Chapter 6

Constant Strain Triangle Element

Dr. Haris Ahmad Bin Israr Ahmad

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
We wish to use FEM for solving the following problems in 2D
using constant strain triangular element:
 TWO-DIMENSIONAL CONTINUUM STRUCTURES

Finite element discretization by using triangular elements

 CONSTANT STRAIN TRIANGLE ELEMENT (CST)
v1 • There are 2 DOFs at each node.
• Nodes are numbered in counter-
1(𝑥1, 𝑦1) u1 clockwise direction
• At any point within the element, the
displacements are u and v
• The global coordinate is (x, y)
• 2-D
y • Two coordinates to define position.
• Elements connected at common
nodes and/or along common edges
• Two types:
v2 v3 (i) Plane Stress
x (ii) Plane Strain
u2 u3
2(𝑥2, 𝑦2) 3(𝑥3, 𝑦3)
 PLANE STRESS VS PLANE STRAIN

𝝈𝒚 • Assume zero stresses in Z-direction

• Valid for components in which the Z-dimension
𝝉𝒙𝒚 is much SMALLER than the X- and Y-direction
• Thickness < 1/10 the smallest dimension in x-
and y-axis
𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒙
• Z-strain is non-zero
• Used for THIN STRUCTURES such as thin plate,
𝝉𝒙𝒚 thin disks etc.
𝝈𝒚
Plane Stress
(Thin Body)
 PLANE STRESS VS PLANE STRAIN

• Assume zero strain in Z-direction

𝜺𝒚 • Valid for components in which the Z-
dimension is much LARGER than the X- and
𝜺𝒙𝒚 Y-direction
• Z-strain is non-zero
𝜺𝒙 𝜺𝒙 • Used for THICK/BULKY/LONG structures
that having constant cross-section such
𝜺𝒙𝒚
structural beam, dam etc.
𝜺𝒚
Plane Strain
 Example 1 (i)
The figure below shows the cross section of an infinite length solid trapezoidal block with dimensions as
shown. The bottom face is fixed to rigid mold, while the left face can slide vertically. A constant pressure
loading normal to the top and front (right) faces of 100 kPa is applied. The block is made of a material with
Young’s modulus of 20 GPa and Poisson’s ratio of 0.4.

State the type of problem relevant to this case for the right parameters to be used.

Plane Strain – keyword: Infinite length

Example 1 (ii)
Model this problem using two triangular elements only so as to give the most accurate solution. Sketch the
model and label clearly all relevant nodes, elements, and degrees of freedom.
Step 1: Determine the boundary condition
𝑣𝐷 =?
𝑢𝐷 = 0
𝐷
𝑣𝐶 =?
𝑢𝐶 =?
𝐶
𝑣𝐴 = 0 𝑣𝐵 = 0

𝐴 𝑢𝐴 = 0 𝐵 𝑢𝐵 = 0
Example 1 (ii) - continue
Model this problem using two triangular elements only so as to give the most accurate solution. Sketch the
model and label clearly all relevant nodes, elements, and degrees of freedom.

Step 2: Discretize into several possibilities of triangular elements

1𝑠𝑡 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 1: 1 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑. 𝑜. 𝑓

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 2: 3 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑. 𝑜. 𝑓

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒅. 𝒐. 𝒇 = 𝟒

[2]
[1]
Example 1 (ii) - continue
Model this problem using two triangular elements only so as to give the most accurate solution. Sketch the
model and label clearly all relevant nodes, elements, and degrees of freedom.

Step 2: Discretize into several possibilities of triangular elements

2𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 1: 2 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑. 𝑜. 𝑓

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 2: 3 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑. 𝑜. 𝑓

𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐝. 𝐨. 𝐟 = 𝟓

[2]

[1]
 ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX
The element stiffness matrix is derived by using the potential energy approach. The strain energy of an
element, Ue is given by:
1
𝑈𝑒 = න 𝜀 𝑇 𝐷 𝜀 𝑡𝑒 𝑑𝐴
2
𝑒
Since strains, 𝜀 = 𝐵 𝑢 , we get
1 𝑇 𝑇
𝑈𝑒 = න 𝑢 𝐵 𝐷 𝐵 𝑢 𝑡𝑒 𝑑𝐴
2
𝑒 F
Simplifying yields,
1 𝑇 𝑇
𝑈𝑒 = 𝑢 𝐵 𝐷 𝐵 𝑡𝑒 න 𝑑𝐴 𝑢
2
𝑒
Since
 dA = A
e
e , area of the element, then u
1 1 1
𝑈𝑒 = 𝑢 𝑇 𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒 𝐵 𝑇
𝐷 𝐵 𝑢 𝑈𝑒 = 𝑘. 𝑢2 = 𝑢. 𝑘. 𝑢
2
2 2

We identify the stiffness matrix [k]e as,

𝒌 𝒆 = 𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒆 𝑩 𝑻 𝑫 𝑩
 ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX
where
𝑢 𝑇 = 𝑢1 𝑣1 𝑢2 𝑣2 𝑢3 𝑣3 is nodal displacement vector

1 𝜈 0
𝐸 𝜈 1 0 is material matrix for plane stress condition
𝐷 = 1
1 − 𝜈2
0 0 1−𝜈
2

1−𝜈 𝜈 0
𝐸 𝜈 1−𝜈 0
𝐷 = 1 is material matrix for plane strain condition
1 + 𝜈 1 − 2𝜈
0 0 −𝜈
2

1 𝑦23 0 𝑦31 0 𝑦12 0

𝐵 = 0 𝑥32 0 𝑥13 0 𝑥21 is strain displacement matrix
det 𝐽 𝑥 𝑦23 𝑥13 𝑦31 𝑥21 𝑦12
32

te is thickness of plate element

 ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

1
Ae is the area of the element which can be obtained from: 𝐴𝑒 = หdet 𝐽 ȁ
2
detJ  is the determinant of [J] matrix and is given by det 𝐽 = 𝑥13 𝑦23 − 𝑥23 𝑦13
𝑥13 𝑦13
[J] is known as Jacobian matrix, given by: 𝐽 = 𝑥 𝑦23
23

determinant of [J] is given by: det 𝐽 = 𝑥13 𝑦23 − 𝑥23 𝑦13

𝒆 𝑻
𝒌 = 𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒆 𝑩 𝑫 𝑩
 ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX
𝒆 𝑻
𝒌 = 𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒆 𝑩 𝑫 𝑩

,
Example 1 (iii)
Obtain the global reduced stiffness matrix for this problem.

Step 1: Determine the material properties: 𝐸 = 20 𝐺𝑃𝑎 𝜗 = 0.4

𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 42.86 × 109 𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 28.57 × 109 𝑑33 = 7.14 × 109
Example 1 (iii)-Continue
Step 2: Assume the thickness (for plane strain problems if the thickness is not given)
t=1m
Step 3: Obtain the reduced stiffness matrix for each element
Element 1:
(1) (2) (3)
𝑣𝐶 =?
Element connectivity ( A - B - C )
1 𝑢𝐶 =?
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 = 0.1 0.04 = 0.002 𝑚2
2 𝐶 (0.1, 0.04)
𝑥3 , 𝑦3
𝑣𝐴 = 0
𝑣𝐵 = 0
𝑢𝐴 = 0 𝑢𝐵 = 0
𝐴 (0, 0) 𝐵 (0.1, 0)
𝑥1 , 𝑦1 𝑥2 , 𝑦2
Example 1 (iii)-Continue
Element 1:
(𝐵𝑐 ′ 𝑠: 𝑢𝐴 = 𝑣𝐴 = 𝑢𝐵 = 𝑣𝐵 = 0)
Element connectivity ( A - B - C )

𝑢𝐴 𝑣𝐴 𝑢𝐵 𝑣𝐵 𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶
𝑢𝐴
𝑣𝐴
𝑢𝐵
𝑣𝐵
𝑎 𝑏
𝑢𝐶
𝑏 𝑐
𝑣𝐶
Example 1 (iii)-Continue 𝑥𝑖𝑗 = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥𝑗
𝑡 𝑒𝑔. 𝑥13 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥3
𝑡 = 1𝑚 𝐴 = 0.002 𝑚2 = 125
4𝐴

𝑡 2 2 2 2
𝑎= 𝑑 𝑦 + 𝑑33 𝑥21 = 125 𝑑11 0 + 𝑑33 0.1
4𝐴 11 12
𝑎 = 8.93 × 109

𝑡
𝑏= 𝑑21 𝑥21 𝑦12 + 𝑑33 𝑥21 𝑦12 = 125 𝑑21 (0.1)(0) + 𝑑33 (0.1)(0)
4𝐴
𝑏=0

𝑡
𝑐= 𝑑 𝑥 2
+ 𝑑33 𝑦12 2 = 125 𝑑22 (0.1)2 +𝑑33 (0)
4𝐴 22 21

𝑐 = 53.58 × 109
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 42.86 × 109
𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶
9
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 28.57 × 10 8.93 0 𝑢𝐶
𝑘1 = 109
0 53.58 𝑣𝐶
𝑑33 = 7.14 × 109
Example 1 (iii)-Continue

Element 2:
(1) (2) (3) 1
Element connectivity ( A - C - D ) 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 = 0.1 0.08 = 0.004 𝑚2
2

𝑣𝐷 =?

𝑢𝐷 = 0
𝐷(0, 0.08)
𝑥3 , 𝑦3

𝑣𝐶 =?
𝑢𝐶 =?
𝐶 (0.1, 0.04)
𝑣𝐴 = 0 𝑥2 , 𝑦2

𝑢𝐴 = 0
𝐴 (0, 0)
𝑥1 , 𝑦1
Example 1 (iii)-Continue
Element 2:
(𝐵𝑐 ′ 𝑠: 𝑢𝐴 = 𝑣𝐴 = 𝑢𝐷 = 0)
Element connectivity ( A - C - D )

𝑢𝐴 𝑣𝐴 𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶 𝑢𝐷 𝑣𝐷
𝑢𝐴
𝑣𝐴
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝑢𝐶
𝑏 𝑑 𝑒
𝑣𝐶
𝑢𝐷
𝑐 𝑒 𝑓
𝑣𝐷
Example 1 (iii)-Continue
𝑡
𝑡 = 1𝑚 𝐴 = 0.004 𝑚2 = 62.5
4𝐴

𝑡 2 2 2 2
𝑎= 𝑑 𝑦 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 = 62.5 𝑑11 0.08 + 𝑑33 0
4𝐴 11 31
𝑎 = 17.14 × 109

𝑡
𝑏= 𝑑21 𝑥13 𝑦31 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑦31
4𝐴
= 62.5 𝑑21 (0)(0.08) + 𝑑33 (0)(0.08)
𝑏=0

𝑡
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 42.86 × 109 𝑐= 𝑑 𝑥 𝑦 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑦12
4𝐴 21 21 31
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 28.57 × 109 = 62.5 𝑑21 (0.1)(0.08) + 𝑑33 (0)(−0.04)
𝑑33 = 7.14 × 109 𝑐 = 14.29 × 109
Example 1 (iii)-Continue 𝑡 2 2 2 2
𝑑= 𝑑 𝑥 + 𝑑33 𝑦31 = 62.5 𝑑22 0 + 𝑑33 0.08
4𝐴 22 13
𝑑 = 2.86 × 109
𝑡
𝑒= 𝑑22 𝑥13 𝑥21 + 𝑑33 𝑦12 𝑦31
4𝐴
= 62.5 𝑑22 (0)(0.1) + 𝑑33 (−0.04)(0.08)
𝑒 = −1.43 × 109
𝑡
𝑓= 𝑑22 𝑥21 2 + 𝑑33 𝑦12 2
4𝐴
= 62.5 𝑑22 0.1 2 + 𝑑33 −0.04 2

𝑓 = 27.5 × 109
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 42.86 × 109
𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶 𝑣𝐷
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 28.57 × 109
17.14 0 14.29 𝑢𝐶
𝑑33 = 7.14 × 109 𝑘2 = 109 0 2.86 −1.43 𝑣𝐶
14.29 −1.43 27.5 𝑣𝐷
Example 1 (iii)-Continue
Step 4: Obtain the reduced stiffness matrix for the whole structure

𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶 𝑣𝐷
26.07 0 14.29 𝑢𝐶
𝐾𝐺 = 109 0 56.44 −1.43 𝑣𝐶
14.29 −1.43 27.5 𝑣𝐷
 FORCE VECTOR

Two commons loadings:

(a) body force, acting within the element
(b) Pressure, acting on one of the edges of the element

Body Force
Suppose components of body force, fx and fy, act at the centroid of an element as shown below:
𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒
(𝑓𝑦 )
3
𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒 The equivalent nodal forces due to the body forces are given by:
(𝑓𝑥 )
3
𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒
𝑢1 𝑣1 𝑢2 𝑣2 𝑢3 𝑣3
𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒
(𝑓𝑦 )
3
(𝑓𝑦 )
3

fb e = t e Ae fx fy fx fy fx fy T 
3 𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒
(𝑓𝑥 )
3
𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑒
(𝑓𝑥 )
3
 UNIFORM PRESSURE

Suppose a uniform pressure acts along edge 1-2 of an element

𝑇𝑦 = 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃

𝑇𝑥 = 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
2 2
𝜃 𝜃

𝑙1−2 𝑇𝑦 = 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
𝑙1−2
T 𝑇𝑥 = 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝜃
3 3 1
1

Resolve the uniform pressure into the x and y components at the related nodes
 UNIFORM PRESSURE

The equivalent nodal forces are given by:

T e
=
t e l1−2
2
(Tx ) (T ) (T ) (T )
y x y
T

This can be physically represented as,

𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
𝑇𝑦
2

𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
2 𝑇𝑥
2
𝜃
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
𝑙1−2 𝑇𝑦
2
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
3 𝑇𝑥
1 2
 LINEARLY VARYING PRESSURE

Suppose a linearly varying pressure acts along edge 1-2 of an element

𝑇2 𝑇𝑦2 = 𝑇2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃

𝑇2 > 𝑇1
𝑇𝑥2 = 𝑇2 cos 𝜃
2 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 2
𝜃 𝜃

𝑙1−2 𝑇𝑦1 = 𝑇1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃

𝑙1−2
𝑇1
𝑇𝑥1 = 𝑇1 cos 𝜃
𝜃
3 3 1
1

Resolve the max and the min pressure into the x and y components at the related nodes
 LINEARLY VARYING PRESSURE

The equivalent nodal forces are given by:

T e
=
t e l1−2
6
(2Tx1 + Tx 2 ) (2T
y 1 + Ty 2 ) (Tx1 + 2Tx 2 ) (Ty1 + 2Ty 2 )T

This can be physically represented as,

𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
𝑇𝑦1 + 2𝑇𝑦2
6

𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
2 𝑇𝑥1 + 2𝑇𝑥2
6
𝜃
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
𝑙1−2 2𝑇𝑦1 + 𝑇𝑦2
6
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2
2𝑇𝑥1 + 𝑇𝑥2
3 1 6
Example 1 (iv)
Step 1: Obtain the equivalent nodal force along BC
Obtain the equivalent forces.
Uniform pressure (Tx=-100, Ty=0)

1
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2 𝑇
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑥 𝑇𝑦 𝑇𝑥 𝑇𝑦
2

1
(1)(0.04) 𝑇
𝑇 = −100 0 −100 0
2

1
𝑇 = 103 −2 0 −2 −2 𝑇

𝐹𝐵𝑥 −2
1
𝐹𝐵𝑦 0
𝑇 = = 103
𝐹𝐶𝑥 −2
𝐹𝑐𝑦 0
Example 1 (iv) - Continue
Step 2: Obtain the equivalent nodal force along CD
Obtain the equivalent forces. Uniform pressure with angle

𝑇𝑦 = 92.85 100

68.2𝑜
21.8𝑜 𝑇𝑥 = 37.14

1
𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝐶𝐷 𝑇
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑥 𝑇𝑦 𝑇𝑥 𝑇𝑦
2

1
(1)(0.107) 𝑇
𝑇 = −37.14 −92.85 −37.14 −92.85
2
1
𝑇 = 103 −2 −5 −2 −5 𝑇

𝐹𝐶𝑥 −2
2
𝐹𝐶𝑦 −5
𝑇 = = 103 𝑁
𝐹𝐷𝑥 −2
𝐹𝐷𝑦 −5
Example 1 (iv) - Continue
Step 3: Obtain the global equivalent force
Obtain the equivalent forces.
𝐹𝐵𝑥 −2 𝐹𝐶𝑥 −2
−5 𝑘𝑁 𝐹𝐵𝑦 0 𝐹𝐶𝑦 −5
𝑇 1 = = 103 𝑇 2 = = 103 𝑁
𝐹𝐶𝑥 −2 𝐹𝐷𝑥 −2
𝐹𝑐𝑦 0 𝐹𝐷𝑦 −5
−2 𝑘𝑁 −5 𝑘𝑁

𝐹𝐵𝑥 −2
−4 𝑘𝑁
𝐹𝐵𝑦 0
𝐺 𝐹𝐶𝑥 −4
𝑇 = 𝐹 = 103
𝑐𝑦 −5
−2 𝑘𝑁 𝐹𝐷𝑥 −2
𝐹𝐷𝑦 −5
Example 1 (v)
Determine the unknown displacement
Step 1: Set-up the SLE
{F}=[K].{u}
𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶 𝑣𝐷
−4 26.07 0 14.29 𝑢𝐶
103 −5 = 109 0 56.44 −1.43 𝑣𝐶
−5 14.29 −1.43 27.5 𝑣𝐷

Step 2: solve the unknown

𝑢𝐶 −7.15
𝑣𝐶 = 10−8 −9.24 𝑚
𝑣𝐷 −14.95
 STRAINS AND STRESSES CALCULATION
STRAINS
The strains in a CST element is given by:

𝜀 𝑒 = 𝐵 𝑢 = 𝜀𝑥 𝜀𝑦 𝛾𝑥𝑦 𝑇

[B] matrix depends only on nodal coordinates (xi, yi). Therefore, for a given nodal displacements {u},
the strains {} in the element is constant.

STRESSES
The stresses in a CST element is given by:
 e e

= D   =  x y  xy T

In terms of nodal displacements, the stresses can be obtained as follows:

𝜎 𝑒
= 𝐷 𝐵 𝑢 𝑒
= 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑇

• Since the strains {}e are constant within the element, the stresses are also constant.
• Stresses for plane stress problem differ from those for plane strain problem by the [D] matrix.
Example 1 (v)
As point P is located at element 2, thus, the stresses at
Determine the stress at point P point P is equal to the stresses of element 2
𝜎 𝑒 = 𝐷 𝐵 𝑢 𝑒 = 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑇

𝑢𝐴 𝑣𝐴 𝑢𝐶 𝑣𝐶 𝑢𝐷 𝑣𝐷
𝑷 𝑑 𝑦 𝑑12 𝑥32 𝑑11 𝑦31 𝑑12 𝑥13 𝑑11 𝑦12 𝑑12 𝑥21
1 11 23
𝐷 𝐵 = 𝑑21 𝑦23 𝑑22 𝑥32 𝑑21 𝑦31 𝑑22 𝑥13 𝑑21 𝑦12 𝑑22 𝑥21
2𝐴
𝑑33 𝑥32 𝑑33 𝑦23 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑑33 𝑦31 𝑑33 𝑥21 𝑑33 𝑦12

𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 42.86 × 109 𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 28.57 × 109 𝑑33 = 7.14 × 109

𝜎𝑥 2 2
42.86 0 35.71 −7.15
𝜎𝑦 = 1010 28.57 0 53.58 . 10−8
−9.24
𝜏𝑥𝑦 0 7.14 −3.57 −14.95

𝜎𝑥 2
−84.03
𝜎𝑦 = −100.53 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝜏𝑥𝑦 −1.26
𝐴 = 0.004 𝑚2
 SHAPE FUNCTION

The displacements (u and v) at any point within the

element can be obtained by using:

𝑢 = 𝑁1 𝑢1 + 𝑁2 𝑢2 + 𝑁3 𝑢3
𝑣 = 𝑁1 𝑣1 + 𝑁2 𝑣2 + 𝑁3 𝑣3

𝑣 where N1, N2, and N3 are shape functions given by:

𝑁1 = 𝜉 𝑁2 = 𝜂 𝑁3 = 1 − 𝜉 − 𝜂
𝑢
in which  and  are the natural coordinates
(𝑥, 𝑦)
The coordinates of that particular point can be
expressed in terms of the nodal coordinates as:
𝑥 = 𝑁1 𝑥1 + 𝑁2 𝑥2 + 𝑁3 𝑥3
𝑦 = 𝑁1 𝑦1 + 𝑁2 𝑦2 + 𝑁3 𝑦3
 Example 1 (vi)
Determine the displacement of point P if it located 20 mm from the left wall and 60 mm from the base (element 2)
𝑃 (0.02, 0.06)
𝑥 = 𝑁1 𝑥1 + 𝑁2 𝑥2 + 𝑁3 𝑥3
0.02 = 𝑁1 (0) + 𝑁2 (0.1) + 𝑁3 (0) 𝑁2 = 0.2
𝑷
𝑦 = 𝑁1 𝑦1 + 𝑁2 𝑦2 + 𝑁3 𝑦3
0.06 = 𝑁1 (0) + (0.2)(0.04) + 𝑁3 (0.08) 𝑁3 = 0.65

𝑁1 = 𝜉 𝑁2 = 𝜂 𝑁3 = 1 − 𝜉 − 𝜂 𝑁1 = 0.15

𝑢 = 𝑁1 𝑢1 + 𝑁2 𝑢2 + 𝑁3 𝑢3
𝑢𝑝 = 𝑁1 𝑢𝐴 + 𝑁2 𝑢𝐶 + 𝑁3 𝑢𝐷
𝑢𝑝 = 𝑁1 0 + 𝑁2 −7.15 × 10−8 + 𝑁3 0 = −1.43 × 10−8 𝑚𝑚

𝑣 = 𝑁1 𝑣1 + 𝑁2 𝑣2 + 𝑁3 𝑣3
𝑣𝑝 = 𝑁1 𝑣𝐴 + 𝑁2 𝑣𝐶 + 𝑁3 𝑣𝐷
𝑣𝑝 = 𝑁1 0 + 𝑁2 −7.15 × 10−8 + 𝑁3 14.95 × 10−8
= −11.15 × 10−8 𝑚𝑚
Example 2
A rectangular steel plate of 10 mm thickness as shown in Figure below is subjected to 100 kN/m2 linearly varying
pressure and 10 kN point load. The plate has modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa and Poisson’s ratio of 0.3. By using CST
elements as shown, determine:
(i) the unknown displacements, Step 1: Determine type of Problem
(ii) the stresses at point P.
PLANE STRESS (very thin structure)

𝐸
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 2
= 210 × 109
1−𝜐

𝜐𝐸
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 2
= 65.9 × 109
1−𝜐

𝐸
𝑑33 = = 76.9 × 109
2 1+𝜐
Step 2: FBD

𝑣2 = 0 𝑣5 =0
𝑘𝑁
100 𝑚2 5𝑘𝑁
𝑢2 =? 𝑢5 =?

𝑣1 = 0 𝑣4 = 0
𝑢1 = 0 𝑢4 =?

𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝. 𝐨. 𝐟 = 𝟑 (𝑢2 , 𝑢4 , 𝑢5 )
 𝑣5 = 0
Step 3: Stiffness Matrix for each element 𝑣2 = 0
𝑢2 =? 𝑢5 =?
2 (0 , 2)
Element 1: 𝑥3 , 𝑦3 5 (2 , 2)
(1) (2) (3) 𝑥2 , 𝑦2
Element connectivity ( 1 - 5 - 2 )
𝑣1 = 0
1
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 = 2 2 = 2 𝑚2 𝑢1 = 0
2
(𝑢1 = 𝑣1 = 𝑣2 = 𝑣5 = 0) 1 (0 , 0)
𝑥1 , 𝑦1

𝑢1 𝑣1 𝑢5 𝑣5 𝑢2 𝑣2
𝑢1
𝑣2
𝑎 𝑏
𝑢5
𝑣5
𝑏 𝑐
𝑢2
𝑣2
 𝑡 𝑥𝑖𝑗 = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥𝑗
𝑡 = 0.01 𝑚 𝐴=2 𝑚2 = 1.25 × 10−3
4𝐴

𝑡
𝑎= 𝑑 𝑦 2
+ 𝑑33 𝑥13 2
= 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 2 2 + 𝑑33 0 2
4𝐴 11 31
𝑎 = 1.05 × 109
𝑡
𝑏= 𝑑11 𝑦12 𝑦31 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑥21
4𝐴
= 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 (−2)(2) + 𝑑33 (0)(2)
𝑏 = −1.05 × 109
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 210 × 109
𝑡 2 2
𝑐= 𝑑11 𝑦12 + 𝑑33 𝑥21 = 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 (−2)2 +𝑑33 2 2
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 65.9 × 109
4𝐴
𝑐 = 1.435 × 109
𝑑33 = 76.9 × 109 𝑢5 𝑢2
1.05 −0.33 𝑢5
𝑘1 = 109
−0.33 1.435 𝑢2
 𝑣5 = 0
Element 2:
(1) (2) (3) 𝑢5 =?
Element connectivity ( 1 - 4 - 5 )
5 (2 , 2)
1 𝑥3 , 𝑦3
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 = 2 2 = 2 𝑚2
2 𝑣1 = 0
𝑣4 = 0
𝑢1 = 0 𝑢4 =?
1 (0, 0) 4 (2 , 0)
𝑥1 , 𝑦1 𝑥2 , 𝑦2

𝑢1 𝑣1 𝑢4 𝑣4 𝑢5 𝑣5
𝑢1
𝑣2
𝑎 𝑏
𝑢4
𝑣4
𝑏 𝑐
𝑢5
𝑣5
 𝑡
𝑡 = 0.01 𝑚 𝐴=2 𝑚2 = 1.25 × 10−3 𝑥𝑖𝑗 = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥𝑗
4𝐴

𝑡
𝑎= 𝑑11 𝑦31 2 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 2
= 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 2 2 + 𝑑33 −2 2
4𝐴
𝑎 = 1.435 × 109

𝑡
𝑏= 𝑑11 𝑦12 𝑦31 + 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑥21
4𝐴
= 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 (0)(2) + 𝑑33 (−2)(2)
𝑏 = −0.385 × 109
𝑑11 = 𝑑22 = 210 × 109
𝑡 2 2
𝑐= 𝑑 𝑦 + 𝑑33 𝑥21 = 1.25 × 10−3 𝑑11 (0)2 +𝑑33 2 2
4𝐴 11 12
𝑑12 = 𝑑21 = 65.9 × 109
𝑐 = 0.385 × 109
𝑑33 = 76.9 × 109 𝑢4 𝑢5
1.435 −0.385 𝑢5
𝑘2 = 109
−0.385 0.385 𝑢2
Step 4: Obtain the global stiffness matrix

𝑢5 𝑢2 𝑢4 𝑢5
1.05 −0.33 𝑢5 1.435 −0.385 𝑢4
𝑘1 = 109 𝑘2 = 109
−0.33 1.435 𝑢2 −0.385 0.385 𝑢5

𝑢2 𝑢4 𝑢5
1.435 0 −0.33 𝑢2
𝐾𝐺 = 109 0 1.435 −0.385 𝑢4
−0.33 −0.385 1.435 𝑢5
Step 5: Obtain the equivalent nodal forces
𝐹𝑥1 0.333
1
𝐹𝑦1 0
𝑇 = = 103 𝑁
𝐹𝑥2 0.666
𝐹𝑦2 0

𝐹𝑥1
0.333
𝑇𝑥1 = 0 𝑇𝑦1 = 0 𝐹𝑦1
0
𝐹𝑥2 0.666
𝑇𝑥2 = 100 𝑇𝑦2 = 0
𝐺
𝐹𝑦2 0
𝑇 = = 103 𝑁
𝐹𝑥4 0
𝐹𝑦4 0
𝐹𝑥5 5
𝐹𝑦5 0

1
𝑡𝑒 𝑙1−2 𝑇
𝑇 = 2𝑇𝑥1 + 𝑇𝑥2 2𝑇𝑦1 + 𝑇𝑦2 𝑇𝑥1 + 2𝑇𝑥2 𝑇𝑦1 + 2𝑇𝑦2
6

1
0.01 (2) 𝑇
𝑇 = 0 + 100 0+0 0 + 2(100) 0+0
6
1
𝑇 = 103 0.333 0 0.666 0 𝑇
 Step 6: Set-up the SLE {F}=[K].{u}
𝑢2 𝑢4 𝑢5
0.666 1.435 0 −0.33 𝑢2
103 0 = 109 0 1.435 −0.385 𝑢4
5 −0.33 −0.385 1.435 𝑢5

Step 7: solve the unknown 𝜎𝑥 2

10.5 0 2
𝜎𝑦 0.338
𝑢2 = 1010 3.295 0 . 10−7
4.93 𝜏𝑥𝑦 1.26
𝑢4 = 10 −7 −3.845 3.845
0.338 𝑚
𝑢5 1.26 𝜎𝑥 2
3.545
𝜎𝑦 = 1.114 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Step 8: Determine the stresses point P 𝜏𝑥𝑦 3.545
• the stresses at point P is equal to stresses in element 2
𝜎 𝑒 = 𝐷 𝐵 𝑢 𝑒 = 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑇

𝑢1 𝑣1 𝑢4 𝑣4 𝑢5 𝑣5
𝑑 𝑦 𝑑12 𝑥32 𝑑11 𝑦31 𝑑12 𝑥13 𝑑11 𝑦12 𝑑12 𝑥21
1 11 23
𝐷 𝐵 = 𝑑21 𝑦23 𝑑22 𝑥32 𝑑21 𝑦31 𝑑22 𝑥13 𝑑21 𝑦12 𝑑22 𝑥21
2𝐴
𝑑33 𝑥32 𝑑33 𝑦23 𝑑33 𝑥13 𝑑33 𝑦31 𝑑33 𝑥21 𝑑33 𝑦12