Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2018-2019
Comprehensive Examination
(EC-3 Regular)

Course No. : DE ZG513

Course Title : Finite Element Method
Nature of Exam : Open Book
Weightage : 40% No. of Pages = 3
Duration : 3 Hours No. of Questions = 10
Date of Exam : 24/11/2018 (FN)
Note to Students:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q.1. What do you mean by ‘Isoparametric Representation’? [1]

Q.2. Show the DOFs of an LST (Linear Strain Triangle) element graphically. [1]

Q.3. Differentiate between Plane Stress and Plane Strain problems. [2]

Q.4. Give the properties of a stiffness matrix. [2]

Q.5. For point ‘P’ located inside the triangle shown below, the shape functions N1 and N2 are 0.15
and 0.25 respectively. Determine the ‘x’ and ‘y’ coordinates of point ‘P’. [2]

Q.6. What are the two approaches for handling boundary conditions? Which one among them is
easier to implement in computer programs? Why? [2]

Q.7. For the given beam and loading, determine the slopes at nodes 2 and 3. [6]

DE ZG513 (EC-3 Regular) First Semester 2018-2019 Page 1 of 3

DE ZG513 (EC-3 Regular) First Semester 2018-2019 Page 2

Q.8 (a) For the given two dimensional plate, find the deflections at nodes 1 & 2 and the element
stresses using the plane stress conditions. Body force may be neglected in comparison
with the external forces. Take = 0.25, E = 2x105 N/mm2, Thickness = 15mm. [8]

[OR]
Q.8 (b) The open-ended steel cylinder shown below is subjected to an internal pressure of 1 MPa.
Find the deformed shape and distribution of principle stresses. [8]

Q.9 (a) The figure shows a four node tetrahedral object. The coordinate dimensions are shown
metres. The material is steel with E = 2x105 N/mm2 and =0.3. Nodes 2, 3, 4 are fixed
and a load of 5000 N is applied at node 1 as shown. Showing elaborate steps, determine
the displacement of node 1 using a single element. [8]

[OR]

DE ZG513 (EC-3 Regular) First Semester 2018-2019 Page 2 of 3

DE ZG513 (EC-3 Regular) First Semester 2018-2019 Page 3

Q.9 (b) A long bar of rectangular cross section, having thermal conductivity of 1.2 W/m.⁰C is
subjected to the boundary conditions shown in figure. Two opposite sides are maintained
at an uniform temperature of 180⁰C; One side it is insulated and the remaining side is
subjected to a convection process with = 35⁰C and h = 65 W/m2.⁰C. Determine the
temperature distribution in the bar. Use a five node, three element finite element model.
[8]

Q.10 (a) Explain in detail about how the geometric non-linear problems are analyzed. [8]
[OR]
Q.10 (b) By hand calculations, determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes for the given
rod using the characteristic polynomial technique. [8]

***********

DE ZG513 (EC-3 Regular) First Semester 2018-2019 Page 3 of 3