Study of Quadri-Linear (Non-Conforming) Element

Goda Tejpal H.
Assistant Professor,
MEFGI-FOE-Rajkot,Gujarat
tejpalgoda007@gmail.com

Prof. Atul N. Desai

Associate Professor
Structural Engineering Dep
B.V.M. engineering college,Anand
andesai@bvmengineering.ac.in
Abstract: Referring from different article it can be concluded that most probably they are using basic
element in two-dimension is, quadrilateral element to generate mesh. But there were no use of nonconforming element. So study of non-conforming element with six-nodes is carried out. Here an
attempt is made by analyzing a beam by 2D non conforming Six nodded rectangular element and
compared with the conforming four nodded rectangular element.
Keywords:Finiteelementmethod,NonConformingElement,Sixnoddedrectangularelement

1. INTRODUCTION
Basically in structural engineering different element are analysed using strain/potential energy
method or by its further applications like 1) slope deflection method, 2) moment distribution
Method, kanis Method etc. Structure can also be analysed using Stiffness and flexibility matrix
methods and Finite element method. In general the basic theory behind all analysis is potential
energy method. Stiffness method is generally used to analyze 1D-element, whereas Finite Element
Method (FEM) is used for 2D or 3D element. Sometimes stiffness method is not able to analyze
geometrically non-linear element or might be tedious to solve, while FEM gives approximate
answer avoiding complex calculation. Thus it is preferable to use FEM in 2D elements.
Sometimes basic formula and calculation remain same neglecting few units, thus in order to
avoid repetitive work program is created. Due to certain drawback of different programming
language like C, C++, C, etc or computer program like Mat lab, Fortran is selected for
programming language and program is to be made based on finite element method to solve beam
based of different boundary condition.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
As referring from different article it can be conclude that most probably they are using basic element of
two-dimension i.e quadrilateral element to generate mesh. But there were no use of non-conforming
element. So study of non-conforming element with six-nodes is carried out. Its analysis can be describe in
tabular manner as below.

Table 1: Analysis of Basic Element use by F.E.M of a structural member.

Sr. no

Basic element

Nodes

Dimension

Conforming/Non-

1
2
3
4
5

Triangular element
Quadrilateral element
Quadrilateral element
Quadrilateral element
Brick element

3-noded
4-noded
8-noded
9-noded
8-noded

2D
2D
2D
2D
3D

con. Element
Conforming elem.
Conforming elem.
Conforming elem.
Conforming elem.
Conforming elem.

C. ZIENKIEWICZ,B. M. IRON Introduce how to divide cylinder acted by line load and concentric into
mesh with
basic element as quadrilateral. In his article Curved iso-parametric, "quadrilateral" elements for Finite
element analysis
FEITENG HUANG AND XIAOPING XIE in his article A Modified Nonconforming 5-Node
Quadrilateral Transition Finite Element analyses a nonconforming 5-node quadrilateral transition Finite
Element for Poisson equation. This element was originally proposed by Choi and Park, for the analysis of
Mindlin plates.

Different location of 5th node in quadrilateral element .

S.W. Sloan and M.F. RANDOLPH in their article AUTOMATIC ELEMENT REORDERING FOR
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS WITH FRONTAL SOLUTION SCHEMES has try to Develop program
in fortran to carry out analyses with mesh generation and Develop frontal method i.e re-ordering the node
number and analyse. This paper describes an element reordering algorithm which is suitable for use with a
frontal solution package. The procedure is shown to generate efficient element numberings for a wide
variety of test examples. In an effort to obtain an optimum elimination order, the algorithm first renumbers
the nodes, and then uses this result to resequence the elements. This Intermediate step is necessary because
of the nature of the frontal solution procedure, which assembles variables on an element-by-element basis
but eliminates them node by node.

Re-ordering of nodes in a bar

To renumber the nodes, a modified version of the King' algorithm is used. In order to minimize the number
of nodal numbering schemes that need to be considered, the starting nodes are selected automatically by
using some concepts from graph theory. Once the optimum numbering sequence has been ascertained, the
elements are then reordered in an ascending sequence of their lowest-numbered nodes. This ensures that the
new elimination order is preserved as closely as possible. For meshes that are composed of a single type of
high-order element, it is only necessary to consider the vertex nodes in the renumbering process. This
follows from the fact that mesh Numbering which are optimal for low-order elements are also optimal for
high-order elements. Significant economies in The reordering strategy may thus be achieved. A computer
implementation Of the algorithm, written in FORTRAN IV.

3. CASE STUDY

3.1 Basic theory:

For a quadrilateral with four nodes shape function can be given as below along with the quadrilateral
having Cartesian co-ordinates.
N1 = (1-r) (1-s)/4
N2 = (1+r) (1-s)/4
N3 = (1+r) (1+s)/4
N4 = (1-r) (1+s)/4
By adding 2- nodes one at (0,-1) and other at (0, 1) thus shape function of other two nodes are :
N5 = (1-r) (1+r) (1-s)/2
N6 = (1-r) (1+r)(1-s)/2
Thus we get revised shape function as:
N1= (N1 N5)/2
N3= (N3 N6)/2

N2= (N2 N5)/2

N4= (N4 N6)/2

3.2 REASON FOR USING SIX-NODDED ELEMENT

The basic reason behind using six-nodded element is, firstly with the increase in nodes by discritization,
we are more and more closer to the actual answer. Secondly along the section of beam there is no need to
obtain the stress and strains so an extra node is provided along the length in basic element. Lastly along the
depth stress and strain varies linearly while along length it varies quadratic.

Figure: Showing Ordinary rectangular four nodded element and six nodded (non-conforming) element.
As we consider two degrees of freedom at each node, then after dividing beam into two elements we get 10
nodes and 20 DOFS so the stiffness matrix will be of 20X20. Like wise if we divide beam into four
element then we get 18 nodes and 36 DOFS so the stiffness matrix will be of 36X36. By increasing the
number of element we get accurate answer so the matrix calculation becomes complex and lengthy and in
order to avoid it FORTRAN program is made.

3.3 IMPORTANT FEATURES OF PROGRAM MADE IN FORTRAN are:

By entering the beam length the program itself will divide beam into 2 parts/elements in first loop. And
then answer (i.e displacement) is stored in old variable, in second loop beam is divided into 4
parts/elements and answer is stored in new variable, and after comparing old and new answer
depending on accuracy next loop will run.

Node number of element is generated by its own, and thereby its co-ordinates is also generated which is
printed in out-put file each time when loop runs and beam is divided further and further into 2,4,6,8
like wise element.

Different Boundary condition can be allotted.

There is 8-10% difference in answer by finding displacement at end/tip of beam between convention
methods of finding (displacement) and F.E.M. As for example in cantilever beam the displacement found
at end/tip of beam is P*L^3/(3*E*I) . by applying same parameter to this FORTRAN program more
accurate answer is obtain.

3.4 COMPARISON BETWEEN QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT AND QUADRI-LINEAR

ELEMENT
In order to compare the results obtain by quadri-linear element meshing, quadrilateral element
meshing program is also generated with same features and it is compared with standard reference
book Finite elements in Engineering by T. Chandrupatla and A. Belegundu in which simple
program is made, where co-ordinates of meshing elemental nodes are to be entered. Thus it can be
said that developed program is modification of program given in T. Chandrupatla and A.
Belegundus book (QUAD.for program).

A Cantilever beam is taken with some fix parameters mention below

Span of Beam

4m

Depth of Beam

0.5m

Thickness of Beam

0.5m

Youngs Modulus (E)

2e8

Density (For Self-weight Calculation) 0 kN/m^3

U.D.L

0 kN/m

Point Load

10KN

Results obtain by solving beam in FORTRAN PROGRAM are tabulated below:

NO. OF LOOP

NO. OF ELEMENT

1
2
3
Last
loop
when
program STOPS

2
4
6
--

QUADRILATERAL
ELEMENT
-2.8571e-05
-7.8547e-05
-1.1621e-04
-1.7855e-04(10th loop)

QUADRI-LINEAR
ELEMENT
-1.8859e-04
-1.8854e-04
-1.8836e-04
-1.8844e-04(7th loop)

3.5 VALIDATION WITH STAAD-PRO SOFTWARE

Considering Above Data of beam in staad-pro and taking plate (4-nodded) element instead of
Quadrilateral element with 0.5m thickness the result obtain is shown in below:-

Staad-Pro Model result

DISPLACEMENT OBTAIN: -0.189MM (NODE NO. 6)

4. OBJECTIVE

To study the behavior of beam by meshing it into basic non-conforming elements instead
of conforming element.
To calculate and study the primary unknown deflection and secondary unknown stresses
and strain of 6-noded quadrilateral element.

5. SCOPE OF WORK

Program can be made, in which meshing is done along the depth of beam.

Further study on Cubi-Linear element can be carried out.

Cubi-Linear Element

The programs develop through this dissertation helps to import element in library of
software base on Fortran.

REFERENCES
[1] ZIENKIEWICZ, O.C. and R.L. TAYLOR, The Finite Element Method, 4th edn., Vol. 1,
McGraw-Hill Book Company (UK) Limited, London, 1989.
[2] Bathe, K. J, Finite Element Procedures in Engineering Analysis, Prentice-Hall, Inc.
[3] T. Chandrupatla and A. Belegundu, Finite elements in Engineering.
[4] Y. M. Desai, T. I. Eldho and A.H. Shah, Finite Element Method with application in
engineering.
[5] C. S. Krishnamoorthy, Finite Element Analysis Theory and Programming (2nd Edition).