UNIT NO.

1. What is meant by Pascal’s triangle and how it is used in decision of interpolation function in
elements formulations?

Sol:

For the convergence of solution in finite element analysis, the assumed displacement field should be
isotropic. This is achieved if the components of the displacement field are complete polynomials. This
is achieved by using PASCAL’s TRIANGLE. It is a technique of including the appropriate number of
terms in the displacement model. It also gives an idea about the number of nodes required for the
completion of the selected polynomial.

Figure 1

Fig. shows a 3-noded triangular element in 2-dimension. formulations have to interpolate temperature
T in it. so to express the constants in terms of nodal temperatures. As there are three nodes, It can be
determined three constants. So what type of function should be taken? For better visualization, one can
construct a triangle similar to Pascal’s triangle, as shown in fig
2. Write a Note on Linear Strain Triangular Element.

Sol:

This element is also called quadratic triangular element

• Changes the shape functions and results in quadratic displacement distributions and linear strain
distributions within the element.

• There are six nodes on this element: three corner nodes and three midside nodes. Each node has
two degrees of freedom (DOF) as before. The displacements ( u,v) are assumed to be quadratic
functions of ( x,y)

• Displacement field in terms of generalized coordinates

 Resulting strain field is

Example of LST
3. How Pascal triangle is used to determine a shape function for two dimensional elements? How
rigid body displacement and constant strain rate is taken into account in these polynomial
terms.

Sol:

2D polynomial shape function determination with pascals triangle

The displacement model should include the rigid body displacements of the element. It means in
displacement model there should be a term which permit all points on the element to experience the
same displacement. It is obvious, if such term do not exists, shifting of the origin of the coordinate
system will cause additional stresses and strains, which should not occur. In the displacement model,
the term α1 provides for the rigid body displacement. Hence to satisfy the requirement of rigid body
displacement, there should be constant term in the shape function selected.

The displacement models must include the constant strain state of the element. This means, there should
exist combination of values of polynomial terms that cause all points in the element to experience the
same strain. One such combination should occur for each possible strain. The necessity of this
requirement is understood physically, if we imagine the refinement of the mesh. As these elements
approach infinitesimal size, the strains within the element approach constant values. Unless the shape
function term includes these constant strain terms, we cannot hope to converge to a correct solution. In
the displacement model,

4. What is meant by C0 and C1 type of continuity and how it is taken into account during FEA
element formulations?
Solution:
Basic unknowns may be displacements for stress analysis, temperatures for heat flow
problems and the potentials for fluid flow or in the magneticfield problems. In the problems
like truss analysis, plane stress and plane strain, it is enough if the continuity of only
displacements are satisfied, since there is no change in the slopes at any nodal point. Such
problems are classified as ‘zeroth’ continuity problems and are indicated as C0- continuity
problem.
In case of beams and plates, not only the continuity of displacements, but the slope
continuity also should be ensured. Since the slope is the first derivative of displacement, this
type of problems are classified as ‘First order continuity problems and are denoted as C1 –
∂2 𝑤
continuity problems. In exact plate bending analysis even second order continuity
𝜕𝑥 ∂y

should be ensured. Hence the actual nodal unknowns in these problems are
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 ∂2 𝑤
, , where w is displacement. Such problems are classified as C2– continuity
𝜕𝑥 ∂y 𝜕𝑥 ∂y

problems. In general Cr continuity problems are those in which nodal unknowns are to be
basic unknowns and up to rth derivatives of the basic unknowns.
5. Explain CST Elements. [4]

Solution :

• Constant Strain Triangle (CST) is easiest and simplest finite element

• Strains do not vary within the element. Hence, the name constant strain triangle (CST)

• Can also be called linear triangle because displacement field is linear in x and y - sides remain
straight

• The CST gives good results in regions of the FE model where there is little strain gradient

• Displacement field in terms of generalized coordinates

 Resulting strain field is

The strain field from the shape functions looks like

 Where, xi and yi are nodal coordinates (i=1, 2, 3)

 xij = xi - xj and yij=yi - yj

 2A is twice the area of the triangle, 2A = x21y31-x31y21

Node numbering is arbitrary except that the sequence 123 must go clockwise around the element if A
is to be positive