FEM Assignment – I

1. Find the displacement of the midpoint of the rod shown in Figure A 1 by the following
approaches

a) Rayleigh–Ritz method and b) Galerkin’s method

Figure A 1

2. a.) Consider the differential equation along with the initial condition
𝜕𝑢
+ 3𝑢 = 𝑥, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1, u(0) = 1. Solve this using Galerkin’s method assuming an initial
𝜕𝑥
approximation u = a + bx + cx2 .
b) A rod fixed at its ends is subjected to a varying body force as shown in Figure A 2. Use the
Rayleigh–Ritz method with an assumed displacement field u = a0 + a1x + a2x2 to determine
displacement u(x) and stress (x).

Figure A 2

3. The one dimensional rod shown in Figure A 3. is subjected to a linearly varying body force f =
x. Assume a displacement field as u=a0 + a1x + a2x2 , and use the Rayleigh – Ritz method to find
the displacement field u(x) and stress field  (x) . Hence, compute the displacement at the tip,
and plot (x) vs. x. Take E=100, A=1, and L=1.

Figure A 3

Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve

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4. Consider a finite element with shape functions N1() and N2() used to interpolate the
displacement field within the element as shown in Figure A 4.

1 2

q1 q2
Figure A 4
 = -1  = +1

Derive an expression for strain displacement matrix , element stiffness matrix and body force
vector for the element.

5. Consider the bar in Figure A 5 loaded as shown. Determine the nodal displacements, element
stresses, and support reactions.

Figure A 5

6. Consider the bar in Figure A 6 loaded as shown. Determine the nodal displacements, element
stresses, and support reactions. Solve this problem by adopting the elimination method for
handling boundary conditions.

Figure A 6

Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve

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7. The structure in Figure A 7 is subjected to an increase in temperature, T = 80°C . Determine
the displacements, stresses, and support reactions. Solve this problem by hand calculation, using
the elimination method for handling boundary conditions.

Figure A 7

8. Consider the four-bar truss shown in Figure A 8. Consider E = 200 GPa and Ae = 100 mm2 for
all elements. Complete the following:
(a) Determine the element stiffness matrix for each element.
(b) Assemble the structural stiffness matrix K for the entire truss.
(c) Find the nodal displacements, the stresses in each element.
(d) Calculate the reaction forces.
(e) Comment on thermal loading if T= 30 C and α = 6x10-6/C.

Figure A 8

9. For the two-bar truss shown in Figure A 9, determine the displacements of node 1 and the
stress in elements.

Figure A 9

Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve

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10. a) For the pin-jointed configuration shown in Figure A 10. Determine the stiffness values
K11, K12, and K22 of the global stiffness matrix. Consider P = 20kN.

Figure A 10

b) Derive element stiffness matrix for quadratic element, body force vector and traction vector?

11. For the three-bar truss shown in Figure A 11, determine the displacements of node 1 and the
stress in element 3.

Figure A 11

12. For the triangular element shown in Figure A 12, obtain the strain–displacement relation
matrix B and determine the strains x, y, and xy.

Figure A 12

Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve

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13. a) Derive the expression for body force vector and traction force vector?
b) For point P located inside the triangle shown in Figure A 13, the shape functions N1 and N2
are 0.2 and 0.3, respectively. Determine the x - and y -coordinates of point P .

Figure A 13

14. For the two-dimensional loaded plate shown in Figure A 14, determine the displacements of
nodes 1 and 2 and the element stresses using plane stress conditions. Body force may be
neglected in comparison with the external forces.

Figure A 14

15. a) Explain the significance of Jacobian in detail

b) What is banded matrix? Explain the significance of numbering
c) Differentiate natural and essential boundary conditions with necessary examples.
d) What is isoparametric formulation?
e) Explain the properties of element/global stiffness matrix?
f) Discuss CST, LST and QST?
g) Draw 1d, 2d, 3d elements with degrees of freedom

16. a). Derive an expression for 2 point approximation by Gauss Quadratic numerical
Integration.
b). Evaluate the following integrals for exact, 1 point approximation, 2 point Gauss
Quadratic Compare and comment on the results.


1 1 
1


5 
1  
d


Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve

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17. a). Derive an expression for 1 point approximation by Gauss Quadratic numerical
Integration.

b). Evaluate the following numerical integral for exact solution, 1 point approximation, 2
point Gauss Quadratic Compare and comment on the results.
+1 1
∫−1 (𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥 + 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 𝑥+1) 𝑑𝑥

18. Find the following by exact solution, 1 point and 2 point approximation and comment on the
results.
1 1 1
 dN  dN   dN  dN   dN2  dN3 
1 d1  d2 d , 1 d1  d3 d ,  
1 d

 d
d


1 2 1 2 1 2
 dN   dN   dN 
1 d1  d , 1 d2  d , 1 d3  d
 (  1)  (  1)
For the functions N1  , N2  , N 3  (1   )(  1)
2 2

Engineers don’t practice, as they Discretize to Solve