Lecture

7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

IIT Delhi

CVL757: Finite element methods

Lecture 7

N. M. Anoop Krishnan
Block V, Room No. 318
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Email: krishnan@iitd.ac.in
IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements 1
Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Recap
Ø Bar, beam elements

Ø Element and structure stiffness matrix

Ø Global and local coordinates

Ø Assembly by direct stiffness method

Ø Properties of the stiffness matrix

Ø Formal method for eliminating boundary conditions

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements
Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
• The solutions to FE equations provide discrete displacement at
the nodes
• This is interpolated to obtain a continuous function of
displacement along the domain
• Nodal values are interpolated along the element using
polynomial functions to obtain a single-valued continuous
function
• In terms of the generalized d.o.f., ai, field 𝜙 can be written as
'

𝜙 = # 𝑎% 𝑥 % or 𝜙 = 𝐗 𝐚
%()
1 ' 7
where 𝐗 = [1 𝑥 𝑥 … 𝑥 ] and {𝐚} = 𝑎) 𝑎6 𝑎1 … 𝑎'
• 𝑛 = 1 is linear, 𝑛 = 2 is quadratic etc.

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
• In terms of the nodal values {𝛟𝒆 } can be written as
𝛟< = 𝐀 𝐚
where each row of 𝐀 is [𝐗] evaluated at appropriate nodal
locations
• Thus, 𝜙 = 𝐍 {𝛟𝐞 } where 𝐍 = 𝐗 𝐀 @6 = [𝑁6 𝑁1 … ]
• 𝑁% is called the shape function or basis function
• Note that solving the global equation 𝐊 {𝐃} = 𝐑 we obtain
the nodal values 𝛟𝐞
Degree of continuity:
Cm is used to represent the continuity of a
field/function
𝑥 if 𝑥 ≥ 0,
Example: 𝑓 𝑥 = F is C0 continuous
0 if x < 0

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
• 𝜙 is interpolated piecewise for each element in the FE mesh
• While 𝜙 is varies smoothly within an element, it may not be
smooth between elements.
• Thus, a field is Cm continuous if its derivatives up to and
including degree m are inter-element continuous.
• For example, 𝜙6 is 𝐶 ) continuous while 𝜙1 is 𝐶 6 continuous.

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
𝐶 ) interpolation:
𝐶 ) elements are typically used for bar,
plane, or solid bodies. 𝐶 6 elements are used
to model beams, plates, and shells ensuring
interelement continuity of slope.
Consider linear interpolation between
(𝑥6 , 𝜙6 ) and (𝑥1 , 𝜙1 ), where 𝐗 = 1 𝑥 .
Thus,

Inverting [A] and applying, [N] = [X] [A]–1

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
Consider quadratic interpolation for C0
element, which fits a parabola.
Interpolation between (𝑥6 , 𝜙6 ), (𝑥1 , 𝜙1 ),
and (𝑥O , 𝜙O ), where 𝐗 = 1 𝑥 𝑥 1 .
Thus,

General expression for shape functions N fitted to n points can be written

using the Lagrange interpolation as (bracketed terms are omitted to obtain
kth shape function)

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Properties of shape functions

• All shape functions Ni, along with 𝜙 are polynomials of same
degree
• For any shape function 𝑁% , 𝑁% = 1 when 𝑥 = 𝑥% and 𝑁% = 0 when
𝑥 = 𝑥P for any integer 𝑗 ≠ 𝑖. That is, 𝑁% is unity at its own node
and zero at all other nodes
• 𝐶 ) shape functions sum to unity; that is, Σ𝑁% = 1. This is evident
from 𝜙 = 𝐍 {𝛟𝐞 }, since 𝜙 = 1, when 𝛟𝐞 is a column of 1.
• Lagrange interpolation uses only 𝜙% for curve fitting. This leads
to unrealistic slopes at nodes
• This can be improved including the information slope as well
while fitting curve. This method is called Hermitian interpolation

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Interpolation functions
𝐶 6 interpolation:
Consider a cubic curve 𝜙 = 𝜙(𝑥). Taking a line of length L with
\]
ordinates 𝜙% and slopes 𝐗 = [1 𝑥 𝑥 1 𝑥 O ]
^_ %

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Linear triangle
• In linear triangle, field varies linearly with cartesian coordinates
• Linear displacement produces a constant strain field, so the
element is also known as constant-strain triangle (CST).
• In terms of the generalized d.o.f. ai,
𝑎6
𝜙 = 1 𝑥 𝑦 𝑎1
𝑎O
•

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Linear traingle
• Substituting 𝑥6 = 𝑦6 = 𝑦1 = 0,
𝜙6 𝑎6 1 0 0
𝜙1 = [𝐀] 𝑎1 where 𝐀 = 1 𝑥1 0
𝜙O 𝑎O 1 𝑥O 𝑦O
• Solving 𝑎% directly from the equations,
𝜙1 − 𝜙6
𝑎6 = 𝜙6 ; 𝑎1 = ;
𝑥1
xO − x1 𝜙6 𝑥O 𝜙1
aO = − + 𝜙O /𝑦O
𝑥1 𝑦O 𝑥1 𝑦O

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Linear triangle
• The interpolated field 𝜙 = 𝐍 {𝐝} is

• Gradients of the field are

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements

Lecture 7 N. M. Anoop Krishnan

Quadratic triangle (LST)

• In terms of the generalized d.o.f. ai,

IIT Delhi CVL757 – Finite elements