4hours

Finite Element Analysis in Engineering

Term Assignment

For the truss system above, do the following.

Q1:

(a) Solve for the x,y components of displacement of each joint using one bar element for each link. Show

all work involving the assembly of the load vector and characteristic matrix. Once the global

characteristic matrix is assembled, you may use Matlab to solve for the displacement. Please submit the

Matlab script you used to solve the displacements.

(b) Solve the problem using “Truss” elements in Comsol 4.3 and compare to the answer you obtained in

part (a). Please save your Comsol model and submit the file via email

Q2:

(a) Solve for the x,y components of displacement of each joint using one beam element for each link.

Show all work involving the assembly of the load vector and characteristic matrix. Once the global

characteristic matrix is assembled, you may use Matlab to solve for the displacement. Please submit the

Matlab script you used to solve the displacements.

(b) Solve the problem using “Beam” elements in Comsol 4.3 and compare to the answer you obtained in

part (a). Please save your Comsol model and submit the file via email.

Q3:

(a) Find the natural frequencies and mode shape vectors for the truss using one bar element for each

link. Show all work involving the assembly of the load vector and characteristic matrix. Once the global

characteristic matrix is assembled, you may use Matlab to solve for the frequencies and mode shape

vectors. Please submit the Matlab script you used.

(b) Solve the problem using “Truss” elements in Comsol 4.3 and compare to the answer you obtained in

part (a). Please save your Comsol model and submit the file via email.

Q4:

Use Comsol 4.3 to model the steady state heat transfer through a plate which has the same outside

dimensions as your truss system. At the location (edge) where the distributed load is applied, apply a

temperature of 600 K. At the location (edge) where T appears, apply a temperature of 293.15 K. All

other exposed edges are thermally insulated. Determine the temperature in the plate at the coordinates

where the joints of truss system were located.