MEMA/CSES 648 Spring 2002

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis

Professor J. N. Reddy Office: 210 EPB (O)
e-mail: jnreddy@shakti.tamu.edu Tel: 862-2417

Date: January 24, 2002 Due: February 6, 2002

Assignment No. 1

Problem 1: Consider the following equations of the Euler—Bernoulli beam theory:

d2 w0 M d2 M
− 2
− = 0, − = q. (1a, b)
dx EI dx2
where w0 denotes the transverse deflection, M the bending moment, q the distributed trans-
verse load, and EI the bending stiffness. Construct a (mixed) finite element model of the
pair of equations such that the resulting coefficient matrix is symmetric. Use the independent
approximations of w0 (x) and M (x) as follows:
m
X n
X
w0 (x) ≈ wi φi (x), M (x) ≈ Mi ψi (x), (2)
i=1 i=1

where (φi , ψi ) are the interpolation functions of different degree used for w0 and M , respec-
tively. Write the finite element model in the form
· ¸½ ¾ ½ ¾
[Ae ] [B e ] {we } {F e }
= , (3)
[B e ]T [De ] {M e } {Qe }
and define all coefficients in terms of the interpolation functions, EI, and q.

Problem 2: Consider the nonlinear differential equation

· √ du ¸
d
− (u + 2) = 1, 0 < x < 1 (1)
dx dx
du
(0) = 0, u(1) = 0 (2)
dx
Develop the weak form and the finite element model of the equation over an element. Compute
the tangent coefficient matrix of the model.
Problem 3: Formulate the weak form and the finite element model of
d2 u
− + 2u3 = 0, 1 < x < 2 (1)
dx2
· ¸
du
u(1) = 1, + u2 =0 (2)
dx x=2
Compute the tangent stiffness matrix associated with the finite element model.