Short cut method for typical spring elements and bar elements.

Logan Problem Ex 2.17 page 64

Spring FEM

n node = nel +1 not valid for compound spring but valid in series of spring

N
300 mm
N
400 mm
2 3

N
4
500 mm 2
N
300 mm 1000 N
1

1 3

4
5 N
Intermediate nodes treated as 400 mm
movable in X- dir

Boundary nodes treated as fixed

Step 1- numbering of nodes and elements :

Numbering of elements will be done as per number of spring elements.

During numbering of nodes single node will be treated even if nth number of springs are
connected along that node.

if without assembling we must treat 1 and 4 nodes as deflecting nodes so we have 4 nodes

thus matrix size must be 4x4

Step 1- to determine deflection of node 1 and 2

Create Global stiffness matrix simultaneously using BC. The sum of stiffness matrix will be in
common nodes 2 and 3. Having 2x2 matrix

k k k k  k 2  k3  u 2
K  1 2 3 5 
  k 2  k3 k2  k3  k4  u3
 0  u2
F  
1000  u3

Note: only add the all spring’s stiffness connected either side of considered node to be
calculated the deflection .

Using Mathcad find u2, u3\

Ste
 u2  0.526 and u3  1.316 mm
Thus

Step 3 : To calculate nodal forces we create only necessary stiffness matrix for those reaction to be
calculated

k 0  u2
F  1
 k4 k5  u3

Need to see equilibrium of forces - sign compressive reaction offered by both all boundary
nodes.

solve various spring problem of Exercise 2 Logan Book.. as per similar process
Problem 3.54 page 154 Varying axial load .

2 Element solution

3
0.75 0.75

1st step – to calculate nodal forces dividing into 2 elements 3 nodes.

For element 1 . use Natural coordinates  , varying 0 to 1 and x varies from 0 to 0.75 m

 F11  L  N1  0.75
 N1 
 1    x
 .  T  dx    N .(80000 x)dx 
 F2  0  N 2  0  2
1
1    1
1   
  .(80000  0.75 )0.75d     .(80000  0.75  d
2

0 
  0
 

Note : x  0.75 , dx  0.75d 

Using MathCAD or simply integration performing matrix multiplication we get

It will mean 7500 N works tension load at 1 and 15000N works at left of node 2.

For element 2 . use Natural coordinates  , varying 0 to 1 x varies from 0 to 0.75 m

At node 2 load acting as = 0.75  80000  60000

 F11  L  N1  0.75
 N1 
 1     . Tx  dx    .(60000  80000 x)dx 
 F2  0  N 2  0  2
N
1
1    1
1   
  .(60000  80000  0.75 )0.75d     .(45000  80000  0.752  ) d
0 
  0
 

Using MathCAD or simply integration performing matrix multiplication we get

It will mean 3000 N works tension load at 2 right and 37500 N works at left of node 3.

So, nodal vector force will be ,

 F1  7500  Rx 
 F  F    45000 
 2L 2R   
 F3   37500 
,

To check Equilibrium
Total acting force= sum of nodal forces important

2nd step – to assemble stiffness matrx of 2 Elements having each element stiffness matrix is

AE  1 1
 
L  1 1 

 1 1 0 
AE 
K .  1 2 1
L  
 0 1 1 

u1  0 reduced K
Using BC as

AE  2 1
K . 
L  1 1 

Substituting given values and using MathCAD

For stress , of element 1 and 2

 1 
   E  B d
 2

Using Math- CAD

Note here B matrix is the shape function coefficient divided by L as in triangular element we take shape
function coefficient as 1/2A

Similar process you try to solve with 4 elements with 5 nodes. The result will go nearer to exact solution
Exact solution

Px L

90000

Exact solution will be by integrating whole domain 0 to L with formula AE

Here P is varying taking elementary triangular element

1
Px  TRe action  x80000 x
2

x
1  x3 
x
1  1 2

AE 0 
  90000  80000 x dx   90000 x  40000   C

80000x2
2  AE  3

C= 0 if we Put x=0 ,   0
Px
1  x3 
  90000 x  40000 
AE  3

Performing in Mathcad
.

The results shows better result gives by 2 element solution