MUTHYAMMAL ENGEIREEING COLLEGE, RASIPURAM-637408

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ME2353 FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

QUESTION BANK

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UNIT I-FINITE ELEMENT FORMULATION OF BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS

2-MARKS

1. Distinguish between 1D bar element and 1D beam element.

2. State the principle of minimum potential energy.
3. Write the potential energy equation for beam of span ‘L’ simply supported at ends subjected to
a concentrated load ‘P’ at mid span, assume EI as constant.
4. What do you mean by constitutive law?
5. Define shape functions.
6. What are the characteristics of shape function?
7. What are the types of location of nodes?
8. State the three phases of finite element method.
9. Name the weighted residual method.
10. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
11. What is Galerkin method of approximation?

16 MARKS
1. A simply supported beam is subjected to uniformly distributed load over entire span and it is
subjected to a point load at the centre of the span. Calculate the bending moment and
deflection at the mid span using Rayleigh-Ritz method and compare with exact solution.

2. A simply supported beam is subjected to uniformly distributed load over entire span.
Determine the bending moment and deflection at the mid span using Rayleigh-Ritz method
and compare with exact solution.

Use a two term trial function y= a1 sin (∏x/l) + a2 sin (3∏x/l).

3 .Write short notes on following,

(i) Point collocation method

(ii) Sub-domain collocation method

(iii) Least squares method

(iv) Galerkin’s method

 d2 y
3. The following differential equation is available for a physical phenomenon. dx2 + 50=0,
0<x<10; the trial function is, y= ax (10-x); the boundary conditions are y(0) =0 and y(10)=0;
Find the value of the parameter ‘a’ by

(i) Point collocation method

(ii) Sub-domain collocation method

(iii) Least squares method

(iv) Galerkin’s method

4. Derive And write the short notes on i) Stresses and equilibrium ii) Boundary conditions iii)
Strain Displacement relationship iv) Temperature effect v)Potential energy and Equilibrium.

5. List the general steps of the finite element method and four types of discretization process.

6. Derive the shape function for one dimensional bar element based on global Co-ordinate
approach.

7. A beam AB of span ‘l’ simply supported at ends and carrying a concentrated load ‘W’ at the
centre ‘c’. Determine the deflection at mid span by using Rayleigh-Ritz method and
compare with exact solution.
𝑑2 𝑦
8. The differential equation of a physical phenomenon is given by 𝑑𝑥 2 +500𝑥 2 = 0; 0≤x≤1; by
using the trial function. 𝑦 = 𝑎1 (𝑥 − 𝑥 3 ) + 𝑎2 (𝑥 − 𝑥 5 ) .
The boundary conditions are: y (0) = 0; y (1) = 1
Calculate the value of the parameters 𝑎1 and 𝑎2 by the following methods:
(a) Point collocation
(b) Sub domain collocation
(c) Least squares
(d) Galerkian’s method
9. What is constitutive relationship? Express the constitutive related for a linear elastic
isotropic material including initial stress and strain.
𝑑 2 𝑦⁄ 2
10. Consider the differential equation ( 𝑑𝑥 2 ) + 400𝑥 = 0, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 subject to
boundary conditions y(0) = 0; y(1) = 0. The functions corresponding to this problem, to the
extrenized is given by
1
dy 2
I = ∫ {−0.5 ( ) + 400x 2 y}
0 dx

Find the solution of the problem using Rayleigh-Ritz method by considering a two-term
solution as Y(x) = 𝐶1 𝑥 (1 − 𝑥) + 𝐶2 𝑥 2 (1 − 𝑥)

11. 3x+y-z = 3; 2x-8y+z = -5; x-2y+9z = 8. Solve the equations by Gauss – Elimination method.

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 UNIT II ONE DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

2 MARKS

1. Distinguish between 1D bar element and 1D beam element.

2. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for a truss element.
3. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
4. Define shape functions.
5. What are the characteristics of shape function?
6. What are the types of location of nodes?

16 MARKS

1. The stepped bar shown in figure 1 is subjected to an increase in temperature, Δ T = 80ºC.

Determine the displacements, element stresses and support reactions.
𝛼𝐵 = 18.9 𝑋 10−6 / ºC; 𝛼𝐴𝑖 = 23 𝑋 10−6 / ºC; 𝛼𝑠 = 11.7 𝑋 10−6 / ºC;
𝑃1 = −60 𝑘𝑁; 𝑃2 = −75 𝑘𝑁; Δ T = 80ºC.

2. Consider a two-bar truss supported by a spring shown in Fig. 2. Both bars have E = 210
GPa and A = 5 X 10−4 𝑚2. Bar one has a length of 5 m and bar two has a length of 10 m.
The spring stiffness is k = 2 kN/m. Determine the horizontal and vertical displacement at the
joint 1 and stresses in each bar.
3. A stepped bar is subjected to an axial load of 200 KN at the place of change of cross section
and material as shown in figure. Find (a) The nodal displacements (b) the reaction force
(c) The induced stresses in each material

4. For a tapered bar of uniform thickness t=10mm as shown in figure. Find the displacements
at the nodes by forming into two element model. The bar has a mass density G = 7800
Kg/M3, the young’s modulus E = 2x105 MN/m2. In addition to self weight, the bar is
subjected to a point load P= 1 KN at its centre. Also determine the reaction forces at the
support.
5. Consider a bar as shown in figure 1. An axial load of 200 KN is applied at point p. take
A1=2400mm2, E1=70x10N/m2, A2=600mm2, E2=200x10N/m2.

Figure 1

Calculate the following:

(a) The nodal displacement at point p.
(b) Stress in each element.
(c) Reaction force.

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 UNIT III TWO DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

2 MARKS

1. Define plane stress analysis?

2. Define plane strain analysis?
3. Write down the finite element equation for one dimensional heat conduction with free end
convection.
4. Define plane strain analysis. Give an example for plane strain problem.
5. What is axisymmetric element? Give an example for axisymmetric problem.
6. Write down the shape function for an axisymmetric triangular element.
7. Give the strain-displacement matrix equation for an axisymmetric triangular element.
8. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an axisymmetric triangular element.
9. What is the isoparametric element?
10. Write down the shape function for an 4Node quadrilatrel element.
11. Write down the jacobian matrix for four noded quadrilateral element.
12. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an 4Node quadrilatrel element.
13. Differentiate between the Super parametric & sub parametric elements.
14. What are CST and LST elements?
15. What is a shape function?
16. State the properties of stiffness matrix.
17. Write down the governing differential equation for a two dimensional steady state heat
transfer problem.
18. What is meant by axi-symmetric field problem?
19. Distinguish between plane stress and plane strain problems.
20. What are the difference between 2 dimensional scalar variable and vector variable element.
21. Distinguish between essential boundary conditions and neutral boundary conditions.

16 MARKS

1. Derive the shape function for 2D beam element.

2. Derive the stiffness matrix for 2D truss element.

3. Write the mathematical formulation for a steady state heat transfer conduction problem and
derive the stiffness and force matrices for the same.
4. Determine the shape function for a CST element in terms of natural coordinate system
5. Derive the expression for constitutive stress-strain relationship and also reduce it to the
problem of plane stress and plane strain.

6. Calculate the element stress σx, σy, τxy, σ1, σ2, and the principle angle Фp for the triangular
element with node1 (10, 7.5), node2 (15, 5), node3 (15, 10). The nodal displacements are
u1=2mm, u2=0.5 mm, u3=3 mm, v1=1 mm, v2=0 mm, v3=1 mm. Take E=2.1*105N/mm2,
and Poisson’s ratio = 0.25. Assume plane stress condition.
7. Evaluate the element stiffness matrix for the triangular element shown in fig. under the
plane stress condition assume the following values ,E=2x105N/mm2, v =0.3 , t=20mm
x1=100, y1 =100. x2 =400 y2=100. x3 =200 y3=400.

a(200, 400)

b(100,100) c (400,100) X

8. Derive the Shape function & Strain-Displacement matrix for constant strain triangular
element
9. Evaluate the element stiffness matrix for the triangular element shown in fig.(i)under the
plane stress condition assume the following values ,E=2x105N/mm2, v =0.3 , t=10mm
x1=0, y1 =0. x2 =3 y2=0. x3 =1.5 y3=4.

(1.5, 4)

(0.0) (3, 0) X

10. Calculate the element stress σx, σy,τxy, σ1,σ2, and the principle angle Фp for the triangular
element with node1(10,7.5), node2(15,5), node3(15,10). The nodal displacements are
u1=2mm, u2=0.5 mm, u3=3 mm, v1=1 mm, v2=0 mm, v3=1 mm. take E=2.1*105N/mm2, and
poisson’s ratio = 0.25. Assume plane stress condition.

11. For the plane strain element calculate the element stress σx, σy,τxy, σ1,σ2, and the principle
angle Фp for the triangular element with node1(5,15), node2(15,5), node3(25,15). The
nodal displacements are u1=0.005mm, u2=0 mm, u3=0.005 mm, v1=0.002 mm, v2=0 mm,
v3=0 mm. take E=70 GPa, poisson’s ratio = 0.3 and use unit thickness for plane strain.

12. Derive the stress-strain displacement matrix for axisymmetric triangular element.
13. For an axisymmetric triangular element shown in figure. The nodal displacements are 𝑢1 = 2
mm, 𝑣1 = 1 mm, 𝑢2 = 1 mm, 𝑣2 = 1.5 mm, 𝑢3 = 2.5 mm, 𝑣3 = 0.5 mm. Determine the element
stresses. E = 210 x 103 MPa, µ = 0.25.
14. The nodal co-ordinates for an axisymmetric triangular element shown in figure are 𝑟1=20
mm, 𝑧1 =10 mm, 𝑟2 =40 mm, 𝑧2 =10 mm, 𝑟3 =30 mm, 𝑧3 =50 mm. Determine the strain –
displacement matrix.
15. For an axisymmetric triangular element, the co-ordinates are In ‘mm’ Node 1 (0,0),
Node2(50,0), Node 3 (0,50). Evaluate the stiffness matrix. Take E = 210 GPa, Poission’s
ratio µ = 0.25.
16. A long hollow cylinder of inside diameter 100 mm and outside diameter 120 mm is firmly
fitted in a hole of another rigid cylinder over its full length as shown in figure. The cylinder
is then subjected to an internal pressure of 2 MPa. By using two elements on the 10 mm
length shown,find the displacements at the inner radius. Take E = 210 GPa, µ = 0.25.
17. Derive the shape function for 4 noded rectangular elements using natural co-ordinate
system.
18. The Cartesian (global) co-ordinates of the corner nodes of an isoparametric quadrilateral
element are given by (1,0), (2,0), (2.5,1,5) and (1.5,1). Find its Jacobian matrix.

1
1
 3e  x2 
x

19. Evaluate the integral I= 1 x  2 dx using Gaussian integration with two and three
integration points and compare with exact solution.
(3  x 2 )
4 6

  (2  y 2 )
20. Use Gaussian quadrature to obtain an exact value for the integral I= 0 0 dxdy.

21. The (x, y) co-ordinate of nodes, i,j and k of a triangular element are given by (0.0), (3,0),
and (1.5,4) mm respectively. Evaluate the shape functions 𝑁1 , 𝑁2 at interior point P(2, 2.5)
mm for the element.
22. For the same triangular element, obtain the strain-displacement relation matrix B.
23. Compute element matrices and vectors for the element shown in Fig. 3, when the edge 𝐾𝑗
experiences convection heat loss.
 𝑁
24. The triangular element shown in Fig. 4 is subjected to a constant pressure 10 𝑚𝑚2 along the
edge ij. Assume E = 200 GPa, Poisson’s ratio µ = 0.3 and thickness of the element = 2 mm.
The coefficient of thermal expansion of the material is α = 2 𝑋 10−6 / ºC and Δ T = 50ºC.
Determine the constitutive matrix (stress strain relation matrix D) and the nodal force vector
for the element.

25. The (x, y) co-ordinates of nodes, i, j and k of an axisymmetric triangular element are given
by (3,4), (6,5) and (5,8) cm respectively. The element displacement in (m) vector is given by
q = [0.002, 0.001, 0.001, 0.004, −0.003, 0.007]𝑇 . Determine the element strains.

26. The Cartesian (global) co-ordinates of the corner nodes of a quadrilateral element are given
by (0,-1), (-2,3) and (5,3). Find the co-ordinate transformation between the global and local
(natural) co-ordinates using this, determine the Cartesian co-ordinates of the point defined
by (r,s) = (0.5, 0.5) in the global co-ordinate system.
27. The Cartesian (global) co-ordinates of the corner nodes of an isoparametric quadrilateral
element are given by (1,0), (2,0), (2.5, 1.5) and (1.5,1). Find it jacobian matrix.

28. Distinguish between sub parametric and super parametric elements.

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 UNIT IV DYNAMIC ANALYSIS USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

1. Derive the element mass matrices for the following

a. Axial vibration of bar
b. Transverse vibration of beam
2. Consider a uniform cross-section bar of length L made up of a material whose Young’s
modulus and density are given by E and ρ. Estimate the natural frequencies of axial
vibration of the bar using consistent mass matrices.
3. Consider a simply supported beam, Let a length L=1 m, E=2 x 1011 𝑁⁄𝑚2 ; area of cross-
𝐾𝑔⁄
section,A= 30 𝑐𝑚2 ; moment of inertia I= 100 𝑚𝑚4 ; density ρ= 7800 𝑚3 . We will
obtain the first five natural frequencies using the consistent mass matrices.
4. What is meant by Determinant based methods?
5. What is meant by transformation based methods?
6. What is meant by Vector iteration based methods?
7. Consider a three-element model of the fixed-free bar undergoing axial vibrations Let L=1 m,
𝐾𝑔⁄
A=30 x 10−6 𝑚2 , E=2 x 1011 𝑁⁄𝑚2, ρ =7800 𝑚3 calculate the consistent mass matrix.
8. Consider the undamped, 2-d.o.f. system. Find the response of the system when the first mass
alone is given an initial displacement of unity and released from rest. Temperature
distribution in a pin-fin. Consider a 1 mm diameter, 50 mm long aluminium pin-fin used to
enhance the heat transfer from a surface wall maintained at 300˚C. Use k=200 W/m/˚C, ρ=
𝐾𝑔⁄ 2
2700 𝑚3 C= 900 J/Kg˚C for aluminium; h= 20 W/𝑚 ˚C; 𝑇∞ = 30˚C. Assume that the
tip of the fin is insulated. There is no internal heat source. We will now study how the
temperature in the fin varies with time before settling to the steady state solution obtained.
9. Obtain the highest natural frequency by vector iteration method.
10. Explain what would happen if the lowest eigenvalue of a system is zero and the inverse
iteration technique is applied. How will you overcome the difficulty?
11. Determine the two eigenvalues and eigenvectors corresponding to the two nonzero masses,
using the method of subspace iteration.
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UNIT V APPLICATIONS IN HEAT TRANSFER & FLUID MECHANICS

1. What is meant by Imposed temperature?
2. What is meant by heat flux?
3. What is meant by convection through an anode?
4. A cylindrical pin that is one of several in a small heat exchange device. The left end of
the pin is subjected to a constant temperature of 180˚F. the right end of the pin is in
contact with a chilled water bath maintained at constant temperature of 40˚F.Theexterior
surface of the pin is in contact with moving air at 72˚F. the physical data are given as
follows:
5. D=0.5 inch, L=4 inch, k x = 120 Btu/ (hr-ft-˚F), hair = 50 Btu/ (hr-ft 2 -˚F), hwater = 100
Btu/ (hr-ft 2 -˚F),
6. Determine the conductance matrix (excluding edge convection) for a four-node,
rectangular element having 0.5 inch, thickness and equal sides of 1 inch. The material
has thermal properties
7. k x = k y = 20 Btu/ (hr-ft-˚F), and h=50 Btu/ (hr-ft 2 -˚F).
8. A two dimensional heating fin. The fin is attached to a pipe on its left edge, and the pipe
conveys water at a constant temperature of 180˚F. the fin is surrounded by air at
temperature 68˚F. the thermal properties of the fin are k x = k y = 20 Btu/ (hr-ft-˚F), and
h=50 Btu/ (hr-ft 2 -˚F). Use four-node rectangular elements to obtain a finite element
solution for the steady-state temperature distribution in the fin
9. Calculate the terms of the conductance matrix for an axisymmetric element based on the
three-node plane triangular element.
10. Derive the governing equation for Incompressible flow.
11. Define Newton’s law of viscosity.
12. Define rotational and Irrotational flow.
13. Define compressible and Incompressible flow
14. Define boundary condition.
15. Define stokes flow.
16. How would you design an experiment to determine the relative viscosity between two
fluids? What fluids might you use in this test?
17. Define Newtonian fluids?
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