University of California, Los Angeles

Department of Civil & Env. Engineering E. Taciroglu

cee235b
Finite Element Analysis of Structures
Midterm Exam
Winter 2017

Instructions
1. There are three problems with multiple sub-problems. Solve all of them.
2. All work must be written on the sheets provided.
3. Put your name on every sheet.
4. Show all work for partial credit.
5. You may use one formula sheet (both sides can be filled). This will be collected after
the exam and may not be returned to you.
6. Make explicit the method you are using to solve a particular problem.
7. If unclear about a problem statement or data, make a reasonable assumption
and proceed. Clearly state the assumption(s) you are making.

Grading
Problem 1 [30pts] ________________________________

Problem 2 [35pts] ________________________________

Problem 3 [35pts] ________________________________

Score [100pts] ________________________________

Name _________________________________

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Problem 1. [30pts] A collection of problems on review materials covered at the beginning of

class.

(a) [10pts] Tensor-vector algebra: Given the following tensor T, vector v, and scalar function g

⎡ 1 ⎧ x ⎫
−1 0 ⎤ ⎪ 1
⎪⎪
⎢ ⎥ ⎪
T=⎢ 2 −2 ⎥ , v = ⎨ x1x2 ⎬ , g = x1x2 x3
⎢⎣ sym. 3 ⎥⎦ ⎪ ⎪
⎪⎩ x1x2 x3 ⎪⎭
compute the terms given below (2 pt each):
Tij δij = ?, ∇v = ? , div T = ? , ∇g = ? , div v = ?
(b) PDEs: [6pts] Classify the following second-order PDEs below (2 pt each)

(c) Elasticity [14pts] Given the stress tensor S below, and a surface defined by the equation g,
determine the traction acting at point x1 = 1, x2 = −1, x3 = 0 [8pts]. Determine the normal and
tangential components of this traction vector with respect to the surface [6pts].

⎡ x −1 0 ⎤
⎢ 1 ⎥ 1 2
S=⎢ 2 −2 ⎥ , g = x1 + x2 x3 .
⎢ sym. 2
⎣ 3 ⎥⎦

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Problem 2. [35 pts] Consider the uniaxial elastostatic boundary value problem shown below.

(a) [6 pts] Determine the Virtual Work functional G(u, u ) , which is equal to the difference of
internal and external virtual work.

(b) [4 pts] What are the essential and the natural boundary conditions (if any) for this problem?

(c) [15 pts] Set up and obtain an approximation to the displacement field u(x) using the Ritz
Method assuming that the displacement is approximated as,
2
x ⎛ x⎞
u(x) = a0 + a1 + a2 ⎜ ⎟
L ⎝ L⎠

(d) [10 pts] Determine the stress field, and the reactions at the two ends, using the Ritz solution
obtained for u(x).

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Problem 3. [35 pts] Consider the uniaxial elastostatic boundary value problem (BVP) shown
below.

(a) [6 pts] State the governing equation and boundary conditions for this problem.

(b) [12 pts] Determine the displacement field u(x) by solving the BVP analytically (use direct
integration).

(c) [12 pts] Determine the stress field, and the reactions at the two ends. Draw the stress diagram.

(d) [5 pts] Compare the exact solution obtained here and the solution obtained in Problem 2
using the Ritz Method. Which solution is more accurate and why?

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