2 Mark Questions

Unit-I
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.
i

2 Mark Questions

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 should be close to unity as possible.

ii

2 Mark Questions

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
Lest squares method
Galerkins method.
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 point
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
DYANA

iii

2 Mark Questions

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 (q1, q2, and q3), then the potential
energy expressed as,
= f (q1, q2, and q3)
It is known as function. If a system has infinite degrees of freedom then the potential
energy is expressed as

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.

iv

2 Mark Questions

UNIT 2
1. What are the basic steps involved in the finite element modeling?
Discretization of structure.
Numbering of nodes.
2. Write down the general finite element equation.

FKu
where

FForce vector
KStiffness Matrix
uDisplacement Matrix

3. What is discretization?
The art of subdividing a structure in to a convenient number of smaller components is
known as discretization.
4. What are the classifications of coordinates?
Global coordinates
Local coordinates
Natural coordinates
5. What is Global coordinates?
The points in the entire structure are defined using coordinates system is known as global
coordinate system.
6. 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.
7. Define shape function.
Approximate relation (x,y) = N1 (x,y) 1 + N2 (x,y) 2 + N3 (x,y) 3
Where 1, 2, and 3 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.

2 Mark Questions

8. 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.
9. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function?
Differentiation and integration of polynomial are quite 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
10. How do you calculate the size of the global stiffness matrix?
Global stiffness matrix size = Number of nodes X Degrees of freedom per node.
11. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for one dimensional bar element.

12. 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.
13. Write down the expression of stiffness matrix for a truss element.

14. 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
15. Define total potential energy.
Total potential energy, = Strain energy (U) + potential energy of the external forces(W)

vi

2 Mark Questions

16. 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.
17. Write down the finite element equation for one dimensional two noded bar element.

18. What is truss?

A truss is defined as a structure made up of several bars, riveted or welded together.
19. State 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.
20. 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.
21. What is essential boundary condition
Primary boundary condition or EBC Boundary condition which in terms of field variable
is known as Primary boundary condition.
22. Natural boundary conditions
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form of
field variable is known as secondary boundary condition.

vii

2 Mark Questions

UNIT - 3
1. 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.
2.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.
3. 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.
4. What is QST element?
Ten nodded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also called as
cubic displacement triangle.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Write down the stiffness matrix equation for two dimensional CST elements.
Stiffness matrix KBT DBAt

BT -Strain displacement
D -Stress strain matrix

viii

2 Mark Questions

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

9.Draw the shape functions of a CST element.

10. What are the differences between 2 Dimensional scalar variable and vector variable
elements?
Two dimensional scalar variable elements have only one direction independent variable
per node. Two dimensional triangular element stiffness matrix size is 3 x 3. Two dimensional
vector variable elements have direction dependent variable at each node. The element stiffness
matrix of a triangular element is of size 6x6.
11. Write down the governing differential equation for a two dimensional steady-state heat
transfer problem.

ix

2 Mark Questions

12. What is Area coordinates?

L1 = A1/A
L2 = A2/A
L3 = A3/A
13.Write the applications of CST element?
Use in areas where the strain gradient is small.
Use in mesh transition areas (fine mesh to coarse mesh).
Avoid using CST in stress concentration or other crucial areas in the structure, such as
edges of holes and corners.
Recommended for quick and preliminary FE analysis of 2-D problems.
14.Write down the strain displacement matrix for CST element.

15. Explain the important properties of CST element.

1. The strain components are constant throughout the volume of the element.
2. It has six unknown displacement degrees of freedom.

2 Mark Questions

UNIT -4
1. 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
2. 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
3. Give the stiffness matrix equation for an axisymmetric triangular element.
Stiffness matrix KBT DB2t rA
4. Distinguish between plane stress and plane strain problems.
Plane stress:
A state of plane stress is said to exist when the elastic body is very thin and there is no
load applied in the coordinate direction parallel to the thickness. Example: A ring press - fitted
on a shaft is a plane stress problem. In plane stress problem z, yz and yz are zero.
Plane strain:
A state of plane strain occurs in members that are not free to expand in the direction
perpendicular to the plane of applied loads. Example: In a long body of uniform cross-section,
subjected to transverse loading along its length, a small thickness in the loaded area can be
treated as plane-strain problem. Here ez ,yz , yz , are zero.

5.What are conditions for a problem to be axi-symmetric?

1. The problem domain must be symmetric about the axis of revolution
2. All the boundary conditions must be symmetric about the axis of revolution
3.All the loading conditions must be symmetric about the axis of revolution

6.What are the ways in which a 3D problem can be reduced to a 2D problem?

1.Plane Stress: One dimension is too small when compared to other dimensions
Example: Gear thickness is small
2.Plane strain: One dimsensional problem is too large when compared to other two
dimensions
Example: Long Pipe
3.Axisymmetric: Geometry is symmetric about axis
Example: Cooling tower

xi

2 Mark Questions

7. Write down the constitutive relationship for the axi-symmetric problem.

The Constitutive Law relates the stresses in a loaded solid to the strains developed.
{ }=[ D]{e }
Stress
eStrain
DStrain displacement matrix
For axi-symmetric problems

7. Write down the shape functions of the axisymmetry element.

8. Distinguish between Lagrange and Hermition interpolation functions.
At the inter element boundary the displacements are continuous in the case of Lagrange
interpolation function whereas in addition to displacements, slopes are continuous in the case of
Hermition interpolation functions
9. Define, super parametic element.
If the order of the shape functions for describing the geometry is more than that for
describing field variable, then the element is said to be super parametric.
10. Write down the strain displacement matrix for axi-symmetry element.

xii

2 Mark Questions

UNIT - 5
1. 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.
2. Write down the shape functions for 4 noded rectangular elements using natural
coordinate system.

3. Write down Jacobian matrix for 4 noded quadrilateral elements.

3. Write down stiffness matrix equation for 4 noded isoparametric quadrilateral elements.
Stiffness matrix

4. Define super parametric element.

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is more than of nodes used for the
displacement is known as super parametric element.
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. 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.

xiii

2 Mark Questions

7. What is simple natural coordinate?

A simple natural coordinate is one whose value between -1 and 1.
8. Give example for essential boundary conditions.
The geometry boundary condition are displacement, slope.
9. Give example for non essential boundary conditions.
The natural boundary conditions are
bending moment,
shear force
10. 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.
11. What is QST element?
Ten noded triangular elements are known as Quadratic strain triangle. It is also called as
cubic displacement triangle.
12.What is meant by serendipity element?
A ten nodded quadrilateral element is called as the seredipity element
13. 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.

14. 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.

xiv

2 Mark Questions

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 essential boundary condition?
Primary boundary condition or EBC, Boundary condition which in terms of field variable
is known as Primary boundary condition
17. Natural boundary conditions.
Secondary boundary natural boundary conditions which are in the differential form of
field variable is known as secondary boundary condition.
18. Define Eigen value problem.
The problem of determining the constant is called eigen value problem. Finding the
natural frequencies of the systems are coming under the eigen value problem.
19. What is non-homogeneous form and homogenous form?
When the specified values of dependent variables are non-zero, the boundary condition
are said to be non-homogeneous.
When the specified values of dependent variables is zero, the boundary condition are said
to be homogeneous
21. Draw the shape functions of the 3 Noded bar element.

xv

2 Mark Questions

20. Write strain displacement matrix for four noded quadrilateral element?

22.Draw the eight noded quadrilateral element

When the specified values of dependent variables is zero, the boundary condition are said
to be homogeneous.

xvi