PROBLEM

For the simple bar shown in figure determine the displacement,

strain, stress caused due to self weight. Given length of the bar is
0.5m, Cross Section Area of the bar is 0.1m2, =7848 kg/m3 and
Youngs Modulus 2x1011 N/m2 .

Analytical Solution:

gl
7848x9.81x0.5 x
x=
2E
2x2x1011
7848x9.81x0.52
Displacement in the bar at the free end x=0.5 is =
= 4.812x10-8
11
2x2x10

Displacement in the bar at any section ux =

A,
L,
E

Q1

Finite Element Analysis Solution:

Q2

Discretize the given structure with two 1-D bar element of

equal length le= 0.25 m
Elemental Stiffness Matrix for a 1-D Bar Element of uniform
cross section is given by
EA +1 -1
[ke] =
le -1 +1

Q2

2x1011x0.1 +1 -1
Then the Elemental Stiffness Matrix Element 1 is given by[k1] =
-1 +1
0.25
2

1
2

2x1011x0.1 +1 -1
Then the Elemental Stiffness Matrix Element 2 is given by[k2] =
-1 +1
0.25
+8 -8 and [k ] = 1010 +8 -8
Then we have [k1] = 1010
2
-8 +8
-8 +8
1

8 -8 0
Then the Overall Stiffness Matrix 2 is given by [Ko] = 1010 -8 8+8 -8
0 -8 8

8 -8 0
2 = 105 -8 16 -8
0 -8 8
3
1

1
2
3

The elemental load vector due to body force is given by [fb] =

gle 1
2
1

Then the Elemental load vector in the element 1 is given by

1 = 962.36 1
[fb1] = 7848x9.81x0.1x0.25
1
1
2

1
2

Similarly Elemental load vector in the element 2 is given by = 962.36 1

1

2
3

1
Then the Overall Nodal Force Vector due to self weight will be {Fo}= 962.36 2
1
Characteristic equation for the over all problem is given by [Ko] {Q} = {Fo}
1

8 -8 0
1010 -8 16 -8
0 -8 8

1
2
3

1
2
3

Apply the boundary conditions. Since at node 1 the

1
Q1
bar is fixed hence Q1=0, Then by elimination
Q2 962.36 2
approach eliminating the first row and column in the
1
Q3
characteristic equation we have

1
8 -8 0 Q1
1010 -8 16 -8 Q2 962.36 2
1
0 -8 8 Q3

Then we 1010

16 -8
-8 8

Q2
2
= 962.36
1
Q3

Solving we get Q2 = 3.61x10-8mm and Q3 = 4.81x10-8mm

Solution for the displacements are Q1= 0, Q2 = 3.61x10-8mm and Q3 = 4.81x10-8mm

DETERMINATION OF OTHER UNKNOWNS
For the Element 1 q1 = Q1 = 0 and q2 = Q2 = 3.61x10-8 mm
Displacement in an element is given by {U} = [N]{q}
q2
q1
In which [N] = [ N1 N2 ] is the Shape function matrix
2

1
{q} = q1 is unknown nodal displacement vector
=0
=+1
= -1
q2
2.5x10-3(1+)
(1-)
(1+)
and N2=
in which N1=
are the shape functions of 1-D Bar Element.
2
2
(1+)
(1-)
Thus {U} = N1q1 + N2q2 =
(0) +
(3.61x10-8)
U()=1.805x10-8(1+)
2
2
Displacement any where with in the element is given by U()=1.805x10-8(1+)
Thus U(-1) = 0 at node 1 and U(+1) = 3.61x10-8 mm at node 2

1
[ -1 1] Thus {} = 1 [ -1 1] q1
But [B] =
Strain {} = [B] {q}
le
le
q2
1
[ -1 1]
{} =
0
0.25
= 1.444x10-7 (Tensile)
-8
3.61x10
Stress {} = [D] {} = E = (2x1011)x(1.444x10-7) = 2.888x104 N/mm2 (Tensile)
For the Element 2

q1 = Q2 = 3.61x10-8mm and q2 = Q3 = 4.61x10-8 mm

Displacement in an element is given by {U} = [N]{q}
q2
q1
In which [N] = [ N1 N2 ] is the Shape function matrix
2

1
{q} = q1 is unknown nodal displacement vector
=0
=+1
= -1
q2
(1-)
(1+)
and N2=
in which N1=
are the shape functions of 1-D Bar Element.
2
2
(1+)
Thus {U} = N1q1 + N2q2 = (1-) (3.61x10-6) +
(4.81x10-8) = 10-8(4.21+0.6)
2
2
Thus the displacement any where with in the element is given by U()=10-8(4.21+0.6)
Thus U(-1) = 3.61x10-8 mm at node 1 and U(+1) = 4.81x10-8 mm at node 2

1
[ -1 1] Thus {} = 1 [ -1 1] q1
But [B] =
Strain {} = [B] {q}
le
le
q2
-8
1
3.61x10
[ -1 1]
{} =
= 4.8x10-8
(Tensile)
-8
0.25
4.81x10
Stress {} = [D] {} = E = (2x1011)x(4.8x10-8) = 9600 N/mm2 (Tensile)
Reaction forces are determined from the eliminated row of the characteristic equation
of the system i.e.
Q1
0
11
Thus 10 [8 -8 0] Q2 = R1 Thus R1=1011[8 -8 0] 3.61x10-8
4.81x10-8
Q3
R1 = -28.88x103 N

1
3

5
2
6

3
1
4

3
1
2

Exit the Menu

1
2

Enter the coordinates and apply until

all the coordinates are given
2,3
4

2
1
Pick the points
where the lines
are to be created

1
2
Pick the line using
the curser till all are
completed

2
1

Pick the required

line for
discretizing

Observe the details which has to be decided for the

element type, Material constant and Real constant

3
2

After creating the

mesh. To check go to
plotctrls
>Number>highlight
the node number and
element numbering
and then press ok.
You can observe the
elements and node
are numbered.

1
2

Pick the nodes

where the
boundary
conditions are to
be specified

Apply the boundary condition and then exit

2
3

After exiting save the file

2
Close the file

After solution is done go to Postprocessor to

view the results

COMPARISON
SOLUTION FOR THE DISPLACEMENTS
FEM Manual Calculated Solution
ANSY Solution
Q1= 0
Q1= 0
Q2 = 3.61x10-8mm
Q2 = 3.61x10-8mm
Q3 = 4.81x10-8mm
Q3 = 4.81x10-8mm