Code No: RR412112 Set No.

1
IV B.Tech I Semester Supplementary Examinations, February 2007
APPROXIMATE METHODS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
(Aeronautical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
?????

1. Calculate by Rayleigh-Ritz method displacement at node 2 of a vertical bar of

length ‘L’, supported at its upper end, due to its self weight of ‘w’ N/m of length.
Comment on the validity of stress distribution based on this displacement field. As
shown in figure 1 [16]

Figure 1:

2. (a) A solid circular shaft and a thin tube of the same material and same weight
are subjected to twist. If max. stress in both is the same, what is the ratio of
their strain energies ?
(b) Neglecting strain energy due to axial deformation, calculate strain energy and
displacements at D and J of the 2-cylinder crank shaft, with each segment of
length ‘L’. As shown in figure 2 [6+10]

Figure 2:

3. (a) For a given column and specified axial load, which end conditions will result
in maximum Critical buckling load ?
(b) Calculate the critical load for stable equilibrium of the combination of two
rods AB and BC, connected with a spring as shown in figure 3. Assume A
and C remain along a vertical line. [6+10]

1 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 1

Figure 3:

4. (a) Distinguish between collocation method and Galerkin method.

(b) Calculate the maximum deflection in a cantilever beam, subjected to udl of
‘w’ N/m over its length, by 1-term collocation method and 1-term Galerkin
method. Compare the results.As shown in figure 4 [6+10]

Figure 4:

5. (a) Derive finite difference expression for d3 y/dx3 using

i. forward differences,
ii. central differences and
iii. backward differences. [3 x 3]
(b) Calculate maximum deflection by finite difference method of a simply sup-
ported beam of length L, subjected to a udl of w N/m, choosing four equal
divisions along the beam. Calculate percentage error, compared to the exact
solution.As shown in figure 5 [7]

Figure 5:

6. (a) Explain different methods of applying boundary conditions in finite element

analysis

2 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 1

Figure 6:

(b) Calculate displacements at nodes 2, 3 and 4 for the spring system shown in
figure6, when node 1 is fixed and node 5 is given a displacement of 5mm.
[6+10]
7. (a) Stiffness matrices
· of four
¸ different elements
· A, B,
¸ C and D are· given by ¸
2 −2 3 −3 4 −4
[K]A = 104 ; [K]B = 104 ; [K]C = 104 ; [K]D =
· −2
¸ 2 −3 3 −4 4
4 5 −5
10
−5 5
Assemble element stiffness matrices if the truss element connectivity is
i. A (1-2) ; B (2-3) ; C (3-4) and D (4-1)
ii. A (1-2) ; B (1-3) ; C (2-3) and D (3-4)
iii. A (1-2) ; B (2-3) ; C (2-4) and D (3-4)
Draw the truss configurations of the above three combinations.
(b) If a truss has 2 members
· A¸(1-2) and B (2-3)
· whose stiffness
¸ matrices are given
2 −2 4 −4
by, [K]A = 104 ; [K]B = 104
−2 2 −4 4
calculate nodal displacements for a load of 100 N applied at node 2 along the
direction 1-2. Assume nodes 1 and 3 are fixed. [8+8]
8. Calculate displacements and stress in a triangular plate, fixed along edge AC and
subjected to concentrated loads at its end B. Assume E = 70,000 MPa, t = 10 mm
and ν = 0.3.As shown in figure7 [16]

Figure 7:

?????

3 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 2
IV B.Tech I Semester Supplementary Examinations, February 2007
APPROXIMATE METHODS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
(Aeronautical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
?????

1. Calculate by Rayleigh-Ritz method displacement at mid-point of a vertical bar,

supported at both ends, due to its self weight. Let the weight be ‘w’ N/m of
length. Comment on the validity of stress distribution based on this displacement
field.As shown in figure 1 [16]

Figure 1:

2. (a) A solid circular shaft and a thin tube of the same material and same weight
are subjected to twist. If max. stress in both is the same, what is the ratio of
their strain energies ?
(b) Neglecting strain energy due to axial deformation, calculate strain energy and
displacement at D of the crank shaft, with AB=BC=CD=DE=EF=FG=L.As
shown in figure 2 [6+10]

Figure 2:

3. Calculate deflections at points A, B and C of the combination of beams shown below

figure 3, if the points B and C do not come in contact with beam DE. Assume I =
0.4m4 and E = 200 GPa. Load applied is ‘P’ at B and C. [16]

4. (a) Discuss basic differences between Rayleigh-Ritz method and weighted residual
methods.

1 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 2

Figure 3:

(b) Indicate any one admissible displacement field with 1-term and 2-term options,
suitable for the following example, for use in each of the three weighted residual
methods and discuss their validity. As shown in figure 4 [6+10]

Figure 4:

5. (a) Derive finite difference expression for d3 y/dx3 using

i. forward differences,
ii. central differences and
iii. backward differences. [3 x 3]
(b) Calculate maximum deflection by finite difference method of a simply sup-
ported beam of length L, subjected to a udl of w N/m, choosing four equal
divisions along the beam. Calculate percentage error, compared to the exact
solution.As shown in figure 5 [7]

Figure 5:

6. (a) Explain different methods of applying boundary conditions in finite element

analysis
(b) Calculate displacements at nodes 2, 3 and 4 for the spring system shown in
figure6, when node 1 is fixed and node 5 is given a displacement of 5mm.
[6+10]

7. (a) What are coupled and uncoupled degrees of freedom ?

2 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 2

Figure 6:

(b) Calculate the maximum deflection and reactions in a cantilever beam with a
concentrated load ‘P’ at the free end of the beam, if its free end is supported
by a spring of stiffness ‘k’. As shown in figure 7 [4+12]

Figure 7:

8. (a) Derive elasticity matrix of a plane stress element, from basic principles.
(b) In a plane strain problem, if σx = 150 N/mm2 , σy = -100 N/mm2 ,σE =
200000N/mm2 and ν=0.3, determine the value of stress σz .
(c) A long rod is subjected to loading and a temperature increase of 300 C. The
total strain at a point is measured to be 1.2×10−5 . If E=200 GPa and α =
12×10−6 /0 C, determine the stress at the point. [8+4+4]

?????

3 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 3
IV B.Tech I Semester Supplementary Examinations, February 2007
APPROXIMATE METHODS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
(Aeronautical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
?????

1. (a) Comment on the statement “All engineering solutions are approximate”. [4]
(b) Determine the displacements of nodes 2 and 3 of the spring system shown
below figure 1, by potential energy method. [12]

Figure 1:

2. (a) Explain the terms - resilience, proof resilience and modulus of resilience.
(b) Calculate the reactions at the three supports of a continuous beam using
Castigliano’s theorem.As shown in figure 2 [6+10]

Figure 2:

3. (a) What is meant by elastic instability? What factors are responsible for it?
(b) Calculate minimum length ‘L’ for stable equilibrium of the rod shown in figure
3 [6+10]
4. (a) Distinguish between collocation method and Galerkin method.
(b) Calculate the maximum deflection in a cantilever beam, subjected to udl of
‘w’ N/m over its length, by 1-term collocation method and 1-term Galerkin
method. Compare the results.As shown in figure 4 [6+10]
5. (a) Suggest boundary conditions in terms of derivatives of normal deflection ‘w’
in a square plate with its four edges clamped and subjected to subjected to
uniform bending load over the entire plate.

1 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 3

Figure 3:

Figure 4:

(b) Calculate deflections in a propped cantilever of length ‘L’ by finite difference

method, subjected to udl of ‘w’ N/m, choosing four equal divisions along the
beam.As shown in figure 5 [4+12]

Figure 5:

6. Determine the nodal displacements, element stresses and reactions of the truss,
shown below figure 6, by FEM. Assume A= 100 mm2 , L = 2 m and E = 200GPa
for all the three members. [16]
7. (a) Stiffness matrices
· of four
¸ different elements
· A, B,
¸ C and D are· given by ¸
2 −2 3 −3 4 −4
[K]A = 104 ; [K]B = 104 ; [K]C = 104 ; [K]D =
· −2
¸ 2 −3 3 −4 4
5 −5
104
−5 5
Assemble element stiffness matrices if the truss element connectivity is
i. A (1-2) ; B (2-3) ; C (3-4) and D (4-1)
ii. A (1-2) ; B (1-3) ; C (2-3) and D (3-4)
iii. A (1-2) ; B (2-3) ; C (2-4) and D (3-4)
Draw the truss configurations of the above three combinations.
(b) If a truss has 2 members
· A¸(1-2) and B (2-3)
· whose stiffness
¸ matrices are given
2 −2 4 −4
by, [K]A = 104 ; [K]B = 104
−2 2 −4 4

2 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 3

Figure 6:

calculate nodal displacements for a load of 100 N applied at node 2 along the
direction 1-2. Assume nodes 1 and 3 are fixed. [8+8]

8. (a) If a displacement field is described by u = 3x2 -2xy+6y2 ; v = 4x2 +6xy-8y2

,determine normal strains and shear strain at point x = -1 and y = 1.
(b) What are the different types of elasticity matrices used for 2-D elements ?
Give one example for each type. Derive any one of them from Hooke’s law.
[4+12]

?????

3 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 4
IV B.Tech I Semester Supplementary Examinations, February 2007
APPROXIMATE METHODS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
(Aeronautical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
?????

1. (a) Comment on the statement “All engineering solutions are approximate”. [4]
(b) Determine the displacements of nodes 2 and 3 of the spring system shown
below figure 1, by potential energy method. [12]

Figure 1:

2. (a) A solid circular shaft and a thin tube of the same material and same weight
are subjected to twist. If max. stress in both is the same, what is the ratio of
their strain energies ?
(b) Calculate load shared by the three bars AD, BD and CD, using Castiglianos
theorem. Take BD = L. Assume same moment of inertia for all the beams.As
shown in figure 2 [6+10]

Figure 2:

3. (a) Which factors influence Critical buckling load in a column ?

(b) What is the effective length w.r.t. maximum buckling load in a column. Show
the critical length, by simple sketches of deformed shape, for the column end
conditions - fixed-free, fixed-fixed, hinged-hinged and fixed-hinged. [6+10]

1 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 4
4. (a) Distinguish between collocation method and Galerkin method.
(b) Calculate the maximum deflection in a cantilever beam, subjected to con-
centrated load ‘P’ at its free end, by 1-term collocation method and 1-term
Galerkin method. Compare the results.As shown in figure 3 [6+10]

Figure 3:

5. (a) Derive finite difference expression for d3 y/dx3 using

i. forward differences,
ii. central differences and
iii. backward differences. [3 x 3]
(b) Calculate maximum deflection by finite difference method of a simply sup-
ported beam of length L, subjected to a udl of w N/m, choosing four equal
divisions along the beam. Calculate percentage error, compared to the exact
solution.As shown in figure 4 [7]

Figure 4:

6. For the eight bar truss shown in figure 5, determine the displacements of all the
nodes and stresses in all the elements, assuming that nodes 1 and 2 are fixed and
load P is applied at node ‘A’. (Hint : Use symmetry conditions wherever applicable)
[16]

7. Two beams AB of length ‘2L’ and BC of length ‘L’ are connected as shown in
figure 6. Calculate the displacements and reactions, when a concentrated load ‘P’
is applied at B at an angle of 450 to BC. [16]

8. (a) If a rectangular plate is modeled by

i. a rectangular element,
ii. an assembly of two triangular elements and
iii. an assembly of four triangular elements, what are the differences in the
assembled stiffness matrix ?

2 of 3
Code No: RR412112 Set No. 4

Figure 5:

Figure 6:

(b) Which polynomials do you suggest for representing displacement field, for the
following cases
i. Constant strain 2-D axisymmetric triangular element.
ii. Linear strain 2-D plane stress quadrilateral element .
iii. Triangular plate bending element .
iv. Triangular thin shell element. [6+10]

?????

3 of 3