140 Finite Element Analysis

RSu UV =
1 1 LM100 100 OP RS100UV = RS1333
. U
∴
T W
u
2 23500 − 10000 N100 235 Q T W T2.133VW
80
Answer

Example 9.4: Solve the three bar truss problem given in Example 8.1 by minimum potential energy principle.
Solution: As given in example 8.1,
l1 = 2.309 m l2 = 2 m and l3 = 4.0 m.
ε 1 = 0.375u + 0.2165v
ε 2 = 0.5u
and ε 3 = 0125
. u − 0.2165v
Strain energy of a bar
1
= stress × strain × volume
2
1 1
= Eε × ε × AL = EAl ε 2
2 2
∴ Potential energy of the structure is
1
Π=Σ EAli ε i2 − 20v
2
1
=
2
b
EA 2.3094 0.375u + 0.2165v g 2
b g 2
+ 2 0.5u + 4 0125 b
. u − 0.2165v g 2
− 20v

Which is exactly same as in example 8.1.

∴ u = 0.0893u

∂Π 1
∂v
b
= 0 → EA 2.3094 × 2 0.375u + 0.2165v × 0.2165 + 4 0125
2
g b
. u − 0.2165v −0.2165 − 20 = 0 gb g
This equation is also exactly same as in example 8.1 for vertical virtual displacement. Hence here also
66.048 5898
.
v= and u =
EA EA
and member forces are
F1=26.045 kN
F2=2.949 kN
and F3= - 13.562 kN Answer

9.5 THE RAYLEIGH–RITZ METHOD

The Rayleigh–Ritz method of expressing field variables by approximate method clubbed with minimization
of potential energy has made a big break through in finite element analysis. In this article Rayleigh – Ritz
method is explained with simple problems.
 Assembling Stiffness Equations—Variational Method 141

In 1870 Rayleigh used an approximating field with single degree of freedom for studies on vibration
problems. In 1909 he used approximating field with several functions, each function satisfying boundary
conditions and associating with separate degree of freedom. Ritz applied this technique to static equilibrium
and Eigenvalue problems. The procedure for static equilibrium problem is given below:
Consider an elastic solid subject to a set of loads. The displacements and stresses are to be determined.
Let u, v and w be the displacements in x, y and z coordinate directions. Then for each of displacement component
an approximate solution is taken as

u= ∑ a φ b x , y , zg for i = 1 to m
i i 1

v= ∑a b g
j φ j x , y , z for j = m1 + 1 to m2 …(9.12)

w = ∑ a φ b x , y , z g for k = m + 1 to m
k k 2

The function φ i are usually taken as polynomials satisfying the boundary conditions. ‘a’ are the amplitudes
of the functions. Thus in equation 9.21 there are n number of unknown ‘a’ values. Substituting these expressions
for displacement in strain displacements and stress strain relations, potential energy expression 9.16 can be
assembled. Then the total potential energy

d
Π = Π a1 , a 2 . .. a m1 , a m1 +1 ... a m2 a m2 +1 ... a m i
From the principle of minimum potential energy,
dΠ
= 0 for i = 1 to m . …(9.22)
dai

From the solution of m equation of 9.22, we get the values of all ‘a’ . With these values of ‘ai’s and φ i ’s
satisfying boundary conditions, the displacements are obtained. Then the strains and stresses can be assembled.
The Rayleigh – Ritz procedure is illustrated with small problems below:
Example 9.5: Using Ragleigh–Ritz method determine the expressions for deflection and bending moments in
a simply supported beam subjected to uniformly distributed load over entire span. Find the deflection and
moment at midspan and compare with exact solutions.
α
m πx
Solution: Figure 9.8 shows the typical beam. The Fourier series y = ∑ ai sin
l
is the ideal function
m = 1, 3

d2y
for simply supported beams since y = 0 and M = EI = 0 at x = 0 and x = l are satisfied. For the simplicity
∂x2
w/unit length

A x
B
l
y x=l
x=0

Fig. 9.8