FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

ME751
Mechanical IV/II
Chapter 8
APLICATIONS: SOLID
MECHANICS
8.1 Basic Equations of Solid Mechanics
The primary aim of any stress analysis or solid mechanics
problem is to find the distribution of displacements and
stresses under the stated loading and boundary conditions.
If an analytical solution of the problem is to be found, one
has to satisfy the following basic or fundamental equations
of solid mechanics.
Equilibrium Equations
Due to the application of loads, stresses will be developed
inside the body. If we consider an element of material
inside the body, it must be in equilibrium due to the internal
stresses developed. This leads to equations known as
internal equilibrium equations.
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Theoretically, the state of stress at any point in a loaded
body is completely defined in terms of the nine
components of stress σx, σy, σz, xy, yx, yz, zy, zx, and xz,
where the first three are the normal components and the
latter six are the components of shear stress. The equations
of internal equilibrium relating the nine components of
stress can be derived by considering the equilibrium of
moments and forces acting on the elemental volume shown
in Figure 1.
The equilibrium of moments
about the x, y, and z axes,
assuming that there are no body
moments, leads to the relations

...... (1) 3
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These equations show that the state of stress at any point
can be completely defined by the six components σx, σy, σz,
xy, yx and yz. The equilibrium of forces in the x, y, and z
directions gives the following differential equilibrium
equations:

..... (2)

where and are the body forces per unit volume

acting along the directions x, y, and z, respectively.
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Strain-displacement Relations
The deformed shape of an elastic body under any given
system of loads and temperature distribution conditions can
be completely described by the three components of
displacement u, v and w parallel to the directions x, y and z,
respectively. In general, each of these components u, v and
w is a function of the coordinates x, y and z. The strains
induced in the body can be expressed in terms of the
displacements u, v and w as

..... (3)

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Stress-strain Relations
In the case of a linear, elastic, isotropic three-dimensional
solid, the stress–strain relations are given by Hooke’s law
as follows

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..... (4)
which can be expressed in simpler form as
..... (5)

Sometimes, the expressions for stresses in terms of strains

will be needed.

..... (6)
which can be expressed in simpler form as
..... (7) 7
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8.2 Two-dimensional case
For a two-dimensional problem, there will be only three
independent stress components (σx, σy, xy) and the
equilibrium equations, Equation [2], reduce to

..... (8)

In the case of two-dimensional problems, two types of

stress distributions, namely plane stress and plane strain,
are possible

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Plane stress
The assumption of plane stress is applicable for bodies
whose dimension is very small in one of the coordinate
directions. Thus, the analysis of thin plates loaded in the
plane of the plate can be made using the assumption of
plane stress. In plane stress distribution, it is assumed that
..... (9)
where z represents the
direction perpendicular to
the plane of the plate as
shown in Figure, and the
stress components do not
vary through the thickness
of the plate (i.e., in the z
direction). 9
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In this case, the stress–strain relations, Equations [4] and
[6], reduce to

..... (10)

and

..... (11)

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Plane strain
The assumption of plane strain is applicable for bodies that
are long and whose geometry and loading do not vary
significantly in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the
analysis of dams, cylinders, and retaining walls shown in
Figure can be made using the assumption of plane strain.

In plane strain distribution, it is assumed that w = 0 and

(∂w/∂z) = 0 at every cross section. Here, the dependent
variables are assumed to be functions of only the x and y
coordinates provided we consider a cross section of the
body away from the ends.

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In this case, the three-dimensional stress–strain relations
given by Equations [4] and [6] reduce to

..... (12)

and

..... (13)

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8.3 Finite Element Formulation
Equilibrium equations for two dimensional elasticity
problem is given by

..... (14)

with boundary conditions

..... (15)

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Using weighted residual principle for first equation of
Equation [14],

Using gradient theorem for first two terms,

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 ..... (16a)
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 ..... (16a)

Repeating similar procedure for second first equation of

Equation [14],
..... (16b)

Equations [16a] and [16b] can be expressed in combined

form as

..... (17)

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If the given domain is divided into a certain number of
elements,

..... (18)

Now using strain displacement relations

where
..... (19)

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Now using stress-strain and then strain-displacement
relations
..... (20)

Substituting Equation [20] into Equation [18], we get

..... (21)

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 ..... (21)
Using linear operator defined in Equation [19],

..... (22)

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For a linear triangular element,
..... (23)

Equation [23] can also be expressed as

..... (24)

Substituting Equation [24] into Equation [20], we get

..... (25)

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where,

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 ..... (26)

..... (27)

Substituting Equations [26] and [27] into Equation [22], we

get

..... (28)

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Then ith equation can be written as
..... (29)

where

Similarly jth and kth equation can be derived and assembling

all these, we get equation for an element as

..... (30)

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where

{fi}x should de calculated for the edges of the elements

subjected to traction.

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EXAMPLE 8.1
Determine the nodal displacements and stresses of the
following structural part.

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