EME4403

Finite Element Analysis

One Dimensional Bar Elements
(Week 4)

PowerPoint® Slides
By Ir. Dr. Patrick Teo
 Compulsory page

Learning Objectives

• To develop a system of linear equations for

one-dimensional problem.
• To apply FE method for solving general
problems involving bar structures with different
support conditions.

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 Compulsory page

Learning Outcomes

• Students are able to understand one

dimensional bar elements.
• Students are able to solve bar structure problem
using linear equation.

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Introduction
We wish to solve the following problem using FEA: Calculate
displacement of bar ABC, take E = 200 GPa.
 General Loading Condition
Consider a non-uniform bar subjected to a general loading
condition, as shown:

Note: The bar is constrained by a fix support at the top and is free at the other
end. The positive x-direction is taken downward.

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 Types of Loading
a) Body force, f
Distributed force per unit volume (N/m3)
Example: self-weight due to gravity

b) Traction force, T
Force per unit area (N/m2)
For a 1-D problem,

Examples: Frictional forces, Viscous drag, and Surface shear.

c) Point load, Pi Concentrated load (in Newton) acting at any point i.

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 Element Discretization: Procedures
Step 1: Subdivide the bar into several sections – a process called
discretization.

Note: The bar is discretized into 4 sections, each has a uniform cross-
sectional area. The non-uniform bar is transformed into a stepped bar.
We will use the stepped bar as a basis for developing a finite element
model of the original non-uniform bar.

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 Procedures: Numbering Scheme
Step 2: Numbering each section/element of stepped bar

To analyze the stepped bar systematically, a global numbering scheme

is assigned as shown. The x-direction is considered as the global
coordinate direction.

Note: F1 , …, F5 represent global forces acting on the points connecting all sections of
the stepped bar.
Q1 , …, Q5 represent global displacements of the points resulting from the forces acting
on these points.
The stepped bar is transformed into a finite element model using 1-D (line) elements.

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 Procedures: Element Connectivity
Step 2: Connect global and local nodes for each section/element of
stepped bar.

Consider a single line element. It lies in a local coordinate system,

denoted by x.

Note: Node number in local coordinate is denoted by a number with a

hat on top. q1 and q2 are nodal displacements in the local coordinate
direction.
Connectivity between global and local nodes must be established for
each element, as tabulated in the table shown.

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 Procedures: Natural Coordinate
Consider a single element. Local node 1 is at distance x
from a datum, and node 2 is at x2, measured from the same
datum point.

We define a natural or intrinsic coordinate system, ξ

Note: The ξ -coordinate will be used to define shape functions, required

to establish interpolation function for the displacement field within the
element.

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 Procedures: Strain-Displacement Relation
Normal strain is related to displacement by:

Using the chain rule of differentiation:

The two terms of the above relation are obtained as follows:

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 Procedures: Strain-Displacement Relation
Thus the normal strain relation can be written as:

which can be written in matrix form as:

where [B] is a row matrix called the strain-displacement matrix, given

by:

since x2 – x1 = element length = le

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 Procedure: Stress-Strain Relation
Normal stress is related to the normal strain by a Hooke’s law:

where E is modulus of elasticity.

We will derive the element stiffness matrix of the 1-D element using the
internal strain energy term, U as follows

Substitute these into the expression for Ue,

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 Procedure: Element Stiffness Matrix
Recall again:

Substitute and simplifying the expression yields:

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 Derivation
The internal strain energy for the 1-D element can now be
written in the form,

where [k] e represents the element stiffness matrix for the

1-D element, i.e.

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 Example
A thin steel plate has a uniform thickness t = 1 in., as
shown. Its elastic modulus, E = 30 x 106 psi, and weight
density, r = 0.2836 lb/in3. The plate is subjected to a point
load P = 100 lb at its midpoint and a traction force T = 36
lb/ft. Determine the global stiffness matrix.

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 Example
Step 1. Transform the given plate into 2 sections, each having uniform
cross-sectional area.

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 Example
Step 2: Write the element stiffness matrix for each element

Step 3: Assemble global stiffness matrix,

Note: The main diagonal must contain positive numbers only!

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example
100mm
A thin steel plate of uniform thickness 25mm is
subjected to a point load of 420N at mid depth.
The plate is also subjected to self weight.
200mm If Young’s modulus, E = 2 x 105N/mm2 and
400mm unit weight density 0.8 x 10-4N/mm2 .

P=420N (1) Write the expression for element stiffness matrix

and body force vectors
80mm (2) Assemble the global stiffness matrix and load
vector
x (3) Solve for the unknown displacements
(4) Evaluate the stress in each element
(5) Evaluate the reaction in each support

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 Example
Node-element connectivity chart

1 Element # Node 1 Node 2

El #1 200mm
1 1 2

2 2 2 3
El #2 P=100N 200mm
Step 1: Stiffness matrix of El #1 and #2
3
Thickness t = 25 mm,
x A1= 100 x 25 = 2500 mm2,
A2= 80 x 25 = 2000 mm2

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 Example
Step 2: Assemble System Equation

Step 3: Construct global load vector

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 Example
Step 4: Construct load-displacement equation in matrix form

Step 5: Substitute boundary condition: R1 is the reaction at node 1.

Notice that since the boundary condition at x=0 (d1x=0) has not been taken
into account, the system matrix is not invertible.
Incorporating the boundary condition d1x=0 we need to solve the following
set of equations

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 Example
Step 6: Determine nodal displacement at node 2 and 3.

Notice that since we are using linear elements, the stress within each element
is constant.

Step 7: Determine the stresses

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 Example
Step 8: Determine the reaction in each support

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 References

1) Daryl Logan, A First Course in the Finite Element

Method, 5th Edition, Cengage Learning
13thEdition,Prentice Hall, 2011
2) K. J. Bathe, Finite Element Procedures, 1st Edition,
Prentice Hall, 2007

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