MSK540/MSK545

2015

ASSIGNMENT 2
Problem 1

y,v
F1, v1

F2, v2
x

M1,z1
L

M2,z2

Figure 1: Beam element of length L with 4 dof

The displacement field of the beam element in Figure 1 is interpolated with shape functions
in terms of nodal displacements so that v(x)= Nd, where d =[v1 z1 v2 z2] T. The field is
determined in terms of generalized d.o.f. a=[a0 a1 a2 a3] T and a cubic polynomial
X=[1
x x2 x3] such that:
v(x)=Xa

(Eq. 1)

A matrix A exists so that the nodal displacements in terms of the generalized d.o.f. are
written:
d=e=Aa

(Eq. 2)

a)

Determine an expression which defines N in terms of X and A

b)

Establish the matrix A of the element

c)

Determine the generalized d.o.f. ai of the element.

d)

Determine A-1

Problem 2
Eq. 3 defines the principle of virtual work:

dV = u T F dV + u T dS

(Eq. 3)

a) Define/explain each term of Eq. 3.

In FEA the displacement field is interpolated in piecewise manner within each element so
that
u=Nd
(Eq. 4)
Eq. 5 implements the strain-displacement matrix B:
=Bd

(Eq. 5)
1

b) Apply Eq. 4 and Eq. 5 with the principle of virtual work and derive an expression for the
element stiffness matrix k.

Problem 3
Eq. 6 defines the topology of the stiffness matrix of the Euler-Bernoulli 4 dof beam element:

Y1
Y
k= 2
Y1

Y2

Y2
Y3

Y1
Y2

Y2
Y4

Y1
Y2

Y2
Y4
Y2

Y3

(Eq. 6)

a) Define axial stiffness of the beam element and show the modifications which axial
degrees of freedom introduce to the topology of the stiffness matrix.

Figur 3: Beam with supports in A and B. Line load q.

b) Determine the consistent element load vector re for a finite element model of the beam.
Assume the model has one Euler-Bernoulli element and 4 d.o.f.

Properties of the beam:

Length L=2 m, Elastic modulus E=21011 Pa, area moment of inertia Iz=410-7 m4 and line
load q=1000 N/m.
c) Assume consistent loads and solve for the unknown displacements. Determine the
support reactions.
d) Explain shortly how the beam in FEA can be analyzed with so called reduced or
lumped loads.

Figure 4 below shows the beam element orientated an angle =30 relative to the
horizontal x-direction. An additional load Fx=1000 kN in horizontal direction attacks the
beam at B.
e) Determine the unknown displacements, the support reactions and the axial stress of the
beam due to both loads Fx and q(x`). Specify the unknown displacements and the
support reactions in the global x-y coordinate system.

Fx

Figur 4: Beam with supports in A and B. Local axis x`, =30

Problem 4
A plane frame of 3 beams has fixed supports in A and D.

y
B

b
x

Figure 5: Frame with fixed supports in A and D

Neglect axial deformations in the beam elements. Assume a model with three beam finite
elements.
a) Define the active degrees of freedom of the frame. Establish the (non-singular) system matrix
that operates on the active dof you defined above.
The frame is loaded in B with moment MzB=100 Nm and a horizontal force FB=1 kN.
Properties of the frame: a=5 m, b=4 m, elastic modulus E=21011 Pa and Iz=6.66710-6 m4.
b) Determine the unknown displacements and the support reactions in A and D.

Problem 5
A uniform beam element defined by Euler_bernoulli beam theory has the shape functions
specified by Eq. 7:

x2
x3
x 2 x3 x 2
x 3 x 2 x 3
N = 1 3 2 + 2 3 x 2 + 2 3 2 2 3 + 2
L
L
L L L
L L L

(Eq.7)

Apply Eq. 8 below and show that the element matrix k agrees with the matrix determined by
direct method. (Ref. as given in Lecture notes p. 27 /Textbook Eq. 2.3-5)

k = T z dx

(Eq. 8)