Dr Arnaud Marmier

4Z035

UFMFSS-30-2
Computational Methods

Lecture 2 : FEA basic theory, 1 D

elements, Stiffness Matrix
Learning outcomes
At the end of this presentation, you should
• Have a basic understanding of the principles of FEA
• Be able to list several elements by shape and order
• Know how to assemble a Stiffness matrix for a system of 1D
elements
• Know how to solve such a system

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15 Unknowns, 15 Equations
Forces and stresses
INSIDE

Stresses and strains

Strains and displacements

Forces  stresses  strains  displacements3

UFMFU7-15-3
Procedure
Continuous Mechanics

Forces  stresses  strains  displacements

Finite Elements

(Constraints)

Nodal Displacements

Forces stresses strains

displacements 4
Elements and Nodes
Linear Quadratic Cubic and more …

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1D element, lower order (linear)
d1 x = 0 x = L d2

1 2
k1
1 2
F1, d1 F 2 , d2

Uniaxial bar element modelled as a spring

𝐴𝐸
𝑘1=
𝐿
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1D element, lower order (linear), cont’d
1 2
F1, d1 F 2 , d2

Forces and displacements

𝐹 1 =𝑘1 ( 𝑑1 − 𝑑2 ) =𝑘1 𝑑1 − 𝑘1 𝑑 2
𝐹 2=𝑘1 ( 𝑑 2 − 𝑑 1) =− 𝑘1 𝑑 1+ 𝑘 2 𝑑2

Matrix form: are nodal

{ }[ ]{ }
displacements
𝐹1 𝑘1 −𝑘1 𝑑1
=   (discrete)
𝐹2 − 𝑘1 𝑘1 𝑑2 Keep for continuous
displacement field
[K] = stiffness matrix for the element

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 Two Elements
k1 2 k2
1 3
F2, u2

F 3 , d3
F 1 , d1 F2, d2

Element 1: { }[
𝐹1
𝐹2
=
𝑘1
− 𝑘1
− 𝑘1
𝑘1 ]{ }
𝑑1
𝑑2
 

Element 2:
{ }[
𝐹2
𝐹3
=
𝑘2
− 𝑘2
− 𝑘2
𝑘2 ]{ }
𝑑2
𝑑3
 

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 Assembling the global stiffness matrix

{ }[ ]{ }
Matrix assembly 𝐹1 𝑘1 − 𝑘1 0 𝑑1
Element 1: 𝐹 2 = − 𝑘1 𝑘1 0 𝑑2  
𝐹3 0 0 0 𝑑3

{ }[ ]{ }
𝐹1 0 0 0 𝑑1
Element 2: 𝐹2 = 0 𝑘2 − 𝑘2 𝑑2  
𝐹3 0 −𝑘2 𝑘2 𝑑3

{ }[ ]{ }
𝐹1 𝑘1 − 𝑘1 0 𝑑1
{ 𝐹 } =[ 𝐾 ] { 𝑑 } 𝐹 2 = − 𝑘1 𝑘 1 +𝑘2 − 𝑘2 𝑑2  
𝐹3 0 − 𝑘2 𝑘2 𝑑3

If nodes i and j are not connected, Kij = 0

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Properties of the stiffness matrix
Symmetric;
Square (m x m);
All diagonal components are positive;
Det(K)=0

{ }[
𝐹1
𝐹2
=
𝑘1
− 𝑘1
− 𝑘1
𝑘1 ]{ }
𝑑1
𝑑2
 

{ }[ ]{ }
𝐹1 𝑘1 − 𝑘1 0 𝑑1
𝐹 2 = − 𝑘1 𝑘1 +𝑘2 − 𝑘2 𝑑2  
𝐹3 0 − 𝑘2 𝑘2 𝑑3

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 Example 1.1
Solving!
Det(K)=0 => Can’t solve direct (can’t inverse [K])
First need Environment conditions:
• Boundary conditions (constraints)
• Values for forces (except reactions)

• Leaves us with unknowns

For instance

{ }[ ]{ }
System has been 𝐹1 0 − 𝑘1 0 0
𝐹2 = 0 𝑘 1+ 𝑘2 − 𝑘2 𝑑2  
partitioned into two
𝐹3 0 − 𝑘2 𝑘2 𝑑3
systems 11
 Example 2.1

Given
Node 1 is fixed
k1 = 80 N/mm and k2 = 100 N/mm
F2 = 200 N and F3 = 100 N
Calculate F1 (reaction at support), d1 and d2

{ }[ ]{ }
𝐹1 0 − 𝑘1 0 0
𝐹2 = 0 𝑘1+ 𝑘2 − 𝑘2 𝑑2  
𝐹3 0 − 𝑘2 𝑘2 𝑑3

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 Example 2.2

Assemble the stiffness matrix for this system of 1D elements

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Stiffness matrix assembly 1

5 elements, and 5 nodes => dimension 5

{ }[
𝐹1
𝐹2
=
𝑘1
−𝑘1
−𝑘1
𝑘1 ]{ }
𝑑1
𝑑2
  Element1, by itself

{} {}
𝐹1 𝑑1

[ ]
𝐹2 𝑘1 − 𝑘 1 𝑑2
And in the global
𝐹 3 = − 𝑘1 𝑘1 ¿ ¿ ¿ 𝑑3
stiffness matrix
𝐹4 ¿ ¿ 𝑑4
𝐹5 𝑑5

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Stiffness matrix assembly 2

[ ][ ]¿
𝑘1 −𝑘1 𝑘2 −𝑘2
− 𝑘1 𝑘1 ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ − 𝑘2 𝑘2 ¿ ¿
¿ ¿ ¿ ¿

¿ [ ¿¿¿
𝑘5 −𝑘5
−𝑘5 𝑘5 ] ¿
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 For next week
1. Practice Example 2 in the FEA Booklet
2. Practice Problem 2.1 in the FEA Booklet

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