Mid-Semester Examination Solution (MEIE 5110)

Solution # 1:
a) The two finite element meshes shown below are used in the solution of a planar
problem for which every node has two degrees of freedom numbered in increasing order
with the global node numbers. For each mesh, indicate which entries of the stiffness
matrix are generally non-zero (List ten of those entries).

The global stiffness matrix will be (32x32). Out of 1024 entries in this
stiffness matrix, 268 will be non-zeros and 756 will be zeros. Ten entries out
of the 268 non-zero entries are listed below.

For Mesh A: All diagonal terms are non zero. From the non-diagonal terms:
(3,1), (3,2), (3,3), (3,4), (3,5), (3,6), (3,17), (3,18), (3,19), (3,20)
For Mesh B: All diagonal terms are non zero. From the non-diagonal terms:
(5,1), (5,2), (5,3), (5,4), (5,5), (5,6), (5,7), (5,8), (5,9), (5,10)

The mesh B is better from computational point view because it will have less
number of scattered zeros and its half bandwidth is smaller than mesh A.

b) State two advantages and two disadvantages on the mesh of circular disc with six
regularly placed holes as shown below.

This region has

The elements at the
elements which are
center of the disc are
skewed. It is true for
also skewed. In addition,
all similar regions in
some element very closely
the disc.
geometrically resembles
triangular elements.
A better mesh can be developed using a combination of quad and triangular
finite elements. Also, a quad element at the center (including the disc center)
will result in the development of better mesh outward.

c) What is a balanced polynomial? Why it is important?

A balanced polynomial must have same degree for all independent variables,
whether separate or in product form, used in writing the assumed
displacement field. This is an important criterion for convergence.

d) What is skewness of an element? Draw 3-node and 4-node elements with skewness
problem.
The deviation in the angle between two edges of an element from an ideal
angle is termed as skewness of an element. For triangles one must avoid
angles less than 30 degrees. For quadrilateral element the ideal angle is 90. A
variation of more ±30 degrees is not preferred.

1 
1
e) For I    e  x  dx , how many Gauss points do you need for exact integration of I.
1 
x
Using odd number of Gauss points will result in indeterminate value. However,
using even number of Gauss points will give increasing values as the number of
Gauss points increase (see the calculations below). This is due to the
integrand, which is an unbounded function.

2-Point Rule:
  1 
I = 1.0
1
e 0.577  e 0.577   = -2.113
  0.577  0.577 
4-Point Rule:
  1   1 
I = 0.348 e 0.86   0.652
1 1
e 0.86  e 0.34  e 0.34  
  0.86  0.86   0.34  0.34 
= -3.4215

Solution # 2:
This question is same as of Question 3 of your Assignment 2 (solution will be
given later)