1.

Consider a finite element with three nodes, one at each endpoint and one at the center of the element:

Since three values are sufficient to determine a parabola, it appears that quadratic polynomials might be used
to construct basis functions with such elements:

(a) Using these facts and the ideas discussed in the text, construct piecewise-quadratic basis functions φi(x)
for a finite element mesh consisting of two such elements and five nodes. Sketch the φi(x) as functions
on the domain 0≤x≤1 and show that they satisfy the three criteria for finite element basis functions.
Sol.) Refer to section 1.5 of Oden’s textbook
Shape functions

1
ϕ1(ξ) ϕ3(ξ) ϕ1 (ξ ) = ξ (ξ − 1)
ϕ2(ξ) 2
1 ϕ2 (ξ ) = −(ξ + 1)(ξ − 1)
1
ϕ3 (ξ ) = ξ (ξ + 1)
2

Two elements, five nodes, 0≤x≤1

Ω1 Ω2
1 2 3 4 5

0 1/4 1/2 3/4 1

From the shape function, construct basis function as below,

1
⎧(2 x − 1)(4 x − 1) 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/ 2
φ1 ( x) = ⎨
⎩ 0 1/ 2 ≤ x ≤ 1

⎧−8 x(2 x − 1) 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/ 2
1

φ2 ( x) = ⎨
⎩ 0 1/ 2 ≤ x ≤ 1

1
⎧ 2 x(4 x − 1) 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/ 2
φ3 ( x) = ⎨
⎩2(4 x − 3)( x − 1) 1/ 2 ≤ x ≤ 1
 1
⎧ 0 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/ 2
φ4 ( x) = ⎨
⎩−8(2 x − 1)( x − 1) 1/ 2 ≤ x ≤ 1

⎧ 0 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/ 2
φ5 ( x) = ⎨
⎩(2 x − 1)(4 x − 3) 1/ 2 ≤ x ≤ 1

∗ Fundamental criteria for a set of basis functions

i. The basis functions are generated by simple functions defined piecewise-element by element-
over the finite element mesh.
∼ Each of the functions φi, i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, is the result of patching together piecewise-quadratic
functions defined over each finite element.
ii. The basis functions are smooth enough to be members of the class H 01 of test functions.
∼ Each of the functions φi, i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, must have square-integrable first derivatives and φi
must vanish at x=0 and at x=1 except for i=1 and 5. Because each of the functions φi, i=1, 2, 3, 4,
5, is continuous 2nd order polynomial function, there are their first derivatives. And, because the
2
derivative of each of the φi is a linear function, ⎡⎣φi' ⎤⎦ is certainly integrable. That is, because of
1 2
∫ ⎡φi' ( x ) ⎤ dx < ∞ , the basis functions are smooth enough to be members of the class H 01 of test
0⎣ ⎦
functions.
iii. The basis functions are chosen in such a way that the parameters αi defining the approximate
solution uh (=uN) are precisely the values of uh(x) at the nodal points.
n n
∼ φi ( x j ) = δ ij , let uh ( x) = ∑
i =1
α iφi ( x) → uh ( x j ) = ∑α φ ( x ) = α δ
i =1
i i j i ij =αj

∴ The parameters αi defining uh is the values of uh at the nodal points.

■

(b) Use this finite element model to construct an interpolant of the function f(x) = sin πx; that is, construct
vh such that vh(xj) = sin πxj , xj being a nodal-point coordinate. Plot the functions f and vh.
Sol.)
5
From the 3rd fundamental criteria for a set of basis functions, vh ( x) = ∑ α φ ( x)
i =1
i i → vh ( x j ) = α j

vh (0) = α1 = sin 0 = 0
1 π 1
vh ( ) = α 2 = sin =
4 4 2
1 π
vh ( ) = α 3 = sin = 1
2 2
3 3π 1
vh ( ) = α 4 = sin =
4 4 2
vh (1) = α 5 = sin π = 0
5
1 1
vh ( x) = ∑ α φ ( x) =
i =1
i i
2
φ2 ( x) + φ3 ( x) +
2
φ4 ( x)

⎧ 8 1
⎪ − x(2 x − 1) + 2 x(4 x − 1) 0≤ x≤
⎪ 2 2
vh ( x ) = ⎨
⎪2(4 x − 3)( x − 1) − 8 1
(2 x − 1)( x − 1) ≤ x ≤1
⎪⎩ 2 2
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2. Fine the shape functions of a quadrilateral element with 12 nodes shown below by Lagrange interpolation.
Also obtain the shape functions of an 8-node quadrilateral element shown below.
(a) A quadrilateral element with 12 nodes
Sol.)
t
t= 1 4 9 8 3

t= 0 11 12 7
10 s

t = -1
1 5 6 2

s = -1 s = -1/3 s = 1/3 s= 1

⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
N1 = A1 ⎜ s + ⎟ ⎜ s − ⎟ ( s − 1)( t − 1) t N 2 = A2 ( s + 1) ⎜ s + ⎟ ⎜ s − ⎟ ( t − 1) t
⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠
9 9
N1 (−1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A1 = − N 2 (1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A2 =
32 32
9 ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎛
9 1 1⎞
⇒ N1 = − ⎜ s + ⎟ ⎜ s − ⎟ ( s − 1)( t − 1) t ⇒ N2 = ⎟⎜ s − 3 ⎟ ( t − 1) t
32 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠ 32 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ ⎠

⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
N3 = A3 ( s + 1) ⎜ s + ⎟ ⎜ s − ⎟ ( t + 1) t N 4 = A4 ⎜ s + ⎟⎜ s − ⎟ ( s − 1)( t + 1) t
⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠
9 9
N3 (1,1) = 1 ⇒ A3 = N 4 (−1,1) = 1 ⇒ A4 = −
32 32

( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ s − ⎞⎟ ( t + 1) t
9 1 1 9 ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
⇒ N3 = ⇒ N 4 = − ⎜ s + ⎟⎜ s − ⎟ ( s − 1)( t + 1) t
32 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠ 32 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠

In the same way,

( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s − ⎞⎟ ( s − 1)( t − 1) t ( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s − ⎞⎟ ( s − 1)( t + 1) t
27 1 27 1
N5 = N9 =
32 ⎝ 3⎠ 32 ⎝ 3⎠

( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎟ ( s − 1)( t − 1) t
27 1 9 ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
N6 = − N10 = ⎜ s + ⎟ ⎜ s − ⎟ ( s − 1)( t − 1)( t + 1)
32 ⎝ 3⎠ 16 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠

( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ s − ⎞⎟ ( t − 1)( t − 1) ( s + 1) ⎜⎛ s − ⎟⎞ ( s − 1)( t + 1)( t − 1)

9 1 1 27 1
N7 = − N11 = −
16 ⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3⎠ 16 ⎝ 3⎠

( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎟ ( s − 1)( t + 1) t ( s + 1) ⎛⎜ s + ⎞⎟ ( s − 1)( t + 1)( t − 1)

27 1 27 1
N8 = − N12 =
32 ⎝ 3⎠ 16 ⎝ 3⎠

Check ∑N i =1
■
(b) A quadrilateral element with 8 nodes
Sol.)
t
4 7 3
t= 1

s+t = -1 -s+t = -1

6
8
s

s-t = -1 -s-t = -1

t = -1 1 5 2

s = -1 s= 1

N1 = A1 ( s − 1)( t − 1)( t + s + 1) N 2 = A2 ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)

1 1
N1 (−1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A1 = − N 2 (1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A2 =
4 4
1 1
⇒ N1 = − ( s − 1)( t − 1)( t + s + 1) ⇒ N2 = ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)
4 4

N3 = A3 ( s + 1)( t + 1)( t + s − 1) N 4 = A4 ( s − 1)( t + 1)( t − s − 1)

1 1
N3 (1,1) = 1 ⇒ A3 = N 4 (−1,1) = 1 ⇒ A4 = −
4 4
1 1
⇒ N3 = ( s + 1)( t + 1)( t + s − 1) ⇒ N4 = − ( s − 1)( t + 1)( t − s − 1)
4 4

N5 = A5 ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) N 6 = A6 ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)

1 1
N5 (0, −1) = 1 ⇒ A5 = N 6 (1, 0) = 1 ⇒ A6 = −
2 2
1 1
⇒ N5 = ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) ⇒ N6 = − ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)
2 2

N 7 = A7 ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t + 1) N8 = A8 ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s − 1)

1 1
N 7 (0,1) = 1 ⇒ A7 = − N8 (−1, 0) = 1 ⇒ A8 =
2 2
1 1
⇒ N7 = − ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t + 1) ⇒ N8 = ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s − 1)
2 2

Check ∑N i =1
■
3. Obtain the shape function of transient elements shown below:
(a) Transition element 1
t
4 7 3
t= 1

-s+t = -1

6
s

-s-t = -1

t = -1 1 5 2

s = -1 s= 0 s= 1

N1 = A1s ( s − 1)( t − 1) N 2 = A2 ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)

1 1
N1 (−1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A1 = − N 2 (1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A2 =
4 4
1 1
⇒ N1 = − s ( s − 1)( t − 1) ⇒ N2 = ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)
4 4

N3 = A3 ( s + 1)( t + 1)( t + s − 1) N 4 = A4 s ( s − 1)( t + 1)

1 1
N3 (1,1) = 1 ⇒ A3 = N 4 (−1,1) = 1 ⇒ A4 =
4 4
1 1
⇒ N3 = ( s + 1)( t + 1)( t + s − 1) ⇒ N4 = s ( s − 1)( t + 1)
4 4

N5 = A5 ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) N 6 = A6 ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)

1 1
N5 (0, −1) = 1 ⇒ A5 = N 6 (1, 0) = 1 ⇒ A6 = −
2 2
1 1
⇒ N5 = ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) ⇒ N6 = − ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)
2 2

N 7 = A7 ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t + 1)
1
N 7 (0,1) = 1 ⇒ A7 = −
2
1
⇒ N7 = − ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t + 1)
2

Check ∑N i =1
■
(b) Transition element 2
t
t= 1 4 3

-s+t = -1

t= 0 6
s

-s-t = -1

t = -1 1 5 2

s = -1 s= 0 s= 1

N1 = A1s ( s − 1)( t − 1) N 2 = A2 ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)

1 1
N1 (−1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A1 = − N 2 (1, −1) = 1 ⇒ A2 =
4 4
1 1
⇒ N1 = − s ( s − 1)( t − 1) ⇒ N2 = ( s + 1)( t − 1)( t − s + 1)
4 4

N3 = A3t ( t + 1)( s + 1) N 4 = A4 ( s − 1)( t + 1)

1 1
N3 (1,1) = 1 ⇒ A3 = N 4 (−1,1) = 1 ⇒ A4 = −
4 4
1 1
⇒ N3 = t ( t + 1)( s + 1) ⇒ N4 = − ( s − 1)( t + 1)
4 4

N5 = A5 ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) N 6 = A6 ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)

1 1
N5 (0, −1) = 1 ⇒ A5 = N 6 (1, 0) = 1 ⇒ A6 = −
2 2
1 1
⇒ N5 = ( s − 1)( s + 1)( t − 1) ⇒ N6 = − ( t − 1)( t + 1)( s + 1)
2 2

Check ∑N i =1
■
4. Obtain the gradient of Nα in the (x, y) coordinates system when Nα is the shape functions of a 6-node
triangular element with curved boundaries.
Sol.) Refer to the chapter 5 of Oden’s textbook

6
3
Ωe 5
1
t 4
y
3(0,1) 2

6(0,1/2) 5(1/2,1/2)

Ω̂

1(0,0) 4(1/2,0) 2(1,0) s

The shape function of a 6-node triangular element in the master domain,

⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
N1 = 2 ⎜ t + s − ⎟ ( t + s − 1) N 2 = 2s ⎜ s − ⎟ N3 = 2t ⎜ t − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
N 4 = −4s ( t + s − 1) N5 = 4 st N 6 = −4t ( t + s − 1)

Check ∑N i =1

⎡ ∂Nα ⎤
⎢ ∂x ⎥
Gradient of Nα ⇒ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ∂Nα ⎥
⎢ ∂y ⎥
⎣ ⎦

⎡∂⎤ ⎡ ∂y ∂y ⎤ ⎡ ∂ ⎤ ⎧ ∂x ∂Nα ∂x ∂Nα

⎢ ∂x ⎥ 1 ⎢ ∂t ∂s ⎥ ⎢ ∂s ⎥ ⎪⎪ ∂s = xα ∂s
,
∂t
= xα
∂t
⎢ ⎥= ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ ⎨
⎢ ∂ ⎥ det ⎢ ∂x ∂x ⎥ ⎢ ∂ ⎥ ⎪ ∂y = y ∂Nα ∂y ∂Nα
⎢ ∂y ⎥ ⎢⎣ ∂t , = yα
⎣ ⎦ ∂s ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ∂t ⎥⎦ ⎩⎪ ∂s
α
∂s ∂t ∂t

⎧ ∂N1 ∂N1
⎪ ∂s = 4t + 4s − 3 = 4t + 4s − 3
∂t
⎪
⎪ ∂N 2 ∂N 2
⎪ ∂s = 4s − 1 =0
∂t
⎪
⎪ ∂N3 ∂N3
=0 = 4t − 1
⎪ ∂s ∂t
⎨
⎪ ∂N 4 = −4 ( t + 2 s − 1)
∂N 4
= −4 s
⎪ ∂s ∂t
⎪ ∂N ∂N5
⎪ 5 = 4t = 4s
⎪ ∂s ∂t
⎪ ∂N ∂N 6
⎪ 6 = −4t = −4 ( 2t + s − 1)
⎩ ∂s ∂t
 6
∂x ∂Nα
= ∑
∂s α =1
xα
∂s
= x1 (4t + 4 s − 3) + x2 (4s − 1) − 4 x4 (t + 2s − 1) + 4 x5t − 4 x6t

6
∂x ∂Nα
= ∑
∂t α =1
xα
∂t
= x1 (4t + 4 s − 3) + x3 (4t − 1) − 4 x4 s + 4 x5 s − 4 x6 (2t + s − 1)

6
∂y ∂Nα
= ∑
∂s α =1
yα
∂s
= y1 (4t + 4 s − 3) + y2 (4s − 1) − 4 y4 (t + 2s − 1) + 4 y5t − 4 y6 t

6
∂y ∂Nα
= ∑
∂t α =1
yα
∂t
= y1 (4t + 4 s − 3) + y3 (4t − 1) − 4 y4 s + 4 y5 s − 4 y6 (2t + s − 1)

⎡ ∂Nα ⎤ ⎡ ∂y ∂y ⎤ ⎡ ∂Nα ⎤
⎢ ∂x ⎥ −
1 ⎢ ∂t ∂s ⎥ ⎢ ∂s ⎥
∴⎢ ⎥= ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢ ∂Nα ⎥ ∂x ∂y − ∂y ∂x ⎢ − ∂x ∂x ⎥ ⎢ ∂Nα ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢⎣ ∂t ∂s ⎦⎥ ⎢⎣ ∂t ⎥⎦
⎣ ∂y ⎦ ∂s ∂t ∂s ∂t
■
5. Obtain the shape function of a transient element shown below:
Sol.)
ξ 1= 0 ξ 2= 0

3
ξ3= 1
ξ 2 = 1/2

5
ξ1= 1 ξ2= 1

ξ 3= 0

1 4 2

⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
N1 = A1ξ1 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟ N 2 = A2ξ 2 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟ N3 = A3ξ3 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
N1 (1, 0, 0) = 1 ⇒ A1 = −2 N 2 (0,1, 0) = 1 ⇒ A2 = 2 N3 (0, 0,1) = 1 ⇒ A3 = −2
⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
⇒ N1 = −2ξ1 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟ ⇒ N 2 = 2ξ 2 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟ ⇒ N3 = −2ξ3 ⎜ ξ 2 − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠

N 4 = A4ξ1ξ 2 N5 = A5ξ 2ξ3

1 1 1 1
N 4 ( , , 0) = 1 ⇒ A4 = 4 N5 (0, , ) = 1 ⇒ A5 = 4
2 2 2 2
⇒ N 4 = 4ξ1ξ 2 ⇒ N5 = 4ξ 2ξ3

Check ∑N i =1
■