FEM ANS

Alright, you’ve posted several important theory questions about Finite Element Method
(FEM) — mostly related to dynamic analysis, formulations, assembly processes, and
special element types.

I’ll answer each one clearly and systematically:

1. What are dynamic problems in FEM?

• Dynamic problems in FEM involve systems where the loads, displacements, and
stresses vary with time.
• Unlike static analysis (forces applied slowly), dynamic analysis considers inertia and
damping effects.

Typical dynamic FEM problems:

• Vibrations of structures (beams, rods, frames, plates).

• Earthquake analysis of buildings.
• Impact analysis (crash simulation).

The general dynamic equilibrium equation in FEM is:

Mu¨(t)+Cu˙(t)+Ku(t)=F(t)M \ddot{u}(t) + C \dot{u}(t) + K u(t) = F(t)

where:

• MM = Mass matrix
• CC = Damping matrix
• KK = Stiffness matrix
• u(t)u(t) = Displacement vector (function of time)
• F(t)F(t) = External force vector (function of time)

2. Explain the finite element solution techniques for dynamic problems.

There are two major types:

(a) Free Vibration Analysis:

• No external force, F(t)=0F(t) = 0.

• Solve the eigenvalue problem:

(K−ω2M)ϕ=0(K - \omega^2 M) \phi = 0

where ω\omega = natural frequencies, ϕ\phi = mode shapes.

(b) Forced Vibration Analysis:

• External dynamic forces are present.

Time Integration Methods used:

• Explicit methods (e.g., Central Difference Method)

• Implicit methods (e.g., Newmark-beta Method, Wilson-θ Method)

Summary:

• Modal Analysis: Find natural frequencies and mode shapes.

• Direct Integration: Time-stepping solution for transient forces.
• Response Spectrum Analysis: Earthquake engineering applications.

3. How are free vibration problems of rods and beams analyzed using FEM?

• Step 1: Discretize the rod or beam into finite elements.

• Step 2: Formulate the element stiffness matrix kek_e and mass matrix mem_e.
• Step 3: Assemble the global stiffness KK and global mass MM matrices.
• Step 4: Solve the generalized eigenvalue problem:

(K−ω2M)ϕ=0(K - \omega^2 M) \phi = 0

• Step 5: Find natural frequencies (ω\omega) and mode shapes (ϕ\phi).

Note:

• For rods: Only axial vibrations.

• For beams: Bending vibrations are considered (Euler-Bernoulli or Timoshenko beam
theories).

4. Explain the formulation of dynamic problems in finite element analysis.

Formulation steps:

1. Derive equations of motion using Newton's Second Law or Principle of Virtual

Work.
2. Define element matrices:
o Mass matrix MM (either lumped or consistent).
o Damping matrix CC (optional, often Rayleigh damping).
o Stiffness matrix KK.
3. Assemble into the global system.
4. Apply initial conditions (initial displacement and velocity).
5. Solve using:
o Eigenvalue methods (for free vibrations).
 o Time integration methods (for forced vibrations).

5. Explain the necessity of assembling the global stiffness matrix in Finite

Element Analysis. Describe the steps involved.

Necessity:

• Each finite element only represents a small part of the structure.

• Global stiffness matrix KK connects all elements together, enforcing compatibility
and equilibrium across the structure.

Steps in Assembly:

1. Form element matrices (kek_e) for all elements.

2. Identify degrees of freedom (DOFs) associated with each node.
3. Map local DOFs to global DOFs using connectivity information.
4. Add contributions of kek_e into appropriate locations in KK.

Assembly ensures:

• Continuity of displacements across elements.

• Force balance at nodes.

6. Differentiate between Principle of Minimum Potential Energy and Direct

Stiffness Method.

Principle of Minimum Potential

Aspect Direct Stiffness Method
Energy
Based on Energy minimization Force-displacement relations
Approach Variational Algebraic
Derives FEM equations by minimizing Directly formulates equilibrium
Formulation
total potential energy equations element by element
Example Used in structural mechanics problems Used for truss, frame, beam analysis

Contribution to FEM:

• Both provide systematic ways to develop element equations.

• Energy methods are general and powerful, particularly for complex behaviors.

7. Apply the Galerkin Method to formulate the finite element equations for a
simply supported beam under transverse loading.
Governing differential equation:

EId4w(x)dx4=q(x)EI \frac{d^4 w(x)}{dx^4} = q(x)

where:

• w(x)w(x) = Transverse displacement

• q(x)q(x) = Distributed load

Galerkin Method steps:

1. Choose interpolation function w(x)=∑iNi(x)wiw(x) = \sum_{i} N_i(x) w_i.

2. Form residual:

R=EId4wdx4−q(x)R = EI \frac{d^4 w}{dx^4} - q(x)

3. Set the weighted residual integral to zero:

∫ΩNjR dx=0for eachj\int_{\Omega} N_j R \, dx = 0 \quad \text{for each} \quad j

4. Integrate by parts to reduce the order of derivatives.

5. Derive element stiffness matrix and load vector.

Interpolation function for beam (cubic polynomial):

w(x)=a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3w(x) = a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + a_3 x^3

8. Define the compatibility and completeness requirements in FEM.

Compatibility:

• Displacement field must be continuous across element boundaries.

• No sudden jumps in deformation at nodes.

Completeness:

• Shape functions must be able to represent constant strain states (linear displacement
fields).

Influence on shape functions:

• Higher-order elements must maintain compatibility and completeness.

• Example: For a linear element, linear shape functions are sufficient for axial
problems.

9. What is an isoparametric element?

 • Isoparametric elements use the same shape functions for:
o Geometry interpolation (mapping the shape in space)
o Field variable interpolation (e.g., displacement, temperature)

Thus:

x(ξ,η)=∑Ni(ξ,η)xi,y(ξ,η)=∑Ni(ξ,η)yix(\xi, \eta) = \sum N_i(\xi, \eta) x_i, \quad y(\xi, \eta) =

\sum N_i(\xi, \eta) y_i u(ξ,η)=∑Ni(ξ,η)uiu(\xi, \eta) = \sum N_i(\xi, \eta) u_i

• Especially useful for irregular elements (e.g., curved boundaries).

10. What are axisymmetric elements? Derive the strain-displacement relations

for an axisymmetric triangular element.

Axisymmetric elements:

• Used when the geometry, loads, and boundary conditions are symmetric about an axis
(e.g., cylinders, domes).
• Only rr-zz plane needs to be analyzed; θ\theta-direction is handled automatically.

Strain-displacement relations:

For axisymmetric condition:

εr=∂u∂r\varepsilon_r = \frac{\partial u}{\partial r} εz=∂w∂z\varepsilon_z = \frac{\partial

w}{\partial z} εθ=ur\varepsilon_\theta = \frac{u}{r} γrz=∂u∂z+∂w∂r\gamma_{rz} =
\frac{\partial u}{\partial z} + \frac{\partial w}{\partial r}

Where:

• uu = Radial displacement
• ww = Axial displacement

The B-matrix (strain-displacement matrix) can then be derived using these relations for the
triangular element shape functions.

Alright! Let's go through each of your important Finite Element Method (FEM) theory
questions carefully and systematically:

1. Formulation of Dynamic Problems in Finite Element

Analysis
Dynamic problems involve time-dependent behavior, governed by Newton’s second law (F
= ma).

The general dynamic equilibrium equation for FEM is:

Mu¨(t)+Cu˙(t)+Ku(t)=F(t)M \ddot{u}(t) + C \dot{u}(t) + K u(t) = F(t)

where:

• MM = Mass matrix (inertia)

• CC = Damping matrix
• KK = Stiffness matrix
• u(t)u(t) = Nodal displacement vector
• F(t)F(t) = External force vector

Formulation Steps:

1. Derive element-level mass MeM_e, stiffness KeK_e, and damping CeC_e matrices.
2. Assemble global matrices MM, KK, CC.
3. Apply boundary conditions and initial conditions.
4. Solve:
o For free vibration: Solve eigenvalue problem (K−ω2M)ϕ=0(K - \omega^2
M)\phi = 0
o For forced vibration: Use time integration methods like Newmark, Central
Difference.

2. Necessity of Assembling the Global Stiffness Matrix

Each finite element represents only part of the structure.

• The Global Stiffness Matrix KK represents the entire structure.

• It ensures that:
o Continuity of displacements across elements.
o Force equilibrium at nodes.

Without assembly, the structure would be treated as isolated, disconnected pieces.

Steps Involved in Assembly:

1. Number all global nodes and degrees of freedom (DOFs).

2. Create local element stiffness matrices kek_e.
3. Map local DOFs to global DOFs using connectivity.
4. Add each element’s contribution into the corresponding location in the global KK
matrix.
5. Apply boundary conditions (modify KK and FF).
3. Differentiate: Principle of Minimum Potential Energy
vs. Direct Stiffness Method
Feature Principle of Minimum Potential Energy Direct Stiffness Method
Approach Based on energy minimization Based on equilibrium equations
Total Potential Energy should be minimum Sum of forces at each node must
Concept
at equilibrium be zero
Application Variational formulations Matrix formulations
Practical assembly and solving
Used for Deriving governing equations naturally
large systems

Contribution to FEM:

• Minimum Potential Energy: Used to derive governing equations and element

matrices naturally.
• Direct Stiffness Method: Used to assemble and solve the global system easily.

4. Compatibility and Completeness Requirements in FEM

• Compatibility:
Displacement field must be continuous across element boundaries.
→ No jumps in displacement at shared nodes.
• Completeness:
Element must represent at least the constant strain state and basic rigid body motion.

Influence on Interpolation Functions:

• Choose shape functions ensuring:

o Displacement continuity at nodes (compatibility).
o Ability to represent basic displacement/strain states (completeness).

Example:

• A linear bar element must use linear shape functions to ensure constant strain
(completeness) and continuity (compatibility).
5. Galerkin Weighted Residual Method for Simply
Supported Euler-Bernoulli Beam
Governing Differential Equation:

EId4wdx4=q(x)EI \frac{d^4 w}{dx^4} = q(x)

where w(x)w(x) = transverse displacement.

Finite Element Formulation:

• Assume displacement w(x)w(x) using shape functions:

w(x)=∑i=1nNi(x)wiw(x) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} N_i(x) w_i

• Residual:

R=EId4wdx4−q(x)R = EI \frac{d^4 w}{dx^4} - q(x)

• Galerkin Weighted Residual Statement:

∫ΩNjR dx=0for each DOF\int_{\Omega} N_j R \, dx = 0 \quad \text{for each DOF}

• Integrate by parts twice to lower derivative order:

∫ΩEId2Njdx2d2wdx2 dx=∫ΩNjq(x) dx\int_{\Omega} EI \frac{d^2 N_j}{dx^2} \frac{d^2

w}{dx^2} \, dx = \int_{\Omega} N_j q(x) \, dx

Resulting in the element stiffness matrix and load vector.

Interpolation (Shape) Functions:

• For a beam element (2-node, cubic interpolation):

w(x)=N1(x)w1+N2(x)θ1+N3(x)w2+N4(x)θ2w(x) = N_1(x) w_1 + N_2(x) \theta_1 + N_3(x)

w_2 + N_4(x) \theta_2

where:

• w1w_1, w2w_2 = Transverse displacements at nodes

• θ1\theta_1, θ2\theta_2 = Slopes at nodes
6. Axisymmetric Finite Elements
• Used when geometry and loading are symmetric about an axis (rotation about z-
axis).

Only the r-z plane needs modeling.

Strain-Displacement Relation for 3-node Linear Triangular Element:

Displacements:

u=∑i=13Niui,w=∑i=13Niwiu = \sum_{i=1}^{3} N_i u_i, \quad w = \sum_{i=1}^{3} N_i

w_i

Strains:

εr=∂u∂r\varepsilon_r = \frac{\partial u}{\partial r} εz=∂w∂z\varepsilon_z = \frac{\partial

w}{\partial z} εθ=ur\varepsilon_\theta = \frac{u}{r} γrz=∂u∂z+∂w∂r\gamma_{rz} =
\frac{\partial u}{\partial z} + \frac{\partial w}{\partial r}

The strain-displacement matrix BB relates strains to nodal displacements.

7. Isoparametric Elements in FEM

• Isoparametric Concept:
Use the same shape functions to interpolate both:
o Geometry (element shape)
o Field variables (e.g., displacement)

Formulation:

Geometry:

x=∑iNi(ξ,η)xi,y=∑iNi(ξ,η)yix = \sum_{i} N_i(\xi, \eta) x_i, \quad y = \sum_{i} N_i(\xi, \eta)

y_i

Field Variables:

u=∑iNi(ξ,η)uiu = \sum_{i} N_i(\xi, \eta) u_i

where:

• ξ,η\xi, \eta = natural coordinates

 • NiN_i = interpolation (shape) functions

Benefits:

• Easy to handle curved boundaries.

• Uniform formulation for different shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, hexahedra).
• Simplifies integration using standard Gauss quadrature.

Summary Table for Quick Revision:

Topic Key Point
Dynamic Problem Mu¨+Cu˙+Ku=FM\ddot{u} + C\dot{u} + Ku = F
Assembly Combine element matrices to form global matrix
Principle of Minimum Energy Energy-based derivation
Direct Stiffness Method Force equilibrium-based assembly
Compatibility Displacement continuity
Completeness Ability to represent basic strains
Galerkin Method Weighted residual minimization
Axisymmetric Elements Symmetry about axis (r-z plane)
Isoparametric Elements Same shape functions for geometry and field variables