BLD 519: Advanced Structural Analysis

Module 1:
Introduction to Finite Element Analysis (FEM)
Analysis of Bar Element with FEM
 1. Introduction
• FEM is a numerical procedure used for solving complex
structural problems.

• It involves the discretisation of continua (spatial structures)

into finite elements.

• The accuracy of the results will increase with increase in the

number of the finite elements.

• As an approximate solution, the decisions made by the analyst,

in the modelling process, would have significant effects on the
results obtained.

• An understanding of the following would be required.

1. Force/Response relationship (Figure 1).
2. Matrix methods of solving simultaneous equations.
Figure 1: Force/Response relationship
 2. Analysis using Exact Method and FEM

This simple illustrative example attempts to compare the exact solution with the
approximate (or FEM) solution.

Consider a simple tapered bar, in Figure 2, fixed at the left hand side (LHS) and
subjected to an axial load P at the right hand side (RHS). The bar has a cross-
sectional area varying linearly from A at x  0 to A at x  L .
1 2

Figure 2: Tapered bar

 2.1 Exact Solution
Step 1: Axial Stress
The axial stress at any point x along the bar,  , is given by
x

P
  x
A(x)
,
A(x) = Cross-sectional area at point x .
= A  ( A LA ) x = A  x
1
2 1
1 where 
( A2  A1 )
L
P P
 x 
A(x)
= A  x
1

Step 2: Axial Strain

The axial strain,  , along the bar is given by
x

 P
 = =
x
E ( A  x )
x
E 1
Step 3: Axial Displacement
The axial displacement, U , along the bar can be obtained as stated below.
x

Recall  = du
x
dx
Integrating both sides,
 dx= 
du
x

 du =   dx x

U =   dx =
x x
P
 x
0
x  E( A
0 1  x )
dx

= P

1
E 0 ( A1  x)
dx

x
P 1 
= 
E 
In ( A1  x 
0

= P
E
In ( A1  x0x

= P
E
In ( A1  x)  InA1 
 2.2 FEM Solution

The FEM solution involves the consideration of the

following.

1. Discretisation of bar into elements

• In the exact method, unknowns are determined at
points designated by x.

• In the approximate method, unknowns are determined

at a number of material points. Hence, the bar is split
into a number of parts called finite elements
connected at the nodes. This process is referred to as
discretisation.
Figure 3 illustrates the discretisation of the tapered bar into 4 finite elements and
the schematic diagram showing the elements, nodes and the nodal parameters.

Figure 3: Discretisation of the tapered bar into elements

Note: 1. The number of finite elements = n
2. The number of nodes = (n  1)
L
3. Each element will have same length, Le  and constant area A and
n
Young’s Modulus E along its length.
2. Determination of displacements at the nodes
Each element has two nodes (one at each end).
Within each element, the displacement is approximated between its nodal
values using a linear variation of the form
u  a  bx (1)
Hence, for the bar element shown in Figure 4, the displacement will
increase from u i (at node i ) to u j (at node j ) via a linear variation defined
by u  a  bx .

Figure 4: Displacements at the joints of a bar element

With x  xi (at node i ) and x  xj (at node j ), from Equation 1
u i  a  bxi (2)
u j  a  bx j (3)

Solving the two equations simultaneously,

From Equation 3, a  u j  bx j (4)
Substituting Equation 4 into Equation 2 gives
u j  ui u j  ui
b  = (5)
x j  xi Le
Substituting Equation 5 into Equation 2 gives
u i x j  u j xi u i x j  u j xi
a  = (6)
x j  xi Le
Substituting Equations 5 and 6 into Equation 1 gives
 xj  x  x  xi 
u    u i    u j
 Le   Le 
= N i ui  N j u j (7)
xj  x x  xi
where Ni  and Nj  (8)
Le Le
Ni and Nj are known as the shape functions of the element.
Note:
1. The value of the shape function associated with a given node is equal to 1 when
evaluated
at that node and equal to zero when evaluated at all other nodes.
x x x x
For N at node i : At node i , x  x and N 
i =
i = L = 1
i
j j i e

Le Le Le
xj  x xj  xj
For Ni at node j : At node j , x  xj and Ni  = = 0
Le Le
Similarly,
x  xi xi  xi
For N at node i : At node i ,
j x  xi and Nj  = = 0
Le Le
x  xi x j  xi Le
For Ni at node j : At node j , x  xj and Nj  = = = 1
Le Le Le

2. The displacement continuity between elements is ensured as adjacent elements

share the same nodes. Hence, nodal displacements will be same for each of the
elements sharing the same node.

3. When an element is defined by more than two nodes, a quadratic representation of

the displacement within the element would result.
3. Determination of strains and stresses
i. Axial Strain
du
x =
dx
Recall Equation 7: u = N i ui  N j u j
du d
 x = = ( N i ui  N j u j )
dx dx
dN i dN j
= ui  uj (9)
dx dx

From Equation 8, N i and N j are functions x .

ui and uj are not functions of x .
From Equation 8,
 xj  x
d  
dN i  e 
L 1 d
* ( x j  x) 
1
= = =
dx dx Le dx Le

 x  xi 
d  
dN j  Le  1 d 1
= = * ( x  xi ) =
dx dx Le dx Le
Hence, Equation 9 becomes
1 1 u j  ui
x =  ui + uj = (10)
Le Le Le

That u i , u j and Le are constants (not functions of x ) confirms that strain,

as expected, is a constant.

ii. Axial Stress

E
x = E x = (u j  u i ) (11)
Le

4. Minimisation of the total potential energy

At equilibrium, the total potential energy of a loaded structure must be a
minimum.
The total potential energy, P, is defined as
P = U + W

where U = Strain energy of the structure

W = Potential of applied loads to do work
a) Strain Energy
For a bar element ( e ), the strain energy is
1
Ue =  2 x  x dV =  1 x  x Adx
e 2 e

Substituting x = E x
1 1
= e 2 E  x Adx = E A   x2 dx
2
Ue (12)
2 e

u j  ui
Substituting x = (Equation 10) into Equation 12
Le
1 u j  ui 2
Ue = E A ( ) dx
2 e Le

Since ui and uj are not functions of x ,

1 u j  ui 2
Ue = EA( )  dx
2 Le e

= EA
2
2 Le
(u j  u i ) 2 x  Le

0
= EA
2
2 Le
(u j  u i ) 2 * Le

EA
= 2 Le
(u j  u i ) 2 (13)
Equation 13 could be written in matrix form as
1 EA  1  1  u i 
Ue = (u i u j ) 
   u 
2 Le  1 1  j
1
= uT Ke u (14)
2
EA  1  1
where K e = Element stiffness matrix =  1 1 
Le  
 ui 
u = Vector of the nodal displacements =  
u j 
n
The strain energy of a structure with n elements is given by U   U e
e 1

b) Potential of applied loads to do work

The potential of applied loads to do work, for a single element is given by
We =  ( f i ui  f j u j )
For a structure with m nodes,
m
W  W e    ui f i   u T f
i 1

where u = Vector of all nodal displacements ( u1 to u m )

f = Vector of all nodal loads ( f1 to f m )
c) Total potential energy
For n finite elements and m nodes,
P = U + W
1 T
= u K u  uT f (15)
2
n
where K = Global Stiffness Matrix = K
e 1
e

d) Equilibrium consideration
At equilibrium, the total potential energy is minimum.
Hence, differentiating the total potential energy, P (Equation 14) with respect
to the nodal displacements and equating it to zero.

dP
i.e. = 0, i  1, 2, 3, ........., n.
du i

d 1 T
( u K u  uT f ) = 0
du 2

Ku f = 0 and Ku f (16)

e) Analysis Procedure
The analysis procedure for the bar using the FEM is presented below.

1. Discretisation of the bar into finite elements

2. Determination of the element and structure stiffness matrices.
3. Determination of the displacements at the joints.
4. Determination of the strains in the elements.
5. Determination of the stresses in the elements.