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: Alemayehu Agegnehu

ID: BDU1022148

Submitted to: Inst. Seyfe

Submission Date: June 4,2020
#Q-1: Explain the concept of FEM briefly and Outline the procedure.

Answer

✓ The finite element analysis is a numerical technique. 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 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, 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:

(i) Select suitable field variables and the elements.

(ii) Discritise the continua.

(iii) Select interpolation functions

(iv) Find the element properties.

(v) Assemble element properties to get global properties.

(vi) Impose the boundary conditions.

(vii) Solve the system equations to get the nodal unknowns.

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(viii) Make the additional calculations to get the required values.

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

Answer: Advantages of FEM over classical

1 FEM can handle structures with anisotropic properties also without any difficulty.

2. Solutions can be obtained for all problems by finite element analysis.

3. In FEM no such assumptions are made. The problem is treated as it is.

4. finite element can be used without any difficulty.

5. If structure consists of more than one material, it is difficult to use classical method, but

6. Problems with material and geometric non-linearities can be handled by FEM.

Disadvantage of Finite Element Method

1) FEM cannot produce exact results

2) 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

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

Answer

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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
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 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:

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

(i) accuracy of linear terms only

(ii) accuracy of quadratic terms.

Answer: 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

✓ 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.

➢ Orthotropic:means not having uniform mechanical and thermal properties in every

direction. Hence for orthotropic materials, the number of material constants reduce to 9
➢ Isotropic means having uniform mechanical and thermal properties in every direction.
Hence for isotropic materials, the number of material constants reduce to 12.
#8.Give constitute laws for three dimensional problems of:
(i) orthotropic materials
(ii) isotropic materials.

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 Answer
✓ Certain materials exhibit symmetry with respect to planes within the body. Such materials are
called Ortho tropic materials. Hence for orthotropic materials, the number of material constants
reduce to 9 asshown below:

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#Q-9: Explain the terms ‘Plane stress’ and ‘Plane strain’ problems. Give constitutive laws
for these cases.
Answer
✓ There are two types of two-dimensional elastic problems, namely plane stress and plane
strain problems. 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 the constitutive law reduces to

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✓ 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.
✓ plane strains problems constitutive laws reduce to

#Q-10: Explain the term ‘Axi-symmetric problems’ and give constitutive law for such
problems
Answer
✓ 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 components are
independent of the angular (θ) coordinate. Hence all derivatives with respect to θ vanish i.e. in
these cases.

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#Q-11. Define stiffness matrix and explains its special features.
Answer
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 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:
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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. The banded nature of matrix is
shown below.

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#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,

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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

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

✓ If axial deformations in the beam elements are to be considered as in case of columns of

frames, etc. (Fig. 3.7), 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 Fig. 3.8 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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