14 The standard discrete system and origins of the finite element method

where
q_ =
_
U
_
1
U
_
2

; u_ =
_
u
_
1
u
_
2

and K_
e
= EA
L
_
1 1
1 1
_
To obtain the final assembled matrices for a standard discrete problem it is necessary
to transform the behaviour to a global frame using Eqs 1.23 and 1.25 where
L =
_
cos sin 0 0
0 0 cos sin
_
; q =


U1
V1
U2
V2


and u =


u1
v1
u2
v2


(a) Compute relations for q and K in terms of L, q_ and K_
e.
(b) If the numbering for the end nodes is reversed what is the final form forK compared
to that given in (a)? Verify your answer when = 30o.
1.3 A plane truss has nodes numbered as shown in Fig. 1.6(a).
(a) Use the procedure shownin Fig. 1.3 to define the non-zero structure of the coefficient
matrix K. Compute the maximum bandwidth.
(b) Determine the non-zero structure of K for the numbering of nodes shown in 1.6(b).
Compute the maximum bandwidth.
Which order produces the smallest band?
1.4 Write a small computer program (e.g., using MATLAB39) to solve the truss problem
shown in Fig. 1.6(b). Let the total span of the truss be 2.5mand the height 0.8mand use
steel as the property for each member with E = 200 GPa and A = 0.001 m2. Restrain
node 1 in both the u and v directions and the right bottom node in the v direction only.
Apply a vertical load of 100 N at the position of node 6 shown in Fig. 1.6(b). Determine
the maximum vertical displacement at any node. Plot the undeformed and deformed
position of the truss (increase the magnitude of displacements to make the shape visible
on the plot).
You can verify your result using the program FEAPpv available at the publishers
web site (see Chapter 18).
1.5 An axially loaded elastic bar has a variable cross-section and lengths as shown in
Fig. 1.7(a). The problem is converted into a standard discrete system by considering
each prismatic section as a separate member. The array for each member segment is
given as
qe = Keue
x (u,U )
y (v,V ) x 9
y 9
u 92
u19
1

2
u
(a) Truss member description (b) Displacements
q
v
u9
Fig. 1.5 Truss member for Problem 1.2.