AXISYMMETRIC ELEMENTS

An axisymmetric element is
essentially a three
dimensional element.
All solids of revolution such
as cylinders, cones etc. can be
analysed by considering them
as axisymmetric elements as
they are symmetric about an
axis.
Because of this axial
symmetry, properties of the
radial sections of the solid
becomes identical.
Normally this axis of
symmetry is along the z-axis
and any point in a plane
perpendicular to this axis is
defined by two polar
coordinates - r and Ɵ.

It is obvious that due to

symmetry all deformations
and stresses are
independent of Ɵ.

Hence the problem gets

reduced to a 2D problem in
coordinates r and z.
 Derivation of a stress strain
relationship for such an element.

Consider a small angular element

of radial thickness dr, axial height
dz and radial angle dƟ as shown in
the fig.

Let u and w be the length and

height respectively of a small
element within the element.
It is clear that the length u will be
along r axis and height w along z
axis.
When loaded, the element under
consideration is under the three
strains, viz.
These strains are similar to the ones observed in CST element

An axisymmetric element in also subjected to tangential

strain in the r – Ɵ plane.

The tangential strain is given by

The strain vector can be written as

Some standard relations from strength of materials

Expressing them in matrix form

 To analyse an axisymmetric problem we can discretize the
domain with triangular elements as shown

Figure shows a ring shaped

element by revolving the triangular
element about the z axis

Let u1, u2 , u3 be the

displacements of the nodes 1, 2
and 3 of the triangular element
along the r-axis and w1,w2 and w3
be the corresponding
displacements along z-axis.
We can express {e} as

In short this can be written in form

To evaluate [B] we normally consider r to be r-coordinate of the
centroid of the triangular element r

Also, we have stiffness matrix of the element given by

A long cylinder of inside diameter 70 mm and outside diameter 100
mm snugly fits in a hole over its full length. The cylinder is now
subjected to an internal pressure of 2 MPa. Using two elements on
the 10 mm length shown, find the displacements at inner radius.
Number the elements and nodes as shown
On solving the reduced matrix