FEA Theory Problem 1
FEA Theory Problem 1
Practice Problem # 1
Introduction to the Finite Element Method:
Spring Elements
The basic concept of the finite element method stems from determining the global stiffness
matrix of a structural system, applying forces and solving for displacements. A structure built
of spring elements can provide a simple, yet instructive way to illustrate this basic concept.
In this assignment, for the spring assemblage shown, apply the finite element method
(manually) to determine the following response parameters:
A. The displacements of all nodes
B. The reaction forces
C. The internal forces in each spring
For the list of students and the problem parameters, see page 2.
2
Results
Student
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
k1
(N/m)
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1200
1200
k2
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
850
850
k3
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
800
F1 (N)
400
500
600
400
500
600
400
500
600
400
500
600
F2
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
F3
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
300
300
Max d
0.46
0.35
0.28
0.44
0.38
0.31
0.43
0.35
0.34
0.43
0.41
0.35
Nax N
290.63
296.55
301.60
261.39
309.38
316.93
272.16
279.02
331.21
281.79
313.41
318.93
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
1200
1200
1200
1000
1000
1000
1000
850
850
850
850
850
850
850
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
400
500
600
400
500
600
400
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
0.56
0.46
0.38
0.46
0.53
0.44
0.48
319.67
325.54
330.61
318.87
333.52
337.11
309.44
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1000
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1200
1200
1200
1200
1200
1100
850
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
850
800
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
500
600
400
500
600
400
500
600
400
500
600
400
300
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
300
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
300
0.39
0.46
0.66
0.56
0.48
0.70
0.55
0.46
0.61
0.56
0.45
0.67
303.45
390.75
340.58
346.59
351.79
352.60
360.71
365.75
323.71
374.19
378.57
352.03
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
1100
1100
1100
1100
1300
1300
1300
1300
1300
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
850
850
850
850
850
850
850
850
850
750
750
750
750
750
800
500
600
700
800
500
600
700
800
600
700
800
500
600
500
600
400
500
400
500
600
400
500
500
600
400
500
600
400
400
400
400
300
300
300
300
300
400
400
400
400
400
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
200
200
200
200
200
0.57
0.57
0.70
0.58
0.42
0.52
0.42
0.44
0.37
0.57
0.47
0.62
0.58
0.47
357.81
416.30
363.56
368.93
310.95
342.09
346.82
301.50
305.40
358.15
362.88
321.44
371.68
375.72