EG-M23 Finite Element Computational Analysis EXERCISE SHEET 2

1. Find nite element approximations to the solution of Problem 2 of Exercise Sheet 1 (the rotating bar problem) using the following discretisations of the bar domain: (a) Two equally-sized linear elements; (b) One quadratic element (with equally-spaced nodes); (c) Two equally-sized quadratic elements (with equally-spaced nodes); (d) Four equally-sized linear elements. For simplicity, assume the distributed load to be constant within each element, equal to its value at the centre of the element.

2. Derive the exact expression of the element distributed force vector for axialy loaded bars in the following cases: (a) 2-noded element with linear axial load distribution; (b) 3-noded Lagrangian element with quadratic load distribution (assume equally-spaced nodes). In both cases the distributed load is given by
n

f (x) =
i=1

fi Ni (x),

where n is the number of nodes of the element and fi the denotes nodal values of the prescribed distributed load.

3. Calculate the stiness term k12 of the quadratic nite element shown in Fig. 1 for 1-D heat conduction problems.
L/3 2L/3

(e)

Figure 1: Quadratic element for 1-D steady heat ow.

4. Consider a soil sample contained in a box consisting of 2 lengths of uniform rectangular cross-section as shown in Fig. 2. The walls of the box are impermeable and the top and bottom ends of the box have prescribed total head 15m and 2.5m, respectively. The (isotropic) soil has coecient of permeability k = 4.5 105 m/s. Use the Finite Element Method with the mesh shown in Fig. 2 to nd: (a) The total seepage ow through the box; (b) The pore pressure at the baricentre of element 6. Note that the mesh discretizes only one symmetric half of the problem. (Hint: Take advantage of the fact that all elements have similar geometry.)
20cm
10cm

impermeable wall

h=15m

soil

5cm 5cm

3 4 5 6 2

h=2.5m

10cm

Figure 2: Seepage ow problem.

5. Air ows through a rectangular duct containg a cross-section reduction (Fig. 3). Use the theory of steady irrotational ow of ideal uids and the Finite Element Method (with the mesh shown in Fig. 3) to nd an estimate for the ow velocity and the dynamic pressure distribution in the variable cross-section region of the duct. Assume the normal boundary ow velocity on the left edge of the mesh to be prescribed as 10m/s with dynamic pressure pref = 0. Note that the problem symmetry allows us to analyse only half of the uid domain.
air flow

6m

1.5m 0.5m

Figure 3: Air ow through a rectangular duct.