Example 1.1: A spring is connected as shown in Figure 1.1 subjected to an axial force of 80N.

Each spring has its own stiffness values of K1 = 12 N/mm and K2 = 8 N/mm, respectively. Each
spring has a length, L of 100mm and made of steel with modulus of elasticity, E = 200GPa.
Considering direct elimination method, find nodal displacements and reaction force at node 1?

150 N/mm 100 N/mm

80 N

Figure 1.1: A series of spring system under axial force

Solution 1.1: In this problem, the left end of the spring system is firmly attached to the rigid
wall while at the other end is applied with an axial force of 80 N. This will cause all the points
in the system to move to the right. This problem requires us to determine the point or nodal
displacement cause by the axial force using finite element method. It is important for us to
translate the problem in Figure 1.1 into finite element model as shown in Figure 1.2. For the
simplification, the model is assumed to have three nodes and two elements. Then, a
connectivity table is constructed to tabulate the important data as in Table 1.1.

1 k = 150 N/mm 2 k = 100 N/mm 3

80 N
1 2
1 1
Figure 1.2: Finite element model for the spring system
Table 1.1: Connectivity of elements and nodes
Element Node i Node j Stiffness (N/mm)
1 1 2 150
2 2 3 100

For this problem, 1 degree of freedom (DOF) is allowed then the stiffness matrix as in Equation
(1.1) is used:

AE  1 −1  1 −1
[K] =   =k  (1.1)
L  −1 1   −1 1 
Since the value of stiffness, K is given. In order to calculate the local stiffness matrix for
element number 1 and 2, substitute all corresponding values into the equation (1.1) to have
equations (1.2) and (1.3), respectively.

 1 −1  150 −150 

[K]1 = 150  =  (1.2)
 −1 1   −150 150 

1
  1 −1  100 −100 
[K]2 = 100  =  (1.3)
 −1 1   −100 100 
Now we have to local stiffness matrix. Then, it is important for us to combine theses matrixes
to form a global matrix. But we do not know the actual dimension of matrix that we are going
to use. The dimension of such matrix can be determined through equation (1.4):
Dimension of global matrix, [K] = DOF per node x Number of nodes = 1 x 3 = N = 3 (1.4)

Dimension of global matrix,  f  = (Nx1) = (3 x 1) (1.5)

Dimension of global matrix, u = (Nx1) = (3 x 1) (1.6)

Based on the equation (1.4), the dimension of global stiffness matrix is (3 x 3). Then, the global matrix,
[K] is as shown in equation (1.7) and for other matrixes as in equations (1.8) and (1.9), respectively:
(a) Global stiffness matrix:

 150 −150 0 
 150 −150  100 −100  
[K] = [K]1 + [K]2 =   +  −100 100  =  −150 250 −100  (1.7)
 −150 150     0
 −100 100 

Based on the Figure 1.1, node 1 is fixed to the rigid wall then u1 = 0 and other displacements (u2 and u3)
remain unknown. On the other hand, there are no external force applied to the nodes except at a node 3
then F1 = F2 = 0 and F3 = 80.

 F1   0 
 f  =  F2  =  0  (1.8)
 F  80
 3  

 u1   0 
u = u2  = u2  (1.9)
u   u 
 3  3
Referring to the system of equation, global stiffness matrix, [K], global displacement matrix, {u} and
global force matrix, {f} can be related with equation (1.8):

[K]u =  f  (1.8)

Substitute equations (1.5), (1.6) and (1.7) into (1.8) to yield:

 150 −150 0 0   0 

 −150 250 −100  u  =  0 
 2  
(1.9)

 0 −100 100     
u3  80 
This method can be used if the problem is simple for an example (3x3) matrix. Based on
equation (1.9), u1 = 0 then first row and first column of stiffness matrix can be eliminated
reducing to equation (1.10):

2
 250 −100  u2   0 
 −100 100  u  = 80  (1.10)
  3  

By using your own calculator or adding first row to the second row of stiffness matrix to have
an equation (1.11) and remain first row as it is:

 250 −100  u2   0 

150  = 
0  u3  80 
(1.11)


Based on equation (1.11), we have equations (1.12) and (1.13):

150 ( u2 ) + 0 ( u3 ) = 80 (1.12)

250 ( u2 ) − 100 ( u3 ) = 0 (1.13)

Solve equations (1.12) and (1.13) to have:

(b) Nodal displacements
u2 = 0.53 mm (1.14)

u3 = 1.33 mm (1.15)

It is found that the displacements for node 1, 2 and 3 are 0.00, 0.53 and 1.33 mm, respectively.
Reaction forces can be determined using equation (1.16).

R =  K u −  F  (1.16)

 R1   150 −150 0   u1   F1 
      
 R2  =  −150 250 −100  u2  −  F2  (1.17)
R   0 −100 100     
 3  u3   F3 
Substitute all known values into equation (1.17) and solve for reaction forces, R, then:

 R1   150 −150 0  0   0 
      
 R2  =  −150 250 −100  0.53 −  0  (1.18)
R   0 1.33  80 
−100 100  
 3    

 R1  −79.95  0 
     
 R2  =  −0.05  −  0  (1.19)
 R   80  80
 3    
(c) Nodal reaction forces

 R1   −79.95
   
 R2  =  −0.05  (1.20)
R   0 
 3  

It is found that the reaction forces at node 1, 2 and 3 are -79.95N, -0.05N and 0, respectively.

3
(d) Elemental stresses
Equation (1.21) can be used to determine the element stress, e for each spring:

 e = E e e (1.21)

Elemental strain, e can also be expressed as in equation (1.22):

e
 =
e
(1.22)
Le

Elemental elongation, e can be calculated using equation (1.23):

 e = u j − ui (1.23)

To facilitate the calculation, it is suggested to construct a table 1.1 as below:

Table 1.1: Elemental stresses for springs 1 and 2.
Nodal Length
Elemental Elemental
displacement of Elemental
Element Node i Node j elongation, stress, e
element, strain, e
ui uj e
(N/mm2)
Le (mm)
1 1 2 0 0.53 0.53 500 0.00106 212
2 2 3 0.53 1.33 0.8 500 0.0016 320

Based on table 1.1, it is found that the stress for springs 1 and 2 are 212 N/mm2 and 320 N/mm2,
respectively.