Example

Consider a simply-supported beam structure under distributed load q, as shown in

Figure 1.

E,I,L

Figure 1 One element model with distributed force q

The whole structure is approximated using one beam finite element. Since no
nodal forces exist, the finite element equation can be written as

12 6 L 12 6 L v1 qL / 2
6 L 4 L2 6 L 2 L2 qL2 /12
EI 1 =

L 12 6 L 12 6 L v2 qL / 2
3

2
6 L 2 L 6 L 4 L 2 qL /12
2 2

Since there is only one element, the global equations are the same as the local element
equations. The displacement boundary conditions are v1 = v2 = 0. Introducing these
boundary conditions and unknown reaction forces, we have

12 6 L 12 6 L 0 F1
6 L 4 L2 6 L 2 L2 qL2 /12
EI 1 =

L 12 6 L 12 6 L 0 F2
3

2
6 L 2 L 6 L 4 L 2 qL /12
2 2

The reduced equations corresponding to unknown slops are

EI 4 L2 2 L2 1 L2 /12
2 = q 2
L3 2L 4 L2 2 L /12

Solving this matrix equation yields the solution:

qL3 qL3
1 = , 2 =
24 EI 24 EI

Thus, the two ends of the structure do not move vertically but rotates with a slop 1 and
2. Displacement along the beam element can be approximated by
 0
3
qL
24 EI qL ( s s )
4 2
v ( s ) = [ N1 N2 N3 N4 ] = (a)
0 24 EI
qL3

24 EI

Displacement v(s) is a quadratic function of parameter s with negative coefficient for s2.

The element bending moment and shear force can be calculated as follows:

0
3
qL
EI 24 EI qL2
M ( s ) = 2 [6 + 12 s L( 4 + 6 s ) 6 12 s L( 2 + 6 s )] =
L 0 12
qL3

24 EI

0
3
qL
EI 24 EI
V ( s ) = 3 [12 6 L 12 6 L] =0
L 0
qL3

24 EI

Since no shear force appears in the element, this loading condition produces a pure
bending moment.

The one of the biggest dangers in the finite element analysis is to believe the
accuracy of the solution without verification. Many people simply believe the output
results from the computer. In the truss structure, we have shown that the finite element
solution is exactly the same with the analytical solution. Is that true for the beam
element? Since the analytical solution of the beam structure in Figure 1 is known in the
literature, let us compare the analytical solution to the finite element solution. The
analytical solution of the transverse displacement is given by

qL4
v ( s )analytical = ( s 2s3 + s 4 )
24 EI

which is fourth-order function of s, while the finite element solution in Eq. (a) is the
second-order function of s. Figure 2 compares the difference between the analytical and
finite element solutions of the transverse displacements. The displacement from the finite
element solution at the element center is only 80% of that from the analytical solution.
 0.35
v analytical
0.30
v FE
0.25

0.20
v(s)
0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 s 1.0

Figure 2 Transverse displacement of the beam element

The deviation of the finite element solution is more significant if the bending
moment and shear force of the beam structure is compared. From the analytical solution,
the bending moment and shear force of the beam can be calculated by

qL2 2
M ( s )analytical = (s s)
2

qL
V ( s )analytical = (2 s 1)
2

Notice that the bending moment of the beam finite element was a constant function and
the shear force was zero. Figure 3 compares the bending moment and shear force from
the analytical and finite element solutions.

0.00

-0.05 M Analytical
M FE
-0.10
M(s)

-0.15

-0.20

-0.25

-0.30
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 s 1

(a) Bending moments

 1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
V(s) 0.00
-0.20
-0.40 M Analytical
-0.60 M FE
-0.80
-1.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 s 1

(b) Shear forces

Figure 3 Error from the one finite element analysis with beam

We have discussed that the finite element solution is not accurate for the beam
element. How can we improve the accuracy of the finite element solution? The
fundamental approach in the finite element method is that if the structure is refined using
more finite elements, then the finite element solution converges to the analytical solution.