SCHOOL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

D20FA / D21FA Finite Element and Stress Analysis

Semester 1 - 2009/10
Date: Thursday 10 December 2009 Time: 09:30-11:30






BEng/ MEng Structural Engineering and SEAD
MSc in Structural Engineering










Duration 2 hours
Answer all questions
Heriot-Watt University
D20FA / D21FA Finite Element and Stress Analysis - Semester 1 - 2009/10

Page 1 of 2
Question 1
(a) An axially loaded steel member of length 4L has been strengthened over its
lower half by a fibre reinforced polymer, frp, which can be assumed to be fully
bonded to the steel. The member is to be modelled using two-noded linear
elements of length L as shown in Fig Q1. The member is fully fixed against
movement at the top and bottom and the common nodes for the steel and the
frp should be assumed to have the same displacements. The cross-sectional
area for the steel elements is A, with modulus of elasticity is E, and the area of
the frp elements is also A with modulus of elasticity is E/2. A point load, W,
acting down, is applied 2L from the top.

(i) Write down the stiffness matrices for all the elements.

(ii) Form the structure stiffness matrix.

(iii) Determine the displacements at all nodes.

(iv) Determine the reactions.

(v) Determine the stresses in the elements, indicating in particular the
stresses in the steel and frp.

Comment on the accuracy of the results.
(45 Marks)

L
L
L
L
Steel
Composite

Fiq. Q1

The following may be used without proof:

| |
(
(
(

=
L
EA
L
EA
L
EA
L
EA
k
| |
(

=
L L
B
1 1

Heriot-Watt University
D20FA / D21FA Finite Element and Stress Analysis - Semester 1 - 2009/10

Page 2 of 2
Question2
(a) Explain briefly the terms plane stress and plane strain analysis giving two
examples for each situation where these assumptions are appropriate.
(10 marks)

(b) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of increasing the number of nodes
in a finite element.
(10 marks)

(c) Describe any checks that you would carry out to verify the results of a linear
elastic finite element analysis. You could use one of the analyses carried out
during the module to illustrate your answer if appropriate.
(10 marks)

Question 3
(a) A structural steel member was subjected to three loadings which were initially
applied separately. The state of stress at a specific point in the member under
each of the three loadings is shown diagrammatically below. All angles are
shown in degrees.

Determine using a tensor based approach the principal stresses at the point
when all three loadings are applied simultaneously.

60
40MPa
20MPa
40MPa
10MPa
20MPa
10MPa
10MPa
30MPa
30MPa
30
10MPa

(15 marks)

(b) Comment on how an incorrect value for a directional cosine would become
apparent in the above calculations.
(3 marks)

(c) One of the principal stresses of the stress tensor | | o below is 2. Determine the
direction cosines of this principal stress vector.

| |
(
(
(

= o
6 2 2
2 5 1
2 1 3

(7 marks)


End of Paper
Heriot-Watt University
D20FA / D21FA Finite Element and Stress Analysis - Semester 1 - 2009/10

Page 3 of 2