Practice Problems

Special Topics: Finite Element Method

Question 1: Consider the below. A piping system is idealized as a number of springs. The system has 4 elements
and 4 nodes below.

Using the principle of minimum potential energy, find the stiffness matrix, the load vector and displacement vector
and state the problem in the form []{} = {}
a. Compute the reaction at node 1
b. Find an expression for the potential energy:
= in terms of nodal displacements 1 , 2 , 3 4
c. Find the derivative of the potential energy w.r.t. the nodal displacements and set to zero
d. Write the resulting equations in matrix form
e. Apply the boundary condition 1 = 0

Solution:
a. Defining the positive x-axis to be towards the right, the reaction at 1 is
b. Potential Energy is given by:
1
1
1
1
= (2 1 )2 + (3 2 )2 + (3 2 )2 + (4 3 )2 4 + 1
2
2
2
2
c. The derivate can be computed as:

= (2 1 ) + = 0
1

= (2 1 ) (3 2 ) (3 2 ) = 0
2

= (3 2 ) + (3 2 ) (4 3 ) = 0
3

= (4 3 ) = 0
4
d. Rewriting in Matrix Form:
[]{} = {}
1
1
[
0
0

1
3
2
0

0
2
3
1

0
0
2
]{ } = { }
1 3
0
4
1

Notice that the stiffness matrix is symmetric, as it should be

e. Applying Boundary Condition:

3 2 0 2
0
[2 3 1] {3 } = { 0 }
0 1 1 4

The displacements 1 , 2 and 3 may be found by solving the system of equations, (by taking the inverse of
the stiffness matrix and multiplying it with the load vector)

Question 2: Find the matrix of shape functions [()] for a one-dimensional quadratic interpolation function:
() = 1 + 2 + 3 2
The constants 1 , 2 and 3 can be evaluated by ensuring
() = = 0
() = =

() = =
Find the shape function [()] can be found by rearrangement such that:
() = [()]{() } = [1

3 ] { }

Solution:
The systematic method of obtaining the shapes functions is as follows:
The constants 1 , 2 and 3 need to be evaluated using:
(0) = = 1

2
( ) = = 1 + 2 ( ) + 3 ( )
2
2
2
() = = 1 + 2 + 3 2
Solving for 1 , 2 and 3 :
1 =

2
2 + 3 ( ) = ( )
2

2 + 3 = ( )

Solving simultaneously:
2
1
1
2 = [( ) ( ) ] [1 ]

2
2

2 =

(4 4 + )

1
2 = (4 3 )

2( 2 + 2 )
1
2

3 = [( ) ( ) ] [ ] 3 =

2
2
3 =

2
( + 2 )
2

Now, we want to rewrite () = 1 + 2 + 3 2 as () = 1 + 2 + 3

Where 1 , 2 and 3 are shape functions, which are a function of
1
2
() = + (4 3 ) + 2 ( + 2 ) 2

Gathering terms with

3 2 2
1 () = 1
+ 2

Gathering terms with

2 () =

4 4 2
2

Gathering terms with

2 2
3 () = + 2

And finally the matrix of shape functions is:

[] = [1 () 2 () 3 ()]

Question 3:

Identify the displacements and stresses generated due to the load hanged in the truss structure as shown
below (use minimum potential energy theorem).
All Elements have E =200 GPa and A = 5*10-4 m2.

The transformation between local and global coordinates and the stiffness matrix for 2D Truss elements in global
coordinate system is given by:

Solution:
The structure is divided into three elements and four nodes, as marked on the figure. Lets set the global coordinate
system as shown, with the origin at node 1
The elements (1), (2) and (3) are oriented at an angle of 90, 180 and 240 w.r.t. the global coordinate system.
For simplicity, let me just change the question so the lengths of all elements is 2 meters. Defining:
=

(5 104 )(200 109 )

=
= 50 106

The direction cosines for all elements are shown below:

Element (1)
= cos 90 = 0
= sin 90 = 1
The element stiffness matrix in
global coordinate system:

Element (2)
= cos 180 = 1
= sin 180 = 0
The element stiffness matrix in
global coordinate system:

Element (3)
= cos 240 = 1/2
= sin 240 = 3/2
The element stiffness matrix in global
coordinate system:

0
[ 1 ] = [0
0
0

1
[ 2 ] = [ 0
1
0

[ 3 ] = [ 3
4 1
3

0
1
0
1

0
0
0
0

0
1
]
0
1

0
0
0
0

1
0
1
0

0
0
]
0
0

3
3
3
3

1
3
1
3

3
3 ]
3
3

Make sure the resulting matrix is

symmetric
Next we must assemble the Global Stiffness Matrix. To do this, we must recognize which terms in the global
stiffness matrix refer to which global displacements. Lets stick to the conventional notation for using capital U to
designate deflection along the x-axis, and capital V to designate the deflection along the y-axis in the global
coordinate system, with the subscript donating the node number. For example 1 designates deflection of node
along x-axis, 4 designates the deflection along y-axis of node 4, and so on
Element 1, is located between nodes 1 and 2:
1
0
[ 1 ] = [0
0
0

1
0
1
0
1

2 2
0
0
0
1
]
0
0
0
1

1
1
2
2

Element 2, is located between nodes 1 and 3:

1
1
[ 2 ] = [ 0
1
0

3 3

0
0
0
0

1
0
1
0

0
0
]
0
0

1
1
3
3

Element 3, is located between nodes 1 and 4:

1
1

3
[ 3 ] = [
4 1
3

3
3
3
3

1
3
1
3

3
3 ]
3
3

1
1
4
4

The global stiffness matrix may be compiled by superimposing the correct terms in the right places:

[ ] =

U1

V1

U2

V2

U3

V3

U4
-1

V4
0.433

1.25

0.433

-1

U1

0.433

1.75

-1

-0.43

V1

U2

-1

V2

-1

U3

V3

-0.25

-0.43

0.25

0.433

U4

-0.43

0.433

0.75

V4

Applying the boundary conditions, well get rid of all rows and columns, except those corresponding to 1 1
[]{} = {} will reduce to:
0
1.25 0.433 1
[
]{ } = {
}

40,000
0.433 1.75
1
Solving:
1 = 0.1732
1 = 0.5