CHAPTER 4

FORMULATION OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL PROBLEM

From the standpoint of basic understanding the finite element procedure, the simplest finite
elements are one-dimensional elements. These elements may be used in two or threedimensional space after transformation to global co-ordinates as appropriate. The simplest
one-dimensional element is a two-node bar element. A bar is a structural component
characterized by two properties. (1) Longitudinal or axial dimension is much larger than the
other two dimensions, which are collectively known as transverse directions. The intersection
of a plane normal to the longitudinal dimension defines the cross section of the bar. [Figure
4.1] (2) The bar can resist internal force along the axial direction.

Figure 4.1 A fixed-free bar member and quantities that appear in the analysis of a bar

We will consider only straight bars, although their cross section may vary. The onedimensional mathematical model assumes that the bar material is linearly elastic obeying
Hookes law and displacements and strains are infinitesimal. The table below gives the
terminology used for the governing differential equation.
Table 4.1 Nomenclature for mathematical model of axially loaded bar
Symbol
Terminology
x
Longitudinal bar axis
u(x)
Axial displacement
q(x)
Distributed axial force, given per unit length of the bar
L
Total length of the bar
E
Elastic modulus of the bar material
A
Cross section area of the bar, may be variable
EA
Axial rigidity
Infinitesimal axial train
u

x
u Axial stress
E E
x
P
Prescribed end load

JJM / FEM / March 2014

41

Direct method: A typical bar element has two nodes, with only single degrees of freedom in
the axial direction. The nodal degrees of freedom are displacements u 1 and u2. The element
stiffness matrix is formulated by determining the nodal forces that must be applied to obtain
nodal displacements u1 and u2. The sign convention is that both forces and displacement are
positive if they act in the positive x direction.
u1
u2 =0

f1

f2 = - f1
2

le
(a)

u2

u 1 =0

f1 = - f2

f2

2
le
(b)

Figure 4.2 A uniform bar, showing nodal forces associated with nodal displacements

When u1 >0 and u 2 = 0 [Figure 4.2(a)], nodal forces consistent with static equilibrium and a
linearly elastic material are

f1

AE
u1 and
le

f 2 f1

AE
u1
le

Similarly, when u 1 = 0 and u 2 > 0 [Figure 4.2(b)],

f2

AE
u2
le

and

f1 f 2

AE
u2
le

Both u1 and u2 can be simultaneously nonzero, the nodal forces are

f1

AE
AE
u1
u2
le
le

and

f2

AE
AE
u1
u2
le
le

In matrix notation,
f1 AE 1 1 u1

or ,
f 2 le 1 1 u 2

f ke u

Where, ke is the element stiffness matrix

This approach is suitable for problems with simple geometries and loading conditions.
Formation of element stiffness matrices by method of selecting displacement functions and
by using strain-displacement relations is the most standard procedure.

JJM / FEM / March 2014

42

MINIMUM POTENTIAL ENERGY APPROACH

Now, the general finite element procedures will be discussed in the context of the steps
outlined in chapter 1 by using principle of minimum potential energy.
Step 1. Selection of element type
One dimensional bar element will be considered for study.
Step 2 Selection of displacement function
A typical bar element has two nodes, with only single degrees of freedom in the axial
direction. The nodal degrees of freedom are displacements u1 and u2.

u2

u1

1
le
x1
x
x2

The unknown displacement field within the element will be interpolated by a linear
distribution: u a bx .
The constants a and b can be determined from the boundary conditions.
u u1 at x x1 and u u 2 at x x 2
By solving, the following values of a and b are obtained
u u1 u 2 u1
u u1
b 2

and a u1 2
x 2 x1
le
le
The displacement function in terms of nodal displacement values can be written as
x x1
x x1
u1
u 1
u 2 i.e.u N1u1 N 2 u 2
le
le
where,

N1

and

N2

x x1

N1 1
le

and

x x1
N2

le

are called shape functions (as they express the shape of the assumed

displacement function over the domain of the element. N 1

that have the properties that N 1

and

N2

are linear functions

= 1 at node 1 and = 0 at node 2, where as N 2

= 1 at

node 2 and = 0 at node 1. N1 N2 = 1 for any axial co-ordinate along the bar. They are often
called interpolation functions because they can be used to interpolate values between given
nodal values. The co-ordinate x can be interpolated within the element by using the same
JJM / FEM / March 2014

43

shape functions, N1 and N2

. i.e.

x N 1 x1 N 2 x2 . This is referred as isoparametric

formulation in literature.
In general shape functions need to satisfy the following:

First derivative must be finite within the element

Displacements must be continuous across the element boundary
Rigid body motion should not introduce any stresses in the element

In matrix notation the displacement function can be expressed as

u
u N1 N 2 1
u 2

[4.1]

Step 3 Defining the Strain / Displacement and Stress / Strain Relationships

In the case of one-dimensional deformation, say, in the x direction, we have strain x related
du
displacement u by x
for small strains.
dx
u N
N 2 u1
u1
du
1
x
= N 1 N 2 1 1
1 1

dx x
x u 2
le
u 2 x
u 2
1
Or, x B u, B 1 1
[4.2]
le
B is called element displacement matrix.
The stress is given by:

x E x EB u

[4.3]

Now, we have three very important relationships

u N u,

x Bu, and x EBu

[4.4]

These expressions will used in the potential energy expression for the bar to obtain element
stiffness and load matrices.
Step 4 Derivation the element stiffness matrix and equations
Potential energy approach will be used for derivation of element stiffness matrix
General expression for potential energy for a three dimensional body is
1
T dv u T fdv u T Tds uiT Pi
2v
i
v
s

[4.5]

For one dimensional case the equation becomes

1
T Adx u T fAdx u T Tdx u iT Pi
2v
i
v
s

[4.6]

In which, u u ( x), ( x), u ( x), T T ( x) and

JJM / FEM / March 2014

f f ( x)

44

The total potential energy can be expressed as U WP

1
Where, U T Adx , is the strain energy and W = u T fAdx u T Tdx u iT Pi is the
2v
i
v
s
work potential

PRINCIPLE OF MINIMUM POTENTIAL ENERGY

For conservative systems, of all the kinematically admissible displacement fields, those
corresponding to equilibrium extremize the total potential energy. If the extremum condition
is minimum, the equilibrium state is stable. i.e. the actual displacement field that satisfies the
governing equations is that which renders stationary. For that

U WP 0

[4.7]

In case of finite element analysis, the system is discretised into finite elements, the expression
for may be decomposed into sum of contributions of individual elements

1e 2e en , where n is the number of elements

The same decomposition applies to strain energy and work potential, as well as to the
stationary conditions

1e 2e ne 0

[4.8]

For a generic element we may write

e U e WPe 0

1
T Adx
2 v
e

fAdx
e

Tdx Qi Pi

[4.9]

The expression can be written as

U
e

fAdx
e

Tdx Qi Pi

[4.10]

Where
1
U e T Adx is the element strain energy
2
Substituting for x EBu and x Bu in the above expression
Ue

1
EBuT B uAdx 1 uT BT EBuAdx 1 uT BT E B Adx u

2e
2e
2
e

The equation may be written in the form below

Ue

1 T
u k e u,
2

where,

JJM / FEM / March 2014

k e B T EBAdx is the element stiffness matrix

e

45

The generalized form of work potential in the elemental level can be written as
WP u f e , where

fe

is the generalised nodal force vector

Hence in the elemental level, the potential energy expression can be written as
1 T
T
e U e WPe u K e u u f e
2
The energy is a function of the nodal displacements u

Hence, we can write,

e u e

e
u e
e
u

1 e
u
u e 2

k u u f 0 u k u f 0
T

e T

e T

Since u e 0 ,
T

k u f 0
e

This is element stiffness equation. Hence the forgoing names given to K e and

f e

are

justified a posteriori.
Hence, element stiffness matrix for one dimensional bar element is given by

k e BT E e B Ae dx

[4.11]

e
le

1
1 1T Ee 1 1 1Ae dx Ae E e
l
le
le
0 e

1 1
Ae E e
1 1 k e l

1 1
1 1

[4.12]

Step 5 Formation of element load vectors

Determination of force terms
Body force term is expressed as

A f N dx u

fAdx (N u e ) T fAe dx u e
e

e T

Ae l e 1
f
2
1

Thus the element body force term fe is defined as

f
e

Ae l e 1
f
2
1

[4.13]

The element traction force term is expressed as

u
e

T N dx u

Tdx (N u e )T Tdx u e
e

JJM / FEM / March 2014

e T

Tl e
2

46

Thus the element traction force term Te is defined as

T e Tl2e 11

The nodal force vector can be expressed explicitly as

f e f e T e

[4.14]

[4.15]

Step 6 Assembly of the Global stiffness matrix and load vector

At this stage, the element stiffness and load matrices ke, fe, and Te have been obtained. After
taking element connectivity into account, the total potential energy can be written as

1
QT K Q QT F
2

[4.16]

Where [K] is the global stiffness matrix, F is the global load vector and Q is the global
displacement vector.
This step involves assembling [K] and F from element stiffness and force matrices.
Step 7 Application of boundary conditions:
Finite element equations are now developed after a consistent treatment of the boundary
conditions.
Types of Boundary Conditions
We now must arrive at the equations of equilibrium, from which we can determine nodal
displacements, element stresses, and support reactions.
The minimum potential-energy theorem is now invoked. This theorem is stated as follows: Of
all possible displacements that satisfy the boundary conditions of a structural system, those
corresponding to equilibrium configurations make the total potential energy assume a
minimum value. Consequently, the equations of equilibrium can be obtained by minimizing,
with respect to Q, the potential energy = QTKQ - QTF subject to boundary conditions.
Boundary conditions are usually of the type
Qp1 = a1, Qp2 = a2, ......., Qpr = ar
That is, the displacements along degree of freedom p1, p2, ......., pr are specified to be equal to
a1, a2, ....., ar, respectively. In other words, there are, r number of supports in the structure,
with each support node given a specified displacement.
It is noted here that the treatment of boundary conditions in this sections is applicable to twoand three-dimensional problems as well. For this reason, the term dof is used here instead of
node.
It should be emphasized that improper specification of boundary conditions can lead to
erroneous results. Boundary conditions eliminate the possibility of the structure moving as a

JJM / FEM / March 2014

47

rigid body. Further, boundary conditions should accurately model the physical system. For
brevity, the elimination approach will be discussed at this time.
Elimination Approach
To illustrate the basic idea, let take a case with only four degrees of freedom. Considering the
single boundary condition Q1 = a1. The equilibrium equations are obtained by minimizing
with respect to Q, subject to the boundary condition Q1 = a1. For an 4 degree of freedom
structure, we have
Q = [Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4]T
F = [F1, F2, F3, F4]T
The global stiffness matrix is of the form

K 11
K
K 21
K 31

K 41

1
Q1
2

Q2

K 12

K 13

K 22
K 32

K 23
K 33

K 42

K 43

Q3

[4.17]

K 14
K 24
K 34

K 44

K 11
K
Q4 21
K 31

K 41

K12
K 22

K13
K 23

K 32
K 42

K 33
K 43

K 14 Q1
K 24 Q2
K 34 Q3

K 44 Q4

Q1 Q2

Q3

F1
F [4.18]
Q4 2
F3

F4

Note that K is a symmetric matrix. The potential energy = QTKQ QTF can be written
in expanded form as
=

(Q1K11Q1 + Q1K12Q2 + Q1K13Q3 + Q1K14Q4

+ Q2K21Q1 + Q2K22Q2 + Q2K23Q3 + Q2K24Q4
+ Q3K31 a1 + Q3K32Q2 + Q3K33Q3 + Q3K34Q4
+ Q4K41 a1 + Q4K42Q2 + Q4K43Q3 + Q4K44Q4)
- (Q1F1 + Q2F2 + Q3F3 + Q4F4)

[4.19]

If we now substitute the boundary condition Q1 = a1 into this expression for , we obtain
= (a1K11 a1 + a1K12Q2 + a1K13Q3 + a1K14Q4
+ Q2K21 a1 + Q2K22Q2 + Q2K23Q3 + Q2K24Q4
+ Q3K31Q1 + Q3K32Q2 + Q3K33Q3 + Q3K34Q4
[4.20]
+ Q4K41Q1 + Q4K42Q2 + Q4K43Q3 + Q4K44Q4)
- (a1F1 + Q2F2 + Q3F3 + Q4F4)
Note that the displacement Q1 has been eliminated in the potential-energy expression.
Consequently, the requirement that take on a minimum value implies that
d
0
dQ i

i = 2, 3, 4

JJM / FEM / March 2014

48

We thus obtain, from the above equations,

d
0
dQ2

(a1K12 + K21 a1 + 2Q2K22 + K23Q3 + K24Q4 + Q3K32 + Q4K42 ) - F2 =0

Or, K21 a1 + Q2K22 + K23Q3 + K24Q4 ) - F2 =0
i.e. Q2K22 + K23Q3 + K24Q4 = F2 - K21 a1
Similarly,
Q2K32 + K33Q3 + K34Q4 = F3 K31 a1
Q2K42 + K43Q3 + K44Q4 = F4 K41 a1
These finite element equations can be expressed in matrix from as
K 22 K 23 K 24
Q2 F2 K 21a1
K
Q F K a
31 1
32 K 33 K 34
3 3

K 42 K 43 K 44
Q4 F4 K 41a1

[4.21]

[4.22]

We now observe that the (3 x 3) stiffness matrix is obtained simply by deleting or eliminating
the first row and column (in view of Q1 = a1) from the original (4 x 4) stiffness matrix. The
above equation may be denoted as
KQ = F

[4.23]

Where K is a reduced stiffness matrix obtained by eliminating the row and column
corresponding to the specified or support degrees of freedom.
Step 8 Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (or Generalized Displacements)
The equation can be solved for the displacement vector Q using Gaussian elimination. Note
that the reduced K matrix is nonsingular, provided the boundary conditions have been
specified properly; the original K matrix, on the other hand, is a singular matrix.
Step 9 Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
Once Q has been determined, elemental displacements are extracted from global
displacements using nodal connectivity and element strains are obtained accordingly. Finally
stresses are obtained from strains. For one dimensional problem as depicted earlier, the
element stress can be evaluated using: = EBq, where q for each element is extracted from Q
using element connectivity information.
Step 10 Determination of support reactions
Assume that displacements and stresses have been determined. It is now necessary to
calculate the reaction force R1 at the support. This reaction force can be obtained from the
finite element equation (or equilibrium equation) for node 1:
K11Q1 + K12Q2 + K13Q3+ K14Q4 = F1 + R1
Here, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 are known. F1, which equals the load applied at the support (if any), is
also known. Consequently, the reaction force at the node that maintains equilibrium, is
JJM / FEM / March 2014

49

R1 = K11Q1 + K12Q2 + K13Q3+ K14Q4 - F1

[4.24]

Note that the elements K11, K12, K13, K14, which form the first row of K, need to be stored
separately. This is because modified K is obtained by deleting this row and column from the
original K.
Example 1: Determine the nodal displacements, element stresses and support reactions for the
bar loaded as shown in the figure below:
250mm2

400 mm2
P = 300kN
X

150mm

150mm

300mm

E = 200109 N/m2
Solution: The above structure is a bar loaded along the axis. Hence one dimensional
formulation will be applicable.
The first stage of the problem is discretisation of the problem. From physical inspection it can
be seen that if the structure is discretized in to three elements as in the figure below with four
nodes will yield simplified and effective solution. The nodal connectivity is given in a tabular
form with salient properties.
1

3
3

Element Connectivity
Elements Nodes (local numbering)
[Degrees of freedom]
Global numbers
1
2
(degrees of freedom]
1
1
2

2
2
3
3
3
4
Material and geometrical properties
Element
1
2
3

Ae (mm2)
250
250
400

JJM / FEM / March 2014

le (mm)
150
150
300

E (kN/mm2)
200
200
200

AeE/le (kN/mm)
333.33
333.33
266.67
50

Formation of element stiffness matrix

As derived earlier the element stiffness matrix for linear bar element is given by
A E 1 1
Ke e e
le 1 1

1 1
1.25 1.25
Hence, K 1e 333.33
266.67

1 1
1.25 1.25

1 1
1.25 1.25
Similarly, K 2e 333.33
266.67

and
1 1
1.25 1.25

1
1

K 266.67 11
e
3

ASSEMBLY OF GLOBAL STIFFNESS MATRIX

The size of the global stiffness matrix is (44), after initializing (putting all the element
values equal to zero), the element stiffness matrix values are placed as per the global degrees
of freedom. For example, the corresponding global degrees of freedom of element 1 is 1 & 2,
that of element 2 is 2 & 3 and for element 3 is 3 & 4 as shown in the table above.
Hence element stiffness matrix in the global form will be as below:
1.25 1.25
1.25 1.25
e
K 1 266.67
0
0

0
0

0
0
e
K 3 266.67
0

0
0

0 0
0
0
0

0 0
0 1.25 1.25
, K 2e 266.67
0 1.25 1.25
0 0

0 0
0
0
0

0
0
and
0

0
0

0
0
0 1 1

0 1 1

Now global stiffness matrix can be obtained by adding the element stiffness matrices
1.25
0
0
0
0
1.25
1.25 1.25
1.25 (1.25 1.25)

1.25
0
1.25 2.5 1.25 0

K 266.67
266.67
0
0
1.25
(1.25 1.0) 1
1.25 2.25 1

0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0

Element load vectors and assembly of global load vector: As such there is no load acting
element wise, only a load of 300kN is acting at node 2 along the degree of freedom. Hence
the global load vector can be written as

JJM / FEM / March 2014

51

 0
300
F
0
0

The finite element expression can be written in matrix form as

0
0 Q1 0
1.25 1.25
1.25 2.5 1.25 0 Q 300
2
266.67
0
1.25 2.25 1 Q3 0

0
1
1 Q4 0
0

APPLICATION OF BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Boundary conditions: the displacement at degrees of freedom 1 & 4 is equal to zero. i.e. Q1 =
Q4 = 0
After applying the boundary conditions, the equation transform in to
0
00 0
1.25 1.25
1.25 2.5 1.25 0 Q 300
2
266.67
0
1.25 2.25 1 Q3 0

0
1
1 0 0
0
By elimination approach, the row 1, column 1 and row 4 and column 4 will be eliminated.
Since the boundary conditions are homogeneous no change will be there in the load vector.
The reduced finite element equation after application of boundary conditions is given by

2.5 1.25 Q2 300

266.67

1.25 2.25 Q3 0
2.5 1.25 Q2 1.125
Or,

1.25 2.25 Q3 0
Generally the equations are solved by Gaussian elimination, in augmented form the above
equation can be written as

2.5 1.25

1.25 2.25

1.125

Multiplying the first row with a ratio of (1.25/2.5) = 0.5 and adding with second row the

2.5
1.25

[1.25 (0.5 2.5)] [2.25 0.5 1.25)

2.5 1.25
Or,
0 1.625

[0 0.5 1.125)
1.125

1.125

0.5625

JJM / FEM / March 2014

52

Restoring the transformed matrix equation in upper triangular form

2.5 1.25 Q2 1.125
0 1.625 Q 0.5625

By back substitution
1.625Q3 = 0.5625 Q3 = 0.5625/1.625 = 0.346mm
2.5Q2 -1.25Q3 = 1.125 or, 2.5Q2 -1.250.346 = 1.125 Q2 = 0.623mm
Hence the computed nodal displacements in matrix form

Q1 0
Q 0.623
2

Q3 0.346
Q4 0
Determination of element stresses: The element stresses can be determined from stress-strain
1
relationship x E B u, where B 1 1 and u is the element displacement
le
vectors obtained from global displacement vector invoking nodal connectivity.

For element 1 u1e

0.623

1e E B u1e 200

200
0.623 0.83kN / mm 2
150

For element 2 u 2e

0.623

0.346

2e E B u 2e 200

0.623 200
1
1 1
1 0.623 0.346 1

150
0.346 150

200
0.277 0.369kN / mm 2
150

3e E B u 2e 200

0 200
1
1 1
1 0 0.6231

150
0.623 150

0.346 200
1
1 1
1 0.346 0 1

300
0 300

200
0.346 0.23kN / mm 2
150

Hence the element stresses are

1e 0.83kN / mm 2 , 2e 0.369kN / mm 2 , 3e 0.23kN / mm 2

JJM / FEM / March 2014

53

DETERMINATION OF SUPPORT REACTIONS

This reaction force can be obtained from the finite element equation (or equilibrium equation)
for node 1 and node 4:
K11Q1 + K12Q2 + K13Q3+ K14Q4 = F1 + R1
K14Q1 + K24Q2 + K34Q3+ K14Q4 = F4 + R4
Here, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 are known. F1 and F4, which equals the load applied at the support (= 0),
is also known. Consequently, the reaction force at the node that maintains equilibrium, is
R1 = K11Q1 + K12Q2 + K13Q3+ K14Q4 - F1
R4 = K14Q1 + K24Q2 + K34Q3+ K14Q4 - F4
0
0
1.25 1.25
1.25 2.5 1.25 0
and
K 266.67
0
1.25 2.25 1

0
1
1
0

Q1 0
Q 0.623
2

Q
0
.
346
3

Q4 0

R1 =266.67 (1.250 - 1.250.623+ 00.346+ 0) 0 = -207.7kN

R4 = 266.67(0 + 0 + -10.346+ 0) 0 = -92.27kN
Answer:
R1 = -207.7kN, R4 = -92.27kN

Q T 0

e
1

0.623 0.346 0mm

0.83kN / mm 2 , 2e 0.369kN / mm 2 , 3e 0.23kN / mm 2

FORMULATION BY USING NATURAL COORDINATE SYSTEMS

In finite element formulation, the natural coordinate system has been found to be quite
effective quite in formulating the element properties. The natural coordinate system is a local
system in which a set of numbers whose magnitude never exceeds unity. Moreover, these
systems will be so defined that the nodal points will have unit magnitude or zero, or a
convenient set of fractions. This type of expressing the coordinates also facilitates the
integration to compute element stiffness following a unified approach. Formation of element
stiffness matrix of bar element by this approach will be used to formulate higher order
element as a learning tool.
A typical bar element has two nodes, with only single degrees of freedom in the axial
direction. The nodal degrees of freedom are displacements u1 and u2.

JJM / FEM / March 2014

54


u2

u1

1
le

= +1

= -1

le
x1
x
x2
(a)

(b)

Figure 4.3 Typical bar element in (a) x coordinate (b) coordinate

Now, we will define a natural or intrinsic coordinate system, denoted by , such that = -1 at
node 1 and = 1 at node 2. The natural coordinates are required to be mapped in terms of
global coordinate systems. is a linear function of x, hence we can write a bx , from
basic definition of the natural coordinate, at x = x1, = -1 and at x = x2, we get
1 a bx1

1 a bx2
by solving the above two equations, a and b values are obtained as below:
2
2
b

x 2 x1
le

x2 x1
x2 x1

Substituting, value of at any point can be obtained as

x x1
2
2

x, which gives
x2 x1 x2 x1

2
x x1 1
x2 x1

We will use this system of coordinates in defining the shape functions, which are used in
interpolating the displacement field. As earlier, the unknown displacement field within an
element will be interpolated by a linear distribution.
N a b
The shape functions have the following properties, N1() =1 at node 1, and = 0 at node 2, and
N2() =0 at node 1, and = 1 at node 2
1
1
1 a b 1 0 a b, which gives a b and b
a
2
2
1
N 1 1
2

JJM / FEM / March 2014

55

Similarly
1
N 2 1
2
Once the shape functions are defined, the linear displacement field within the element in
terms of nodal values can be written as
u
u N 1 N 2 1
u 2
N2

N1
N1= (1-)/2

2
1

N2= (1+)/2

= 0

= 0

= +1

= -1
(a)

(b)

u = N1 u1+N2 u 2
u2
u1

= 0

(c)
Figure 4.4(a) Shape function N1 (b) Shape function N2 (c) Linear interpolation using N1 & N2

The transformation from x to can be written as

x N 1 x1 N 2 x 2 . Now both displacement and coordinate x are interpolated within the
element by same shape functions. This is referred as isoparametric formulation in literature.

DEFINING THE STRAIN / DISPLACEMENT AND STRESS / STRAIN RELATIONSHIPS

In the case of one-dimensional deformation, say, in the x direction, we have strain x related
du
displacement u by x
for small strains.
dx
u
u
du du d

x
=
N1 N 2 1 d N1 N 2 1 d 2 x x1 1
dx d dx
u 2 dx x2 x1
u 2 dx

u
u

1 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 , N1
2 x2 x1
u 2 le
u 2

N 2 1
1 1

We arrive at the same expression as earlier

1
Or, x B u, B 1 1
le
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56

B is called element displacement matrix.

The stress is given by:

x E x EB u
Now, we have three very important relationships
u N u,

x B u, and x E B u

These expressions will used in the potential energy expression for the bar to obtain element
stiffness and load matrices.

DERIVATION THE ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX AND EQUATIONS

Ue

1 T
u k e u, where,
2

k e B

Ee B Ae dx

k e B T EBAdx is the element stiffness matrix

e

From transformation of x to , x 1

x2 x1
x x
l
x1 dx 2 1 d e d
2
2
2
1

k e = 1 1 1T Ee 1 1 1Ae le
le
le
2
1

k e

Ae Ee
le

1 1
1 1

Ae Ee 1 1
l e 1 1

In the same fashion load matrices can be developed by using natural coordinate system.

FORMATION OF ELEMENT LOAD VECTORS

Determination of force terms
Body force term is expressed as

A f N

fAdx (N u e ) T fAe dx u

e T

le
d u e
2

1
1
le 2
Ae f
d
2 1 1
2

A f l2 11

ue

Thus the element body force term fe is defined as

f
e

Ae l e 1
f
2
1

The element traction force term is expressed as

T
e T
e
u Tdx (N u ) Tdx u T N
e

JJM / FEM / March 2014

le
d u e
2

Tle
2

1
57

Thus the element traction force term Te is defined as

T Tl2
e

The nodal force vector can be expressed explicitly as

f e f e T e
Henceforth, in this course, formulations will be carried out using natural coordinate
system

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