indicate state of the

stress in their positive senses.

Answer: A stress is positive when it is on positive face in positive direction or on negative face
in negative direction. Note that stress on positive face is equal to the stress on negative face plus
rate of change of that stress multiplied by the distance between the faces.

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#Q-4: Derive the equations of equilibrium in case of three-dimensional stress system.

Answer: Let the intensity of body forces acting on the element in x, y, z directions be X, Y and
Z respectively as shown below in Figure. The intensity of body forces is uniform over entire
body. Hence the total body force in x, y, z direction on the element shown are given by

 X dx dy dz in x– direction
 Y dx dy dz in y– direction and
 Z dx dy dz in z– direction

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#Q-5: State and explain generalized Hooke’s Law.

Answer

 The constitutive law expresses the relationship among stresses and strains. In theory of
elasticity, usually it is considered as linear. In one dimensional stress analysis, the linear
constitutive law is stress is proportional to strain and the constant of proportionality is
called Young’s modulus. It is very well known as Hooke’s law. The similar relation is
expressed among the six components of stresses and strains and is called ‘Generalized
Hooke’s Law”. This may be stated as:

#Q-6. Give strain displacement relations in case of a three-dimensional

elasticity problem up to

(i) Accuracy of linear terms only

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(ii) Accuracy of quadratic terms.

Answer:

(i) Accuracy of linear terms only

Give strain displacement relations in case of a three-dimensional elasticity problem up to

accuracy of linear terms only are used in small deflection theories. If the displacements and
their derivatives are small,

1. The strains of fibers in one plane are not influenced by the out-of-plane displacements.

2. The undeformed geometry of the body can be used when writing the equilibrium equations.

3. The stress-strain relations are reduced to linear relations

(ii) Accuracy of quadratic terms.

 Give strain displacement relations in case of a three-dimensional elasticity problem up to

accuracy of quadratic terms are used in large deflection theories.

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#7. Explain the terms, ‘Anisotropic’, ‘Orthotropic’ and ‘Isotropic’ as applied to

material properties.
Answer:
Anisotropic: is the property of being directionally dependent, which implies different
properties in different directions, as opposed to isotropy. Anisotropic induced magnetic field
effects are the result of a local induced magnetic field experienced by a nucleus resulting
from circulating electrons that can either be paramagnetic when it is parallel to the applied
field or diamagnetic when it is opposed to it. Anisotropy is the property of substances to
exhibit variations in physical properties along different molecular axes. { σ }=[ D ] { ε } where D
is 6 x 6 matrix of constant of elasticity to be determined by experimental investigation for

each material.As D is symmetric matrix [ Dij =D ji ] ,there are 21 material properties for linear
elastics Anisotropics materials.

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Orthotropic:means not having uniform mechanical and thermal properties in every
direction. Orthotropic materials are a subset of anisotropic materials; their properties depend
on the direction in which they are measured. Orthotropic materials have three axes of
symmetry and Orthotropic properties can be observed in wood, some crystals, rolled
materials, etc. Certain materials exhibit symmetry with respect to planes within the body.
Such materials are called Orthotropic materials. Hence for orthotropic materials, the number
of material constants reduce to 9
Isotropic:refer to elastic properties are same in each and every direction, If the properties
(mechanical, physical, thermal and electrical properties) of a material do not change with
different crystallographic orientations, or in other words, the properties are direction
independent, that material is called isotropic. means having uniform mechanical and thermal
properties in every direction. Isotropic materials have an infinite number of planes of
symmetry and Isotropic properties can be observed in metal, glass, etc. Hence for isotropic
materials, the number of material constants reduce to 12.

#Q-8.Give constitute laws for three dimensional problems of:

(i) orthotropic materials
(ii) isotropic materials.
Answer
(i) orthotropic materials
 Certain materials exhibit symmetry with respect to planes within the body. Such materials are
called Orthotropic materials. Hence for orthotropic materials, the number of material
constants reduce to 9 as shown below:

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(ii) isotropic materials.

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#Q-9: Explain the terms ‘Plane stress’ and ‘Plane strain’ problems. Give
constitutive laws for these cases.
Answer

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 There are two type of two-dimensional elastic problems, namely plane stress and plane
strain problem.
Plane stress problems: The thin plates subject to forces in their plane only, fall
under this category of the problems. In this, there is no force in the z-direction and
no variation of any forces in z-direction. Hence

plane stress problems the constitutive law reduces to:

plane strains problems: A long body subject to significant lateral forces but
very little longitudinal forces fall under this category of problems. Examples of such
problems are pipes, long strip footings, retaining walls, gravity dams, tunnels, etc.: in
these problems, except for a small distance at the ends, state of stress is represented
by any small longitudinal strip. The displacement in longitudinal direction (z-
direction) is zero in typical strip.

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plane strains problems constitutive law reduces to

.
#Q-10: Explain the term ‘Axi-symmetric problems’ and give constitutive law
for such problems
Answer
 These are problems in which both the geometry and loading are axisymmetric. Axi-
symmetric structures are those which can be generated by rotating a line or curve about an
axis. Cylinders are the common examples of axisymmetric structures. If such structures are
subjected to axisymmetric loadings like uniform internal or external pressures, uniform self-
weight or live load uniform over the surface, there exist symmetry about any axis. The
advantage of symmetry may be made use to simplify the analysis. In these problems
cylindrical coordinates can be used advantageously. Because of symmetry, the stress

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components are independent of the angular (θ) coordinate. Hence all derivatives with respect
to θ vanish i.e. in these cases.

 constitutive law for such Axi-symmetric problems is:

#Q-11. Define stiffness matrix and explains its special features.

Answer
stiffness matrix of an element is assembled by direct approach while in FEM though
direct stiffness matrix may be treated as an approach for assembling element properties
(stiffness matrix as far as stress analysis is concerned), it is the energy approached which
has revolutionized entire FEM. Express local (member) force-displacement relationships
in terms of unknown member displacements. The stiffness matrix represents the system
of linear equations that must be solved in order to ascertain an approximate solution to
the differential equation. The ‘stiffness’ method of analysis is a matrix technique on
which most structural computer analysis.
 Unknown joint displacements (Dj) are identified and structure is restrained
(kinematically determinate). The number of unknowns in the stiffness method of
analysis is known as the degree of kinematic indeterminacy, that refers to the number

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of node/joint displacements that are unknown and are required to describe the
displaced shape of the structure, which are well-defined.
 Structure stiffness matrix is formulated and unknown joint displacements (Dj) are
solved
 Other unknown quantities in the structure are dependent on the unknown
displacement’s programs are based.
The following special features of matrix displacement equations are worth noting:
1) The matrix is having diagonal dominance and is positive definite. Hence in the solution
process there is no need to rearrange the equations to get diagonal dominance.
2) The matrix is symmetric. It is obvious from Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem. Hence only
upper or lower triangular elements may be formed and others obtained using symmetry.
3) The matrix is having banded nature i.e. the nonzero elements of stiffness matrix are
concentrated near the diagonal of the matrix. The elements away from the diagonal are
zero. Considerable saving is affected in storage requirement of stiffness matrix in the
memory of computers by avoiding storage of zero values of stiffness matrices.
#Q-12: By direct stiffness matrix approach, determine stiffness matrix for
(a) Bar Element
(b) Truss Element
(c) Beam element neglecting axial deformation
(d) Beam element (Frame Element), considering axial deformation also.
Answer
(a) Bar Element

Common problems in this category are the bars and columns with varying cross section
subjected to axial forces, for such bar with cross section A, Young’s Modulus E and length L
(extension/shortening δ) is given by

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By giving unit displacement in coordinate direction 1, the forces development in the coordinate
direction1 and 2 can be found (Fig. 3.2 (b)). Hence from the definition of stiffness matrix,

Similarly giving unit displacement in coordinate direction 2 (refer Fig. 3.2 (c)), we get

(b) Truss Element

Members of the trusses are subjected to axial forces only, but their orientation in the plane may
be at any angle to the coordinate directions selected. Figure 3.3 shows a typical case in a plane
truss. Figure 3.4 (a) shows a typical member of the truss with Young’s Modulus E, cross
sectional area A, length L and at angle θ to x-axis

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(c) Beam element neglecting axial deformation

In the analysis of continuous beams normally axial deformation is negligible (small
deflection theory) and hence only two unknowns may be taken at each end of an element.
Typical element and the coordinates of displacements selected are shown in below
Figure. The end forces developed due to unit displacement in all the four coordinate
directions are shown in below Figure (a, b,c, d).

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(d) Beam element (Frame Element), considering axial deformation also.

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 If axial deformations in the beam elements are to be considered as in case of columns of
frames, etc. it may be observed that axial force does not affect values of bending moment and
shear force and vice versa is also true. Hence stiffness matrix for the element shown in below
Fig. is obtained by combining the stiffness matrices of bar element and beam element and
arranging in proper locations. For this case

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