Lecture 2-MPE

ME 402
Introduction to FEA
Spring 2021
Lecture 2
Instructor : Asst. Prof. Dr. Samet AKAR
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Çankaya University
Potential Energy Approach
o One of the alternative methods often used to derive the

element equations and the stiffness matrix for an element
is based on the principle of minimum potential energy.
o It is generally preferred for complicated elements (those

with large numbers of degrees of freedom)
o This approach is applicable only for elastic materials.
o We will describe the use of minimum potential energy

approach to derive the spring element equations.
April 24, 2024 Department of Mechanical Engineering 2

Principle of minimum potential energy
o Of all the geometrically possible shapes that a body can assume,

the true one, corresponding to the satisfaction of stable equilibrium
of the body, is identified by a minimum value of the total potential
energy.
o Total Potential Energy (𝜋𝑝 ): is defined as the sum of the internal
strain energy U and the potential energy of the external forces Ω;
that is,
o Strain energy is the capacity of internal forces (or stresses) to do

work through deformations (strains) in the structure;
o Ω is the capacity of forces such as body forces, surface traction
forces, and applied nodal forces to do work through deformation of
the structure.
3
April 24, 2024 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Derivation of Equations for Spring Element
o The external work (We) is given by the area under the force-
deformation curve shown in
4
o By the conservation of mechanical energy principle, the
external work due to the applied force F is transformed into the
internal strain energy U of the spring.
o The potential energy of the external force, being opposite in

sign from the external work expression
5
o The total potential energy is obtained as:
o In general for any deformation x of the spring corresponding to

force F, we replace xmax with x and Fmax with F and express U
and Ω as:
o we express the total potential energy as:
6
Stationary Value of a Function
o To find a value of x yielding a stationary value of G(x), we use

differential calculus to differentiate G with respect to x and set
the expression equal to zero, as follows:
o The concept of a stationary value of a function G will be used

in the definition of the principle of minimum potential energy.
April 24, 2024 Department of Mechanical Engineering 7

o The objective of this approach is to minimize the total potential

energy of a structure (𝜋𝑝 )
o The total potential energy of a structure is expressed in terms
of displacements.
𝜋𝑝 = 𝜋𝑝 𝑢1 , 𝑢2 , … , 𝑢𝑛
o When we minimize 𝜋𝑝 with respect to nodal displacements,
equilibrium equations are obtained.
o Therefore we define the first variation of 𝜋𝑝 as:
𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝
𝛿𝜋𝑝 = 𝛿𝑢1 + 𝜕𝑢 𝛿𝑢2 +…+𝜕𝑢 𝛿𝑢𝑛
𝜕𝑢1 2 𝑛
The first variation of 𝜋𝑝 𝛿: Arbitrary change or variation
8
Principle of Minimum Potential energy
o The principle states that equilibrium exists when the ui define a

structure state such that 𝛿𝜋𝑝 = 0 (change in potential energy =0)
for arbitrary admissible variations in displacement ui from the
equilibrium state.
o An admissible variation is one in which the displacement field still
satisfies the boundary conditions and inter-element continuity.
9
Principle of minimum potential energy
𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝

𝛿𝜋𝑝 = 𝛿𝑢1 + 𝛿𝑢2 +…+ 𝛿𝑢𝑛
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢𝑛
In variational formulation we assume that none of the 𝛿𝑢𝑖 ≠ 0

Hence, to satisfy 𝛿𝜋𝑝 =0 all coefficients associated with the 𝛿𝑢𝑖
must be zero independently.
𝜕𝜋𝑝
=0 for i=1,2,…,n
𝜕𝑢i
o where n equations must be solved for the n values of ui that

define the static equilibrium state of the structure.
10
Example
o For the linear-elastic spring subjected to a force of 1000 lb

evaluate the potential energy for various displacement values
and show that the minimum potential energy also corresponds
to the equilibrium position of the spring.
11
Solution
o First we will evaluate the total potential energy as:
𝜋𝑝 = 𝑈 + Ω
1
𝑈 = 𝑘𝑥 2 Ω = −𝐹𝑥
2
1
𝜋𝑝 = 𝑘𝑥 2 − 𝐹𝑥 = 250𝑥 2 − 1000𝑥
2
12
Spring Element Equations (MPE)
o We now derive the spring element equations and stiffness

matrix using the principle of minimum potential energy.
Consider the linear spring subjected to nodal forces
The total potential energy can be written as:
The minimization of πp with respect to each nodal displacement requires taking

partial derivatives of πp with respect to each nodal displacement.
13
Spring Element Equations (MPE)
stiffness matrix for the spring

element obtained
14
Example
o Obtain the total potential energy of the given spring
assemblage
o Solution
Strain energy stored in spring 1 𝑘𝑢2 = 𝑢𝑇 𝑘 𝑢
Strain energy stored in spring 2
Strain energy stored in spring 3
15
Solution …
The potential energy of the external nodal forces given in the order of the node numbering
for the spring assemblage is:
The total potential of the assemblage is the sum of the strain energy and the potential
energy of the external forces
16
Solution
17
Example
o Use P.E. Approach to obtain the displacement of the rigid bar.
18
Solution
o Discretize the Model.
19
Solution
U(1)=
U(2)=
U(3)=
Ω(1)=
Ω(2)=
Ω(3)=
20
Solution
21
Solution
u2 = – 2 in
22

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ME 402

Instructor : Asst. Prof. Dr. Samet AKAR

Department of Mechanical Engineering

o One of the alternative methods often used to derive the

o It is generally preferred for complicated elements (those

o This approach is applicable only for elastic materials.

o We will describe the use of minimum potential energy

April 24, 2024 Department of Mechanical Engineering 2

o Of all the geometrically possible shapes that a body can assume,

o Strain energy is the capacity of internal forces (or stresses) to do

o The potential energy of the external force, being opposite in

o The total potential energy is obtained as:

o In general for any deformation x of the spring corresponding to

o we express the total potential energy as:

o To find a value of x yielding a stationary value of G(x), we use

o The concept of a stationary value of a function G will be used

April 24, 2024 Department of Mechanical Engineering 7

o The objective of this approach is to minimize the total potential

The first variation of 𝜋𝑝 𝛿: Arbitrary change or variation

o The principle states that equilibrium exists when the ui define a

𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝 𝜕𝜋𝑝

In variational formulation we assume that none of the 𝛿𝑢𝑖 ≠ 0

o where n equations must be solved for the n values of ui that

o For the linear-elastic spring subjected to a force of 1000 lb

o We now derive the spring element equations and stiffness

The total potential energy can be written as:

The minimization of πp with respect to each nodal displacement requires taking

stiffness matrix for the spring

Strain energy stored in spring 2

Strain energy stored in spring 3

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