Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem
Department of Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
SUBJECT CODE : ME8692
SUBJECT NAME : FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
YEAR/SEMESTER : III/VI
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?
1D element
2D element
3D element
7. State the three phases of finite element method.
Preprocessing
Analysis
Post Processing
8. What is structural problem?
Displacement at each nodal point is obtained. By these displacements solution stress and
strain in each element can be calculated.
9. 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.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
10. What are the methods are generally associated with the finite element analysis?
Force method
Displacement or stiffness method.
11. Name the variation methods.
Ritz method.
Ray-Leigh Ritz method.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Name the weighted residual method
Point collocation method
Sub domain collocation method
Least squares method
Galerkins method.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem
Department of Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
SUBJECT CODE : ME8692
SUBJECT NAME : FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
YEAR/SEMESTER : III/VI
UNIT 2
1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. Name any four FEA Softwares.
ANSYS
NASTRAN
COSMOS
5. Differentiate between global and local axis.
Local axis 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 axis are defined for the entire system. They are same in direction for all the elements
even though the elements are differently oriented.
6. What are the types of loading acting on the structure?
Body force (F)
Traction force (T)
Point load (P)
7. 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.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
8. 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.
9. What is point load?
Point load is force acting at a particular point which causes displacement.
10. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element modeling.
Discretization of structure.
Numbering of nodes.
11. Write down the general finite element equation.
{F } = [K]{u}
12. What is discretization?
The art of subdividing a structure in to a convenient number of smaller components is known
as discretization.
13. What are the classifications of coordinates?
Global coordinates
Local coordinates
Natural coordinates
14. What is Global coordinates?
The points in the entire structure are defined using coordinates system is known as global
coordinate system.
15. 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.
16. Define shape function.
Approximate relation φ (x,y) = N1 (x,y) φ1 + N2 (x,y) φ2 + N3 (x,y) φ3,
Where φ1, φ2, and φ3 are the values of the field variable at the nodes N1, N2, and N3 are the
interpolation functions. N1, N2, and N3 are also called shape functions because they are used
to express the geometry or shape of the element.
17. 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.
18. 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.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem
Department of Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
SUBJECT CODE : ME8692
SUBJECT NAME : FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
YEAR/SEMESTER : III/VI
UNIT 3
1. 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.
2. Write down the expression of shape function N and displacement u for one dimensional bar
element.
U= N1u1+N2u2
N1= 1-X /l
N2 = X / l
3. Define total potential energy.
Total potential energy = Strain energy + potential energy of the external forces
Π=U-H
4. 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.
5. What is truss?
A truss is defined as a structure made up of several bars, riveted or welded together.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC Boundary condition which in terms of field variable is
known as Primary boundary condition.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
9. Natural boundary conditions?
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form of field
variable is known as secondary boundary condition.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. What is QST element?
Ten nodded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also called as
cubic displacement triangle.
14. 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.
15. 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.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem
Department of Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
SUBJECT CODE : ME8692
SUBJECT NAME : FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
YEAR/SEMESTER : III/VI
UNIT 4
1. What is axi symmetric 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 axi symmetric
element.
2. What are the conditions for a problem to be axi symmetric?
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
3. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an axi symmetric triangular element. Stiffness matrix
[K] [B] T [D] [B] 2rA
4. What is the purpose of Iso parametric 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.
5. 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.
6. What is meant by Iso parametric 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 Iso parametric element.
7. Is beam element an Iso parametric element?
Beam element is not an Iso parametric element since the geometry and displacement are
defined by different order interpretation functions.
8. What is the difference between natural coordinate and simple natural coordinate?
L1 = 1-x/l
L2 = x/l
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
9. What is Area coordinates?
L1 = A1/A L2 = A2/A L3 = A3/A
10. What is simple natural coordinate?
A simple natural coordinate is one whose value between -1 and 1.
11. Give example for essential boundary conditions.
The geometry boundary condition are displacement, slope.
12. Give example for non essential boundary conditions.
The natural boundary conditions are bending moment, shear force.
13. 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.
14. What is QST element?
Ten noded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also called as
cubic displacement triangle.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem
Department of Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
SUBJECT CODE : ME8692
SUBJECT NAME : FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
YEAR/SEMESTER : III/VI
UNIT 5
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. What is essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC, Boundary condition which in terms of field variable is
known as Primary boundary condition
12. Natural boundary conditions.
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form of field
variable is known as secondary boundary condition.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. What is non-homogeneous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables are non-zero, the boundary condition said
to be non-homogeneous.
16. What is homogeneous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables is zero, the boundary condition are said to
be homogeneous.
17. Define initial value problem.
An initial value problem is one in which the dependent variable and possibly is derivatives
are specified initially.
18. 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.
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Dr.P.Parandaman, Associate Professor/Mechanical Engineering
