CHAPTER 6

ANALOGOUS PROBLEMS FOR DISCRETE SYSTEMS

6.1 INTRODUCTION
There are many problems in other fields of engineering which are analogous to the one
dimensional axially loaded bars discussed in Chapter 2. Once the analogies based on the
physical principles governing the behavior are clearly seen, formulation and solution become
simple and straightforward. Problems related to heat conduction, laminar pipe flow, seepage
flow, electric networks, etc. can be solved by using the analogous approach.

6.2 STEADY STATE HEAT CONDUCTION

Consider the problem of heat conduction through a wall composed of three layers as shown
in Figure 6.1(a). The inner and outer wall temperatures and the conductivity properties of the
materials are known. We need to determine the temperature distribution in the wall and the
heat flowing. This analysis may be used to select proper insulation material to minimize the
heat loss.

(a) (b)
Figure 6.1: One Dimensional Heat Transfer

Finite element discretization of the wall is shown in Figure 6.1(b). The heat is assumed to
flow in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface. Temperatures T1, T2, T3, and T4
(analogous to global displacements) are expressed in 0C and heat fluxes input to the nodes
Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 (analogous to global forces) are expressed W/m2. We consider a finite area
A across which heat flows.

A typical element is shown in Figure 6.2. Local heat flow rates q1 and q2 are related to the
element nodal temperatures T1 and T2 by the Fourier Law of Heat Conduction

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where k is the conductivity of the material of the element, l is the thickness of the element
and A is the area of cross-section of the element.

Figure 6.2: Heat conduction element

Equation (6.1) can be rewritten in matrix form as

Here is similar to of axially loaded bar. Hence replacing the modulus of elasticity by
conductivity, calling displacements as temperatures, and forces as heat fluxes completes the
analogy.

The boundary conditions are generally the specified temperature values as shown in Figure
6.1. Convective boundary conditions at a node can also be taken care of. At the boundary
node N, surface area A is exposed to fluid with free stream temperature T and convective
heat transfer coefficient h as shown in Figure 6.3.

Figure 6.3: Convective boundary condition at node N

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The rate of heat flowing into the node is given by

The above term adds to the force at location N. By rearrangement of the terms, is
added to the global forces at location N, and is added to the diagonal stiffness N-N.

EXAMPLE 6.1
The interior wall of a room is maintained at a temperature of 210C. The wall is built
using particle board, insulation, and brick as shown. On a mild day the outside air
temperature is 50C and has a convection coefficient of 20 W/m2K. Determine the
temperatures at wall interfaces, and the rate of heat loss from room per unit area.

Figure E6.1

Solution
The analogous FEM model for the given composite wall is

where

The stiffness matrices for the each element are given as

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For element 1 (Nodes 1 and 2);

1 2
(1)
k = 1
2

For element 2 (Nodes 2 and 3);

2 3
(2)
k = 2
3

For element 3 (Nodes 3 and 4);

3 4
k(3) = 3
4

The convective boundary condition contribute to the diagonal stiffness and nodal forces at
node 4

Using the concept of superposition and considering the effect of convective boundary
condition, we obtain the global stiffness matrix as
K = k(1) + k(2) + k(3)
1 2 3 4
1
= 2
3
4

The global stiffness matrix, relates the global forces and global displacements as follows:

= …….(E 6.1a)

Applying the boundary conditions T1 = 21; Q2 = 0; Q3 = 0 and Q4 = 100, we get

Solving for T2, T3 and T4, we get

T2 = 20.3410C, T3 = 6.7040C and T4 = 5.9470C

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Substituting T2; T3 and T4 = 0, into Equation (E6.1a), we get the rate of heat loss from room
per unit area
Q1 =

6.3 LAMINAR PIPE FLOW

Fluid flow networks are used for water or other liquid distribution in buildings, cities and
industrial systems. A pipe network is a system of pipes connecting one or more pumps to
various delivery points. A typical fluid network is shown in Figure 6.4. Analysis of these
systems under all flow conditions involves nonlinear formulations and special solution
techniques. Under steady state laminar flow conditions, these systems become analogous to
axially loaded bars. Flow in a pipe is said to be laminar for Reynold's numbers upto 2300.
Reynold's numbers Re for a circular pipe of diameter D is defined as

where is the mean velocity in the pipe, is the density of the liquid and is the absolute
viscosity.

Figure 6.4: Fluid Network

Consider a typical pipe flow network element shown in Figure 6.4. Volume flow rates q1 and
q2 are related to the element nodal pressures p1 and p2 by the Hagen-Poiseuile law as

Figure 6.5: Element of Fluid Network

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Equation (6.5) can be rewritten in matrix form as

Assembly of the element stiffnesses gives the equations relating global nodal pressures P1, P2,
P3, ……Pn and global nodal flow rates Q1, Q2, Q3, …..Qn.

EXAMPLE 6.2
For the network shown in Figure E6.2, determine the pressures at nodes and flow rates
in pipes.

Figure E6.2

Solution
The analogous FEM model for the given fluid network is

where

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The stiffness matrices for the each element are given as
For element 1 (Nodes 1 and 2);

1 2
k(1) = 1
2

For element 2 (Nodes 1 and 3);

1 3
k(2) = 1
3

For element 3 (Nodes 2 and 4);

2 4
(3)
k = 2
4

For element 4 (Nodes 3 and 4);

2 4
k(4) = 2
4

Using the concept of superposition and considering the effect of convective boundary
condition, we obtain the global stiffness matrix as
K = k(1) + k(2) + k(3) + k(4)
1 2 3 4
1
= 2
3
4

The global stiffness matrix, relates the global forces and global displacements as follows:

= …….(E 6.2a)

Applying the boundary conditions P4 = 0 and Q1 = 16  10-6 m3/s, we get

Solving for P1, P2 and P3, we get

P1 = 172.408 Pa, P2 = 126.613 Pa and P3 = 159.146 Pa

Flow rates for each pipe are then given by

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6.4 ELECTRIC NETWORK (DC)
Direct current (DC) resistance circuits find wide applications in electrical engineering. A four
resistance network is shown in Figure 6.6. A DC battery supplies a voltage of V volts. The
negative may be at zero volts or zero potential. In the circuit V1, V2, V3 and V4 are nodal
potentials expressed in volts, and I1, I2, I3 and I4 are input currents at nodes.

Figure 6.6: DC Electric Resistance Network

An electric resistance element is shown in Figure 6.7. The currents i1 and i2 are related to the
element nodal voltage v1 and v2 by Ohm's law as

Figure 6.7: Resistance Element

Equation (6.7) can be rewritten in matrix form as

Known currents are put into the global force vector. Known voltages form the displacement
boundary condition. On solving, we get the voltages at all node, current passing through each
resistance, and currents flowing into nodes.

EXAMPLE 6.3
For the DC electric resistance network shown in Figure E6.3, determine the voltage
values at the nodes and the current passing through the resistances.

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 Figure E6.3

Solution
The stiffness matrices for the each element are given as
For element 1 (Nodes 1 and 2);
1 2
(1)
k = 1
2

For element 2 (Nodes 2 and 3);

2 3
k(2) = 2
3

For element 3 (Nodes 2 and 4);

2 4
k(3) = 2
4

For element 4 (Nodes 3 and 4);

3 4
(4)
k = 3
4

Using the concept of superposition and considering the effect of convective boundary
condition, we obtain the global stiffness matrix as
K = k(1) + k(2) + k(3) + k(4)
1 2 3 4

1
=
2

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The global stiffness matrix, relates the global forces and global displacements as follows:

= …….(E 6.3a)

Applying the boundary conditions V1 = 12 and V3 = 0, we get

Solving for V2 and V4, we get

V2 = 4.516 V and V4 = 2.903 V

Currents flowing through each resistance are then given by

EXERCISE
1. A composite wall (Figure P6.1) consists of layers of aluminum, copper, and steel. The
surface temperatures are 264 K and 311 K. Use a three element model to determine the
interfacial temperatures and the heat flow per unit area. Take thermal conductivities for
aluminum, copper, and steel as 202 W/m.K, 388 W/m.K and 45 W/m.K respectively
Given thicknesses are in cm.
2. The ceiling of many homes consists of a sheet of plaster board supported by ceiling joists,
with the space between the joists filled by insulation (Figure P6.2). Neglecting the effect
of the wooden joists, determine the heat transfer rate per unit area for a ceiling surface
temperature of 297 K and an insulation surface temperature of 317 K. Use a finite
element model with three nodes. For the insulation = 0.0346 W/m.K, and for the plaster
board = 0.0519 W/m.K.
3. An insulating wall is constructed of three homogeneous layers with conductivities , ,
and in intimate contact (Figure P6.3). Under steady state conditions, the temperatures
of the media in contact at the left and right surfaces of the wall are at ambient

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 temperatures of and , respectively, and film coefficients and , respectively.
Determine the temperatures when the ambient temperatures on the left and right surfaces
as well as at the interfaces. Assume that there is no internal heat generation and that the
heat flow is one-dimensional (∂T/∂y = 0).
4. Find the heat transfer per unit area through the composite wall shown in Figure P6.4.
Assume one-dimensional heat flow.

Figure P6.1 Figure P6.2

Figure P6.3

Figure P6.4

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5. The radial heat flux for one-dimensional heat conduction in the hollow circular cylinder
with inner and external radii of and is given by

Derive a finite element matrix equation describing a one dimensional radial heat
conduction element.
6. Refrigerant flows in a copper tube (381 W/m.K) having an outside diameter of 4.83 cm
and 0.714 cm wall thickness. The tube is covered with a 10.2 cm layer of insulation
(0.152 W/m.K). The inside surface temperature of the tube is 258 K, and the outside
temperature of the tube covering is 294 K. Use finite element model to determine the
following:
(a) the temperature on the outside surface of the copper tube
(b) the radial heat flux.
7. Laminar incompressible flow occurs in the branched network of circular pipes shown in
Figure P6.7. If 0.085 of fluid enters and leaves the piping netwrok, use a three-
node, four-element model to compute the fluid nodal pressures and the volume flow rate
in each pipe. Diameters and lengths of the pipe element are as follows:
Pipe D, cm L, m
1 7.6 30.5
2 5.1 45.8
3 5.1 45.8
4 10.2 91.5
8. Laminar incompressible flow occurs in the piping network shown in Figure P6.8.
Determine the pressures at the nodes and the volumetric flow rate in each pipe.

Figure P6.7 Figure P6.8

9. The voltages at the output terminals of the direct-current circuit (Figure P6.9) have the
values shown. Use a four-node finite element model to compute the voltages at each node
and the current in each resistor.
10. Determine the nodal voltages and the currents in resistance elements in the circuit shown
in Figure P6.10.

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 Figure P6.9 Figure P6.10

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