2.092/2.

093 Finite Element Analysis of Solids & Fluids I Fall 09

Lecture 6 - Finite Element Solution Process

Prof. K. J. Bathe MIT OpenCourseWare

In the last lecture, we used the principle of virtual displacements to obtain the following equations:

KU = R (1)

(m) (m)
K = K ; K = B (m)T C (m) B (m) dV (m)
m V (m)
R = RB + R S

(m) (m)
RB = RB ; RB = H (m)T f B(m) dV (m)
m V (m)

i(m) i(m)
(m) (m) i(m)
RS = RS ; RS = H Sf T
f Sf dSf
m i Sf
i(m)

u(m) = H (m) U (2)

(m) = B (m) U (3)

Note that the dimension of u(m) is in general not the same as the dimension of (m) .

Example: Static Analysis

Reading assignment: Example 4.5

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Lecture 6 Finite Element Solution Process 2.092/2.093, Fall 09

Assume:
i. Plane sections remain plane
ii. Static analysis no vibrations/no transient response
iii. One-dimensional problem; hence, only one degree of freedom per node
Elements 1 and 2 are compatible because they use the same U2 . Next, use a linear interpolation function.

U1 U1
u(1) (x) = x x
; u(2) (x) = x x

1 100 100 0 U2 0 1 80 80
U2
U U
3 3
H (1) H (2)

U1 U1
(1) (x) = 1 1
; (2) (x) = 1 1

100 0 U2 0 80 U2
100 U 80
U
3 3
B (1) B (2)

1
100
100 80
0

1

1 1
x 2

K = E1
100 100 100 0 dx + E 1+ 1 0 1
80 1 dx
0

0 40 80 80
1
0 80

1 1 0 0 0 0
E 13E

= 1 1 0 +
0 1 1

100 3 80
0 0 0 0 1 1
13
The equivalent cross-sectional area of element 2 is A = 3 cm2 . This equivalent area must lie between the
areas of the end faces A = 1 and A = 9.

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Lecture 6 Finite Element Solution Process 2.092/2.093, Fall 09

2.4 2.4 0
E
K= 2.4 15.4 13
240
0 13 13
We note:

Diagonal terms must be positive. If the diagonal terms are zero or negative, then the system is unstable
physically. A positive diagonal implies that the degree of freedom has stiness at that node.
K is symmetric.

K is singular if rigid body motions are possible. To be able to solve the problem, all rigid body modes
must be removed by adequately constraining the structure. i.e. K is reduced by applying boundary
conditions to the nodes.

The K used to solve for U is, then, positive denite (det K > 0). This ensures that the elastic strain energy
is positive and nonzero for any displacement eld U . In the analysis, each element is in equilibrium under
its nodal forces, and each node is in equilibrium when summing element forces and external loads.

Homework Problem 2

u
xx x
=
u
zz x

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Lecture 6 Finite Element Solution Process 2.092/2.093, Fall 09
zz is frequently called the hoop strain, .

2(u + x) 2x u
zz = =
2x x

E 1

C=
1 2 1

f B = 2 R N/cm3

; R = x

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2.092 / 2.093 Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Fluids I

Fall 2009

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