UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
B.ENG. (HONS.) COURSE
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STREAM
YEAR III SEMESTER II
MAY/JUNE 2011 SESSION OF EXAMINATIONS
MEC3111 Finite Element Analysis

3rd June 2011

0915 1215 hours

This paper contains THREE questions. You are to attempt ALL questions.
Stationery:

1. (a)

Students are allowed to use their A4 cheat sheet during the exam
Use of calculators are allowed

Formulate the system of equations for the problem shown using the finite
element method. Use the minimum amount of appropriate one-dimensional
linear element/s. Do NOT solve the resulting equations. The material has a
Youngs Modulus of 200 GPa.
(15 marks)

(b)

Mention ONE limitation in your model and ONE way to check the accuracy
of numerical results.
(5 marks)

Page 1 of 3

2. (a)

Formulate the system of equations for the framework problem shown using
the finite element method. Use the minimum amount of appropriate linear
element/s. Do NOT solve the equations. The material has a Youngs
Modulus of 200 GPa. The cross section, which is the same for both bars, is a
hollow square section with 100mm sides and a uniform thickness of 5mm.
Use the numbering scheme shown.
(30 marks)

(b)

(i) Would the numerical answer for the frameworks nodal displacement
change if you were to use a different numbering scheme?
(ii) Would it be possible to use the same type of element if node 2 had a
moment applied to it and why?
(10 marks)

Page 2 of 3

3. (a)

The 3mm thick triangular sheet metal component is loaded as shown and
subject to a temperature difference of 40C above ambient. The material has
a Youngs Modulus of 200 GPa, Poissons ratio of 0.3 and coefficient of
thermal expansion of 2x10-6 /C.
Model the problem with ONE appropriate element and formulate the system
of finite element equations. Do NOT solve the equations. Use the numbering
scheme shown.
(30 marks)

(b)

What type of element would you use if you were to model the same
geometry, without the pressure load and with a temperature load at the
support and free convection heat loss from the top face? Write down the
complete stiffness matrix and force vector for the appropriate element type
and explain each term.
(10 marks)

Page 3 of 3