Register Number
SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY 
(Established under section 3 of UGC Act,1956) 
 
Course & Branch :B.E - AERO 
Title of the Paper :Finite Element Method    Max. Marks :80 
Sub. Code :526E01-AEE01          Time : 3 Hours 
Date :07/05/2011              Session :FN 
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
                                       PART - A                    (10 x 2 = 20) 
                        Answer ALL the Questions 
1.  Define the term finite element.   
 
2.  What are compatible elements? 
 
3.  State the principle of minimum potential energy. 
 
4.  Write the stiffness matrix for a plane frame element. 
 
5.  What is an isoparametric element? 
 
6.  Differentiate consistent and lumped mass matrices. 
 
7.  What is meant by a mode in dynamic analysis? 
 
8.  Sketch a linear and Quadratic hexahedral element. 
 
9.  What is the significance of node numbering? 
 
10.  Mention the limitations of Finite Element analysis. 
 
QUESTION PAPER CODE 23591
B.E,/B.Tech DEGREE EXAMINATION,MAY/JUNE 2009
        SIXTH SEMESTER
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
AE 1007 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
PART  B        (5 x 12 = 60) 
Answer All the Questions 
 
11.  (a) Explain the terms node and mesh.          (4) 
  (b)  Establish  the  governing  equations  for  the  cart  system  shown 
below. 
 
(or) 
12.  Solve the following system of algebraic equation  
   
|
|
|
|
|
\
|
=
|
|
|
|
|
\
|
(
(
(
(
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
10 10 0 0
10 20 10 0
0 10 20 10
0 0 10 10
F
F
F
F
x
x
x
x
 
    Assume x
1
 = 0, x
3
 = 1.5, F
2
 = 20 N and F4 = 35 N. 
   
13.  A  two  member  truss  is  supported  by  a  linear  elastic  spring.  The 
truss  members  are  of  solid  circular  cross  section  having  d  = 
20mm  and  E  =  80GPa.    The  spring  has  a  stiffness  constant  of 
50N/mm. Find the Nodal displacements and reactions. 
 
(or) 
14.  Determine  the  fundamental  natural  frequency  of  the  beam  (of 
Youngs  modulus  E,  Shear  modulus  G,  area  of  cross  section  A, 
second  moment  area  about  the  axis  of  bending  I,  and  length  L) 
with  its  left  end  (x  =  0)  clamped  and  its  right  end  (x  =  L) 
supported vertically by a linear elastic spring as shown below. 
 
 
15.  Assuming  plane  stress  condition  derive  the  element  stiffness 
matrix  for  the  three  nodded  triangular  element  subjected  to 
uniformly distributed pressure.  The element is of a material with 
E = 210Gpa and Poisson ratio = 0.3.  
 
 
(or) 
16.  Derive  the  shape  function  for  a  six  nodded  triangular  element 
using  area  coordinates.    Evaluate 
v
dV N N
5 3
  for  an  axisymmetric 
element using the above shape functions. 
 
17.  Evaluate 
  
    
 + 
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
) 1 )( 4 ( ) (
2
drdsdt t s r r  
(or) 
18.  The X,Y,Z coordinates of the nodes of a tetrahedron element are 
1(15,0,0), 2(0,5,0), 3(10,10,5) and 4(0,0,10). The coordinates are 
in  mm.  The  bottom  face  contains  the  nodes  1,2,3.    Derive  the 
stiffness matrix of the element assuming that E = 30 x 10
6 
 and  
= 0.32. 
 
19.  Explain the various stages involved in solving a problem using a 
commercial Finite element package. 
(or) 
20.  Mention  few  finite  Element  packages.    Explain  briefly  their 
applications in various fields of Engineering.