Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering

Quiz 1 (15 points)

Write your solutions in First name

the space provided and
the derivations in the Last name
answer booklet.

A finite element analysis is required to calculate the stress in the soil around a tunnel with circular cross section as
shown the Figure 1. The tunnel passes below a soft rock bed of a river. The soft rock lies over a rigid rock. The
domain for the finite element analysis is the area inside of the dashed contour shown in the Figure 1. Isoparametric
Q4 elements are used in the analysis. The unit weight of the water and soil are γ w and γ s .

hw water

f e
Soft rock
h

hs a
d d

c d

rigid rock

Figure 1: Soft rock loaded by hydrostatic stress with a hole. The dashed line is the domain for the finite
element analysis

Question 1 (4 points)

Neglect the hole in the soft rock. Derive the governing equations of the vertical displacement of the soil due to its
self-weight and the weight of the water. Assume that settlement and compression stresses are positive.

Kinematic equation:

1
Static equation:

Constitutive equation:

Boundary Conditions:

Question 2 (2 points)

Solve the governing equations of Question 1.

2
Question 3 (1.5 points)
Sketch a suitable mesh for the finite element analysis of the stress distribution in the rock around the hole

Question 4 (2.5 points)

Specify the boundary conditions of the governing equations:

Segment Boundary condition

 arc
ab

bc and fa lines.

cd line.

de line

ef line

3
Question 5 (5 points)
Complete the table below with the information required for the Strand7 finite element analysis of the stress

Specification Answer
Elements type
plane stress/plane strain/plate

Structural properties of the element

Geometrical properties of the element

Node attributes

Element atributtes

Solver

How do you minimize the domain

approximation error?

How do you minimize the computational error?

How would you reduce the approximation error?

Discuss the validity of the analytical solution in

question 1.

4
 Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering
Quiz 1 (15 points)

Write your solutions in First name

the space provided and
the derivations in the Last name
answer booklet.

A finite element analysis is required to calculate the stress distribution in a concrete wall with trapezoidal cross
section as is shown int Figure 1. The wall is subjected to a pressure that varies linearly with height as shown in the
figure. The wall is fully anchored to a hard ground. The concrete of the wall has Young Modulus E, Poisson ratio v,
and unit weight of the w γ .
BL

qL

y
q0 x

B0

Figure 1: concrete wall loaded by wind load with linear profile

Question 1 (4 points)
Based on the Euler-Bernoulli theory, derive the governing equations for the vertical and horizontal displacement of
the walls

Kinematic equation:

5
Static equation:

Constitutive equation:

Boundary Conditions:

Question 2 (2 points)
Use the governing equation in question 1 to obtain the distribution of the moment along the wall. M(y)

6
Question 3 (1 point)
Sketch a suitable mesh for the finite element analysis of the stress distribution in the rock

Question 4 (2 points)

Specify the boundary conditions of the governing equations:

Segment Boundary condition

left

right

top

bottom

7
Question 5 (6 points)
Complete the table below with the information required for the Strand7 finite element analysis of the stress

Specification Answer
Elements type
plane stress/plane strain/plate

Structural properties of the element

Geometrical properties of the element

Node attributes

Element atributtes

How do you minimize the domain approximation

error?

How do you minimize the computational error?

How would you reduce the approximation error?

Solver

Provide an analytical solution for the axial stress

at the base of the dam σ yy

How do you check the validity of th finite

element analysis based in the calculation above?