AE-675/AE-675A: Introduction to Finite Element Methods

Assignment No. 2

1. Develop the weak form and the finite element model of the following differential
equations over an element:
𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑑2 𝑑2 𝑢
− (𝑎 ) + 2 (𝑏 2 ) + 𝑐𝑢 = 𝑓 𝑥𝐴 < 𝑥 < 𝑥𝐵
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑓 are known functions of position 𝑥. Ensure that the element
coefficient matrix [𝐾 𝑒 ] is symmetric. What is the nature of the interpolation function for
the problem?

2. Construct the weak form and the finite element model of the differential equation

𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢
− (𝑎 ) − 𝑏 =𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

over the typical element Ω𝑒 = (𝑥𝐴 , 𝑥𝐵 ). Here 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 are the known functions of 𝑥,
and 𝑢 is the dependent variable. The natural boundary condition should not involve the
function 𝑏(𝑥). What type of interpolation function can be used for 𝑢?

3. Construct the weak form and the associated finite element model of the equation
𝑑 𝑑𝑢
− (𝑎 ) + 𝑐𝑢 = 𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
such that the natural boundary condition of the type
𝑑𝑢
𝑎 + 𝑘(𝑢 − 𝑢𝑜 ) = 𝑄
𝑑𝑥
is included in the weak form. Here 𝑎, 𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 are known functions of 𝑥, while 𝑘, 𝑢𝑜 and
𝑄 are constants.

4. Evaluate the following coefficient matrices and source vector using the linear Lagrange
interpolations functions:
𝑥𝐵
𝑑𝜓𝑖𝑒 𝑑𝜓𝑗𝑒
𝐾𝑖𝑗𝑒 = ∫ (𝑎𝑜 + 𝑎1 𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝐴 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝐵 𝑥𝐵
𝑒
𝑚𝑖𝑗 = ∫ (𝑐𝑜 + 𝑐1 𝑥)𝜓𝑖𝑒 𝜓𝑗𝑒 𝑑𝑥 , 𝑓𝑖𝑒 = ∫ (𝑞𝑜 + 𝑞1 𝑥)𝜓𝑖𝑒 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝐴 𝑥𝐴
where 𝑎𝑜 , 𝑎1 , 𝑐𝑜 , 𝑐1 , 𝑞𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞1 are constants.

5. Use the finite element method to solve the differential equation

𝑑2𝑢
− 2 − 𝑐𝑢 + 𝑥 2 = 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 < 𝑥 < 1
𝑑𝑥
For the (Drichlet) boundary conditions 𝑢(0) = 0 and 𝑢(1) = 0. Use a uniform mesh of
three linear elements, and compare the finite element solution with the exact solution for
𝑐 = 1.

6. Solve the differential equation in in problem 5 for the (mixed) boundary conditions
𝑑𝑢
𝑢(0) = 0, | =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=1
Use three linear elements.

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7. Find the three- element finite element solution to the stepped- bar problem (axial
deformation of a bar). See Fig. for the geometry and data.

𝐸𝑎 = 107 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛−2
𝐸𝑠 = 3 𝑥 107 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛−2
𝑃 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠

8. The equation governing the axial deformation of an elastic bar in the presence of applied
mechanical loads f and P and a temperature change T is
𝑑 𝑑𝑢
− [𝐸𝐴 ( − 𝛼𝑇)] = 𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
where𝛼 is the thermal expansion coefficient, E the modulus of elasticity, and A the
cross- sectional area. Using three linear finite elements, determine the axial
displacements in a non- uniform rod of length 30in, fixed at the left end and subjected to
an axial force of 𝑃 = 400𝑙𝑏 ad a temperature change of 60𝑜 𝐹. Take 𝐴(𝑥) =
1
6 – 10 𝑥 𝑖𝑛2 , 𝐸 = 3 𝑥 106 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛−2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛼 = 12 𝑥 10−6 𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛−1 𝑜𝐹 −1 .

9. Analyse the stepped bar with its right end supported by a linear axial spring (see Fig.).
The boundary condition at 𝑥 = 24 in is
𝑑𝑢
𝐸𝐴 + 𝑘𝑢 = 0
𝑑𝑥

𝐸𝑎 = 107 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛−2 𝑘 = 1010 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛

𝐸𝑠 = 3 𝑥 107 𝑙𝑏 𝑖𝑛−2
𝑃 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠

10. Determine the axial deformation of a non- uniform bar, 𝐴 = 𝐴𝑜 + 𝐴1 𝑥, under its own
weight (𝑓𝑜 per unit length). Use two linear elements. The bar is fixed at 𝑥 = 0.

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11. Determine the axial deformation of a varying cross- section member (see Fig.) under its
own weight. Use one quadratic element.

𝐴 = 𝐴𝑜 + 𝐴𝑥 2 where, 𝐴 is the cross − sectional area