 How much factory experience do you have?

 What are your most significant accomplishments?

 Tell me a little bit about yourself.

 Why should we hire you?

1. Define: finite element method.

2. Finite element method is an approximate method (true/false). Also justify your answer.
3. What are approximating functions?
4. What are field variables?
5. Name at least four FEA popular packages.
6. Define: i. node ii. Element.
7. Briefly explain the application of FEA for a stress analysis with an element.
8. Compare between FEM and classical methods.
9. Compare between FEM and FDM.
10. When there are several FEA packages are available in that any need to study this method.
11. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FEA.
12. Explain the concept of FEM briefly and outline the procedure.
13. Write the equation of equilibrium in plane stress condition.
14. Draw a typical three dimensional element and indicate state of stress in their positive
signs.
15. Derive the equation of equilibrium in case of a two dimensional stress system.
16. State and explain generalized hook’s law.
17. Explain the term plane stress.
18. Explain the term plane strain.
19. Distinguish between plane stress and plane strain.
20. When do you select plane stress / plane strain approximation?
21. Write the constitutive equation for the plane stress and plane strain problems.
22. Write the standard form of finite element equation.
23. Draw bar element and write the stiffness matrix.
24. Define DOF.
25. Draw a plane truss element and indicate the truss element.
26. What are natural coordinates?
27. Define: local coordinates.
28. Write the stiffness matrix for the plane truss element.
29. Explain the use of element connectivity table.
30. State the purpose of element connectivity table.

31.Define stiffness matrix.

32.Explain stiffness matrix and its special features.
33.determine the stiffness matrix for
(a)bar element
(b)truss element
(c)Beam element neglecting axial deformation.
34.Briefly explain the various attempts made to reduce memory requirement in storing stiffness
matrix.
35.State the purpose of co-ordinate transformation matrix?
36.Mention the classification of elements based on the shapes?
37.Explain the terms:
(a)CST
(b)LST
(c)QST
38.Explain the term Continuity.
39.Explain the following terms: Nodes, Primary nodes, Secondary nodes and Internal nods.
40.Distinguish between higher order elements and lower order elements.
41.Draw a tri-nodded quadratic element.
42.Draw at least two Lagrange family rectangular elements.
43.Draw at least two Serendipity family rectangular elements.
44.Explain the LaGrange family of elements.
45.Explain the Serendipity family of elements.
46.Distinguish between LaGrange and Serendipity family of elements.
47.Draw the Pascal’s triangle for selection of interpolation polynomials.
48.Select a suitable polynomial with nine terms.
49.Define: Interpolation Function.
50.Classify the elements based on order of interpolation polynomials.
51.What are the polynomials preferred as the interpolation function.
52.Distinguish between Complex and Multiplex elements.
53.Mention the behavior of elements used for stress analysis.
54.Define: aspect ratio of an element.
55.State the significance of element distortion.
56.More element distortion is permitted in higher order element then the lower order element.
Comment on the statement.
57.What is the ideal aspect ratio value for plane elements?
58.Mention the different methods of quantifying the element distortion.
59.Write short notes on: (a) selection of elements. (b) Element size and numbering.
60.Define: shape function.
61.State the requirement for a shape function.
62.what are the properties of shape functions
63.State and explain the convergence requirement of polynomial shape function.
64.Why are the polynomials preferred for shape function in FEM.?
65.What is axis symmetric element?
finite element analysis interview questions

1 Define: finite element method.

ans A numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations
(PDE) as well as of integral equations.
or
computational technique for determining the distribution of stresses in engineering structures
under load.
2 Finite element method is an approximate method (true/false). Also justify your answer.
3 What are approximating functions?
4 What are field variables?
5 Name at least four FEA popular packages.
ans Abaqus: Franco-American software from SIMULIA,by Dassault ystemes
ADINA
ALGOR Incorporated
ANSA: Adv. CAE pre-processing software 4 complete model build up.
ANSYS
LS-DYNA
6 Define: i. node ii. Element.
7 Briefly explain the application of FEA for a stress analysis with an element.
8 Compare between FEM and classical methods.
9 Compare between FEM and FDM.
10 When there are several FEA packages are available in that any need to study this method.
11 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FEA.
12 Explain the concept of FEM briefly and outline the procedure.
13 Write the equation of equilibrium in plane stress condition.
14 Draw a typical three dimensional element and indicate state of stress in their positive signs.
15 Derive the equation of equilibrium in case of a two dimensional stress system.
16 State and explain generalized hook’s law.
17 Explain the term plane stress.
A state of stress in which two of the principal stresses are always parallel to a given plane and
are constant in the normal direction.
18 Explain the term plane strain.
A deformation of a body in which the displacements of all points in the body are parallel to a
given plane, and the values of these displacements do not depend on the distance perpendicular
to the plane.
19 Distinguish between plane stress and plane strain.
20 When do you select plane stress / plane strain approximation?
ANS Plane strain and Plane stress are two simplification structural models for the modeling of
3D problems, in which:
- Plane strain modelling: strain in Z-direction is neglectible
- Plane stress modelling: stress in Z-direction is neglectible
For a beam, plane stress is normally used, assuming that the stress in Z-direction can be
neglected;
otherwise 3D modelling is advisable.
With reference to the element types, for 2D models, quadrilateral elements with quadratic
interpolation is recommended.
For 3D models, brick solid elements with quadratic interpolation is recommended.
21 Write the constitutive equation for the plane stress and plane strain problems.
22 Write the standard form of finite element equation.
23 Draw bar element and write the stiffness matrix.
24 Define DOF.
Minimum no of parameters required to define an entity completely in space
25 Draw a plane truss element and indicate the truss element.
26 What are natural coordinates?
27 Define: local coordinates.
28 Write the stiffness matrix for the plane truss element.
29 Explain the use of element connectivity table.
30 State the purpose of element connectivity table.
Machine design possible interview questions - Presentation Transcript
1.
o By:
o Mr. B. Ramesh , B.E. (Mech), M.E. (CAD), (Ph.D.),
o Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
o St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Jeppiaar Trust, Chennai-119
o Ph.D. Research Scholar, College of Engineering Guindy Campus,
o Anna University, Chennai-25
December 6, 2010
2.
o What are ISO-9000 standards?
o ISO-9000 standards are made up of five parts namely ISO-9000, ISO-9001, ISO-9002,
ISO-9003 and ISO-9004.
o ISO-9000 and ISO-9004 are advisory documents. For instance, ISO-9000 contains
guidelines for using the standards.
o The standards are contained in ISO-9001, 9002 and 9003.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119 2. Which ISO standard would be applicable if the product or the service
involved design and development? It would involve ISO-9001 which is the model for quality assurance in
design, development, production, installation and servicing.
3.
o 3. Can you tell us about ISO-9002 and 9003 also?
o ISO-9002 is for quality assurance in production, installation and servicing and
o ISO-9003 is for quality assurance in final inspection and test.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119 4. What are the common profiles used for splines in machine elements? The
profiles used for splines in machine elements are straight sided splines, triangular splines and involute
splines. 5. What type of threads are used for pressure tight joints and for power transmission? Pipe
threads are used for pressure tight joints and square threads for power transmission.
4.
o 6. How computer helps in designing?
o Computer is able to store lot of information and same can be retrieved fast. It performs
calculations very fast. The design can be visualized on screen and any alterations made
and its effects clearly seen. Thus optimum designs can be achieved much faster and
these are thoroughly tested from all angles.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119 7. Can you tell something about Hazop study? In Hazop (Hazards and
operatibility) study each and every conceivable process deviation from normal operating condition of a
system having identical design intention, is thoroughly analysed for causes and consequence and
required action plan to mitigate hazard/operability problems are suggested on the basis of available
protective system.
5.
o 8. Why slenderness ratio is considered in design of members?
o When length of the member is increased, the member may fail due to buckling
o even though the member is symmetrical in all respects and the load is concentric.
o 9. What do you mean by allowance in limits and fits?
o Allowance in limits and fits refers to maximum clearance between shaft and hole.
 o 10. A wire rope is designated as 6 x 19 standard hoisting. What do the numbers
o 6 x 19 represent?
o Number of strands x number of wires in each strand.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
6.
o 11. Why a sleeve is fitted on a ball bearing?
o To prevent relative axial movement between the shaft and the bearing.
o 12. What is the constant factor in case of R-10 series of preferred numbers?
o 1.25
o 13. On what basis a transmission shaft subjected to bending loads must be designed?
o Maximum shear stress theory.
o 14. In designing a clutch plate, what assumption is made?
o Uniform wear condition is assumed because it leads to safer design.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
7.
o 15. The critical speed of rotating shaft depends upon what?
o Mass and stiffness.
o 16. What is the empirical formula used to give the number of bolts in flange coupling?
o n = 0.2d + 3
o 17. How the size of the gear is usually specified?
o By pitch circle diameter.
o 18. While taking a turn, what action differential makes?
o An increase in the speed of the outer wheel.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
8.
o 19. Rankine’s and Guest’s theory of failure are applicable for what materials?
o Rankine’s theory of failure is applicable for brittle materials.
o Guest’s theory of failure is applicable for ductile materials.
o 20. What is the most suitable bearing for carrying very heavy loads with slow speed?
o Roller bearing
o 21. What is the main purpose of a gear box in a vehicle?
o To vary the torque at the road vehicles.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
9.
o 22. What is endurance limit?
o Endurance limit or fatigue limit is the maximum stress that a member can
o withstand for an infinite number of load applications without failure when
o subjected to completely reversed loading.
o 23. What is the included angle in unified of American National threads?
o 60 0
o 24. What is the included angle in ACME threads?
o 29 0
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119 25. The designation M 33 x 2 of a bolt means Metric threads of 33 mm outside
diameter and 2 mm pitch.
10.
o 26. If threads on a bolt are left hand, threads on nut will be
o Left hand with same pitch.
o 27. For tight leakage joints, which type of thread is best suited?
o NPT ( National Pipe Threads)
o 28. A bench vice has which type of thread?
o ACME
o 29. What do you mean by spring index?
o Ratio of coil diameter to wire diameter (D/d).
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
11.
o 30. What do you mean by spring stiffness?
o Load required to produce unit deflection.
o 31. For riveted joints, which type of joint is preferred?
o Butt joint.
o 32. What do you mean by factor of safety?
o Ratio of yield stress and working stress.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
12.
o 33. Say the use of some couplings.
o Oldham’s coupling is used to connect two shafts which have lateral misalignment.
o Universal coupling is used to join two shafts whose axes intersect at a small angle.
o Bushed pin flexible coupling is used to join two shafts which are not in exact alignment.
o Sleeve or muff coupling is the simplest type of rigid coupling.
o 34. What is slenderness ratio?
o Length of strut/ Least radius of gyration.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119 35. Spring driven watches and clocks utilize what gears? Cycloid gears.
13.
o 36. What is the standard angle between the sides of V-belt?
o 40 0 .
o 37. In design of gears, Lewis equation is used to find what stress?
o Compressive stress in bending.
o 38. Zero axial thrust is experienced in what gears?
o Herringbone gears.
o 39. What type of cam follower is generally used in automobiles?
o Spherical type cam follower.
o 40. Say some types of cam.
o S.H.M. cam is used in order to minimize jerks.
o Harmonic cam is used for low and moderate speed engine.
o Cycloidal cam is used for high speed engine.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
14.
o 41. How do you define a spring?
o A spring is an elastic member which stores energy and provides a force over a distance
by elastic deflection.
o 42. How do you define a shaft?
o A shaft is a rotating member, usually of circular cross-section (either solid or hollow),
transmitting power.
o 43. What is a flywheel?
o A flywheel is a heavy rotating body which acts as reservoir for absorbing and
redistributing kinetic energy. The function of a flywheel is to keep the speed of machine
between given limits while the machine is doing work or receiving energy at a variable
rate.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
15.
o 44. What is a design?
o Creating a plan or drawings for a product using intellectual ability and scientific
knowledge is called design. A product so designed should permit economical
manufacture, and it should meet the specification requirements.
o 45. What are the different types of design?
o Adaptive design – Adaptation of the existing design
o Development design – Improvement of the existing design
o New design – Design of an entirely new product
o 46. What is engineering design?
o Iterative decision making process to conceive and implement optimum systems to solve
problems and needs of society.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
16.
o 47. What is machine design?
o A process of achieving a plan for the construction of a machine.
o 48. What is rational design?
o A purely mathematical design based upon principles of mechanics of materials and
machines.
o 49. What is empirical design?
o A design based upon standard practice and past experience.
o 50. What is industrial design?
o A design evolved considering aesthetics, ergonomics and production aspects of design.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
17.
o 51. What is optimum design?
o A design which is best and economical for the given objective function under the
specified constraints.
o 52. What is morphology of design?
 o The methodology of design by which ideas about needs are projected creatively into
ideas about things, and which in turn are translated into engineering prescription for
transforming suitable resources into useful, physical objects.
o 53. What is preliminary design?
o To establish an overall concept for the project which will serve as a guide for the
detailed design.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
18.
o 54. What is anatomy of design?
o Describing the design process involving a detailed examination of the designer’s action
as he goes about identifying and solving the problem.
o 55. What is modeling?
o Representation of the real world on desk in symbolic form or in the laboratory.
o 56. What are preferred numbers?
o A general basis for standardizing and grading a series of similar dimensions,
characteristics, etc.
o 57. What is resilience?
o Strain energy stored per unit volume.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
19.
o 58. What is proof resilience?
o The maximum strain energy which can be stored in a material per unit volume.
o 59. What is creep?
o The slow and progressive deformation of a material with time under a constant stress.
o 60. What is knuckle joint?
o A joint used to connect two rods subjected to tensile loads only.
o 61. What is cam?
o A plate or cylinder which communicates motion to a follower by means of its edge or a
groove cut in its surface.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
20.
o 62. What is coupling?
o Coupling makes a semi permanent connection between two shafts.
o 63. What are fluid couplings?
o Couplings having two basic parts, an impeller and runner, there being no mechanical
connection between the two shafts.
o 64. What are clutches?
o Couplings which permit the disengagement of the coupled shafts during rotation.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
21.
o 65. How CAD software’s are classified?
 Drafting packages, Modeling packages and Analysis packages.
o 66. What are the advantages of CAD software’s?
  High accuracy in drafting.
 Creating drawing with ease using commands or icons.
 Editing facilities are allowed easily and quickly.
 Printouts improve the communication quality.
 Improves the productivity of a designer.
o 67. What do you meant by GUI?
o Graphical User Interface
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
22.
o 68. State the different types of Co-ordinate systems.
 Polar Co-ordinate system
 To Point:@( distance) < (direction)
 : @40<45
 Relative Co-ordinate system
 To Point : @ X, Y
 : @40, 30
 Absolute Co-ordinate system
 To Point : X, Y
 : 40, 30
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
23.
o 69. What is the expansion of CATIA?
o Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application.
o 70. What is parametric modeling?
o Parametric modeling uses parameters to define the dimension of a model . The
parameter may be modified later, and the model will update automatically to reflect the
modification. Typically, there is a relationship between parts, assemblies and drawings.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
24.
o 71. Define element and node.
o A small unit having definite shape of geometry is called element and these are
interconnected by nodes.
o 72. What are the different types of elements used in FEA?
o 1-D (Line) Element, 2-D (Plane) Element and 3-D (Solid) Element.
o 73. What are the different types of stresses and strains in an object?
o Tensile stress, Compressive stress, Bending stress, Shear stress and Crushing stress.
o Tensile strain, Compressive strain, Shear strain, Volumetric strain.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
25.
o 74. List some softwares that uses FEA as tool.
o ANSYS (General purpose, PC and workstations)
o I-DEAS (Complete CAD/CAM/CAE package)
o NASTRAN (General purpose FEA on mainframes)
 o ABAQUS (Nonlinear and dynamic analysis)
o COSMOS (General purpose FEA)
o HyperMesh (Pre/Post Processor)
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
26.
o 75. Define aspect ratio.
o It is defined as the ratio of the largest dimension of the element to the smallest
dimension.
o 76. Specify any two applications of FEA in fluid mechanics.
 We can find velocity and rate of flow at different sections.
o 77. What do you understand by discretization of domain?
o The art of subdividing a structure into a convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization.
o 78. What role do the computer play in use of the finite element method?
o Reduces solving time.
December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of
Engineering, Chennai-119
27. December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's
College of Engineering, Chennai-119
28.
o Four C’s of Design
 Creativity
 Complexity
 Choice
 Compromise
o Design Variables
 Geometric Dimensions
 Material Type
 Tolerances
 Engineering Notes
29.
o The Design Process
Definition of Problem Analysis and Optimization Recognition of Need Synthesis Evaluation Presentation
30.
o The Application of Computers for the Design Process
Recognition of Need Definition of Problem Synthesis Analysis and Optimization Evaluation Presentation
Geometric Modeling Engineering Analysis Design Review And Evaluation Automated Drafting The Design
Process Computer – Aided Design
31. Planning Config. Design Product Architecture Phase 1: Conceptual design Phase 2: Embodiment
design Phase 3 Phases 4
32. Design Coordinator Inspection Manufacturing Assembly Serviceability Marketing Sales Packaging
Function The Concept of Concurrent Engineering
33.
o Design of Standards:
o Standard :
 o A standard is a generally agreed-upon set of procedures, criteria, dimensions, materials
or parts.
o Engineering standards may describe the dimensions and sizes of small parts like screws
and bearings.
o It tells the engineer how to do it.
o Societies for Standards :
o ASME : American Society for Mechanical Engineers
o ASTM : American Society for Testing and Materials
o AISC :American Institute of Steel Construction
o ANSI : American National Standards Institute
o ISO : International Organization for Standardization
34.
o Few widely used Modeling packages are:
o Pro/E
o CATIA V5
o UNIGRAPHICS
o SOLID WORKS
o AUTODESK INVENTOR
o IDEAS
35.
o Every analysis involves four main steps:
o Preliminary Decisions
 Which analysis type?
 What to model?
o Preprocessing
 Define Material
 Element type
 Create or import the model geometry
 Mesh the geometry
o Solution
 Apply loads
 Solve
o Postprocessing
 Review results
 Check the validity of the solution
Preprocessing Solution Postprocessing Preliminary Decisions
36. December 6, 2010 Mr. B. Ramesh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's
College of Engineering, Chennai-119