Finite Element Course

7 Strain and Stress

Prof. Raul Durand

 Finite Introduction
Elements

Introduction
Consider a body with some displacement constraints.

A static equilibrium analysis aims to answer the following question: for applied forces and
displacements at some points or regions what are the values for displacements, stresses
and strains along the body?
For a general 3D solid analysis, comprehensive definitions for strains and stresses are required.

Raul
Durand 1
 Finite Strain components
Elements

Strain components

Strain is a measure of deformation and represents the

relative displacement between two particles. For a 3D
body with u, v and w displacement fields on the x, y
and z directions respectively, normal strains are defined
as: Deformed
Undeformed
∂u ∂v ∂w
εxx = ∂x , εyy = ∂y , εzz = ∂z Normal strains in two-dimensions

Shear strains are defined according to planes to xy, yz

and xz. For plane xy, shear stress is given by:

γ xy = α + β

This is called engineering shear strain and is equivalent

to:
∂u ∂v
γxy = ∂y + ∂x Undeformed
Deformed

Shear strains in the xy plane

Raul
Durand 2
 Finite Strain components
Elements

Another measure of the shear strains is given by the expressions:

 
1 ∂u ∂v
εxy = 2 ∂y + ∂x
 
1 ∂v ∂w
εyz = 2 ∂z + ∂y
 
1 ∂u ∂w
εxz = 2 ∂z + ∂x

A more general definition for all strain components is given in index notation as:
 
1 ∂ui ∂uj
εij = 2 ∂xj + ∂xi

Raul
Durand 3
 Finite Strain tensor
Elements

Strain tensor
The Saint-Venant second order strain tensor is given by:
 
εxx εxy εxz
ε = εyx εyy εyz 
 
.. 
εzx εzy εzz

The strain tensor for small deformations is symmetric, i.e. εxy = εyx and so on. This
property is called shear strain reciprocity.
Frequently, the strain tensor is written in terms of the engineering shear strain values:
γxy γxz
 
εxx 2 2
 γyx γyz 
ε
.. =
 2 εyy 2 

γzx γzy
2 2 εzz

For convenience with matrix operations in finite element calculations, strain components are

Raul
Durand 4
 Finite Strain tensor
Elements

written as a vector:
 
εxx
εyy 
 
ε 
 zz 
ε= 
εxy 
 
 εyz 
εxz

or the engineering strain:

 
εxx
 εyy 
 
ε 
 zz 
ε= 
γxy 
 
γyz 
γxz

Raul
Durand 5
 Finite Stress components
Elements

Stress components
Stress expresses the internal forces that close particles
of a continuum exert on each other.
Consider a solid in static equilibrium as shown at right
side. After cutting the solid and removing a portion of
it, the remaining portion is still in equilibrium. Then,
internal forces exist distributed along the cutting face.
Assuming a cutting plane perpendicular to x axis,
stresses in a point contained at the cutting face are de- Solid in static equilibrium
fined in terms of internal forces as:
∆Fx
σ xx = lim
∆A→0 ∆A
∆Fy
τ xy = lim
∆A→0 ∆A
∆Fz
τ xz = lim
∆A→0 ∆A

Cut perpendicular to x axis

Considering the other two perpendicular planes, a total
of nine stress components are found.

Raul
Durand 6
 Finite Stress tensor
Elements

Stress tensor
The Cauchy second order stress tensor is given by:
 
σxx τxy τxz
σ = τyx σyy τyz 
 
.. 
τzx τzy σzz

The strain tensor summarizes the stress state in a point. All

components can be expressed graphically as shown in the
figure.
Since the point is in static equilibrium, some sets of shear
stresses are equal to satisfy balance of torques, e.g. τ xy =
τ yx , etc.; consequently, the stress tensor is symmetric.
For convenience, the stress tensor can be written as a vector
considering unique components only.
  Stress tensor components
σxx
σyy 
 
σ 
 zz 
σ= 
 τxy 
 
 τyz 
τxz
Raul
Durand 7
 Finite Principal stresses
Elements

Principal stresses
For a given stress state, there is always a reference system x0 y 0 z 0 where shear strains are
zero. In this system, normal stresses are referred as principal stresses σ 1 , σ 2 and σ 3 . The
axes x0 , y 0 and z 0 are known as the stress principal directions.
Principal stresses and principal directions can be found
directrly by calculating the eigenvalues and eigenvectors
of the stress tensor σ
.. in the original system.
   
σxx τxy τxz σ1 0 0
0
σ = τ σ τ → σ =  0 σ2 0  σ1 > σ2 > σ3
   
..  yx yy yz  ..
τzx τzy σzz 0 0 σ3

The mean stress p is an invariant. That means that its

value is the same for any reference system.

σxx + σyy + σzz σ1 + σ2 + σ3 trace(σ)

..
p= = =
3 3 3
Stress tensor in the principal
The deviatoric stress is given by: directions system
   
σ xx τ xy τ xz p 0 0
s =  τ yx σ yy τ yz  −  0 p 0 
   
..
τ zx τ zy σ zz 0 0 p

Raul
Durand 8
 Finite Stress states
Elements

Stress states
Uniaxial stress:
 
σ xx 0 0
σ
.. =  0 0 0 
 
0 0 0

Isotropic compression: σxx = σyy = σzz

 
σ xx 0 0
σ
.. =  0 σ yy 0 
 
0 0 σ zz

Simple shear:
 
0 τ xy 0
.. =  τ yx
σ 0 0 
 
0 0 0

General 3D state
 
σ xx τ xy τ xz
σ = τ yx σ yy τ yz 
 
.. 
τ zx τ zy σ zz
Raul
Durand 9
 Finite Stress states
Elements

Plane strain: Represent the state where one normal

strain is equal to zero, e.g. εzz = 0. It is usually consid-
ered to happen in bodies where one dimension is con-
siderably long in comparison with the others.
 
σ xx τ xy 0
σ = τ yx σ yy 0 
 
.. 
0 0 σ zz

" # Plane strain state

σ xx τ xy
or σ
.. = with σ zz 6= 0
τ yx σ yy

Plane stress: Represent the state where one normal

stress is equal to zero, e.g. σ zz = 0. It is assumed to
happen in thin bodies like plates.
 
σ x τ xy 0
.. =  τ yx σ yy 0 
σ
 
0 0 0

" #
σ xx τ xy
or σ
.. = with σ zz = 0 Plane stress state
τ yx σ yy
Raul
Durand 10
 Finite Stress states
Elements

Axisymetric The stress tensor in cylindrical coordi-

nates is defined by:
 
σ rr τ rz τ rθ
σ = τ zr σ zz τ zθ 
 
.. 
τ θr τ θz σ θθ

Due to axisymmetric conditions, components τ rθ and Solid of revolution

τ zθ vanish. Thus:
 
σ rr τ rz 0
σ = τ zr σ zz 0 
 
.. 
0 0 σ θθ

Considering unique components, this tensor can be

written as a vector as:
 
σrr
σ 
σ =  zz 
 
Stress components
σθθ 
σrz

Raul
Durand 11
 Finite Exercises
Elements

Exercises

Raul
Durand 12
 Finite Mechanical equilibrium relations
Elements

Mechanical equilibrium relations

The static equilibrium equation for solids can be written using tensors as:
∇σ(u)
.. +b=0

where ∇ is the divergent operator, σ

.. is the stress tensor of a point and b is the body force
vector (self-weight).
This equation can be rewritten using matrix and vector operations as:
∇¯ T σ(u) + b = 0
¯ T represents the following differential operator:
where ∇
∂ ∂ ∂ 
∂x 0 0 ∂y 0 ∂z
¯T =  ∂ ∂ ∂
∇ 0 ∂y 0 ∂x ∂z 0

∂ ∂ ∂
0 0 ∂z 0 ∂y ∂x

Stresses are frequently related to strains by means of a constitutive matrix D:

σ = Dε

In turn, strains inside a finite element are estimated in terms of the nodal displacement
values U with the aid of the matrix B, hence:
ε = BU
Raul
Durand 13
 Finite Strain-displacement relation
Elements

Strain-displacement relation
In finite elements, strains are required at some interior points of an element, specially at
integration points. Later, strain values can be extrapolated at nodes and finally interpolated
along the element.
To estimate the strains in a particular point, first consider the following strain definitions:
∂u ∂v ∂w ∂u ∂v
εxx = , εyy = , εzz = , γ xy = + , etc.
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂y ∂x

Those displacement derivatives can be calculating with

the aid of interpolation. For example, the term ∂u
∂x can
be calculated as:
n
X
∂u ∂
∂x = ∂x Ni ui
i=1
n
X
∂Ni
= ∂x ui
i=1
Strain at a point as a function of nodal
The same procedure can be used to calculate remaining displacements
displacement derivatives.

Raul
Durand 14
 Finite Strain-displacement relation
Elements

Using displacements interpolation, strain components are estimated by the expressions:

∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
εxx = u1 + u2 + . . . + un
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
εyy = v1 + v2 + . . . + vn
∂y ∂y ∂y
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
εzz = w1 + w2 + . . . + wn
∂z ∂z ∂z
∂N1 ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂N2 ∂Nn ∂Nn
γ xy = u1 + v1 + u2 + v2 + . . . + un + vn
∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x
..
.

All these equations are summarized in matrix form as:

 
u1
 ∂N1 ∂Nn
···

0 0 0 0   v1 
  
εxx ∂x ∂x
∂N1 ∂Nn
0 0 ··· 0 0  w1 
 
 εyy   ∂y ∂y 
   
∂N1 ∂Nn  u2 
ε  
 zz   0
 0 ∂z ··· 0 0 
∂z  
 = ∂N1
 
γxy  
 ∂N1
0 ··· ∂Nn ∂Nn
0  .. 
   ∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x 
 . 

γyz   ∂N1 ∂N1 ∂Nn ∂Nn  
 0 ∂z ∂y ··· 0 ∂z ∂y
  un 

γxz ∂N1
0 ∂N1
··· ∂Nn
0 ∂Nn  vn

∂z ∂x ∂z ∂x
 
wn

Raul
Durand 15
 Finite Strain-displacement relation
Elements

This equation is written in condensed form as:

ε = BU

where B is the strain-displacement matrix and U is the element displacements vector.

The piece of matrix B related with element’s node i is given by:
 ∂Ni 
∂x 0 0
 0 ∂Ni
 ∂y 0 


 0 ∂Ni 
0 ∂z 

Bi = 
 ∂Ni ∂Ni
 ∂y ∂x 0 

∂Ni ∂Ni 
 0

∂z ∂y

∂Ni ∂Ni
∂z 0 ∂x

thus B matrix can be viewed as a compound of Bi submatrices, with i = 1 . . . n, as:

B = [B1 B2 B3 · · · Bn ]

Raul
Durand 16
 Finite Strain-displacement relation
Elements

Note that matrix B is written in terms of Cartesian derivatives. For a node i, this derivatives
can be calculated using the chain rule as:
∂Ni ∂Ni ∂ξ ∂Ni ∂η ∂Ni ∂ζ
∂x = ∂ξ ∂x + ∂η ∂x + ∂ζ ∂x
∂Ni ∂Ni ∂ξ ∂Ni ∂η ∂Ni ∂ζ
∂y = ∂ξ ∂y + ∂η ∂y + ∂ζ ∂y
∂Ni ∂Ni ∂ξ ∂Ni ∂η ∂Ni ∂ζ
∂z = ∂ξ ∂z + ∂η ∂z + ∂ζ ∂z

They are also expressed in matrix form as:

 ∂N 
i
 ∂ξ ∂η ∂ζ   ∂Ni 
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂ξ
∂ζ   ∂Ni 
 ∂N   ∂ξ ∂η
 
 i
 ∂y  = 
 ∂y ∂y ∂y   ∂η 
∂Ni ∂ξ ∂η ∂ζ ∂Ni
∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂ζ
| {z }
J−1

where we can see that the derivatives vectors are related by the inverse of the element
Jacobian matrix.

Raul
Durand 17
 Finite Strain-displacement relation
Elements

The last equation can be extended to include the derivatives of shape functions for all nodes:
 ∂N ∂N2 ∂Nn
  ∂ξ ∂η ∂ζ   ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn 
∂x
1
∂x ··· ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂ξ ∂ξ ··· ∂ξ
∂ζ   ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn 
 ∂N ∂N2 ∂Nn 
  ∂ξ ∂η

 1
 ∂y ∂y ··· ∂y 
= 
 ∂y ∂y ∂y   ∂η ∂η ··· 
∂η 
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn ∂ξ ∂η ∂ζ ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
∂z ∂z ··· ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂ζ ∂ζ ··· ∂ζ

Writing this equation in matrix form we have:

∂N
∂x = J−1 ∂N
∂ξ

∂N
The terms from the matrix ∂x can be conveniently picked to fill up matrix B.

Raul
Durand 18
 Finite Strain-displacement relation in 2D
Elements

Strain-displacement relation in 2D
For a 2D analysis, the relation ε = BU is reduced to:

u1
 
 v1 
 ∂N1 ∂Nn  

εxx

∂x 0 ··· ∂x 0   u2 

  ∂N1 ∂Nn   v2 
 
 εyy  =  0
 
∂y ··· 0 ∂y   

γxy ∂N1 ∂N1 ∂Nn
 .
∂Nn  .. 

∂y ∂x ··· ∂y ∂x  
un 
vn

Similarly, Cartesian derivatives are calculated by:

    
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn ∂ξ ∂η ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
··· ···
 ∂x ∂x ∂x 
=  ∂x ∂x   ∂ξ ∂ξ ∂ξ 
∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn ∂ξ ∂η ∂N1 ∂N2 ∂Nn
∂y ∂y ··· ∂y ∂y ∂y ∂η ∂η ··· ∂η

The piece of matrix B corresponding to node i is given by:

 ∂Ni 
∂x 0
∂Ni 
Bi =  0

∂y 
∂Ni ∂Ni
∂y ∂x

Raul
Durand 19
 Finite Matrix B for axisymmetric state
Elements

Matrix B for axisymmetric state

For analysis in axisymmetric conditions, the following strain definitions need to be consid-
ered:
∂ur ∂uz ur ∂ur ∂uz
εrr = , εzz = , εθθ = , γ rz = + = εrz + εzr = 2εrz
∂r ∂z r ∂z ∂r

Then the relation ε = BU turns to:

ur1
 

0  uz1 
 ∂N ∂Nn

1
0 ···
  
εrr ∂r ∂r
∂Nn   ur2 
 
∂N1
 
ε   0
 zz   ∂z ··· 0 ∂z   uz2 

 =N 
εθθ   1 Nn

 r 0 ··· r 0  .
  .. 


γrz ∂N1 ∂N1 ∂Nn ∂Nn 

···

∂z ∂r ∂z ∂r  urn 
uzn

The piece of matrix B for node i is given by:

 ∂N 
∂r
i
0

 0 ∂Ni 
 Strain components in a differential
∂z 
Bi =  N volume subject to axisymmetric state


 i
 r 0 

∂Ni ∂Ni
∂z ∂r
Raul
Durand 20
 Finite Exercises
Elements

Exercises
∂u
1. The strain in a truss element is given simply by ε = ∂x . Mount the corresponding
matrix B in terms of nodal coordinates x1 and x2 .
2. Mount the matrix B for a three-node bar element given the nodal coordinates x1 , x2
and x3 .
3. Find an expression for the matrix B of a three-node bar element located in 2D space
as a function of the Jacobian and the local coordinate ξ. Consider ε = ∂u
∂s where s is
the curvilinear coordinate along the bar path.
4. Find the matrix B for a three-node triangular element given nodal coordinates (x1 , y1 ),
(x2 , y2 ) and (x3 , y3 ). Why matrix B is constant along the element and what does it
imply?
5. For the quadrilateral element shown below, find the matrix B at point (ξ, η) = (− √13 , √13 ).

Raul
Durand 21
 Finite Material linearity
Elements

Material linearity

An elastic material follows the same stress-strain path

during loading and unloading. It returns to initial state
of deformation, stress and strain after load removal.
On the other hand, an inelastic material does not follow
the same path during load and unloading. It does not
return to the initial state after load removal.
Most materials exhibit both, elastic and inelastic
regimes upon level of loading.
A material behavior is considered linear if deformation
is directly proportional to applied forces. Otherwise the
behavior is considered nonlinear.
Nonlinear responses may be produced by geometric ef-
fects (geometric nonlinearity) or/and material effects
(material nonlinearity).
These concepts, easy to see in one-dimension, are ex-
tended to three-dimensions.

Raul
Durand 22
 Finite Stress-strain relation
Elements

Stress-strain relation
A constitutive model is used to capture the strain-stress relation of a material and it is based
on laboratory or in-situ tests.
The mechanical state of a point is well described by strain and stress tensors. Increments in
strain and stress tensors are related by fourth order constitutive tensors:
d..ε = Cd
.... σ
..
dσ
.. = Dd ε
.... ..

For small strains conditions, tensors C .... are symmetric, e.g. Dijkl = Djikl . Then,
.... and D
considering only unique components, these tensors can be written as 6 × 6 matrices that
relates strain and stress vectors increments. Each term of a constitutive tensor is a rate of
variation between stress and stress components. Then, the stress-strain relation is expressed
as dσ = D dε, or:
 ∂σ ∂σxx ∂σxx ∂σxx ∂σxx ∂σxx

xx
  ∂εxx ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz  
σxx  ∂σ
 yy ∂σyy ∂σyy ∂σyy ∂σyy ∂σyy  εxx

σyy   ∂εxx ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz 
   εyy 

σ 
  ∂σzz ∂σzz ∂σzz ∂σzz ∂σzz ∂σzz  
ε 

 zz   ∂εxx ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz  zz
=    
 τxy 
  ∂τxy ∂τxy ∂τxy ∂τxy ∂τxy ∂τxy  γ

 ∂εxx  xy 
  ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz   
 τyz  
 ∂τyz ∂τyz ∂τyz ∂τyz ∂τyz ∂τyz   γyz 

 ∂ε ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz  γxz
τxz

 xx
∂τxz ∂τxz ∂τxz ∂τxz ∂τxz ∂τxz
∂εxx ∂εyy ∂εzz ∂γxy ∂γyz ∂γxz
Raul
Durand 23
 Finite Stress-strain relation
Elements

The constitutive relation cab be written in incremental form as:

σ = D(ε − ε0 ) + σ0

For elastic materials matrices C and D are derived from the general Hooke’s law and makes
use of elastic constants.

Raul
Durand 24
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Elastic constants

Young’s modulus
Young’s modulus is a measure of the stiffness of an elas-
tic isotropic material. It relates strain and stress incre-
ments in one direction:
dσxx dσyy dσzz
E= dεxx = dεyy = dεzz

Young modulus states how much a material stretches

as a result of applied stress acting in one direction.
Experimental values should be taken form the linear-
elastic regime, where the material behaves according to
Hooke’s law.
If a material does not show a linear-elastic regime then
it is convenient to consider a tangent Et or a secant Es Tensile test
moduli, according to the range of stresses under analy-
sis.
For nonlinear materials analyses are performed incre-
mentally and the tangent modulus Et is frequently
used.
Raul
Durand 25
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Bulk modulus - módulo volumétrico

The bulk modulus measures the resistance to volume
change of a solid or fluid subject to uniform compres-
sion.
It is defined as the ratio of an infinitesimal pressure
increment to the resulting volume reduction:
dp dp Isotropic compression
K= dV
=−
V
dεv

where εv = εxx + εyy + εzz

If p increases then the volume will decrease and the
volume change will be negative.
The bulk modulus has units of pressure. The inverse
relation of the bulk modulus is called compressibility
modulus:
Isotropic compression test
dεv 1
k=− =
dp K

Raul
Durand 26
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Poisson ratio
For an isotropic material, the Poisson ratio is defined
as the negative ratio of transverse to axial strain.

Bar under tensile forces

dεtrans dεyy dεzz

ν=− =− =−
dεaxial dεxx dεxx
When a material is compressed in one direction, the
change in the other two directions is called as Poisson
effect. Bar under compression forces

The Poisson ratio for an isotropic, linear elastic material

should be between -1.0 and 0.5. εtrans
ν=−
εaxial
For some materials known as auxetic materials, as poly-
0
mer foams, Poisson ration can be negative. where εaxial = L −L
and
L
0
Anysotropic materials have two or more Poisson ratios, d −d
εtrans = d .
one for each transversal directions.
Raul
Durand 27
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Shear modulus - módulo cisalhante

For isotropic materials, the shear modulus (G or µ),
also called modulus of rigidity, is defined as the ratio of
shear stress to the shear strain increments:
dτ xy Shear strain vs shear stress
G=
dγ xy

Shear modulus can be measured experimentally from

torsional tests.
It can be calculated indirectly from Young modulus and
Poisson ratio as:
E
G=
2 (1 + ν)
Torsional test

Raul
Durand 28
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Lamé parameters
The Lamé parameters, λ and G, are values that relate the components of stress at some
point of a solid isotropic body to the components of strain:

σ xx = 2Gεxx + λεv
σ yy = 2Gεyy + λεv
σ zz = 2Gεzz + λεv
τ xy = Gεxy
τ yz = Gεyz
τ xz = Gεxz

where εv = εxx + εyy + εzz .

First Lamé parameter λ and shear modulus G can be written in terms of Young’s modulus
and Poisson ratio as:
Eν E
λ= and G=µ=
(1 + ν) (1 − 2v) 2 (1 + ν)

The first parameter is related to the bulk and shear moduli by:

λ = K − 32 G

Raul
Durand 29
 Finite Elastic constants
Elements

Elastic moduli for isotropic materials

The table below can be used to relate elastic moduli:

E K ν G λ

3K−E 3KE 3K(3K−E)

(E, K) 6K 9K−E 9K−E
E E Eν
(E, ν) 3(1−2ν) 2(1+ν) (1+ν)(1−2ν)

EG E G(E−2G)
(E, G) 3(3G−E) 2G −1 3G−E
9KG 3K−2G
(K, G) 3K+G 2(3K+G) K − 32 G
G(3λ+2G) λ
(λ, G) λ+G λ + 23 G 2(λ+G)

2G(1+ν) 2Gν
(G, ν) 2G(1 + ν) 3(1−2ν) 1−2ν

Raul
Durand 30
 Finite Hooke’s law
Elements

Hooke’s law
Hooke’s law states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring is proportional the
extended or compressed distance.
General Hooke’s law expresses relation for extension, compression and distortion of an elastic
isotropic solid:
1 1
εxx = [σ xx − ν(σ yy + σ zz )] γ xy = τ xy
E G
1 1
εyy = [σ yy − ν (σ xx + σ zz )] γ yz = τ yz
E G
1 1
εzz = [σ zz − ν(σ xx + σ yy )] γ xz = τ xz
E G
All equations can be written in index notation using strain and stress components and
Kronecker delta as:
1+ν ν
εij = σ ij − (σ xx + σ yy + σ zz ) δ ij
E E

The inverse relations are given by:

σ ij = 2Gεij + λ (εxx + εyy + εzz ) δ ij

Raul
Durand 31
 Finite Hooke’s law
Elements

Using equations above, volumetric strains is expressed as:

1 − 2ν 1 1
εvol = (σ xx + σ yy + σ zz ) = (σ xx + σ yy + σ zz ) = trace(σ)
..
E 3K 3K
E
where K = 3(1−2ν) .

All equations from the general Hooke’s law can be written in matrix form as:

1 −ν −ν
      
εxx εxx 0 0 0 σxx
 εyy   εyy   −ν 1 −ν 0 0 0  σyy 
      
 ε  ε  1  −ν −ν 1 0 0 0  σ 
 zz   zz    zz 
= =

2εxy  γxy   0 0 0 2 (1 + ν) 0 0   τxy 
   
    E   
2εyz  γyz   0 0 0 0 2 (1 + ν) 0   τyz 
2εxz γxz 0 0 0 0 0 2 (1 + ν) τxz

or in condensed form as ε = Cσ.

However, in conventional finite element analysis, the inverse matrix, matrix D, is usually
needed.

Raul
Durand 32
 Finite Matrix D
Elements

Matrix D
Matrix D relates strains and stress vectors such as σ = Dε.
Taking the inverse relation the elastic constitutive matrix is given by:

1−ν
 
ν ν 0 0 0

 ν 1−ν ν 0 0 0 

E  ν ν 1−ν 0 0 0 
D=
 
1−2ν
(1 + ν) (1 − 2ν)  0 0 0 0 0
 
2

 1−2ν 
 0 0 0 0 2 0 
1−2ν
0 0 0 0 0 2

or in terms of Lamé constants:

 
2G + λ λ λ 0 0 0

 λ 2G + λ λ 0 0 0 

 λ λ 2G + λ 0 0 0 
D=
 
0 0 0 G 0 0

 
 
 0 0 0 0 G 0 
0 0 0 0 0 G

Raul
Durand 33
 Finite Orthotropic material
Elements

Orthotropic material
An orthotropic material is an anisotropic material where its mechanical properties are dif-
ferent along each axis.
For this case, the compliance matrix is written as:
ν
1
− νEzxz
 

εxx
 − Eyxy 0 0 0  
 σxx
Ex
ν 1 ν
− Eyxx − Ezyz 0 0 0

 εyy   Ey  σyy 
ν
    
ε  
 zz   − νExzx − Eyzy 1
Ez 0 0 0  σ 
  zz 
= 1
γxy   0 0 0 0 0   τxy 
  
   Gyz  
γyz   0 0 0 0 1
0   τyz 
 Gxy 
γxz 0 0 0 0 0 1 τxz
Gxz
| {z }
C

Matrix D can be calculated as C−1 .

Raul
Durand 34
 Finite Plane strain
Elements

Plane strain
In plane strain state, strains are given by:

εzz = γxz = γyz = 0, εxx 6= 0, εyy 6= 0, γxy 6= 0

From Hooke’s law, remaining strains are:

1
εxx = [σxx − ν(σyy + σzz )]
E
1
εyy = [σyy − ν (σxx + σzz )]
E
1
εzz = [σzz − ν (σxx + σyy )] = 0
E
1
γxy = τxy
G
σzz is calculated as σzz = ν(σxx + σyy ). The relation
between strains and stresses can be written in matrix
form as:
    
 σxx 
  1−ν ν 0  εxx 
 
E
σ = (1+ν)(1−2ν)  ν 1−ν 0 εyy
 
yy 

 τ  1−2ν 
 γ 
xy
 0 0 2 xy

| {z }
D

Raul
Durand 35
 Finite Plane stress
Elements

Plane stress
In plane stress state, stress components are given by:

σzz = τxz = τyz = 0, σxx 6= 0, σyy 6= 0, σxy 6= 0

Strain components are calculated as:

1
εxx = (σxx − νσyy )
E
1
εyy = (σyy − νσxx )
E
−ν
εzz = (σxx + σyy )
E
2 (1 + ν)
γxy = τxy
E

For convenience, reduced vector can be used for strains

and stresses, then the relation is given by:
    
 σxx 
  E 
1 ν 0  εxx 
 
σ =  ν 1 0 εyy

yy
1 − ν2


 τ  1−ν 
 γ 
xy
 0 0 2 xy

| {z }
D
Raul
Durand 36
 Finite Axisymmetric
Elements

Axisymmetric
Axisymmetric strains

γrθ = γzθ = 0, εrr 6= 0, εzz 6= 0, εθθ 6= 0, /, γrz 6= 0

From Hooke’s law, strains are given by:

1
εrr = E [σrr − ν(σθθ + σzz )]
1
εzz = E [σzz − ν (σrr + σθθ )]
1
εθθ = E [σθθ − ν (σrr + σzz )]
2(1+ν)
γ rz = E τ rz

The strain stress relation after simplifying equations

above and isolating stresses is: Stress components in a
     differential volume subject
σ rr 1−ν ν ν 0 εrr to axisymmetric state
σ 
 zz  E
 ν 1−ν ν 0  ε 
  zz 
 = (1+ν)(1−2ν)

σ θθ  ν ν 1−ν 0   εθθ 
   

1−2ν
τ rz 0 0 0 2 γ rz
| {z }
D

Raul
Durand 37
 Finite Exercises
Elements

Exercises
1. Using general Hooke’s law, relate the Young’s modulus to the bulk modulus.
2. Demonstrate the following relation between elastic constants:
E
G=
2 (1 + ν)

3. A cylindrical sample of concrete, with 20 cm height and 10 cm diameter, was tested in

a uniaxial compression test where axial and radial deformations were registered. At a
point during the elastic regime, the following values were logged: axial stress: 20 Mpa,
axial deformation: 0.2 mm and radial deformation: 0.015 mm. Find the corresponding
material D matrix to be used in a plane stress linear-elastic analysis.
4. Write the plane stress constitutive matrix D in terms of Lamé constants.
5. Write the general constitutive matrix D in terms of Lamé constants, then split it as:

D = Dµ + Dλ

where Dµ and Dλ contains only µ and λ, respectively, with Dµ being diagonal. Com-
ment.

Raul
Durand 38
 Finite Suggested bibliography
Elements

Suggested bibliography
1. K. J. Bathe, Finite Element Procedures, Pearson, 2006.
2. T.J.R. Hughes, The Finite Element Method, Dover, 2000.
3. J.N. Reddy, An Introduction to the Finite Element Method, Third edition, McGraw
Hill, 2005.
4. C.A. Felippa, Introduction to Finite Element Methods, Lecture notes, Colorado, 2001.

Say and do something positive that will help the situation;

it doesn’t take any brains to complain
Robert Hooke

Raul
Durand 39