FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

1.

(a) A beam is modelled by one element as shown if Figure. From finite element equation
evaluate the deflection at free end due to concentrated load, P. (b) If the beam is acted
upon by a uniformly distributed load of intensity q per unit length find the deflection at
the free end. Here, first take one element and then keep on increasing the number of
elements. Plot the error in end-point deflection versus number of elements. (c) Give
reasons why the deflection result in the first case is exact but not in the second case.
Load q/unit length

2. A load P is applied at the end of the cantilever which is supposed on a spring of stiffness
P
k as shown in Figure.

The length of the cantilever is L and flexural rigidity is given as EI. (a) Write down the
essential and natural boundary conditions of the problem. (b) Take one element to solve
this problem by FEM. The stiffness matrix for that element is given by
12
L2

EI

L
SYM

6
L
4

12
L2
6
L
12
L2

6
L

6
L
4

Generate the load matrix. Apply boundary conditions, and obtain the slope and deflection
at the ends.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

3.

To reduce the deflection of a cantilever beam of diameter 5 cm and length 1 m, a support

is provided by a rod of the same diameter, which joins the tip of the cantilever beam with
the wall as shown in Figure. Using FEM, obtain the deflections of the tip of a beam
loaded with a 1kN applied load, with and without support. Take the material of the beam
and rod as aluminium having E = 69 GPa.
1m

1 kN

45

4.

As shown in Figure, a cantilever beam is supported on a stepped rod. Consider one beam
element and two rod elements to solve the problem. The stiffness matrix for beam
element is given by
1kN
6h 12 6h
12
6h 4h 2 6h 2h 2
EI

h3 12 6h 12 6h

2
2
6h 2h 6h 4h

5.

1m

10 mm dia, Steel
10 mm dia, Al
6 mm dia, Al

0.2 mm
0.2mm

Consider the truss shown in Figure. Determine the unknown displacements of nodes 2
and 3 and the reactions associated with these displacements. Take E =210 GPa for all
members, L=1m, A1=A2=A0=6 10-4 m2, A3=

The element stiffness matrices are

2 A0 m2, P=103 kN.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

0.000
0.000
K 1 109
0.000

0.000

1.0

3
8 1.0
K 0.63 10
1.0

1.0

6.

0.126
0.000 0.000 0.000

0.126 0.000 0.126

2
9 0.000
K 10
0.126
0.000 0.000 0.000

0.126 0.000 0.126

0.000

0.000 0.126 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.126 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000

1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0

1.0 1.0 1.0

1.0
1.0

Consider a three-member truss as shown in Figure. All members of the truss have
identical areas of cross-section A and modulus E. the hinged supports at joints A, B, and
C allow free rotations of the members about the z-axis (taken positive out of the plane of
the paper). Determine the horizontal and vertical displacements at the joint C and forces
in each member of the structure.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

7.

The thin plate of uniform thickness 20 mm, is as shown in Figure. In addition to the selfweight, the plate is subjected to a point load of 400N at mid-depth. The Young's modulus
E = 2 105 N/mm2 and unit weight =0.8x 10-4 N/mm2. Analyse the plate after
modelling it with two elements and find the stresses in each element.

8.

Determine the extension of the bar shown in Figure. due to self-weight and a concentrated
load of 400N applied at its end. Given b1 = 150 mm, b2 = 75 mm, t = 20 mm, E = 2 105
N/mm2, = 0.8 104 N/mm3.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

9.

Determine the nodal displacements at node 2, stresses in each material and support
reactions in the bar shown in Figure, due to applied force P = 400 103N and temperature
rise of 30oC. Given: A1 = 2400 mm2, A2 = 1200 mm2, l1 = 300 mm, l2 = 400 mm, E1 =
0.7 105 N/mm2, E2 = 2 105 N/mm2 and 1 = 22 106 /C, 2 = 12 106/C.

10.

For the three bar truss shown in Figure, determine the nodal displacements and the
stress in each member. Find the support reactions also. Take modulus of elasticity as 200
GPa.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

11.

Figure shows an indeterminate pin connected plane stress with cross sectional area of
diagonal members equal to 2000 mm2 and all other members with cross sectional area of
1000 mm2. If Youngs modulus E = 200kN/mm2.
(i) Assemble global stiffness matrix
(ii) Determine load vector if temperature of member 13 increases by 25oC. Given =
12 106 /C

12.

Determine the displacements of nodes 1 and 2 in the spring system shown in Figure. Use
minimum of potential energy principle to assemble equations of equilibrium.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

13.

Using Rayleigh-Ritz method, determine the expressions for displacement and stress in a
fixed bar subject to axial force P as shows in Figure. Draw the displacement and stress
variation diagram. Take 3 terms in displacement function.

14.

A bridge is supported by several concrete piers, and the geometry and loads of a typical
pier are shown in Figure. The load 20 kN/m2 represents the weight of the bridge and an
assumed distribution of the traffic on the bridge. The concrete weighs approximately 25
kN/m3 and its modulus is E = 28 106 kN/m2. Analyse the pier for displacements and
stresses using the finite element method.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (ME-300)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SPRING 2015-2016
Assignemnt-1

15.

Consider the composite bar consisting of a tapered steel bar fastened to aluminium rod
of uniform cross section and subjected to load as shown in Figure. Determine the
displacement field in the bar using the finite element method.

16.

Write short note on variational principles.

17.

Explain the concept of FEM briefly and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
FEM over other numerical methods. What are the various steps involved in FEM?

18.

Define stiffness matrix and explains its special features.

19.

Determine stiffness matrix for bar and truss element using direct stiffness matrix
approach.