VII Semester Mechanical Engineering ME 1401 - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS Short Q &

A 1) What is meant by finite element analysis? Finite element method is a numeri

cal method for solving problems of engineering mathematical physics. In the fini
te element method, instead of solving the problem for the entire body in one ope
ration, we formulate the equations for each finite element and combine them to o
btain the solution of the whole body. 2) What is meant by finite element? A smal
l unit having definite shape of geometry and nodes is called finite element. 3)
State the methods of engineering analysis. There are three methods of engineerin
g analysis. They are: 1. Experimental methods. 2. Analytical methods. 3. Numeric
al methods or approximate methods. 4) Give examples for the finite element. 1. O
ne dimensional elements: (a) Truss element (b) Bar, Beam element
2. Two dimensional elements
(a) Triangular element (b) Rectangular elements
3. Three dimensional elements 5) What is meant by node or Joint?
(a) Tetrahedral elements. (b) Hexahedral elements.
Each kind of finite element has a specific structural shape and is interconnecte
d with the adjacent elements by nodal points or nodes. At the nodes, degrees of
freedom are located. The forces will act only at nodes and not at any other plac
e in the element.

6) What
do you mean by discretization?
Discretization is the basis of finite element method. The art of subdividing a s
tructure into a convenient number of smaller components is known as discretizati
on. 7) What are the types of boundary conditions? There are two types of boundar
y conditions, they are Primary boundary condition. Secondary boundary condition.
8) element method. The three phases are 1. Preprocessing 2. Analysis 3.Postproc
essing 9) What is structural and non-structural problem? Structural problem: In
structural problems, displacement at each nodal point is obtained. By using thes
e displacement solutions, stress and strain in each element can be calculated. N
on Structural problem: In non structural problem,temperatures or fluid pressure
at each nodal point is obtained. By using these values, Properties such as heat
flow, fluid flow, etcfor each element can be calculated. 10) What are the method
s are generally associated with the finite element analysis? The following two m
ethods are generally associated with the finite element analysis. They are 1. Fo
rce method. 2. Displacement or stiffness method 11) Explain force method and sti
ffness method? What are the three phases of finite

In force method, internal forces are considered as the unknowns of the problem.
In displacement or stiffness metho, displacement of the node are considered as t
he of the problem. Among them two approaches,dislplacement method is desirable.
12) What is polynomial type of interpolation functions are mostly used in FEM? T
he polynomial type of interpolation functions are mostly used due to the followi
ng reasons: 1. It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equati
ons. It is easy to perform differentiation or integration. 3. The accuracy of th
e results can be improved by increasing the order of the polynomial . 13) Name t
he variational methods. 1.Ritz method. 2. Rayleigh Ritz method 14) Name the weig
hted residual methods. 1.Point collocation method. 2. subdomain collocation meth
od. 3. Least square method 4. galerkins method 15) What is meant by post processi
ng? Analysis and evaluation of the solution results is referred to as post proce
ssing. Post processor computer programs help the user to interpret the results b
y displaying them in graphical form. 16) What is Rayleigh ritz method?
2.

Rayleigh ritz method is a integral approach method which is useful for solving c
omplex structural problems, encountered in finite element analysis. This method
is possible only if a suitable functional is available. 17)What does assemblage
mean? The art of subdividing a structure into a convenient number of smaller com
ponents is known as discretization. These smaller components are then put togeth
er. The process of uniting the various elements together is called assemblage. 1
8)What is meant by DOF? When the force or reaction acts at nodal point, node is
subjected to deformation. The deformation includes displacement, rotations, and/
or strains. These are collectively known as degrees of freedom (DOF). 19)What is
aspect ratio? Aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of
the element to the smallest dimension. In many cases, as the aspect ratio increa
ses, the inaccuracy of the solution increases. The conclusion of many researches
is that the aspect ratio should be close to unity as possible. 20)What is truss
element? The truss elements are the part of a truss structure linked together b
y point joints, which transmit only axial force to the element. 21) List the two
advantages of post processing? 1.Required result can be obtained in graphical f
orm. 2. Contour diagrams can be used to understand the solution easily and quick
ly. 22) If a displacement field in x direction ils given by u=2x2+4y2+6xy.Determ
ine the strain in x direction. U=2x2+4y2+6xy Strain,e= u/x= 4x +6y

23) What are h an p versions of finite element metho ? H version an p versions

are use to improve the accuracy of the finite element metho . In h versions, t
he or er of polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant an the n
umber of elements is increase . In p version, the number of elements is maintain
e constant an the or er of polynomial approximation of element is increase . 2
4) During iscretization, mention the places where it is necessary to place a no
e The following places are necessary to place a no e uring iscretization proc
ess. 1. Concentrate loa -acting point. 2. Cross section changing point 3. Diffe
rent material interjunction point 4. Su en change in loa point. 25) What is th
e ifference between static an ynamic analysis? Static analysis: The solution
of the problem oes not vary with time is known as static analysis. Example: Str
ess analysis on a beam. Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies wit
h time is known as ynamic analysis. Example: vibration analysis problems. 26) N
ame the four FEA softwares? 1. ANSYS 2. NASTRAN 3. COSMOS

4. NISA 27) Differentiate between global an local axes. Local axes are establis
he in an element. Since it is in the element level, they change with the change
in orientation of the element. The irection iffers from element to element.
Global axes are efine for the entire system. They are same in irection for al
l the elements even though the elements are ifferently oriente . 28) Distinguis
h between potential energy function an potential energy functional. If a system
has finite number of egrees of free om (q1 q2 an q3) then the potential energ
y is expresse as, = f (q1 q2 and q3) It is known as function. If a system has i
nfinite degrees of freedom, then the
otential energy is ex
ressed as, = f .( x,
y, dy/dx, d2y/dx2,.)dx
It is known as functional. 29) What are the ty
es of loading acting on the struc
ture? There are three ty
es of loading acting on the body. They are: 1. Body for
ce (f) 2. Traction force (T) 3. Point load (P) 30) Define body force (f). A body
force is distributed force acting on every elemental volume of the body.

Unit: Force
er unit volume. Exam
le: Self-weight due to gravity 31) Define trac
tion force (T) Traction force is defined as a distributed force acting on the su
rcace of the body Unit: force
er unit area. Exam
les: Frictional resistance, vi
scous drag, surface shear etc. 32) What is
oint load (P) Point load is force ac
ting at a
articular
oint, which causes dis
lacement. 33) What are the basic st
e
s involved in the finite element modeling. Finite element modeling consists of
the following: 1.Discretization of structure 2. Numbering of nodes. 34) What is
discretization? The art of subdividing a structure into a convenient number of
smaller com
onentsis known as descretization. 35) What is the classification of
co-ordinates? The co ordinates are generally classified as follows: 1. Global co
-ordinates 2. Local co-ordinates 3. Natural co-ordinates 36) What is Global co-o
rdinates? The
oints in the entire structure are defined using co-ordinate syste
m is known as global co-ordinate system. Exam
le : 2 1 3 4 5

1
2
3
4
5
6
37) What is natural co-ordinates? A natural co-ordinate system is used too defin
ed any
oint inside the element by a set of dimensionless numbers, whose magnitu
de never exceeds unity.This system is very useful in assembling of stiffness mat
rices. 38) Define sha
e function. In finite element method,field variables withi
n an element are generally ex
ressed by the following a

roximate relation

(x,y) = N1(x,y) 1 + N2(x,y) 2 +N3(x,y) 3 Where 1, 2 and 3 are the values o the iel
ariables at the nodes and N1 ,N2 and N3 are the interpolation unctions. N1 ,N2
and N3 also called shape unction because they are used to express the geometry
or shape o the element.
39) What are the characteristics o shape unction? The characterstics o shape
unction are as ollows: 1. The shape unction has unit value at one nodal point
and zero value at other nodal points. The sum o shape unction is equal to one
. 40) Why polynomial are generally used as shape unction? Polynomials are gener
ally used as shape unction due to the ollowing reasons. 1. integration o poly
nomial are quite easy. 2. The accuracy o the results can be improved by increas
ing the order o the polynomial. Dierentiation and
2.

3. and computerize the inite element equations.

It is easy to ormulate
41) How do you calculate the size o the global stiness matrix? Global stine
ss matrix size = Number o nodes X degree o reedom per node 1) expression or
element stiness matrix. Give th general
Stiness matrix [k] = [B] T [D] [B] dv [B] Strain displacement matrix [row matr
ix] [D] Stress, Strain relationship matrix [Row matrix]
42) Write down the expression o stiness matrix or one dimensional bar elemen
t. Stiness matrix [k] = AE 1 -1
L
-1
1
A - Area o the bar element. E Youngs modulus o bar element L lenth o the bar e
lement.
43) State the properties o a stiness matrix. The properties o a stiness ma
tix [k] are 1. 2. any column must be equal to zero. 3. So, the determinant is eq
ual to zero. 44) Write down the general inite element equation. General inite
element equation is, {} = [K] {u} {} - orce vector [column matrix] [k] - Sti
ness matrix [ row matix] {u} - Degrees o reedom [coloumn matrix] It is an uns
table element. It is symmetric matrix. The sum o elements in

45) Write down the inite element equation or one dimensional two noded bar ele
ment. The inite element equation or one-dimensional two noded bar element is,
1 AE 1 -1 u1

2
46) What is truss?
=
L
-1
1
u2
A truss is deined as a structure, made up o several bars, riveted or welded to
gether. 47) State the assumptions are made while inding the orces in a truss.
The ollowing assumptions are made while inding the orces in a truss. 1. All t
he members are pin jointed. 2. The truss is loaded only at the joints. 3. The se
l-wight o the members is neglected unless stated. 48) Write down the expressio
n o stiness matrix or a truss element. Stiness matrix [k] = Ae Ee l2 Lm L
-l2 -lm A Area lm m2 -lm -m2 -l2 -lm l2 lm -lm -m2 lm m2
E Youngs modulus le - Length o the element l,m Direction cosines
49) Write down the expression o shape unction N and displacement u or onedime
nsional bar element. or one dimensional bar element Displacement unction, u= N
1 u1 + N2 U2 Where, shape unction N1 = l-x / l

shape unction N2= x/l 50) Deine total potential energy. The total potential en
ergy of an elastic body, is defined as the sum of total strain energy U and
ote
ntial energy of the external forces,(W). Total
otential energy, = Strain energy
(U) + Potential energy of the external forces (W). 51) State the
rinci
le of m
inimum
otential energy. The
rinci
le of minimum
otential energy states: Among
all the dis
lacement equations that satisfy internal com
atibility and the boun
dary conditions, those that also satisfy the equations of equilibrium make the

otential energy a minimum in a stable system. 52) What is the stationary
ro
ert
y of total
otential energy? If a body is in equilibrium, its total
otential en
ergy is stationary. For stable equilibrium, 2 >0 , other wise is minimum for stabl
e equilibrium. For neutral equilibrium, 2 = 0. In this case is unchanging. For uns
table equilibrium, 2 < 0 , other wise is maximum. 53) State the
rinci
le of virtu
al work? A body is in equilibrium if the internal virtual work equals the extern
al virtual work for every kinematical admissible dis
lacement field. 54) Disting
uish between essential boundary conditions and natural boundary conditions. Ther
e are two ty
es of boundary conditions. They are: 1. condition (or) Essential bo
undary condition The boundary condition, which in terms of field variable, is kn
own as
rimary boundary condition. 2. condition or natural boundary conditions:
Secondary boundary Primary boundary

The boundary conditions, which are in the differential form of field variables,
are known as secondary boundary condition. Exam
le: A bar is subjected to axial
load as shown in fig. U= 0 EA du/dx =

In this
roblem, dis
lacement u at node 1 = 0, that is
rimary boundary conditio
n. EA du/dx = P, that is secondary boundary condition.
55) What are differences between boundary value
roblem and initial value
roble
m? The solution of differential equation is obtained for
hysical
roblems, whic
h satisfies some s
ecified conditions known as boundary conditions. The differen
tial equation together with these boundary conditions, subjected to a boundary v
alue
roblem. The differential equation together with initial conditions subject
ed to an initial value
roblem. Exam
les: Boundary value
roblem. d2y/dx2 - a(x)
dy/dx b(x)y c(x) = 0
with boundary conditions, y(m) = nd y(n) =
initi l vlue prolem, x2 + x + c =0 Boundry conditions: x(0) = 0 X(0) = 7

56) How do you define two-dimensionl elements? Two dimensionl elements re def
ined y three or nodes in  two dimensionl plne(ie x,y plne). The sic eleme
nt useful for two dimensionl nlysis is the tringulr element. 57) Wht is CS
T element? Three-nodded tringulr element is known Constnt Strin Tringle (CS
T) which is shown in fig. it hs six unknown displcement degrees of free (u1 v1
u2 v2, u3 v3 ). The element is clled CST ecuse it hs  constnt strin thro
ugh it. V3
3
u3
V2 2 U2 V1
1
U1
Merit: Clcultion of stiffness mtrix is esier. Demerit: The strin vrition
with in the element is considered s constnt. So, the results will e poor.
58) Wht is LST element? Six noded tringulr elements re known s liner stri
n tringle (LST), which is shown in fig. It hs twelve unknown displcement degr
ees of freedom. The displcement functions for the element re qudrtic insted
of liner s in the CST.
6
3 5

1
59) Wht is QST element?
4
2
Ten noded tringulr elements is known s qudrtic strin tringle (QST), which
is shown if, fig. it is lso clled cuic displcement tringle.
9 1
10 4
6 5 2
60) Wht is ment y plne stress nlysis? Plne stress is defined to e  stt
e in which the norml stress () and hear tre directed perpendicular to the pl
ane i aumed to be zero. 61) Define plane train analyi Plane train i defi
ned to be a tate of train in which the train normal to the xy plane and the 
hear train are aumed to be zero. 62) Write a diplacement function equation
for CST element.
Diplacement function u = u (x,y) v(x,y)
N1 0
0
N2 0 N3 N1 0 N2 0
0 N3
U1 V1 U2
V2 U3 V3 Where N1, N2, N3 are hape function. 63) Write a train-diplacement m
atrix for CST element. Strain diplacement matrix for CST element i Q1 0 q2 0 q
3 0
[B]
=
1/2A
0
r1
0
r2
0
r3

R1
q1
r2
q2
r3
q3
Where A = Area of the element Q1 = y2 y3 q2 = y3 y1 R1= x3 x2 r2= x1 x3
q3 = y1-y2 r3= x2 x1
64) Write down the tre train relationhip matrix for plane train condition.
For plane train problem, tre train relationhip matrix i,
(1-V) [ D] = E (1+V)(1-2V) 0 0
V ( 1-V) 0
0 0 1-2V/2
65) Write down the tiffne matrix equation for two-dimenional CST element. St
iffne matrix, [k] = [B]T [D] [B] A t [B] = Strain diplacement matrix [D] = St
re train matrix A = Area of the element T = Thickne of the element 66) Writ
e down the tre train relation hip matrix for plane tre condition. For pl
ane tre problem, tre train relation hip matrix i 1-v [D] = E 0 1-v v 0
0
(1+v)(1-2v) 0
0
1-2v/2
67) Write down the expreion for the hape function for a contant train trian
gular element. For CST element, Shape function, N1 = P1 + q1x + r1y 2A

N2 = p2+q2x+r2y 2A
N3 = p3+q3x+r3y 2A Where P1= x2y3 x3 y2 P2= x3y1 x1 y3 P3= x1y2 x2 y1 q1= y2 y3
q2= y3 y1 q3= y1 y2 r1= x3 x2
r2= x1 x3
r3= x2 x1
68) What i axiymmetric element?
Many three dimenional problem in engineering exhibit ymmetry about an axi of
rotation. Such type of problem are olved by a pecial two-dimenional elemen
t called the axiymmetric element.
69) What are the condition for a problem to axiymmetric? 1. The problem domain
mut be ymmetric about the axi of revolution. 2. All boundary condition mut
be ymmetric about the axi of revolution. 3. All loading condition mut be ym
metric about the axi of revolution. 70) Write down the diplacement equation fo
r an axiymmetric triangular element. Diplacement function, u(r,z) = u1 w(r,z)
w1 u2 w2 u3 w3 71) Write down the hape function for an axiymmetric triangular
element. 0 N1 0 N2 0 N3 u(r,z) N1 0 N2 0 N3 0

N1 = 1 x+ 1y + 1z 2A
N2 = 2 x+ 2y + 2z 2A
N3 = 3 x+ 3y + 3z 2A
Where 1 = r2z3 r3 z2 2 = r3z1 r1 z3 3 = r1z2 r2 z1 2= z3 z1 3= z1 z2
1= y2 y3

2= r1 r3

3= r2 r1

72) Give the strin-displcement mtrix eqution for n xisymmetric tringulr

element. Strin-displcement mtrix,
1 0 [B]=

1z/r 1/2A 0 1/r1+ 1 + 1z/r

0
2
0
3
0
1/r1+ 1 +

1z/r

0
1/r1+ 1 +
0 3

1
0
2
0
2
3
73) Write down the stress - strin reltion ship mtrix for n xisymmetric tri
ngulr element.
1-

1= r

E Stress- strin reltionship mtrix,[D] 0 (1+

)(1-2 )

110
0

/2

0
0
1-2
E youngs modulus V poisson rtio 74) Give the stiffness mtrix eqution for n 
xisymmetric tringulr element. Stiffness mtrix, [k] = 2 r A [B] T [D] [B] Where
, co-ordinate r = r1 + r2 + r3 /3 A area of the triangular element. 75) What are
the ways in which a three dimensional
roblem can be reduced to a two dimension
al a

roach. 1. Plane stress: One dimension is too small when com
ared to other
two dimensions. Exam
le: gear thickness is small 2. Plane strain: one dimension
is too large when com
ard to other two dimensions exam
le : Long
i
e [length is
long com
ared to diameter] Axisymmetric : geometry is symmetric about the axis.
Exam
le: cooling tower 76) Calculate the jacobian of the transformation J for t
he triangular element shown if fig.
3.
z
1 (3,6)

1(2,3)
2(5,3)
R r1 =2 ; r2 =5; r3 = 3 z1 = 3 ;z2 = 3; z3 = 6
j = r1 - r3 r2 - r3
z1- z3 z2- z3
=
-1 -3 2 -3
J = 3+6 = 9 units 77) What is the
ur
ose of iso
arametric elements? It is diffi
cult to re
resent the curved boundaries by straight edges finite elements. A lar
ge number of finite elements may be used to obtain reasonable resemblance betwee
n original body and assemblage. In order to overcome this drawback, iso
arametri
c elements are used i.e. for
roblems involving curved boundaries; a family of e
lements known as iso
arametic elements is used 78) Write down the sha
e function f
or 4 noded rectangular elements using natural co-ordinate system. Sha
e function
s: N1 =  (1-) (1-) N2 = (1+) (1-) N3 = (1+) (1+)

N4 = (1-) (1+) Were, and are natural co-ordinates. 79) Write down te jacobian ma
trix for four noded quadrilateral element. Jacobian matrix,[ J ] = J21 J11 J22 J
12

Were, J11 = [-(1- )x1 + (1- )x2 + (1+)x3 - (1+ )x4 ] J12 = [-(1- )y1 + (1- )y2 + (
- (1+ )y4 ] J21 = [-(1- )x1 - (1+ )x2 + (1+ )x3 + (1- )x4 ] J22 = [-(1- )y1 - (1+
1+ )y3 + (1- )y4 ] Where, and are natural co-ordinates.
x1 x2 x3 x4 y1 y2 y3 y4 are Cartesian coordinates.
80) Write down te stiffness matrix equation for four noded isoparametric quadri
lateral elements. 1 1 Stiffness matrix, [k] = t

[B]T [D] [B] X |J| X X

-1 -1 Were t = tickness of te element |J|=Determinant of te jacobian and are
natural co-ordinates
[B] Strain displacement matrix [D] Stress strain relationsip matrix
81) Write down te element force vector equation for four noded quadrilateral el
ements. Force vector, {F} = [N] T Fx Fy N is te sape function

Fx is te load or force in x direction Fy is te force on y direction 82) Write

down te Gaussian quadrature expression for numerical integration. Gaussian quad
rature expression 1 n
f(x) dx = wi f(xi) -1 i=1
Wi weigt function F(xi) values of te function at pre-determined sampling point
s. 83) Define super parametric element. If te number nodes used for defining t
e geometry is more tan number of nodes used for defining te displacements is k
nown as super parametric element. 84) Wat is meant by sub parametric element? I
f te number of nodes used for defining te geometry is less tan number of node
s used for defining te desplacements known as isoparametric element. 85) Wat i
s meant by iso parametric element? If te number of nodes used for defining te
geometry is same as number of nodes used for defining te displacements is know
as isoparametric element. 86) Is beam element an isoparametric element? Beam ele
ment is not an isoparametric element since te geometry and displacements are de
fined by different order interpolation functions. 87) Wat is te difference bet
ween natural co-ordinates and simple natural coordinate? A natural co-ordinate i
s one wose value lies between zero and one. Examples: L2 = x/l; l = (1-x/l) Are
a co-ordinates : L1 = A1/A ; L2 = A2/A ; L3 = A3/A A simple natural co ordinates
is one wose value lies between -1 to +1

88) Give examples for essential (forced or geometric) and non-essential (natural
) boundary conditions. Te geometric boundary conditions are displacement, slope
s, etc. te natural boundary conditions are bending moment, sear force,etc. Des
criptive type
89) Explain te general steps in FEA wit te elp of a flowcart? 90) A beam AB
of span L simply supported at ends and carrying a concentrated load W at te center
C. Determine te deflection at midspan by using te Rayleig- Ritz metod. 91) So
lve te equations using Gauss- Elimination metod 2x + 4y +2z = 15 2x + y + 2 z
= -5 4x + y 2z = 0 92) Describe te four types of weigted residual metod. 93)
Derive te stiffness matrix [K] for te truss element 94) Derive te sape funct
ion for one-dimensional bar element. 95) Using finite element, find te stress d
istribution in a uniformly tapering bar of circular cross sectional area 3cm2 an
d 2 cm2 at teir ends, lengt 100mm, subjected to an axial tensile load of 50 N
at smaller end and fixed at larger end. Take te value of Youngs modulus as 2 x
105N/mm2. 96) (i) Explain te Galerkins metod. (ii) Explain te Gaussian elimina
tion. 97) Derive te constitutive matrix for 2D element. 98) Derive te expressi
on for te stiffness matrix for an axisymmetric sell element. 99) Explain te t
erms plane stress and plane strain conditions. Give te constitutive laws for t
ese cases. 100) Derive te element stiffness matrix for a linear isoparametric q
uadrilateral element. 101) Evaluate te integral by using Gaussian quadrature x2
dx.
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