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M. E. (Structural Engineering) Examination April-May 2018

MSTL 932: Finite Element Method (for 2014 onwards Admitted (GS)
Time: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 7
Note: Attempt all five questions. Part a, b, and c of each question is compulsory and carries 2, 2,
and 3 marks respectively. Out of parts d and e (7 marks each) any one of them is to be attempted.
Missing data, if any, may be assumed suitably.

1.a. What are Lagrange type approximation functions?

b. Discuss in brief various types of error inherent in in Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
c. Describe different approaches (p- and/or h- refinement) to reduce the errors in FEA.
d. Describe in detail Galerkin weak formulation for solution of typical second order
ordinary differential equation.
e. Compute the number of nodes for a 1-D domain discretized in ‘n’ number of elements
with (i) linear (ii) quadratic and (iii) cubic elements. Compare the differentiability
capabilities of these three types of elements for each.
f.
2.g. Explain: Local Coordinates, Global Coordinates, Natural Coordinates.
a. How many DOFs does a two-nodal, planar truss element have in its local coordinate
system, and in the global coordinate system?
b. Formulate the isoparametric shape function for 1D bar element.
c. Explain the formulation of 4-noded Isoparametric quadrilateral element and derive the
stiffness matrix.
d. Derive the shape functions for 8-noded serendipity element using the natural coordinate
system.
3.
a. Explain in brief shear deformation in beams.
b. What are plane strain problems? Give an example of it.
c. Present the strain displacement relation an axisymmetric solid.
d. Consider the bar shown in Figure 1. Determine the nodal displacement. Take: A1 = 200
mm2, A2 = 300 mm2, l1 = l2 = 350 mm, E1 = 80 GPa, E2 = 200 GPa, P = 60 kN.
e. Derive the strain displacement matrix, stiffness matrix and nodal load vectors for a 2-
noded beam element
4.

a. What are plate bending elements?

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 b. Explain C0, C1, and C2 compatible elements.
c. Draw a typical three dimensional element and indicate state of stress in their positive
senses.
d. Explain degree of freedom at each node and each element of Kirchhoff plate element and
5.
Mindlin plate element.
e. Sketch three types of linear and quadratic 3-D solid elements.

a. When are the P-∆ effects to be considered in structures?

b. Discuss in brief hp refinement, where h refers to typical size of elements and p refers to
order of polynomials in a element.
c. Discuss modeling errors, Discretization errors, and Numerical errors.
d. Discuss in detail any one of nonlinear material models used for structural materials..
e. Write detailed procedure of incremental method to determine member stiffness matrix.

Fig. 1

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