Ref: Logan, 2012

Assignment 1
For the three-bar assemblage with inclination angle θ shown in Figure below,
determine:
(a) the displacement of node 2 and 3
(b) the normal reaction at nodes 1 and 4 (normal reaction is the reaction normal to
the wall)

A force of 3000 N is applied along the axial of the bar at node 2. The length of each
element is 30 mm. Let E1= 15 x Gn MPa, and A1 = Gn mm2 for elements 1 and 2, and
E3 = 20 x Gn MPa, and A3 = 3Gn mm2 for elements 3. Nodes 1 and 4 are fixed.

Gn = group number
θ = 0°, 1.5 Gn, 1.8 Gn, 2.5 Gn
Solve this manually and using
Matlab. Compare your answer
θ between the manual and
Matlab answers. Discuss the
effect of inclination angle on
the normal reaction force and
displacement of node 2
KM32003 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD 40
 Solve this manually and using Matlab. Compare your answer between
the manual and Matlab answers. Discuss the effect of inclination angle
on the normal reaction force and displacement of node 2
0 1 2 3 4
Able to solve Not provided Solve with Solve and Solve and Solve with
wrong yield wrong yield wrong correct
structural problem parameters/m answer (due answer (due answer
manually ethod to 2 or more to mistake)
mistakes)
Able to solve Not provided Solve with Solve and Solve and Solve with
wrong yield wrong yield wrong correct
structural problem parameters/m code(due to 2 answer (due answer and
using tool ethod or more to mistake) label
mistakes)
Able to discuss the Not provided - Not able to Able to Able to
identify identify discuss and
validity of results problem after problem validate
discuss

KM32003 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD 41