FEM CIE 2 Question Bank
FEM CIE 2 Question Bank
QUIZ
1. The number of shape functions in a 1D bar element with three nodes, two end nods and one middle node,
each having one degree of freedom is -----------
Ans: 3. Explanation: The number of shape functions will be equal to the number of nodes.
2. The Jacobian is a matrix used for transformation of displacement from ------------ coordinates to -------
coordinates.
Ans: Natural to Cartesian coordinates
Explanation:
3. If the order of shape function used to define displacement is less than that of the shape function used to
define the geometry, such formulation is known as -------------------
Ans: Superparametric formulation
Explanation:
Isoparametric formulation: It is a formulation in which, for an element, both the geometry &
displacement fields are described by identical shape functions of the same order.
Sub parametric formulation: In this case, the order of the shape functions used to describe geometry of
the element is lower than that of the order of shape functions used to describe the displacement field.
Super parametric formulation: It is a formulation in which the order of the shape functions used to
describe the geometry of the element is higher than that used for describing the displacement field.
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4. The area of a triangular element whose determinant of Jacobean 1200 is ---------------
Ans: 600 Sq mm
Explanation: Determinant of Jacobian = twice the area of triangular element.
5. Higher order elements which contain nodes only on boundaries and no internal nodes are known as-----
Ans: Serendipity elements
Explanation: Higher order Lagrange elements contains internal nodes, which do not contribute to the
inter element connectivity. However, these can be eliminated by condensation procedure which needs
extra computation.
The elimination of these internal nodes results in reduction in size of the element matrices. Alternatively,
one can develop shape functions of two dimensional elements which contain nodes only on the boundaries.
These elements are called serendipity elements.
6. The order of stiffness matrix of a planar truss element is -----------------
Ans: 4 (4 rows and 4 columns)
Explanation: The order of stiffness matrix is equal to the number of nodes in the element multiplied by
the number of degrees of freedom at each node.
•For a 1 D bar element with 2 nodes, and 1 dof at each node, order of stiffness matrix = 2*1=2
•For a 1 D truss/beam element with 2 nodes, and 2 dof at each node, order of stiffness matrix = 2*2=4
•For a 2 D CST element with 3 nodes, and 2 dof at each node, order of stiffness matrix = 3*2=6
7. In the stiffness matrix of a truss element, the terms l and m denote --------------
Ans: Direction cosines
Explanation: The orientation of the truss elements are denoted by l= cos and m= sin which are also
known as direction cosines
8. In a sub parametric element, the order of the shape function used to define the geometry is -----that used
to define displacement.
Ans: Less than
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Explanation: The order of shape function used to define the geometry of element is the criterion. If it is
lees than the order of shape function used to define the displacement, it is known as sub parametric, if it
is same, it is known as isoparametric, and if it is more, it is called as super parametric element.
9. A Plane Truss element has ------ degrees of freedom at a roller support.
Ans: One
Explanation: At a roller support of a truss, the displacement perpendicular to the support is zero. It only
allows displacement along the rollers.
10. If a point in a CST element divides the element area into three equal parts, the value of each shape function
at P is --------------
Ans: 0.333
Explanation:
12. The direction cosines of a horizontal truss element are respectively ------- & ---------
Ans: 1 and 0
Explanation:
13. The x coordinate of a point P within a CST element with nodal x-coordinates of vertices 2, 7 and 4
respectively with two known shape functions 0.3 and 0.2 is --------------
Ans: 4
14. The number of degrees of freedom at the pin joint of a planar truss is --------------
Ans: 0
Explanation: At the pin joint of a truss, both u & v displacements are constrained
15. The nature of variation of shape functions of 3 noded 1D bar element is -------------
Ans: Parabolic
Explanation:
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16. CST elements are not suitable for --------------areas
Ans: Stress concentration areas
Explanation: CST elements have straight boundaries and hence must be avoided in stress concentration
or other crucial stress areas such as holes, corners
17. The elements along the principal diagonal of a stiffness matrix are always -------------
Ans: Positive
Explanation: The stiffness matrix is a banded & symmetric matrix. If there are 'n' number of nodes with
one degree of freedom each, then order of stiffness Properties of Stiffness matrix matrix is n×n. The main
diagonal elements of the stiffness matrix are always positive. If rigid body motion is not prevented by
sufficient boundary conditions the stiffness matrix becomes singular. (i.e. its determinant becomes zero)
18. The y coordinate of a point P within a CST element with nodal y-coordinates of vertices 2, 3.5 and 7
respectively with two known shape functions 0.3 and 0.2 is ---------------
Ans: 4.8
Explanation:
19. The direction cosines of a vertical truss element are respectively ------- & --------
Ans: 0 & 1
Explanation:
20. If one of the shape functions at a point P in linear 1D bar element is 0.6 and the displacement at node 1 is
0.03 mm and at node 2 is -0.05 mm, the displacement at that point is ---------------
Ans: -0.002 mm
Explanation:
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21. The origin of natural coordinate system in a rectangular element is --------------
Ans: at the center of the rectangle
Explanation:
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28. The force at node 2 of a beam element of span 1 m subjected to a UDL of 12 N/m is -----
Ans: -6 N
29. The order of Hermite shape functions of beam element is --------------
Ans: cubic
30. The value of Hermite shape function corresponding to slope at node 2 of a beam element at the mid node
is -----------------
Ans: -0.125
Explanation: Put = equation of H4
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TEST
8. A two-dimensional plate is shown in Fig. Determine the equivalent point loads at nodes 7, 8, and 9 for
the linearly distributed pressure load acting on the edge 7–8–9.
9. List the assumptions made in analysis of trusses. Obtain the nodal displacements and element stresses in
the truss shown in fig. Take E=200 Gpa, A=500 mm2. Load P = 800 KN.
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10. For the truss shown in fig, determine the nodal displacements, stresses and support reactions.
11. For the truss shown in fig, determine the nodal displacement and stresses. Take A1=1500 mm2,
A2=A3=2000 mm2 and E= 200 GPa
12. Obtain the deflection and slopes at salient points for the beam shown in fig. Take E = 200 GPa and
Moment of inertia of beam section I as 3000 mm4. Moment of couple as 20 KN-m clockwise.
13. For the beam shown in fig, determine the deflection at the mid span of each element. Take E= 200 GPa
and I= 4x106 mm4.
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