UNIT 1

1. State the methods of engineering analysis. The three main methods are Experimental,
Analytical (classical), and Numerical methods (such as Finite Element Method, Finite
Difference Method, and Boundary Element Method).

2. What is meant by finite element? A finite element is a small, mathematically

manageable sub-region of a larger continuum or structure created through the process of
discretization.

3. What is meant by finite element analysis? FEA is a numerical technique used to find
approximate solutions to boundary value problems by dividing a complex object into
smaller, simpler pieces called finite elements.

4. Give examples for the finite element. Common examples include 1D bar/truss elements,
2D triangular (CST/LST) or quadrilateral elements, and 3D tetrahedral or hexahedral (brick)
elements.

5. What is meant by node or joint? A node is a specific coordinate point in a finite element
where elements are interconnected and where the primary unknown field variables (like
displacements) are calculated.

6. What is the basis of finite element method? The basis is the representation of a complex
body as an assembly of small discrete sub-regions (elements) where the governing equations
are solved approximately for each part.

7. What are the types of boundary conditions? The two primary types are Essential
(Dirichlet) boundary conditions, which involve prescribed displacements, and Natural
(Neumann) boundary conditions, which involve prescribed forces or heat fluxes.

8. State the three phases of finite element method. The three phases are: 1) Pre-
processing (modeling and discretization), 2) Analysis/Solution (solving the system
equations), and 3) Post-processing (viewing and interpreting results).

9. What is a structural and non-structural problem? Structural problems involve

determining displacements, stresses, and strains in solids; non-structural problems involve
field variables like temperature in heat transfer or fluid flow velocity.

10. What are the methods are generally associated with the finite element analysis?
Methods generally associated include the Weighted Residual methods (like Galerkin) and
Variational methods (like Rayleigh-Ritz).

11. Explain force method and stiffness method? The Force method uses redundant forces
as the primary unknowns to solve for equilibrium, while the Stiffness method (Displacement
method) uses nodal displacements as the primary unknowns.

12. Why polynomial types of interpolation functions are mostly used in FEM?
Polynomials are used because they are mathematically simple to integrate, differentiate, and
can be easily evaluated by computers to approximate complex shapes.
13. Name the weighted residual methods. The four main weighted residual methods are: 1)
Point Collocation, 2) Sub-domain, 3) Least Squares, and 4) Galerkin method.

14. What is meant by post processing in FEM? Post-processing is the final stage where
raw numerical data is converted into visual formats like contour plots, deformed shapes, and
graphs for engineering interpretation.

15. What is Rayleigh-Ritz method? It is a variational method that finds an approximate

solution by minimizing the functional (such as total potential energy) of the system using
assumed trial functions.

16. What is meant by discretization and assemblage? Discretization is the process of

dividing a body into finite elements; assemblage is the process of combining individual
element equations into a global system of equations.

17. Define shape function. A shape function is a mathematical function used to define the
variation of a field variable (like displacement or temperature) within a finite element based
on nodal values.

18. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function? They are used because they
satisfy the requirements for continuity between elements and completeness (representing
constant and linear states) simply.

19. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for one dimensional bar element. The
expression is

where A is cross-sectional area, E is Young's modulus, and L is the length of the element.

20. State the principle of minimum potential energy. It states that among all possible
displacement configurations, the one that satisfies equilibrium conditions results in the
minimum total potential energy of the system.

UNIT 2

1. What is CST element? The Constant Strain Triangle (CST) is a 3-noded triangular
element where the strain inside the element is assumed to be constant throughout.

2. What is LST element? The Linear Strain Triangle (LST) is a 6-noded triangular element
where the strain varies linearly across the element area.

3. What is QST element? The Quadratic Strain Triangle (QST) is a 10-noded triangular
element where the strain follows a quadratic variation.

4. What is meant by plane stress analysis? This condition applies to thin plates loaded in
their own plane, where the stress in the thickness direction ($z$-axis) is assumed to be zero.

5. Define plane strain analysis. This condition applies to very thick structures (like dams)
where the strain in the $z$-direction is assumed to be zero due to the constraint of the
material.
6. Write a displacement function equation for CST element. For a CST element, the

displacement is

11. Differentiate CST and LST elements. A CST element has 3 nodes and constant strain,
while an LST element has 6 nodes and linear strain variation.

12. What are the conditions for a problem to be axisymmetric? The structure must
possess rotational symmetry in its geometry, material properties, and loading conditions
about a central longitudinal axis.

13. Write down the shape functions for an axisymmetric triangular element. The shape
functions are the same as standard 2D triangular elements: N1, N2, and N3 expressed in
terms of radial and axial coordinates.

15. Write down the Stress-Strain relationship matrix for an axisymmetric triangular
element. This is a 4 X 4 matrix that relates the radial, axial, shear, and hoop stresses to their
corresponding strains.

16. What are the assumptions used in thin plate element? Assumptions include: the plate
thickness is much smaller than its other dimensions, the mid-plane is the neutral surface, and
normals to the mid-plane remain straight.
17. What are the assumptions for thin shell theory? It assumes the shell thickness is small,
normal stresses in the thickness direction are negligible, and the Kirchhoff-Love plate theory
assumptions apply.

18. Give four applications where axisymmetric elements can be used. Applications
include pressure vessels, nuclear reactor containments, cooling towers, and rotating
flywheels or shafts.

UNIT 3

1. Define Jacobian isoparametric formulation. This is a technique where the same shape
functions are used to define both the element geometry and the displacement field, using a
Jacobian matrix for coordinate transformation.

2. Sketch two 3D elements exhibiting linear Strain behavior. Examples include the 8-
noded brick element (hexahedron) and the 4-noded tetrahedral element.

3. What is the purpose of Isoparametric elements. They allow for the accurate modeling
of curved boundaries and facilitate easier numerical integration by mapping irregular
elements into a standard square or cube.
9. Define super parametric element. An element is superparametric if its geometry is
defined by higher-order shape functions than those used for its displacement field.

10. What is meant by sub parametric element? An element is subparametric if its

geometry is defined by lower-order shape functions than those used for its displacement
field.

11. What is meant by Isoparametric element? An element is isoparametric if the order of

shape functions used for geometry and the displacement field is exactly the same.

12. What is the difference between natural co-ordinate and simple natural co-ordinate?
Natural coordinates are normalized (e.g., -1 to +1), while simple natural coordinates often
refer to area or barycentric coordinates used specifically for triangular elements.

13. What are the types of non-linearity? The two main types are Geometric non-linearity
(large deformations) and Material non-linearity (non-linear stress-strain behavior).

14. What are the types of Eigen value problems? Common types include stability analysis
(Buckling) and free vibration analysis (Natural Frequencies).

15. State the principle of superposition. It states that for linear systems, the total response
caused by multiple loads is equal to the algebraic sum of the responses caused by each load
individually.

16. Define resonance. Resonance occurs when the frequency of an external periodic force
matches the natural frequency of the structure, resulting in large, potentially destructive
vibration amplitudes.

17. Define Dynamic Analysis. Dynamic analysis is the study of a structure’s response to
time-varying loads where inertial forces (F=ma) and damping effects must be considered.

18. Differentiate global and local coordinates. Global coordinates are fixed for the entire
structure; Local coordinates are attached to an individual element to simplify its specific
mathematical formulation.

19. State the two differences between direct and iterative methods for solving system of
equations. Direct methods (like Gauss elimination) give an exact solution in a fixed number
of steps; Iterative methods start with a guess and converge toward the solution through
repeated cycles.

20. What is the purpose of Isoparametric elements? (Repetition of Q3) To enable the
modeling of complex, curved shapes and simplify numerical integration through coordinate
mapping.