15ME603 - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

QUESTION PAPER CODE: 1561888

END SEMESTER ANSWER KEY – MAY 2018
PART – A
1. What is meant by weak formulation?
A weak form is a weighted-integral statement of a differential equation in which the
differentiation is distributed among the dependent variable and the weight function and also
includes the natural boundary conditions of the problem.
2. Give the finite element equation for 1D beam element.
12 6L −12 6 L

[
EI 2
[ K ] = 3 6 L 4 L −6 L 2 L
L −12 −6 L 12 −6 L
6 L 2 L2 −6 L 4 L2
] 2

3. List the basic steps involved in the finite element modelling.

Finite Element Modelling consists of the following:
Discretization of structure, Numbering of nodes, Selection of displacement function, Define
the material behaviour, Derivation of element stiffness matrix and equations, Assemble the
equations, Solution, Computation of the element stresses and strains, Interpret the results.
4. Explain Pascal’s triangles.
One of the most interesting Number Patterns is Pascal's Triangle (named after Blaise Pascal, a
famous French Mathematician and Philosopher). To build the triangle, start with "1" at the
top, then continue placing numbers below it in a triangular pattern. Each number is the
numbers directly above it added together.
5. Contrast plane stress and plane strain.
Plane Stress Analysis: It is defined to be a state of stress in which the normal stress (σ) and
shear stress (τ) directed perpendicular to the plane are assumed to be zero.
Plane Strain Analysis: It is defined to be a state of strain in which the normal to the xy plane
and the shear strain are assumed to be zero.
6. State the conditions for a problem to be axisymmetric.
The problem domain must be symmetric about the axis of revolution.
All boundary condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution.
All loading condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution.
7. Is beam element an isoperimetric element?
Beam element is not an Isoperimetric element since the
geometry and displacement are defined by different order
interpretation functions.
8. Define Jacobian matrix with matrix form.
The Cartesian coordinates of the element into suitable local coordinates or vice versa in order
to solve the quadrilateral finite element problem, the jacobian matrix relates the derivatives of
global and natural coordinates.
9. Differentiate between static and dynamic analysis.
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as static
analysis
Example: stress analysis on a beam.
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as dynamic analysis
Example: vibration analysis problem.
10. Discuss about the lumped mass matrix and consistent mass matrix as applied to FEA.
A lumped mass matrix is obtained by an ad-hoc assignment of nodal masses.
A consistent mass matrix is obtained by using the same shape functions or interpolation
functions as those used for the displacements.