UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

TEST 1
SEMESTER 1
SESSION 2010/2011

SUBJECT

FINITE ELEMENT METHODS

SUBJECT CODE

BDA 4033

COURSE

3 BDD / 4BDD

DATE

3 September 2010

DURATION

2 HOURS

INSTRUCTION

PART A: ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

PART B: ANSWER 2 QUESTIONS

THIS PAPER CONSISTS OF 7 PAGES INCLUDING COVER PAGE

BDA 4033
PART A - Basic Comprehension and Understanding
(2 Questions, Answer All Questions)

Q1

The finite element model of a structural component is represented by the following simultaneous equations
4u1 4u2
4u1 + 16u2 12u3
12u2 + 15u3 3u4
3u3 3u4

=
=
=
=

0
30
50
0

(a) Write the simultaneous equations in matrix form

(b) If the specified conditions (constraints) are u1 = 0 and u4 = 0.5, reduce the number of
equations (the order of the matrix) by using direct elimination method:
i. Write the form of matrix equation after considering the specified conditions (constraints)
ii. Find the displacement of u2 and u3
(c) Use Gauss elemination or Penalty Method,
i. Write the form of matrix equation after considering the specified conditions (constraints)
ii. Explain (in brief) how to find the displacement vector
(20 marks)

Q2

Figure Q2 shows an axial cone structure. This structure is made of Aluminium with Youngs
modulus of 70000 N/mm2 . The diameter of the left end is 150 mm and the right end is 75 mm.
(a) Write the step by step procedure to find the displacements at point B by using minimum number of elements.
(b) Find the axial stress on every element
(c) Explain how to increase the accuracy of the results
(20 marks)

Page 2 of 7

BDA 4033

PART B - Analysis and Applications

(Answer 2 Questions ONLY)

Q3

In a discrete system shown in Figure Q3, the area of cross section (A) of bars is 60 mm2
and the modulus of elasticity (E) is 200 GPa. The left and the right ends are fixed. This
system is loaded and also applied a specific constraint at locations seen in Figure Q3.
(a) Draw the finite element model indicating clearly the number of elements and node
numbers
(b) Write the global stiffness matrix of the the system and the force vector before considering any boundary conditions (constraints)
(c) Modify the global stiffness matrix and the force vector after considering all constraints,
by implementing either direct elimination method or Penalty method
(d) Explain how to determine the displacement vector of the system (no calculation required!)
(e) Explain how to determine the reaction force vector (no calculation required!)
(f) Take any two elements, then explain how to calculate the axial stress. Since you do
not calculate the displacement of every nodes, referring to the node variables should
be sufficient.
(30 marks)

Q4

A beam structure supported by an axial spring is shown in Figure Q4. This beam has
a square cross section profile 10 cm 12 cm. Along the span from node 1 to node 2 a
distributed loading of 12 kN/m is applied, while at node 3 a concentrated load 2 kN is also
applied. At this node 3 an axial spring with a stiffness constant of 1000 N/m is attached to
support the structure. The modulus elasticity of the beam material E = 200 GP a. Other
information can be found from Figure Q4.
By following the node and element definitions as seen in Figure Q4
(a) Write the stiffness matrix of every element and the elemental force vector
(b) Write the global stiffness matrix and the global force vector before considering any
constraints
(c) Considering the constraints, modify the global stiffness matrix and the global force
vector by implementing either direct elimination method or penalty method. You
need to specify what is the method you are using!
(d) Explain (and write the equation, if necessary) how to calculate displacement of the
nodes (no calculation required!)
(e) Explain how to determine the reaction force vector (no calculation required!)
(30 marks)

Page 3 of 7

BDA 4033
Q5

A truss two-dimensional structure and the loading condition is illustrated in Figure Q5.
The load at node 2 is inclined 45 . All elements have E = 200 GP a and the cross section
area A = 10 104 m2 . At node 4, it is an initial displacement to move to the right 0.01 m.
Use the number of elements and nodes as seen in Figure Q5.
(a) Write the stiffness matrix of every element and the elemental force vector
(b) Write the global stiffness matrix and the global force vector before considering any
constraints
(c) Considering the constraints, modify the global stiffness matrix and the global force
vector by implementing either direct elimination method or penalty method. You
need to specify what is the method you are using!
(d) Explain (and write the equation, if necessary) how to calculate displacement of the
nodes (no calculation required!)
(e) Explain how to calculate the axial stress on element 1. Since you do not calculate
the displacement of every nodes, referring to the node/element variables should be
sufficient.
(30 marks)

Page 4 of 7

BDA 4033

TEST 1
SEMESTER/SESSION
SUBJECT

:
:

SEM I / 2010/2011

FEM

COURSE
SUBJECT CODE

No figure is required for Q1

FIGURE Q1: Empty figure

FIGURE Q2: Cone structure

FIGURE Q3: Axial structure

Page 5 of 7

: 3 BDD/4BDD
: BDA 4033

BDA 4033

TEST 1
SEMESTER/SESSION
SUBJECT

:
:

SEM I / 2010/2011

FEM

COURSE
SUBJECT CODE

FIGURE Q4: Beam with spring support

FIGURE Q5: Truss structure

Page 6 of 7

: 3 BDD/4BDD
: BDA 4033

BDA 4033

TEST 1
SEMESTER/SESSION
SUBJECT

:
:

COURSE
SUBJECT CODE

SEM I / 2010/2011

FEM

: 3 BDD/4BDD
: BDA 4033

USEFUL EQUATIONS
Axial element: element e, node i and j, degree of freedom: u
"

[k e ] =

ui uj #
k k ui
k k
uj

k=

Ae E e
Le

Truss 2D element: element e, node i and j, degrees of freedom: u and v

[K e ] =

Ae E e
Le

xj xi
C=
Le

ui
vi
uj
vj

2
2
C
CS C CS ui
CS
S 2 CS S 2
vi

2
2
C CS C
CS uj
vj
CS S 2 CS
S2

yj yi
S=
Le

L =

(xj xi )2 + (yj yi )2

ui = C ui + S vi
0

uj = C uj + S vj

Beam element: element e, node i and j, degrees of freedom: v and

e e

[K e ] =

E I

3
e
(L )

vi
i
vj
j

12
6L 12 6L
6L 4L2 6L 2L2

12 6L 12 6L
6L 2L2 6L 4L2

Page 7 of 7

vi
i
vj
j