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UNIT – 2

TOPIC
Unit-02/Lecture-01

Discretization of Domain: ( RGPV Examination Dec-2013)

In most engineering problems, we need to find the values of a field variable such as displacement,
stress, temperature, pressure, and velocity as a function of spatial coordinates (x, y, z). In the case of
transient or unsteady state problems, the field variable has to be found as a function of not only the
spatial coordinates (x, y ,z) but also time (t). The geometry (domain or solution region) of the
problem is often irregular. The first step of the finite element analysis involves the discretization of
the irregular domain into smaller and regular sub domains, known as finite elements. This is
equivalent to replacing the domain having an infinite number of degrees of freedom by a system
having finite number of degrees of freedom.
A variety of methods can be used to model a domain with finite elements. Different methods of
dividing the domain into finite elements involve different amounts of computational time and often
lead to different approximations to the solution of the physical problem. The process of
discretization is essentially an exercise of engineering judgment. Efficient methods of finite element
idealization require some experience and a knowledge of simple guidelines. For large problems
involving complex geometries, finite element idealization based on manual procedures requires
considerable effort and time on the part of the analyst. Some programs have been developed for
the automatic mesh generation for the efficient idealization of complex domains with minimal
interface with the analyst.
.
In most engineering problems, we need to find the

Basic element shape:

The shapes, sizes, number, and configurations of the elements have to be chosen carefully such that
the original body or domain is simulated as closely as possible without increasing the computational
effort needed for the solution. Mostly the choice of the type of element is dictated by the geometry
of the body and the number of independent coordinates necessary to describe the system. If the
geometry, material properties, and the field variable of the problem can be described in terms of
only one spatial coordinate, we can use the one dimensional or line elements shown in Figure
2.1(a). The temperature distribution in a rod (or fin), the pressure distribution in a pipe flow. and the
deformation of a bar under axial load, for example, can be determined using these elements.
Although these elements have cross-sectional area, they are generally shown schematically as a line
element (Figure 2.1(b)). In some cases, the cross-sectional area of the element may be non uniform.

For a simple analysis, one-dimensional elements are assumed to have two nodes, one at each end,
with the corresponding value of the field variable chosen as the unknown (degree of freedom).
However, for the analysis of beams, the values of the field variable (transverse displacement) and its
derivative (slope) are chosen as the unknowns (degrees of freedom) at each node as shown in
Figure 2.1(c).
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For a simple analysis, one-dimensional elements are assumed to have two nodes, one at each end,
with the corresponding value of the field variable chosen as the unknown (degree of freedom).
However, for the analysis of beams, the values of the field variable (transverse displacement) and its
derivative (slope) are chosen as the unknowns (degrees of freedom) at each node as shown in
Figure 2.1(c).
When the configuration and other details of the problem can be described in terms of two
independent spatial coordinates, we can use the two-dimensional elements shown in Figure 2.2.
The basic element useful for two-dimensional analysis is the triangular element. Although a
quadrilateral (or its special forms, rectangle and parallelogram) element can be obtained by
assembling two or four triangular elements, as shown in Figure 2.3, in some cases the use of
quadrilateral (or rectangle or parallelogram) elements proves to be advantageous. For the bending
analysis of plates, multiple degrees of freedom (transverse displacement and its derivatives) are
used at each node.

If the geometry, material properties, and other parameters of the body can be described by three
independent spatial coordinates, we can idealize the body by using the three dimensional elements
shown in Figure 2.4. The basic three-dimensional element, analogous to the triangular element in
the case of two-dimensional problems, is the tetrahedron element. In some cases the hexahedron
element, which can be obtained by assembling five tetrahedrons as indicated in Figure 2.5. can be
used advantageously. Some problems, which are actually three-dimensional, can be described by
only one or two independent coordinates. Such problems can be idealized by using an axisymmetric
or ring type of elements shown in Figure 2.6. The problems that possess axial symmetry, such as
pistons, storage tanks, valves, rocket nozzles, and re entry vehicle heat shields, fall into this category.
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S.NO RGPV QUESTIONS Year Marks

Q.1 Describe the various considerations taken in discretization process Dec 2013 7
of a complex element.
Q.2
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Unit-02/Lecture-02

Discretization process:

The various considerations to be taken in the discretization process are given in the following
sections [2.1].

Types of element:

Often, the type of elements to be used will be evident from the physical problem. For example, if
the problem involves the analysis of a truss structure under a given set of load conditions (Figure
2.8(a)), the type of elements to be used for idealization is obviously the "bar or line elements" as
shown in Figure 2.8(b). Similarly, in the case of stress analysis of the short beam shown in Figure
2.9(a). the finite element idealization can be done using three-dimensional solid elements as shown
in Figure 2.9(b). However, the type of elements to be used for idealization may not be apparent, and
in such cases one has to choose the type of elements judicially. As an example, consider the problem
of analysis of the thin-walled shell shown in Figure 2.10(a). In this case, the shell can be idealized by

several types of elements as shown in Figure 2.10(b). Here. the number of degrees of freedom
needed, the expected accuracy, the ease with which the necessary equations can be derived, and
the degree to which the physical structure can be modeled without approximation will dictate the
choice of the element type to be used for idealization. In certain problems, the given body cannot
be represented as an assemblage of only one type of elements. In such cases, we may have to use
two or more types of elements for idealization. An example of this would be the analysis of an
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aircraft wing. Since the wing consists of top and bottom covers, stiffening webs. and flanges, three
types of elements, namely, triangular plate elements (for covers), rectangular shear panels (for
webs), and frame elements (for flanges), have been used in the idealization shown in Figure 2.11
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Unit-02/Lecture-03
Shape Function:

Shape functions for the one-dimensional quadratic element with three nodes. Use local coordinate
system -1≤ ξ ≤ 1.

With shape functions, any field inside element is presented as:

At nodes the approximated function should be equal to its nodal value:

Since the element has three nodes the shape functions can be quadratic polynomials (with three
coefficients). The shape function N1 can be written as:

Unknown coefficients αi are defined from the following system of equations:

The solution is: α1 = 0; α2 = ¡1=2; α3 = 1=2. Thus the shape function N1 is equal to:

Similarly it is possible to obtain that the shape functions N2 and N3 are equal to:
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Unit-02/Lecture-04

Two-dimensional triangular element:

Triangular finite element was the first finite element proposed for continuous problems. Because
of simplicity it can be used as an introduction to other elements. A triangular finite element in the
coordinate system xy is shown in Fig. 4.1. Since the element has three nodes, linear approximation
of displacements u and v is selected:

Shape functions Ni(x; y) can be determined from the following equation system:

Shape functions for the triangular element can be presented as:

Figure 4.1: Triangular finite element is the simplest two-dimensional element.

where Δ is the element area. The matrix [B] for interpolating strains using nodal displacements is
equal to:
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The elasticity matrix [E] has the following appearance for plane problems:

where λ and μ are Lame constants:

Here E is the elasticity modulus and ν is the Poisson’s ratio.

The stiffness matrix for the three-node triangular element can be calculated as:

Here it was taken into account that both matrices [B] and [E] do not depend on coordinates. It was
assumed that the element has unit thickness. Since the matrix [B] is constant inside the element
the strains and stresses are also constant inside the triangular element.
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Unit-02/Lecture-05

One dimensional element: ( RGPV Examination Dec-2013 / Dec-2012)

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S.NO RGPV QUESTIONS Year Marks

Q.1 Using shape function matrix “N” derive the mass matrix of 1-D Dec 2013 7
element.
Q.2 For 1-d beam element evaluate & natural co-ordinates & N1, N2 Dec 2012 10
(Shape function) at point P. Also if q1= 0.003 cm & q2 = =0.005cm,
determine the value of displacement q at point P.
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Unit-02/Lecture-06

Two dimensional triangular element: ( RGPV Examination/ Dec-2013 /Dec-2012/Dec-2010)

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S.NO RGPV QUESTION YEAR MARKS

Q.1 Explain the following triangular element with their Dec-2013 7
respective interpolation functions (Shape Function) Dec-2012 10
1. Constant strain triangular element
2. Linear strain triangular element
Q.2 The nodal temperature of nodes 1 and 2 of an element in Dec-2013 7
a one dimensional fin are known to be T1=1200C and T2 =
800C with the co-ordinates x1=30cm and x2=50cm. Find
the following.
1. shape functions associated with the nodal values
T1 and T2.
2. Interpolation model for the temperature inside the
element, T(x)
3. Temperature in the element at x= 4cm.
Q.3 Define shape function for 2-D triangular and rectangular Dec-2010 20
elements.
Q.4 For the triangular element shown in fig obtain the strain- Dec-2010 20
displacement matrix B.
Note: q and x have the same units.
q1= 0.001, q2 = -0.004, q3 = 0.003, q4 = 0.002, q5 = -0.002,
q6 = 0.005
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Unit-02/Lecture-07

Axisymmetric Elements: ( RGPV Examination Dec-2013)

It is a special two-dimensional element called the axisymmetric element. This element is quite
useful when symmetry with respect to geometry and loading exists about an axis of the body
being analyzed. Problems that involve soil masses subjected to circular footing loads or thick-
walled pressure vessels can often be analyzed using the element developed in this chapter.

We begin with the development of the stiffness matrix for the simplest axisymmetric element,
the triangular torus, whose vertical cross section is a plane triangle. We then present the
longhand solution of a thick-walled pressure vessel to illustrate the use of the axisymmetric
element equations. This is followed by a description of some typical large-scale problems that
have been modeled using the axisymmetric element.

Axisymmetric elements are triangular tori such that each element is symmetric with respect to
geometry and loading about an axis such as the z axis. Hence, the z axis is called the axis of
symmetry or the axis of revolution. Each vertical cross section of the element is a plane triangle.
The nodal points of an axisymmetric triangular element describe circumferential lines.

In plane stress problems, stresses exist only in the x-y plane. In axisymmetric problems, the
radial displacements develop circumferential strains that induce stresses σr , σθ , σz and τrz

where r, θ, and z indicate the radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions, respectively.

Triangular torus elements are often used to idealize the axisymmetric system because they can
be used to simulate complex surfaces and are simple to work with.
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S.NO RGPV QUESTION YEAR MARKS

Q.1 Draw an axis symmetric element of any suitable Dec-2012 10
dimension & for it, explain the steps for the modelling
in finite element.
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Unit-02/Lecture-08

Aspect Ratio:

It is a characteristic related to the size of the element that affects the finite element solution.
The aspect ratio describe the shape of the element in the assemblage of the element For two
dimensional element the aspect ratio is taken as the ratio of the largest dimension of the
element to the smallest dimension. Element with an aspect ratio of nearly unity generally yield
best result.

The aspect ratio of a geometric shape is the ratio between its sizes in different dimensions. For
example, the aspect ratio of a rectangle is the ratio of its longer side to its shorter side - the
ratio of width to height,[1] when the rectangle is oriented as a "landscape".
The aspect ratio is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (x : y). A common
misunderstanding is that x and y represent actual width and height. Actually they represent the
relation between width and height. As an example, 8:5, 16:10 and 1.6:1 are the same aspect
ratio.
In objects of more than two dimensions, such as Hyper rectangles, the aspect ratio can still be
defined as the ratio of the longest side to the shortest side.

S.NO RGPV QUESTION YEAR MARKS

Q.1
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REFERENCCE

BOOK AUTHOR PRIORITY

The Finite Element Method In Engineering Singiresu S. Rao 1
Introduction to Finite Element in Engineering T.R. Chandrupatla 2
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