(SME3033)

-2Question 1 [25 marks]

a)

What is finite element method?

b)

List three (3) application areas of finite element method.

c)

List three (3) advantages of finite element method.

d)

Given two matrices as follows:

[A] =

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

[B] =

9 10

11 12

i) Find the product of [A]T[B]

ii) Determine the determinant of [B].
e)

Solve the following system of linear equations using Gaussian elimination method.
Show clearly all solution steps.

4 x + 2 y + z = 23
x + 3y + 2z = 8
2 x + 8 y z = 21
f)

A finite element model of a bar is shown in Figure Q1. The solution by using three onedimensional bar elements has been obtained for the bar in which the displacements at
nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and -0.2 mm, respectively.

Figure Q1

i) Calculate the value of natural coordinate, and the shape functions N1 and N2 at
point P, located 45 mm from node 1.
ii) Determine the displacement at point P.

(SME3033)
-3Question 2 [25 marks]

a) Figure Q2(a) shows a single bar element which lies in its local coordinate system denoted
by . The terms
and
are displacements of node 1 and 2, respectively, in the local

direction. Starting with the relation between strain and displacement (ie:
),
show, in matrix form, that the internal force, f, in the bar element is given by:
1

where

E = modulus of elasticity
A = cross sectional area of the bar element
le = length of the element
[10 marks]

b) Figure Q2(b) shows a flat bar with rectangular cross-section and constant thickness, t =
50 mm. Its width varies linearly from 200 mm at the bottom to 600 mm at the top end.
The bar is attached to a fixed support at the top end. Initially a gap of 0.1 mm exists
between the bottom end of the bar and the bottom rigid support. The total unstretched
length of the bar is 2 m and the bar is made of a material with elastic modulus of 200
GPa. A point load of 500 kN is then applied at the midpoint of the bar and at the same
time a traction force of 20 kN/m (in +x direction) is experienced throughout the whole
length of the bar. With these loads, the bottom end of the bar touches and presses the
bottom support. Analyse the bar using the following steps:
i)

Transform the bar into an equivalent stepped-bar with two (2) sections, each
having a uniform cross-section;

ii) Transform the stepped-bar into finite element model using two (2) one
dimensional bar elements. Show clearly the element numbers, node numbers,
the global axis direction and the direction of degrees of freedom;
iii) Calculate the stiffness matrix for each element;
iv) Assemble the global stiffness matrix, [K] for the entire bar;
v)

Write the force vector for each element and assemble for the global load
vector;

vi) Write the global system of linear equations for the bar;
vii) Apply the boundary conditions and then write the reduced global system of
linear equations;
viii) Solve for the unknown nodal displacements;
ix) Find the reaction force at both supports;
x)

Calculate the normal stress in each element.

[15 marks]

(SME3033)
-4Question 3 [25 marks]

a) Lists two (2) main characteristics of a plane truss structure.

[2 marks]
b) Based on the truss element shown in Figure Q3(a), write the relationship between q1 and
q2 in terms of q1, q2, q3, and q4 in matrix form. The terms q1 and q2 are the
displacements in local coordinate system, x, and q1, q2, q3, and q4 are the displacements
in global coordinate system, x-y.
[3 marks]
c) A two-bar planar truss structure has the geometry as shown in Figure Q3(b). A
concentrated force P = 200 kN is applied to the truss at node 2, in the direction shown.
Each member of the structure is made of steel (E = 200 GPa) and has a cross-sectional
area of 1000 mm2 .The nodal coordinates and the elements connectivity are shown in the
following tables:
NODAL COORDINATES
NODE
x (m) y (m)
1
0
0
2
2
0
3
2
-2

ELEMENT CONNECTIVITY
ELEMENT 1st NODE 2nd NODE
1
1
2
2
2
3

i) By using static equilibrium method (ie: F=0) determine the force and the
corresponding normal stress in each member.
[5 marks]
ii) By using finite element method, calculate the normal stress in each element.
Compare with and comment on the results obtained from (i).
[15 marks]

Formula:

[k ]e

l2
lm

m2
E e Ae lm
=
l e l 2 lm

2
lm m

E
[ l
le

m l

lm

lm m 2
l2
lm

lm
m 2
l2

q1
q

m ] 2
q3
q4

(SME3033))
-5-

(b)

(a)
Figure Q2
2

(a)

(
(b)
Figure Q3
3