FACULTY OF MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

BDA 40303 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

ASSIGNMENT 1
SEM 1 SESSION 2013/2014
Instructions:
Consider a 3-dimensional truss structure as shown in Figure 1. The truss structure is assumed
weightless and the only load acting on the structure is the external force of 6 kN downward.
Taking the modulus of elasticity as 70 GPa and the cross-section area of the truss member as 1
cm2, determine
(a) the displacement of point A and B,
(b) the force in members AB, AC, AD, BE, BC and BD,
(c) the stress in members AB, AC, AD, BE, BC and BD,
(d) the reaction forces at point C, D and E.
Verify your results in part (a), (b), (c) and (d) by using finite element software, LISA. Show the
finite element model, node numbers, element numbers, constraints and load clearly in your
answer.

Figure 1
S KANNA SUBRAMANIYAN