FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

PART A QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

UNIT 1
1. What is meant by finite element?
A small units having definite shape of geometry and nodes is called finite element.
2. What is meant by node or joint?
Each kind of finite element has a specific structural shape and is inter- connected with
the adjacent element by nodal point or nodes. At the nodes, degrees of freedom are
located. The forces will act only at nodes at any others place in the element.
3. What is the basic of finite element method?
Discretization is the basis of finite element method. The art of subdividing a structure
in to convenient number of smaller components is known as discretization.
4. What are the types of boundary conditions?
Primary boundary conditions
Secondary boundary conditions
5. State the methods of engineering analysis?
Experimental methods
Analytical methods
Numerical methods or approximate methods
6. What are the types of element?
7. 1D element
2D element
3D element
8. State the three phases of finite element method.
Preprocessing
Analysis
Post Processing
9. What is structural problem?
Displacement at each nodal point is obtained. By these displacements solution
stress and strain in each element can be calculated.
10. What is non structural problem?
Temperature or fluid pressure at each nodal point is obtained. By using these
values properties such as heat flow fluid flow for each element can be calculated.

10. What are the methods are generally associated with the finite element analysis?
Force method
Displacement or stiffness method.
11. Explain stiffness method.
Displacement or stiffness method, displacement of the nodes is considered as the
unknown of the problem. Among them two approaches, displacement method is
desirable.
12. What is meant by post processing?
Analysis and evaluation of the solution result is referred to as post processing.
Postprocessor computer program help the user to interpret the result by displaying
them in graphical form.
13. Name the variation methods.
Ritz method.
Ray-Leigh Ritz method.
14. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
When the force or reaction act at nodal point node is subjected to deformation. The
deformation includes displacement rotation, and or strains. These are collectively
known as degrees of freedom
15. What is meant by discretization and assemblage?
The art of subdividing a structure in to convenient number of smaller components
is known as discretization. These smaller components are then put together. The
process of uniting the various elements together is called assemblage.
16. What is Rayleigh-Ritz method?
It is integral approach method which is useful for solving complex structural
problem, encountered in finite element analysis. This method is possible only if a
suitable function is available.
17. What is Aspect ratio?
It is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of the element to the smallest
dimension. In many cases, as the aspect ratio increases the in accuracy of the
solution increases. The conclusion of many researches is that the aspect ratio
18. What is truss element?
The truss elements are the part of a truss structure linked together by point joint
which transmits only axial force to the element.
19. What are the h and p versions of finite element method?
It is used to improve the accuracy of the finite element method. In h version, the
order of polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant and the numbers of
elements are increased. In p version, the numbers of elements are maintained constant and
the order of polynomial approximation of element is increased.
20. Name the weighted residual method
Point collocation method
Sub domain collocation method
Least squares method
Galerkins method.

UNIT 2

21. List the two advantages of post processing.

Required result can be obtained in graphical form. Contour diagrams can be used to
understand the solution easily and quickly.
22. During discretization, mention the places where it is necessary to place a
node?
Concentrated load acting point
Cross-section changing point
Different material interjections
Sudden change in point load
23. What is the difference between static and dynamic analysis?
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as
static analysis
Example: stress analysis on a beam
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as
dynamic analysis
 Example: vibration analysis problem.

24. Name any four FEA softwares.

ANSYS
NASTRAN
COSMOS
25. Differentiate between global and local axes.
Local axes are established in an element. Since it is in the element level, they change
with the change in orientation of the element. The direction differs from element to
element.

Global axes are defined for the entire system. They are same in direction for all the
elements even though the elements are differently oriented.
26. Distinguish between potential energy function and potential energy functional
If a system has finite number of degree of freedom (q 1 ,q 2 ,and q 3 ), then the potential
energy expressed as,
p = f (q 1 ,q 2,and q 3)
It is known as function. If a system has infinite degrees of freedom then the potential
energy is expressed as

dy d y
2
f x ,y , , .... dx
2
dx dx
27. What are the types of loading acting on the structure?
Body force (f)
Traction force (T)
Point load (P)
28. Define the body force
A body force is distributed force acting on every elemental volume of the
body Unit: Force per unit volume.
Example: Self weight due to gravity
29. Define traction force
Traction force is defined as distributed force acting on the surface of the
body. Unit: Force per unit area.
Example: Frictional resistance, viscous drag, surface shear
30. What is point load?
Point load is force acting at a particular point which causes displacement.
31. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element modeling.
Discretization of structure.
Numbering of nodes.
32. Write down the general finite element equation.
{F }= [K ]{u }
33. What is discretization?
The art of subdividing a structure in to a convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization.
34. What are the classifications of coordinates?
Global coordinates
Local coordinates
Natural coordinates
35. What is Global coordinates?
The points in the entire structure are defined using coordinates system is known as
global coordinate system.
36. What is natural coordinates?
A natural coordinate system is used to define any point inside the element by a set
of dimensionless number whose magnitude never exceeds unity. This system is
very useful in assembling of stiffness matrices.
37. Define shape function.
Approximate relation f (x,y) = N 1 (x,y) f 1+ N 2 (x,y) f 2+ N 3 (x,y) f 3
Where f1 ,f 2, and f 3 are the values of the field variable at the nodes N 1, N 2 , and
N3 are the interpolation functions.
N1, N 2 , and N3 are also called shape functions because they are used to express the
geometry or shape of the element.
38. What are the characteristic of shape function?
It has unit value at one nodal point and zero value at other nodal points. The sum of
shape function is equal to one.
39. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function?
Differentiation and integration of polynomial are quit easy.
The accuracy of the result can be improved by increasing the order of the
polynomial. It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equations
40.Howdoyoucalculatethe size of the global stiffness
 UNIT 3

41. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for one dimensional bar element.

[K ]= AE 1 -1

l1 - 1
42. State the properties of stiffness matrix
It is a symmetric matrix
The sum of elements in any column must be equal to zero
It is an unstable element. So the determinant is equal to zero.
43. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for a truss element.
u
u1 l m 0 0 u2
1

=
u 0 0 lm u
2 3

u
4
44. Write down the expression of shape function N and displacement u for one
dimensional bar element.
U= N 1 u1 +N2 u2
N1 = 1-X /
l N2 = X / l
45. Define total potential energy.
Total potential energy, p = Strain energy (U) + potential energy of the external forces
(W)
46. State the principle of minimum potential energy.
Among all the displacement equations that satisfied internal compatibility and the
boundary condition those that also satisfy the equation of equilibrium make the
potential energy a minimum is a stable system.
47. Write down the finite element equation for one dimensional two noded bar element.
AE 1 -1
[K ]=
l 1- 1

48. What is truss?

A truss is defined as a structure made up of several bars, riveted or welded together.
49. States the assumption are made while finding the forces in a truss.
All the members are pin jointed.
The truss is loaded only at the joint
The self weight of the members is neglected unless stated.
50. State the principles of virtual energy?
A body is in equilibrium if the internal virtual work equals the external virtual work
for the every kinematically admissible displacement field
51. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC Boundary condition which in terms of field
variable is known as Primary boundary condition.

52. Natural boundary conditions?

Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form
of field variable is known as secondary boundary condition
53. How do you define two dimensional elements?
Two dimensional elements are define by three or more nodes in a two dimensional
plane. The basic element useful for two dimensional analysis is the triangular
element.
54. What is CST element?
Three noded triangular elements are known as CST. It has six unknown
displacement degrees of freedom (u1, v1, u2, v2, u3, v3). The element is called
CST because it has a constant strain throughout it.
55. What is LST element?
Six nodded triangular elements are known as LST. It has twelve unknown
displacement degrees of freedom. The displacement function for the elements are
quadratic instead of linear as in the CST.
56. What is QST element?
Ten nodded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also
called as cubic displacement triangle.
58. What meant by plane stress analysis?
Plane stress is defined to be a state of stress in which the normal stress and shear
stress directed perpendicular to the plane are assumed to be zero.
60. Define plane strain analysis.
Plane strain is defined to be state of strain normal to the xy plane and the shear
strains are assumed to be zero.

UNIT 4

61. Write down the stiffness matrix equation for two dimensional CST elements.

Stiffness matrix [K ]= [B ]T [D ][B ]At

[B ]T -Strain displacement [D ]-Stress strain matrix [B ]-Strain displacement matrix

62. Write down the stress strain relationship matrix for plane stress conditions.

- 0
E1
1+ 1 - 2 0 1- 0
( )
(
)
1- 2
0 0
2

63. What is axisymmetric element?

Many three dimensional problem in engineering exhibit symmetry about an axis of
rotation such type of problem are solved by special two dimensional element called
the axisymmetric element
64. What are the conditions for a problem to be axisymmetric?
The problem domain must be symmetric about the axis of revolution All
boundary condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution All
loading condition must be symmetric about the axis of revolution
65. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an axisymmetric triangular

element. Stiffness matrix [K ]= [B ]T [D ][B ]2 p rA

66. What is the purpose of Isoparametric element?
It is difficult to represent the curved boundaries by straight edges finite elements. A
large number of finite elements may be used to obtain reasonable resemblance
between original body and the assemblage.
67. Write down the shape functions for 4 noded rectangular elements using natural
coordinate system.
 1
N1 =1 (1 - e )(1 - ) N2 = (1 +e )(1 - )
4 4

N3 =1 (1 +e )(1+ ) N4 =1 (1 - e )(1 + )
4 4
68. Write down Jacobian matrix for 4 noded quadrilateral elements.
J J
[J ]=
J 11
J1 2
21 22
69. Write down stiffnes matrix equation for 4 noded isoparametric quadrilateral elements.

Stiffness matrix[K ]=t 1 1

[B ]T [D ][B ]J e
- 1 -1

70. Define super parametric element.

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is more than of nodes used
for defining the displacement is known as super parametric element
71. Define sub parametric element.
If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is less than number of nodes
used for defining the displacement is known as sub parametric element.
72. What is meant by Isoparametric element?
If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is same as number of nodes
used for defining the displacement is known as Isoparametric element.
73. Is beam element an Isoparametric element?
Beam element is not an Isoparametric element since the geometry and displacement
are defined by different order interpretation functions.
74. What is the difference between natural coordinate and simple natural
coordinate?
L1 = 1-x/l
L2 = x/l
75. What is Area coordinates?
L1 = A1/A L2 = A2/A L3 = A3/A
76. What is simple natural coordinate?
A simple natural coordinate is one whose value between -1 and 1.
77. Give example for essential boundary conditions.
The geometry boundary condition are displacement, slope.
78. Give example for non essential boundary conditions.
The natural boundary conditions are bending moment, shear force
79. What is meant by degrees of freedom?
When the force or reaction act at nodal point node is subjected to deformation. The
deformation includes displacement rotation, and or strains. These are collectively
known as degrees of freedom.
80. What is QST element?
Ten noded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also
called as cubic displacement triangle.

UNIT 5

81. What meant by plane stress analysis?

Plane stress is defined to be a state of stress in which the normal stress and shear
stress directed perpendicular to the plane are assumed to be zero.
82. Define plane strain analysis.
Plane strain is defined to be state of strain normal to the x,y plane and the shear
strains are assumed to be zero.

83. What is truss element?

The truss elements are the part of a truss structure linked together by point joint
which transmits only axial force to the element.

84. List the two advantages of post processing.

Required result can be obtained in graphical form.
Contour diagrams can be used to understand the solution easily and quickly.
85. What are the h and p versions of finite element method?
It is used to improve the accuracy of the finite element method. In h version, the order
of polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant and the numbers of
elements are increased. In p version, the numbers of elements are maintained constant
and the order of polynomial approximation of element is increased.
86. During discretization, mention the places where it is necessary to place a node?
Concentrated load acting point
Cross-section changing point
Different material inter junction point
Sudden change in point load
87. What is the difference between static and dynamic analysis?
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as
static analysis
Example: stress analysis on a beam
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as
dynamic analysis
Example: vibration analysis problem.
88. What is meant by discretization and assemblage?
The art of subdividing a structure in to convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization. These smaller components are then put together. The
process of uniting the various elements together is called assemblage.
89. What is Rayleigh-Ritz method?
It is integral approach method which is useful for solving complex structural
problem, encountered in finite element analysis. This method is possible only if a
suitable function is available.
90. What is Aspect ratio?
It is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of the element to the smallest
dimension. In many cases, as the aspect ratio increases the in accuracy of the solution
increases. The conclusion of many researches is that the aspect ratio should be close
to unity as possible.
91. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC, Boundary condition which in terms of field
variable is known as Primary boundary condition
92. Natural boundary conditions.
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential
form of field variable is known as secondary boundary condition.
93. How do you define two dimensional elements?
Two dimensional elements are define by three or more nodes in a two dimensional
 plane. The basic element useful for two dimensional analysis is the triangular
element.
94. State the principles of virtual energy?
A body is in equilibrium if the internal virtual work equals the external virtual
work for the every kinematically admissible displacement field.
95. Define Eigen value problem.
The problem of determining the constant is called eigen value problem.
-d du
a
= u dx dx

96. What is non-homogeneous form?

When the specified values of dependent variables are non-zero, the boundary
conditi said to be non-homogeneous.
97. What is homogeneous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables is zero, the boundary condition
are said to be homogeneous.
98. Define initial value problem.
An initial value problem is one in which the dependent variable and possibly is
derivatives are specified initially.
99. Define boundary value problem.
A differential equation is said to describe a boundary value problem if the dependent
variable and its derivatives are required to take specified values on the boundary.
100. Define governing equation.

d
dx EA du dx + A=0