Course Title

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

BME-474 (Credit Hrs. = 2+ 1)

Course Instructor
Engr. Zeeshan Anjum
Lecturer, MED
MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir

Class
Mechanical Engineering, 2k19

Lecture # 06 Direct formulation: Exercise Problems

 Overview
2

1. Some important problems

from exercise of Chapter 1

Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Problem # 3
3

 An aluminum strap with a thickness of 6 mm and

the profile shown in the accompanying figure is to
carry a load of 1800 N. Elasticity of aluminum in
68.9 GPa.
 Predict the deflection observed at the nodes due to
the applied vertical load using the direct stiffness
method. Divide the strap into three elements.

Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 8 cm

2.5 cm

Y
2.5 cm
10 cm

2.5 cm

1800 N

4 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Preprocessing Phase
1. Discretize the solution domain into finite elements.

(1)
(2)
Element # 1

Element # 2

(3)
Element # 3
(4)

1800 N

5 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 2. Assume a solution that approximates the behavior of an
element.
AE
F ( )


AE
Here, K 

Here, area “A” is the cross-sectional area i.e. thickness
x axial dimension

• Computing stiffness for each element using above relation

and given data.

6 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 3. Develop equations for an element.

Stiffness matrix for element # 1 can be written as:

 k1  k1 
K  (1)
 

 1 k k1 

• Similarly we can write stiffness matrix for elements 2 and 3

• Remember, nodal displacements written in above matrix

are not a part of stiffness matrix. They are written as a hint
while assembling those local stiffness matrices in global
form.

7 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 4. Assemble the elements to present the entire problems.

• Here we have to assemble elemental stiffness matrices

correctly to form global stiffness matrix.
• The hints i.e. nodal displacements written along the
elemental stiffness matrix will help in correct formation of
global stiffness matrix.

8 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
  k1  k1 0 0 
 k k1  k 2  k2 0 
K (G )  1
 0  k2 k 2  k3  k3 
 
 0 0  k3 k3 

Note:
Nodal displacements are written in above [K]G matrix only
for hints. They help in proper placement of the entries from
elemental stiffness matrix.

9 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 • Putting the values we get to get [K]{U} = {F} form for the
whole structure

5. Apply boundary conditions and axial loads.

u1  0 Force at Node 4=1800 N

• Applying boundary condition gives us reduced matrix.

6. Solution Phase
Solving this we get the unknown nodal displacements at
nodes 2, 3 and 4

10 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 7. Post Processing Phase

Stresses in each of the elements can now be calculated as:

11 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Problem # 22
12

A shaft is made of three parts, as shown in the accompanying

figure.
Parts AB and CD are made of the same material with a
modulus of rigidity of G = 9.8 x 103 ksi, and each has a
diameter of 1.5 in.
Segment BC is made of a material with a modulus of rigidity
of G =11.2 x103 ksi and has a diameter of 1 in. The shaft is
fixed at both ends and a torque of 2400 lb-in is applied at C.
Using three elements, determine the angle of twist at B
and C and the torsional reactions at the boundaries.

Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 2400 lb-in

A B C D

13 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Preprocessing Phase
1. Discretize the solution domain into finite elements.

As stated in given data, the shaft is divided into three

elements i.e.
Element #1 = section AB,
Element # 2 = section BC
Element # 3 = section CD
2. Assume a solution that approximates the behavior of an
element.
We know angle of twist is
given by:
T JG
θ  T (θ)
JG 
14 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 3. Develop equations for an element.

For element #1 i.e. section AD

JG  1  1 θ 1  T1 
    
  1 1  θ 2  T2 

Similarly develop equation of element # 2 and 3

Polar moment of inertia can be calculated from the given

data as:

15 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Stiffness matrix for each element can now be calculated as:

By putting the values of J, G and l we get stiffness matrix for

each element.

16 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 4. Assemble the elements to present the entire problems.

• Here we have to assemble elemental stiffness matrices

correctly to form global stiffness matrix.
• The hints i.e. nodal displacements written along the
elemental stiffness matrix will help in correct formation of
global stiffness matrix.

17 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 5. Apply boundary conditions and torsional loads.
θ 1 θ 4  0 and TC = 2400 Ib-in

• So reduced matrix form after ignoring the respective

rows and columns of 1st and 4th nodes.

6. Solution Phase

Solving this we get the unknown twist angles

18 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 7. Post Processing Phase

To find the unknown reactions at the fixed end, we will use

the recently found angle of twists as:

19 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Overview
20

1. FEA using Direct Formulation: A

review for ID elements

Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Basic Steps in FEA
21

1. Pre-Processing
This is the initial step in the analysis of any engineering
problem using Finite Element Method. It involves:

a) Discretization: Dividing the available solution domain

into finite number and finite shapes of elements and
nodes.
Elements can be considered as sections of specific
dimensions in which a structure is divided into. There can
be 1D, 2D and 3D elements depending upon the type of
analysis.
Nodes are the starting and ending points of the elements.
Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 b) Assuming a solution which approximate the behavior of
the given structure according to the given phenomenon.

• For elastic elements under axial loads:

𝐸𝐴
𝐹= ∆𝑙
𝑙
𝐸𝐴
In this case, we use 𝐾=
𝑙
Where,
F = Nodal Force
E = Elasticity of the element
A = Cross-sectional Area of the element
l = Elemental dimension in the axial direction
∆𝑙 = Change in length
K = Stiffness
22 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 • For Heat Transfer problems:
𝑞 = 𝑈𝐴 ∆𝑇
𝑘
• For conduction: 𝑈 =
𝑙
• For convection: 𝑈=ℎ

Where,
q = Heat transfer
U = U-factor
A = Cross-sectional Area of the element
∆𝑇 = Change in temperature (Nodal)
l = Elemental dimension in the axial direction
𝑘= thermal conductivity coefficient
h = coefficient of thermal convection
23 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 • For Torsional problems:

JG
T (θ)

𝐽𝐺
In this case, we use 𝐾=
𝑙

Where,
T = Torque
J = Polar moment of inertia
G = Modulus of Rigidity
l = Elemental dimension in the axial direction
θ= Angle of twist at nodes
K = Stiffness
24 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 c) Develop equations for an element.

Develop the following equation form for each

element according to the phenomenon:
{F} = [K] {U}
or
{q} = [U] {T}
or
{T} = [K] {θ}

• Where, {F}, {U}, {q}, {T} and {θ} are single column matrices
[K] and [U] are square matrices whose order can be found by
multiplying number of nodes with degree of freedom.

25 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
26

Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 d) Assemble the elements to present the entire problems.

• Here we have to assemble elemental stiffness matrices

correctly to form global stiffness matrix.
• The hints i.e. nodal displacements or temperatures written
along the elemental stiffness matrix will help in correct
formation of global stiffness matrix.

27 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 e) Apply boundary conditions and given loads.

• Reduce the global {F}=[K]{U}

or {T}= [K]{θ}
or {q}= [U]{T}
form by ignoring the respective rows and columns of given
nodal displacements, temperatures or angles of twist.

f) Solution Phase
Solving the reduced form to find unknown nodal
parameters

28 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 g) Post Processing Phase

Use the nodal parameters found in solution phase to find

further parameters like:
• Reaction forces
• Stresses

29 Prepared By: Engr. Zeeshan Anjum, Lecturer MED, MUST Mirpur Azad Kashmir
 Thank you!
For any query contact me at:

zeeshan.me@must.edu.pk