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Lecture 2 Truss and Beam FEM PDF
Lecture 2 Truss and Beam FEM PDF
Elements
Yan Zhuge
CIVE 3011 Structural Analysis and
Computer Applications
19/07/2007 1
Element Types
2
Element Types
3
Element Types
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Finite Element Analysis - The
Steps
1. Define the physical problem
2. Create the finite element model
define geometry, nodes, and elements.
define material properties, loading and
boundary conditions.
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Finite Element Analysis - The
Steps
3. Perform the calculations. The software:
generate the stiffness matrix k of each element,
connect elements together, assemble the element k
matrices to obtain the "global" matrix K,
assemble loads into a global load vector R,
impose support conditions, and
solve the global equations KD=R for the vector D of
unknowns. In structural problem D contains
displacement components of the nodes.
4. Postprocess the information contained in D. In
stress analysis this means compute strains and
stresses.
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Spring Element
The first step in FEM is the derivation of the
element stiffness matrix ke. This is illustrated
below by using a simple spring element
x
F1 1 2 F2
u 1
k u 2
F1 = F = k (u 2 u1 ) = ku1 ku 2 (2)
and at node 2,
F2 = F = k (u2 u1 ) = ku1 + ku2 (3)
In matrix form
k k u1 F1
k = (4)
k u2 F2
or
ku = F (5)
Where k = (element) stiffness matrix
u = (element nodal) displacement vector
F = (element nodal) force vector 8
Bar Element
Consider a uniform prismatic bar:
L length
A cross-sectional area
E elastic modulus
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Stiffness matrix Direct method
Assume that the displacement in the bar is , then we have:
= FL / AE (6)
and F = ( AE / L) (7)
F11 F12 1 F1 AE 1 1 u1 F1
F = or = (9)
21 F22 1 F2 L 1 1 u 2 F2
k k AE 1 1
k= = (10)
k k L 1 1
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Stiffness matrix A Formal
Procedure
We derive the same stiffness matrix for the bar
using a formal procedure which can be applied to
more complicated situations
For different types of element, the variation of
the displacement between the nodes must be
assumed first (what kind of behaviour can be
expected). This is called the displacement
function and is usually a polynomial whose order
depends on the number of degree of freedom
(d.o.f.) in the element. Degree of freedom is
number of components of the displacement
vector at a node.
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Stiffness matrix A Formal
Procedure
Bar elements are used to model truss structures and any
other structures where axial effects predominate. Bar
element consists of 2 d.o.f. per element and hence the
displacement function can be assumed as:
u = 1 + 2 x (11)
L x x u1
u= or (14)
L L u 2 u = Nd
where N is the shape function matrix
d is the vector of element nodal d.o.f.
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Stiffness matrix A Formal
Procedure
Axial strain x is given by
du d
= = N d = Bd (15)
dx dx
= E = EBd (17)
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Stiffness matrix A Formal
Procedure
Consider the strain energy stored in the bar
1 T 1
U=
2V
dV =
2V ( d T BT EBd )dV
(18)
1 T
= d ( B EB )dV d
T
2 V
2 V 2
Then we have
d = F
T
( B EB ) dV (22) or kd = F (23)
V
1 / L AE 1 1
E [ 1 / L 1 / L ]Adx =
L
k= (25)
0
1/ L L 1 1
1 T
U= d kd (26)
2
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Example: Find the stresses in the two bar
assembly which is loaded with force P, and
constrained at the two ends, as shown in the
figure.
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Notes to example
In this case, the calculated stresses in elements 1
and 2 are exact within the linear theory for for 1D
bar structures. It will not help if we further divide
element 1 or 2 into smaller finite elements.
For tapered bars, averaged values of the cross-
sectional areas should be used for the elements.
We need to find the displacements first in order
to find the stresses, since we are using the
displacement based FEM.
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Beam Element
The beam element is used to model beams or frames where
flexural effects (shear forces and bending moments)
dominate. Beam element consists of 4 DOF per element and
a cubic variation in displacement has to be assumed in the
form:
v = 1 + 2 x + 3 x 2 + 4 x 3 (27)
I = moment of inertia of the cross-
sectional area
E = elastic modulus
v = v(x) lateral displacement
dv rotation about the z-axis
=
dx
F = shear force
M = bending moment about z-axis 22
Beam Element
Axial effect can be added on if necessary
Similar to bar element, eq. (27) can be written by expressing
the i in terms of nodal d.o.f. with z=dv/dx=2+23x+34x2
N 4 ( x ) = x 2 / L + x 3 / L2
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Beam Element
Then, we can represent the displacement as
v1
v = [N 1 N2 N3 N 4 ] z1 = Nd
v2 (29)
z 2
1 T T
L
1 T
U = dV = d B EIBdx d (32)
2V 2 0
Stress x = My/I
Bending moment M is computed from curvature d2v/dx2,
which in turn depends on nodal d.o.f. d.
d 2v
M = EI 2 = EIBd (35) 26
dx
2D Beam Element
Combining the axial stiffness
AE / L 0 0 AE / L 0 0 u1
0 12 EI / L3
6 EI / L2 0 12EI / L3 6 EI / L2 v1
0 6EI / L2 4 EI / L 0 6 EI / L2 2EI / L z1
k=
AE / L 0 0 AE / L 0 0 u2
0 12EI / L3 6 EI / L2 0 12EI / L3 6EI / L2 v2
0 6EI / L2 2 EI / L 0 6EI / L2 4EI / L z 2
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Boundary conditions
In order to prevent the finite element model from
moving freely through space, each of the possible
degrees of freedom must be constrained
somewhere on the model. This can be done by
imposing boundary conditions at appropriate
nodal points on the model.
In general, displacement boundary conditions
simulate the actual supports of the structure.
Same as general structural analysis, there are
three basic types of supports: simply supported,
fixed and roller supports.
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Boundary Conditions
The application of boundary conditions depends
on the type of structure being analysed and also
on the finite element program being used.
If the program supports 2D elements, then the
application of boundary conditions in the third
dimension for a 2D analysis is unnecessary. On
the other hand, programs that use 3D elements
for 2D problems require that all displacements in
the third dimension are zeroed.
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Boundary Conditions
Engineering judgement must be applied in
determining what boundary conditions best
simulate the behaviour of the actual
structure. In some cases, it is necessary to
try the analysis using different boundary
conditions to determine which set of
conditions produces the worst case results.
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