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AE, ME 5310 001-006

Midterm Examination
(Take home)

October 6, 2022

NAME: ____________________________________________________

Problem Score
1 / 10
2 / 35
3 / 5
4 / 15
5 / 35
Total / 100

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Problem 1. True/False (10 Points)
Indicate whether each of the statements below is true or false. Comments and
explanations are optional.

a. What is the value of the determinant of an element matrix and why?

b. When we connect two finite elements made of different materials,

we need to apply special constraints on the material interface because
some of the stress or strain components should not be continuous.

c. A single truss element with quadratic assumed displacements should

give exact results for the strain in a vertical bar loaded by its own
weight.

d. For a particular elasticity problem solved using one specific type of

finite element, a ten-element mesh will always give better results
(i.e., lower potential energy) than an eight-element mesh

f. If we use more and more elements to solve a particular problem,

eventually the finite element solution will satisfy the equilibrium
equations at every point in the model.

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Problem 2. Bar Element (35 points)
The Equilibrium equation for a uniform bar with elastic modulus 𝐸𝐸 and cross section area 𝐴𝐴
under distributed mass loading is

𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 � � + 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) = 0 (1)
𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥 2

Consider uniform load 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑝𝑝0 , such as gravity. One end of the bar is fixed so that
𝑢𝑢(0) = 0 and the other end is stress free, so that 𝜎𝜎(𝐿𝐿) = 0, where 𝐿𝐿 is the length of the bar.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Recall that the stress is 𝜎𝜎 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 and 𝜀𝜀 = . Therefore, the stress-free condition is equivalent
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
to (𝐿𝐿) = 0. Two characteristics of the solution are of importance
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

(a) The displacement of the free end 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿)

(b) The maximum stress 𝜎𝜎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = max (𝜎𝜎(𝑥𝑥)), 0 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 ≤ 𝐿𝐿

The former determines the geometric constraints, and the latter tells us if the bar will fail.
The failure criterion is 𝜎𝜎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 > 𝑌𝑌, where 𝑌𝑌 is yield stress.

1. (5p) Solve the equation (1) and find 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿) and the location and magnitude of the
maximum stress in the bar
2. (5p) Use the solution for 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿) and the equivalent displacement method to determine
the nodal loads 𝐹𝐹1 and 𝐹𝐹2 , which correspond to the distributed load 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑝𝑝0 for a
linear bar element with the matrix
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 1 −1 𝑢𝑢1 𝐹𝐹
� � �𝑢𝑢 � = � 1 � (2)
𝐿𝐿 −1 1 2 𝐹𝐹2
3. (5p) Solve the problem of the bar under uniform load with a single bar element (2)
and determine the error in calculating the end displacement 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿) and 𝜎𝜎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

4. (10p) Subdivide the bar into two elements of 𝐿𝐿/2 length and determine the error in
calculating the end displacement 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿) and 𝜎𝜎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

5. (10p) Subdivide the bar into three elements of 𝐿𝐿/3 length and determine the error in
calculating the end displacement 𝑢𝑢(𝐿𝐿) and 𝜎𝜎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

In items 3-5 I want to see the nodal forces applied to each node in order to model the
effect of the distributed load.

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Problem 3. Short Answers (5 Points)

1. The beam element shown is unconstrained in the horizontal direction but is

subjected only to self-equilibrating forces in that direction. Would you expect any
problems to occur in performing the finite element solution? Explain.

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Problem 4. Distributed loads - beam (15 Points)

By using the displacement equivalency and the end loading equations in class calculate
the effective nodal forces and moments, which correspond to approximate effect of the
concentrated force P applied at ¾ length of the beam element. All direction arrows are
arbitrary. You need to calculate the correct direction of the applied forces and moments
yourself.

P
𝐹𝐹1 , 𝑀𝑀1 −? 𝐹𝐹2 , 𝑀𝑀2 −?

¾L
L

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Problem 5. FE problem formulation (30 Points)

Two beams are connected by a torsional spring as shown in the picture. This spring contains
a thick stiff axis which does not allow any translational displacement between the ends of
the beams, i.e. they have the same deflection. The spring allows the two beams to rotate with
respect to each other with torsional resistance G 1. The beams have the same cross section
and Young’s modulus E. The length of the beams are L1 and L2 respectively. The Beam 1 is
clamped at x=0 and can’t rotate nor translate. A vertical force P is acting on the right end of
the Beam 2. All displacements are confined to the xy plane. Neglect any gravitational effects
and displacements in the x direction. Only vertical displacements v in the y-direction and
rotation angles θ about z-axis should be considered.

1) Define (introduce) nodes and elements. For each node define degrees of freedom
(d.o.f.) as required to pose the problem. Identify which d.o.f. are 0 and which are
active (5p).
2) Write the stiffness matrices for each element and correctly identify the global d.o.f.
corresponding to rows and columns. Include all d.o.f. active and inactive (5p)
3) Write the template for the global stiffness matrix. Provide the expressions for the
elements of the global stiffness matrix in terms of L1 and L2 . Include all d.o.f. active
and inactive. What is the determinant of that stiffness matrix? (10p)
4) Identify what exactly is the reduced system of equations (including the load vector)
which we will be solving after application of the boundary conditions on Beam 1.
What can you say about the determinant of that stiffness matrix when G>0 and G=0?
(10p). You can just identify the portion of the global stiffness matrix which we will
be solving and answer the determinant question) (10p)

A
y P
Spring A-A
Beam 2
Beam 1

L1 A L2

𝐺𝐺 −𝐺𝐺 𝜃𝜃1 𝑀𝑀
1
The stiffness matrix of a torsional spring element is � � � � = � 1 � and it relates the moments
−𝐺𝐺 𝐺𝐺 𝜃𝜃2 𝑀𝑀2
and rotation angles in the nodes