FINITE ELEMENT METHODS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

IV YEAR B-Tech. CIVIL I-SEMESTER 2008

UNIT # II: PRINCIPLES OF ELASTICITY: EQUILIBRIUM

EQUATIONS

An infinitesimal element of a body must be in equilibrium. For the two-

dimensional case, the system of stresses acting on an infinitesimal element (dx)(dy)(1) is
shown in second Figure. In this derivation, the element is of unit thickness in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the board.
Note that the possibility of an increment in stresses from one face of the element to
another is accounted for.
For example, since the rate of change of x in the x direction is x/x and a step of dx is
made, increment is (x/x)dx.

The partial derivative notation has to be used to differentiate between the directions.

The inertial or body forces, such as those caused by the weight or the magnetic effect, are
designed X and Y and are associated with the unit volume of the material. With these
notations,
 Simplifying and xy = yx holds true, one obtain the basic equilibrium equations for the
x direction. Hence,
x yx
+ +X =0
x y
Similarly for the y direction,

xy y
+ +Y = 0
x y

In case of three dimensional element, a typical equation from a set of three is

x yx zx
+ + +X =0
x y z

xy y zy
+ + +Y = 0
x y z

xz yz z
+ + +Z =0
x y z

Important Notes:
1. In deriving these equations, mechanical properties of the material have not been
used. Hence, these equations are applicable whether a material is elastic, plastic,
or viscoelastic.
2. Also it is very important to note that there are not enough equations of
equilibrium to solve for unknown stresses.
3. In the FEM, the equations of statics are supplemented by kinematic relations and
mechanical properties of a material.