Chapter 03

CHAPTER THREE
DIRECT APPROACH TO
SOLUTIONS OF ONE
DIMENSIONAL PROBLEMS
1
FEM Procedure
Step 1: Discretize and Select the Element Types
 This step involves dividing the body into an equivalent system of finite elements with
associated nodes and choosing the most appropriate element type to model most
closely the actual physical behavior.
 The total number of elements used and their variation in size and type within a given
body are primarily matters of engineering judgment.
 The elements must be made small enough to give usable results and yet large enough
to reduce computational effort.
 Elements are connected to each other by nodes.
2
FEM Procedure cont…
• Step 2: Select an appropriate variable function
 This step involves choosing an appropriate variable (displacement,
temperature, velocity, etc) function within each element which
describes behavior of the problem.
 . The function is defined within the element using the nodal values of
the element.
3
• Step 3: Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations
the development of element stiffness matrices and element
equations was based on the concept of stiffness influence
coefficients, which presupposes a background in structural
analysis.
Direct Equilibrium Method
 According to this method, the stiffness matrix and element equations
relating nodal forces to nodal displacements are obtained using force
equilibrium conditions for a basic element, along with
force/deformation relationships. This method is most easily adaptable
to line or one-dimensional elements (spring, bar, and beam elements).
 Other Methods
 Work or Energy Methods
 Methods of Weighted Residuals
4
Step 4: Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global
or Total Equations and Introduce Boundary Conditions
In this step the individual element nodal equilibrium equations
generated in step 3 are assembled into the global or total nodal
equilibrium equations.
The direct stiffness method, whose basis is nodal force
equilibrium, can be used to obtain the global equations for the
whole structure.
 where {F} is the vector of global nodal loads, [K] is the structure
global or total stiffness matrix, and {d} is now the vector of known
and unknown structure nodal degrees of freedom or generalized
displacements/temperatures.
5
 Step 5: Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom
(Displacements/Temperature/Velocity)
 where n is the structure total number of unknown nodal degrees of

freedom.
 These equations can be solved for the ds by using an elimination method (such
as Gauss’s method) or an iterative method (such as the Gauss–Seidel method) or
using any other mathematical software (like MatLab).
6
• Step 6: Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
For the structural stress-analysis problem, important secondary
quantities of strain and stress (or moment and shear force) can be
obtained because they can be directly expressed in terms of the
displacements determined in step 5.
Step 7: Interpret the Results

The final goal is to interpret and analyze the results for use in the
design/analysis process.
Determination of locations in the structure where large deformations
and large stresses occur is generally important in making
design/analysis decisions.
7
Direct Approach to 1D Problems
 Structural 1D Problems(Springs and Bars)
8
Direct Approach cont…
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
1D Heat transfer Problems(Fins and Composite walls)
23
24
Example 1

25
Example cont…
26
Example cont…
27
Example cont…
28
Example cont…
29
Exercise 1
Exercise 3.1
This is a similar example to 3.1, however element 2 is replaced with two identical supports
which forms element 2 and 3. A load of P = 180 lbs acts on the variable cross sectional bar
in which one end is fixed and a compressive load acts at the other end. Dimensions of the
bar are indicated in the figure 3.2. Calculate the deflection at various points along its length,
the reaction force at the fixed end and the corresponding stresses in each element.
E1  669400.12 lb / in 2
E2  E3  458 lb / in 2
E4  669400.12 lb / in 2
30
Exercise 2
31
Exercise 3
 Exercise 3.3: Three bars are joined as shown in Figure below. The left and right ends
are both constrained, i.e. prescribed displacement is zero at both ends. There is a force
of 10 N acting on the middle node. The nodes are numbered starting with the nodes
where displacements are prescribed.
Figure : Three-bar problem
a) Assemble the global stiffness and force matrix.

b) Partition the system and solve for the nodal displacements u3
c) Compute the reaction forces.
32
Exercise 4
33

Chapter 03

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Chapter 03

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CHAPTER THREE

 where n is the structure total number of unknown nodal degrees of

Step 7: Interpret the Results

Figure : Three-bar problem

a) Assemble the global stiffness and force matrix.

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