Finite Element Method Assignment

Name Registration No
Kartikay Singh 20238013
Krishna Mohan 20238014
Kuldeep Negi 20238015
Problem 1.7

Figure 1: Beam configuration for Problem 1.23

A prismatic Euler–Bernoulli beam of length L, fixed at the left end and

pinned at the right end, is subjected to a concentrated transverse load P at
midspan (x = L/2). The beam is modeled using two equal beam elements of
length L/2. Material and section constants are E, I.

1. Discretization

• Node 1 at x = 0: fixed ⇒ v1 = 0, θ1 = 0.

• Node 2 at x = L/2: load P acts.

• Node 3 at x = L: pinned ⇒ v3 = 0.

Each node has DOFs [v, θ]. Global vector:

{U } = [v1 , θ1 , v2 , θ2 , v3 , θ3 ]T .

2. Interpolation Model
Within each beam element, deflection v(x) is interpolated with cubic Hermite
shape functions, ensuring continuity of displacement and slope.

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3. Element Stiffness Matrix
For a beam element of length l:
 
12 6l −12 6l
EI  6l 4l2 −6l 2l2 
[k e ] = 3  .
l −12 −6l 12 −6l
6l 2l2 −6l 4l2

For l = L/2:
 
96/L3 24/L2 −96/L3 24/L2
 24/L2 8/L −24/L2 4/L 
[k (1) ] = [k (2) ] = EI  3 2 3
.
−96/L −24/L 96/L −24/L2 
24/L2 4/L −24/L2 8/L

4. Assembly
Assembling gives the 6 × 6 global stiffness matrix [K]. Load vector has −P
applied at v2 :
{F } = [0, 0, −P, 0, 0, 0]T .

5. Reduced System
Apply v1 = 0, θ1 = 0, v3 = 0. Unknowns: v2 , θ2 , θ3 . Reduced system:
    
192/L3 0 24/L2 v2 P
EI  0 16/L 4/L  θ2  =  0  .
24/L2 4/L 8/L θ3 0

6. Solution
Solving yields:

7P L3 P L2 P L2
v2 = , θ2 = , θ3 = − .
768EI 128EI 32EI

7. Bending Moments
End moments (from FEM element forces):
3P L 5P L
M1 = − , M2 = , M3 = 0.
16 32

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Moment distribution (linear in each element):

3P L 11P

−
 + x, 0 ≤ x ≤ L/2,
M (x) = 16 16
 5P L − 5P (x − L/2), L/2 ≤ x ≤ L.

32 16

8. Stress Distribution
Normal stress at distance y from neutral axis:

M (x) y
σxx (x, y) = − .
I
At extreme fiber (y = ±c):

|M (x)|c
σmax (x) = .
I

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Problem 1.10

Figure 2: Tapered bar subjected to axial load P = 1 N

A tapered bar of length L = 10 cm is fixed at the left end and subjected

to an axial tensile load P = 1 N at the right end. The cross-sectional area
varies linearly from A(0) = 2 cm2 at the root to A(L) = 1 cm2 at the tip.
Young’s modulus is E = 2 × 107 N/cm2 . The bar is discretized into two finite
elements.

Step 1: Discretization
The bar is divided into two equal elements of length Le = 5 cm. Nodal
positions: x = 0, 5, 10 cm. Nodal areas:
A1 = 2.0, A2 = 1.5, A3 = 1.0 cm2 .
Average element areas:
Ae1 = 1.75, Ae2 = 1.25 cm2 .

Step 2: Element Stiffness

For an axial bar element,
EAe
ke = .
Le
Thus,
2 × 107 × 1.75 2 × 107 × 1.25
k1 = = 7.0×106 N/cm, k2 = = 5.0×106 N/cm.
5 5

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Step 3: Global Assembly
The global stiffness matrix is
 
k1 −k1 0
[K] = −k1 k1 + k2 −k2  ,
0 −k2 k2
and the load vector is
{F } = [0, 0, 1]T .

Step 4: Apply Boundary Conditions

At the fixed end: u1 = 0. Unknowns: u2 , u3 . The reduced system becomes
    
1.2 × 107 −5 × 106 u2 0
= .
−5 × 106 5 × 106 u3 1

Step 5: Solve the System

Solving gives
1
u2 = = 1.43 × 10−7 cm, u3 = 3.43 × 10−7 cm.
7 × 106

Step 6: Element Forces

N1 = k1 (u2 − u1 ) = 1 N, N2 = k2 (u3 − u2 ) = 1 N.

Step 7: Element Stresses

N1 1 N2 1
σe1 = = = 0.571 N/cm2 , σe2 = = = 0.800 N/cm2 .
Ae1 1.75 Ae2 1.25

Step 8: Exact Stress Distribution

Since axial force is constant (N = 1 N),
1 1
σ(x) = = N/cm2 .
A(x) 2 − 0.1x
At key points:
σ(0) = 0.50, σ(5) = 0.667, σ(10) = 1.00 N/cm2 .

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Problem 1.11

Figure 3: A network of three pipes (Problem Fig. 1.11).

Given Data
µ = 1.6 × 10−6 lbf·s/in2 , ρ = 1.9 slugs/ft3
p1 = 20 psi, p3 = p4 = 15 psi
Pipe dimensions:

Pipe 1–2: D = 5 in, L = 1000 in,

Pipe 2–3: D = 2 in, L = 1500 in,
Pipe 2–4: D = 4 in, L = 2000 in.
—

Step 1: Convert Properties to SI Units

lbf · s
µ = 1.6 × 10−6 = 0.0110 Pa·s
in2
slugs
ρ = 1.9 = 979.2 kg/m3
f t3
—

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Step 2: Convert Geometry
D12 = 0.127 m, L12 = 25.4 m
D23 = 0.0508 m, L23 = 38.1 m
D24 = 0.1016 m, L24 = 50.8 m

Step 3: Convert Pressures

p1 = 137,895 Pa, p3 = p4 = 103,422 Pa
—

Step 4: Hydraulic Conductances

For laminar pipe flow:
πD4 πD4
Q= (pin − pout ), C=
128µL 128µL

C12 = 2.28 × 10−5 , C23 = 3.89 × 10−7 , C24 = 4.67 × 10−6

—

Step 5: Pressure at Node 2

Continuity at node 2:
C12 (p1 − p2 ) = C23 (p2 − p3 ) + C24 (p2 − p4 )
Rearranging:
C12 p1 + C23 p3 + C24 p4
p2 =
C12 + C23 + C24
Substituting:
p2 = 134,076 Pa = 19.45 psi
—

Step 6: Flow Rates

Q12 = C12 (p1 − p2 ) = 0.087 m3 /s
Q23 = C23 (p2 − p3 ) = 0.012 m3 /s
Q24 = C24 (p2 − p4 ) = 0.075 m3 /s
—

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Step 7: Velocities
Pipe cross-sectional areas:

A12 = 0.0127, A23 = 0.00203, A24 = 0.00811 m2

Q12
V12 = = 6.87 m/s, V23 = 5.94 m/s, V24 = 9.24 m/s
A12
—

Step 8: Reynolds Numbers

ρV D
Re =
µ

Re12 = 7.8 × 104 , Re23 = 2.7 × 104 , Re24 = 8.3 × 104

—

Step 9: Flow Regime

Since Re ≫ 2300, the flow in all three pipes is turbulent.
—

Final Results

• Pressure at node 2: p2 = 19.45 psi

• Flow rates: Q12 = 0.087, Q23 = 0.012, Q24 = 0.075 m3 /s

• Reynolds numbers: 7.8 × 104 , 2.7 × 104 , 8.3 × 104

• Flow regime: Turbulent in all pipes

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Problem 1.16

Figure 4: Three springs in series with one end fixed.

Given Data
k1 = 1 × 105 N/m, k2 = 2 × 105 N/m, k3 = 3 × 105 N/m
P = 1000 N at node 2, U1 = 0
—

Step 1: Element Stiffness Matrices

For a spring element:  
e 1 −1
[k ] = k
−1 1
Thus:
     
1 5 1 −1 2 5 1 −1 3 5 1 −1
[k ] = 10 , [k ] = 2 × 10 , [k ] = 3 × 10
−1 1 −1 1 −1 1
—

Step 2: Global Stiffness Matrix

 
100000 −100000 0 0
−100000 300000 −200000 0 
K= 
 0 −200000 500000 −300000
0 0 −300000 300000
—

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Step 3: Apply Boundary Conditions
{F } = [0, 1000, 0, 0]T , U1 = 0
Reduced system:
   
300000 −200000 0 1000
Kred = −200000 500000 −300000 , Fred = 0 
0 −300000 300000 0
—

Step 4: Solve the System

Equations:
300000U2 − 200000U3 = 1000
−200000U2 + 500000U3 − 300000U4 = 0
−300000U3 + 300000U4 = 0
From last equation: U3 = U4 . From second: U2 = U3 . From first:
100000U2 = 1000 ⇒ U2 = 0.01.
—

Final Results
U2 = U3 = U4 = 0.01 m
Thus, the displacements of nodes 2, 3, and 4 are all 0.01 m.

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