Tutorial 3

EG30H2 Finite Element Methods

2022-2023

1 Question

In a four noded linear plane element, the uniform surface traction along side ② and ③ is applied
lb
with intensity 2000 psi ( 2 ). The element thickness h is 0.1 in. Find equivalent nodal forces in lb.
in

Figure 1: Sketch of four noded linear plane element.

Solution

R - load vector
p - distributed load
Z
R= NT p ds (1)
surf ace

(Lecture 5)
Load vector R = {R2 R3 }, all other components are 0.
To compute the nodal equivalent of the surface load, the surface integral is replaced by the line
integration along element side.

Z Z 1
T dl
η = ±1, R = N p ds = NT p h dξ (2)
surf ace −1 dξ
| {z }
ds
Z Z 1
dl
ξ = ±1, R = NT p ds = NT p h dη (3)
surf ace −1 dη
| {z }
ds
s
dl dx 2 dy
= ( ) + ( )2 (4)
dξ dξ dξ
 s
dl dx 2 dy
= ( ) + ( )2 (5)
dη dη dη

At ξ=1 or side 2-3 shape functions are

(1 + ξ)(1 − η) 1
N2 = ⇒ N2 (1, η) = (1 − η) (6)
4 2

(1 + ξ)(1 + η) 1
N3 = ⇒ N3 (1, η) = (1 + η) (7)
4 2

∂N2 ∂N3
= −0.5, = 0.5 (8)
∂η ∂η

1
N1 = (1 − ξ)(1 − η) ⇒ N1 (1, η) = 0 (9)
4

1
N4 = (1 − ξ)(1 + η) ⇒ N4 (1, η) = 0 (10)
4

 
N1 0 N2 0 N3 0 N4 0
N= (11)
0 N1 0 N2 0 N3 0 N4

0 0
 

N1 0
 
N1 (1, η) 0
  0 0 
1 
0 N1 
  0 N1 (1, η) 
(1 − η) 0

    2

N2 0 N2 (1, η) 0  
 1



0

N2 

0 N2 (1,
 
η) 0 (1 − η)
T T 2

N =  ⇒ N (1, η) =  = 
(12)
N3 0 1
N3 (1, η) 0
    
 2 (1 + η)
  0
 
0 N3   0 N3 (1, η)

  1
   
N 0 N4 (1, η) 0   0 (1 + η)
  
4 
 2 
0 N4 0 N4 (1, η)  0 0 
0 0

4
∂x X ∂Ni ∂x ∂N2 ∂N3 ∂x
= xi ⇒ = x2 + x3 ⇒ = −0.5 × 8 + 0.5 × 5 = −1.5 (13)
∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η
i=1

4
∂y X ∂Ni ∂y ∂N2 ∂N3 ∂y
= yi ⇒ = y2 + y3 ⇒ = −0.5 × 0 + 0.5 × 4 = 2 (14)
∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η ∂η
i=1

s
dl ∂x 2 ∂y p
= ( ) + ( )2 = 1.52 + 22 = 2.5 (15)
dη ∂η ∂η

2
 0 0
 
 0 0 
1 
 (1 − η) 0
 

2 
Z 1 1 
Z 1
ds  0 (1 − η)
 2000

R=h T
N p· dη = |{z} 2.5 ×
0.1 × |{z}

1 2 dη
dη  0

−1
h dl  2 (1 + η)
−1  0  | {z }
1
  p
dη 
 0 (1 + η)

 2 
 0 0 
0 0
| {z }
NT (1, η)
1
0

 0 

1 2
η 

 (η − ) (16)
2 2 
0
 
= 500 
 
1 η 2 
 (η + )
 
2 2 

 0 

 0 
0 −1
   
0 R1x
0 R1y 
   
1 R2x 
   
0 R2y 
= 500   = 
   
1 R3x 

0 R 
   3y 
0 R 
4x
0 R4y

therefore
R2x = 500 lb, R3x = 500 lb (17)