cee235b: Finite Element Analysis of Structures

Example Problems #2

Prof. E. Taciroglu

Problem 1. The bulk modulus K is defined as the ratio of the volumetric stress to the volumetric
strain. Using stress-strain relationship given below compute K as function of the Youngs modulus
C and Poissons ratio .
Sij =

C
C
Ekk ij +
Eij
(1 + )(1 2)
1+

(1)

Answer: The volumetric stress Sv and volumetric strain Ev are defined as

1
Sii
S11 + S22 + S33
tr(S) =
=
3
3
3
Ev = tr(E) = Eii = E11 + E22 + E33

Sv =

We can compute Sv as a function of Ev using (1).

Sii = Ekk ii + 2Eii = (3 + 2)Eii (note: i and k are dummy indices)
C
C
, and =
=
(1 + )(1 2)
2(1 + )
2
2
)Eii = ( +
)Ev
Sv = ( +
3
3
Sv
2
K=
=+
Ev
3
Problem 2. The strain-stress relationship for a three dimensional isotropic, linearly elastic material
can be expressed in the form
Eij =

(Sij
Skk ij )
2
1+

where the subscripts i, j, and k range over the values 1, 2, and 3. Find equivalent expressions for
the strain-stress relationship that already reflect the plane strain condition E33 = E13 = E23 = 0.
Answer: To find equivalent strain-stress relationship for the plane strain condition, use E33 = 0
to get S33 .

1
(S33
(S11 + S22 + S33 )) = 0
2
1+
S33 = (S11 + S22 )

E33 =

Now, we can compute E11 , E22 , and E12 as functions of S11 , S22 , and S22 .
1
(S11 (S11 + S22 ))
2
1
E22 =
(S22 (S11 + S22 ))
2
1
S12
E12 =
2
1
E =
(S S ) for , , = 1, 2
2
E11 =

(1)

Problem 3. Arrange the stress-strain relationship for the plane strain condition in the following
form

S11
D11 D12 D13
E11
S22 = D21 D22 D23 E22
S12
D31 D32 D33
E12
Answer: stress-strain relationships for three dimensional isotropic, linearly elastic material is
Sij ei ej = Ekk ij ei ej + 2Eij ei ej

for i, j, k = 1, 2, 3

For the plane strain condition, E33 = E23 = E13 = 0. As a result

S11 = (E11 + E22 ) + 2E11 = ( + 2)E11 + E22
S22 = (E11 + E22 ) + 2E22 = E11 + ( + 2)E22
S12 = 2E12
Arranging the above equations in the matrix form

E11
S11
+ 2

0
S22 =
+ 2 0 E22
0
0
2 E12
S12
Problem 4. Consider the displacement map u(z) for a sphere of unit radius, given by the explicit
expression
u(z) = (z.z)z
where  is a very small constant of the motion. Assume that the material is isotropic and linearly
elastic with material constants and . Compute the body force b required to maintain equilibrium.
Compute the traction forces t that must be acting on the surface of the sphere.

Answer:
Compute the body force b required to maintain equilibrium.
u =

(zk zk zi )ei ej
zj

= (2zk kj zi + zk zk ij )ei ej
= (2zj zi + zk zk ij )ei ej
= (2z z + (z.z)I)
The linearized strain tensor can be given by
E=

1
(u + (u)T ) = (2z z + (z.z)I)
2
tr(E) = (2zi zi + zk zk ii ) = 5(z.z)

The stress tensor can be obtained from the strain tensor as

S = tr(E)I + 2E = 5(z.z)I + 2(2z z + (z.z)I) = (5 + 2)(z.z)I + 4(z z)
The body force required for equilibrium is
b = divS = .S =

((5 + 2)(zk zk )ij + 4zi zj )ei

zj

= (2(5 + 2)zk kj ij + 4ij zj + 4jj zi )ei

= (10 + 20)z
Compute the traction forces t that must be acting on the surface of the sphere. Note that
the radial vector z is normal to the surface of the sphere and is of unit length since the radius
of the sphere is 1.
Sz = (5 + 2)(z.z)z + 4(z z)z = (5 + 6)(z.z)z
Problem 5. Consider the rod of unit length and modulus C(x) that varies as shown. The rod
is fixed at the left end, is free at the right end, and is subjected to a linearly varying body force
b(x) as shown. Consider the following displacement map: u(x) = a(x3 + 2x2 3x) where a is some
constant. Is the displacement map a solution to the given problem? Why or why not?

Answer: For the given map to be a solution to the problem, it has to satisfy the governing
differential equation and boundary condition.
(Cu0 (x))0 + b(x) = 0,

u(0) = 0,

Cu0 (1) = 0

Substituting,
u0 (x) = a(3x2 + 4x 3),

u00 (x) = a(6x + 4)

(Cu0 (x))0 + b(x) = Cu00 (x) + C 0 u0 (x) + b(x)

= a(2 x2 )(6x + 4) + a(2x)(3x2 + 4x 3) + 15x
= a(12x3 12x2 + 18x + 8) + 15x 6= 0
u(0) = 0,

Cu0 (1) = 4a 6= 0

Therefore, the given map is not a solution to the problem.

Problem 6. Consider the rod of length l = 1 and constant modulus C = 1. The rod is restrained by an elastic spring of modulus k = 1 at each end and rests on an elastic foundation,
also with modulus k = 1. The rod is subjected to a quadratically varying body force as shown.
The displacement u(x), positive in x direction, is governed by the following differential equation
u00 u = 1 x2 . What are the boundary conditions for this problem? Is the following displacement
function a classical solution to this problem?
1
u(x) = 1 + x2 2ex ex
2
Why or why not? If it is not then modify it so that it is.

Answer:
What are the boundary conditions for this problem?

 Is the given displacement function a classical solution to this problem? The solution has to
satisfy the differential equation and boundary conditions.
1
u0 (x) = 2x 2ex + ex ,
2

1
u00 (x) = 2 2ex ex
2

Substituting in the differential equation

1
1
u00 (x) u(x) = (2 + 2ex ex ) (1 + x2 2ex ex ) = 1 x2
2
2
Therefore, the solution satisfies the differential equation for all values of x. Checking the
boundary conditions:
1
1
u0 (0) u(0) = (2 + ) (1 2 ) = 0 (OK)
2
2
1
1
0
u (1) + u(1) = (2 2e + ) (2 2e ) = 4(1 e) 6= 0
2e
2e
The boundary condition at x = 1 is not satisfied. Thus the given function is not a solution
to the problem. We can modify the function to
2
1
u(x) = 1 + x2 ex ex
e
2
2 x 1 x
2
1
0
u (x) = 2x e + e , u00 (x) = 2 ex ex
e
2
e
2
u00 (x) u(x) = 1 x2
u0 (0) u(0) = 0
u0 (1) + u(1) = 0
The modified function is the exact solution to the problem.