Exercises on finite element method

S. N. Khaderi
August 18, 2015

Direct stiffness method

Questions marked with as asterisk are coding assignments that should be submitted
before 15 September .
1. PMPE Write the potential for a springforce system. Plot the potential energy
as a function of x for various values of F .
2. Assembly Populate the global stiffness matrix for the below two nodal numbering. What do you observe? Try also playing with the local node numbering to
convince yourself that no matter how you locally number the nodes of an element,
the global stiffness matrix remains the same for each of these meshes.
3
1
2
1
1
1

2
3

3. 1D bar elements Consider a bar of length L with a tapering cross-section

A(x) = 1 + x/L. The left end is fixed and to right end a force of unit magnitude
is applied. Find the exact solution for this problem. Solve this problem using
one, two and three finite elements, assuming that the area is constant within each
element, and compare with analytical solution.
4. 1D bar elements* Write a finite element program to solve the above problem.
Verify the output of program by comparing with analytical solution.
5. Truss elements* Consider a truss structure shown below. Assume that the
stiffness of all the members is equal to unity. Write a finite element program to
solve for the axial forces in the members labelled A, B, C. Verify the output of
program by comparing with analytical solution.

A
6. Beam elements* Modify the above finite element program, using beam elements, to solve for the deflection of a simply supported beam, loaded by a point
force at the mid-span. Verify the obtained solution by solving the same problem
using symmetry boundary condition.
7. Frame elements* Consider a portal frame structures shown below. Write a
finite element program to compute the displacements and rotations at the point
of application of load. Verify your results by solving the same problem using
symmetry/antisymmetry boundary conditions at the point of application of the
load/moment. Does the solution improve if more than one element is used to
discretize each member of the frame.
L

Calculus of variations

8.
Why is that in calculus of variation, we do not vary a functional,
R Some basics.

F (x, y, y )dx, with respect to the independent variable, x? Why do we consider

y and y as independent variables?
9. Laws of reflection. Consider reflection of light from a mirror. The laws of
reflection can be stated as a light ray incident upon a reflective surface will be
reflected at an angle equal to the incident angle. Derive this law from Fermats
principle.
10. Optical Path Near Event Horizon of a Black Hole. Determine the
optical path in an atmosphere in which the velocity of light increases in proportion
to the height, v(y) = y/b, with b > 0 some parameter describing the light speed.
Therefore, v = 0 at y = 0, which simulates the conditions at the surface of a black
hole, called its event horizon, where the gravitational force is so strong that the
velocity of light goes to zero, thus even trapping light. (Source: Weber and Arfken)
11. Electrostatics. The electrostatic potential energy can be written, in twodimensions, as
Z  2  2

0
+
dxdy,
=
2
x
y
where is the electrostatic potential, 0 is the dielectric permittivity in vacuum.
Derive the conditions for which the electrostatic potential energy is stationary.
12. Boundary conditions. Consider a one-dimensional bar. The extreme ends
of the bar are fixed. A concentrated force F is applied at the middle. Derive,
using variational method, the conditions that have to be satisfied at the point of
application of force.
3

13. Catenoid Among all the curves joining two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), find
the one which generates the surface of minimum area when rotated about the x
axis.