SHRI VISHNU ENGINEERING COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

FINITE ELEMENT METHODS

METHODS- ASSIGNMENT

UNIT 1

1. If a displacement field is described as follows,

u = (x2+2y2+6xy)10-4 and v = (3x + 6y y2) 10-4
Determine the strain components v xx , v yy , and v xy at the point x = 1; y = 0.

2. Explain briefly about the following:

(a) Variational method. (b) Importance of Boundary conditions.

3. Discuss the following basic principles of finite element method.

(a) Derivation of element stiffness matrix.
(b) Assembly of Global stiffness Matrix.

4.What are the various steps involved in finite Element method and explain them through an
Example
5. Compare and contrast the Rayleigh
Rayleigh-Ritz
Ritz method with the Finite element method and
comment on both the methods.

6. What are the various approximate methods of analysis and exp

explain them.

7. (a) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of Finite Element Method.

(b) What is meant by total potential of elastic structure? Write the expression for total
potential of a cantilever beam with uniformly distributed load though out the span.

8. In a plane strain problem, we have

x = 137.90*106 Pa y= -68.95*10
68.95*106 Pa E=206850*106 Pa =0.3
Determine the value of the stress z

UNIT 2
1. Explain the mathematical interpretation of finite element method for one dimensional field
problems.

2. With a suitable example, explain the physical interpretation of finite element method for one
dimensional analysis.

3. With a suitable example ex explain

plain the formulation of finite element equations by direct
approach. Assume suitable data for the example. Use II-D analysis.

4. (a) What is the basic principle of Rayleigh

Rayleigh-Ritz
Ritz method and explain it in detail.
 (b) A cantilever beam of span, L and flexural rigidity EI , is subjected to uniformly distributed
load w/m throughout the span. Determine the deflection and slope at its free end using Rayleigh
-Ritz method. Compare the deflection with exact solution and comment.

5. (a) Explain the terms Local axis and Global axis in the context of Finite Element Method.
(b) Derive shape functions of a simple triangular element in terms of global axes. If
coordinates of vertices of the triangular element are A(X1,Y1) B(X2,Y2) C(X3,Y3)

6. (a) Derive equilibrium equations for 2D elastic solid mechanics problem.

(b) Strains at a point in plate under in-plane loading are vxx=10*10-5 vyy=6*10-5 gxy=3*10-4
For plane stress case, determine stresses xx yy xy at the same point.
7. A simply supported beam is subjected to lineally varying distributed load with zero intensity at
one end and w/m at other end. Analyze the beam using Raleigh Ritz method and find the
following at centre of the beam.
(a) Deflection
(b) Slope
(c) Shear force
(d) Bending moment

8.Consider the bar in Fig.1. Cross-sectional area Ae=7.742 cm2, and Youngs modulus E =
206850 106 Pa. If q1 = 0.5mm and q2 =0.635 mm, determine the following (by hand
calculation):
a) The displacement at point P,
b) The strain v and stress ,
c) The element stiffness matrix

UNIT 3

1. A cantilever beam is loaded with point load at end and Uniform distributed load throughout
the beam of length L m. Explain how will you proceed with the solution using FEM?

2. Define and derive the Hermite shape functions for a two nodded beam element?

3. Starting from the first principles derive the stiffness matrix for a 1- d bar element and extend
it for the plane truss element?

4. (a) What are the convergence requirements to be fulfilled in an assumed displacement

function of an element? Discuss them in detail.
 (b) What do you mean by an interpolation function? Derive the interpolation functions for a
simple beam element from basic principles.

5. A structural member, of length, 2L is subjected to axial loads at its centre and end as shown in
Fig. 1. Assume AE is constant throughout. Analyze it using finite element method and
determine the following
(a) Deflections at the load points.
(b) Strains & Stresses in the bar structure.
(c) Forces in the two metals.
(d) Reaction at the support.

6. (a) What are the convergence requirements to be fulfilled in an assumed displacement

function of an element? Discuss them in detail.
(b) What are the properties of shape functions? Using the properties of the shapefunctions,
derive the shape functions of a four noded bar element.

7. (a) Derive equations of equilibrium for a 2D elastic structure under external loading.
(b) Write constitutive relationships for plane stress and plane strain cases.

8. Find the deflection at the load and the slopes at the ends for the steel shaft shown in Fig.2.
Consider the shaft to be simply supported at bearings A and B.

9. A three member truss is loaded as shown in Fig. 1. Assume [AE / L] is same for all the
members. Analyze the truss using finite element method and determine the
a) Joint displacements
b) Member forces and tabulate them.
c) Reactions at the supports.
 UNIT 4

1. (a) Using three point Gaussian quadrature find dA for a triangular element
whose vertices are (1,1), (3,2), and (2, 3).
(b) Find the shape functions of a quadrilateral element in natural coordinates.

2. (a) Show that the shape function at node i (Ni ), for the simplex triangle is one and zero at
nodes j andk.
(b) The nodal displacements for the simplex
two-dimensional element shown figure
are u1 = 2 mm, u2 = 6 mm, u3 = -1 mm,
v1 = 4 mm , v2 = 5 mm and v3 = 8mm. Determine the
displacement components at an interior point B (10,10).
The nodal coordinates (in mm) are given in parenthesis.

3. Derive the shape functions for a triangular linear element in global Co-ordinate
system.

4. With suitable examples explain the meaning and formulations of properties of axisymmetric
elements. State their applications.

5. A three member truss is loaded as shown in Fig. 1. Assume [AE / L] is same for all the
members. Analyze the truss using finite element method and determine the
a) Joint displacements
b) Member forces and tabulate them.
c) Reactions at the supports.

6. (a) State and explain the principle of minimum potential energy and explain.
(b) Write Finite element formulation for a 2 Dimensional structure.

7. (a) What do you mean by plane stress and plain strain solid mechanics problems and explain
them with examples?
(b) Derive the material stiffness matrix for plane stress case. [8+8]

8. Explain how stiffness matrix and nodal load vector are developed from shape functions
through an example.

UNIT 5

1. A composite slab consists of three materials of different thermal conductivities i.e 20 W/m-
0
K, 30 W/m-0K, 50 W/m-0K of thickness 0.3 m, 0.15 m, 0.15 m respectively. The outer surface is
200C and the inner surface is exposed to the convective heat transfer coefficient of 25 W/m2 0K at
3000C. Determine the temperature distribution within the wall?

2. The coordinates of the nodes of a triangular element are 1(-1,4), 2(5,2) and 3(3,6) of thickness
0.2 cm. The convection takes place over all surfaces with a heat transfer coefficient of 150 W/m-
0
K and T=300C. Determine the conductivity matrix and load vector if the internal heat
generation is 200 W/cm3. Assume thermalconductivity the element is 100 W/m K

3. Find the temperature distribution in the square plate as shown in figure. Assume
K = 30 W/m K, T = 500C and q = 100 W/m3.

4.A stepped column of length 2L, as shown in Fig. , is loaded with point loads at its
centre and end. Analyze the column using the Finite Element Method. Assume
2A and A are c / s areas of the column. Length of each stepped is L. Determine
Strains in both top and bottom portion of the column.
Stresses in both top and bottom portion of the column.
Forces in both top and bottom portion of the column.
Reaction

5. (a) Derive equilibrium equations for 2 D solid mechanics problems.

(b) Explain plane stress problem and plane strain problem. Give examples for
each case.

6. Explain how stiffness matrix and load vector of a three noded triangular element
using shape functions.
.
7. A fixed beam is loaded with uniformly distributed load of intensity w/m. Assume EI
is constant throughout. Analyze the beam by dividing it into two elements and find
the following at quarter span.
(a) Deflection
(b) Slope
(c) Shear force
(d) ending moment

UNIT 6
1. Consider axial vibrations of the steel stepped bar as shown in (a) develop global stiffness
matrix and mass matrix, (b) natural frequencies and (c) mode shapes.
2. Derive the elemental mass matrix for 1-D bar element and 1-D plane truss element?

3. Determine the natural frequencies of a simply supported beam of length 800 mm with the
cross sectional area of 75 cm X 25 cm as shown in the figure Take E= 200 Gpa and density of
7850 kg/m3

4. Derive the elemental mass matrix for 1-D bar element and 1-D plane truss element?

5. What is an Axi-Symmetric problem and explain how the problem is solved using Finite
element method

6. A simply supported beam of span L, is loaded with uniformly distributed load, w/m
throughout the span. its flexural rigidity, EI is constant. The beam is propped at its centre with
an axial spring. The stiffness of the spring is k Explain the finite element procedure in solving
the problem.

7. (a) What do you mean by an isoparametric element? Explain its significance.

(b) Derive the interpolation functions of a simple quadrilateral isoparametric element

8. (a) Explain what is meant by an isoparametric element and its significance.

(b) What is meant by constant strain triangle (CST) element and explain it? Write shape
functions of CST in terms isoparametric element.

UNIT 7
1. The coordinates of the nodes of a 3-D simplex elements are given below.

Node number Coordinate of the node

X Y Z
i 0 10 0
j 10 0 0
k 0 15 0
l 0 0 20
Determine the shape function of the element.

2. Derive strain displacement matrix (B) for four node tetrahedral element.

3. (a) Explain the mesh generation schemes for 3-D problems.

(b) State the considerations governing the choice of finite elements to be used in three-
dimensional problems.

4. Explain the following semiautomatic mesh generation techniques

(a) Conformal mapping approach.
(b) Mapped element approach
5. A 200 mm x 120 mm rectangular plate (2D) is subjected to an in-plane point load as shown
in Fig. 3 . Youngs modulus & poisons ratio of the plate material are E = 200 GPa & g = 0.3
respectively. Determine
a) The displacement field
(b) Strain vector
(c) Stress vector
(d) Reactions. (Explain the procedure only)

6. (a) What are the advantages and disadvantage of finite element method?
(b) Derive materials stiffness matrix for plane stress problem.

7. Explain how axi-symmetric problem are analyzed using finite element method?

8. What do you mean by axi-symmetric problem. Explain how axi-symmetric problems are
solved using finite element method.

UNIT 8

1. (a) What is the necessity of determining Von misses stresses in finite element static analysis?
(b) Briefly explain about ANSYS software package.

2. With an example, explain the procedure involved in solving an engineering problem

in computational finite element analysis using computer software.

3. Give the necessity of rotating and offsetting the work plane in ANSYS environment. What are
the useful features of CAEFEM package in analysis?

4. Write short notes on the following

(a)Weighted residual methods.
(b)Simple elements and Higher order elements
(c)Serendipity elements and Legrangian elements.
(d)Sub-parametric element, isoperimetric element,elemet.
(e) Degree of freedom and boundary conditions.
 (f) How temperature effect is taken in to account in the finite element procedure.
(g) Static condensation.
(d) Guassian-quadrature.
(h) Numerical Integration
(i) Static condensation
(j) Area and volume coordinates
(k) Legrangian element
(l) Simple element and Higher order element
(m) serendipity element
(n) Assembling of elements stiffness matrices in to global stiffness matrix