Technical Manual No.2, 2016 / Author: Dr.

Andras Szekrenyes

Finite Element Analysis

Free torsion of prismatic bars - FE

discretization
The load of the prismatic bar shown in Figure 1 is free torsion, the torque at the end section
of the bar is Mt . Perform the nite elemtn discretization of the bar! Apply a linear interpolation
to capture the angle of twist!

z
a
v

w
a

Mt

Figure 1: Model of a prismatic bar subjected to torsion.

Based on Figure 1 we apply the following assumed displacement eld:

0
u = z .
(1)
y
By using the strain eld equations for small displacement we calculate the following shear
strains:
u v
u w
+
= z,x , xz =
+
= y,x .
y x
z
x
The stresses can be calcuated by Hookes law:
xy =

xy = Gxy = G,x z, xz = Gxz = G,x y.

(3)

As a next step we determine the strain energy of the system:




1
1
1
T
2
2
U=
: dV =
dV =
G(xy
+ xz
)dV =
2
2
2
(V )
(V )
(V )
 


1
1
1
2
2
2
2
G,x (y + z )dAdx =
G,x (Iz + Iy )dx =
It G,x
dx,
2
2
2
(l) (A)

(l)

(2)

(l)

(4)

Technical Manual No.2, 2016 / Author: Dr. Andras Szekrenyes

Finite Element Analysis

where It is the torsional constant of the section. The interpolation of the angle of twist is
carried out by linear functions:

 1

(5)
= NT ue .
() = N5 ()1 + N6 ()2 = N5 () N6 ()
2

Figure 2: Parameters of an in-plane bar element with twisting action.

The in-plane bar element is shown in Figure 2. The functions N5 () and N6 () are linear
interpolation functions and determined based on the nodal conditions:


(0) = 1
N5 () = 1 ,
(6)

N6 () = .
(1) = 2
Figure 3 shows the interpolation functions. The strain energy of a single nite element becomes:
1
Ue =
2

1
0

1
It G( ()) ld = uTe
2


1
0

1
It G  T
N N due = uTe Ke ue .
l
2

(7)

Figure 3: Interpolation functions of an in-plane twisted bar element.

Thus, the stiness matrix of the element is:
1
Ke =
0

where

N5

1, N6

It G  T
N N d,
l

(8)

= 1, leading to the following result:

It G
Ke =
l

1 1
1
1
2


.

(9)

Technical Manual No.2, 2016 / Author: Dr. Andras Szekrenyes

Finite Element Analysis

The mass matrix is calculated based on the kinetic energy of the element:
1
Te =
2

1
It dx = u Te
2
2

1

(l)

1
It NNT ld u e = uTe Me ue .
2

(10)

Using the expression above, the mass matrix becomes:

1
Me =
0

It l
It NN ld Me =
6

2 1
1 2


(11)

Figure 4: Parameters of an in-plane beam element with bending and twisting actions.
Using the calculated matrices it is possible to determine the stiness and mass matrices of
a combined beam element. The element with bending and twisting action is represented in
Figure 4. The combined element has six degrees of freedom (DOFs):


uTe =

v1 1 1 v2 2 2

(12)

The stiness matrix is:

12Iz E
l3
6Iz E
l2

6Iz E
l2
4Iz E
l

0
0

It G

0
0
l
Ke =
12Iz E 6Iz E
0
3

l2
6IzlE
2Iz E
0

l2
l
0
0
ItlG

12Il3z E
6Ilz2E
0

6Iz E
l2
2Iz E
l

12Iz E
l3
6Ilz2E

6Ilz2E

ItlG
0
0

It G
l

0
4Iz E
l

0
0

(13)

The mass matrix takes the form of:

Me = l

156A
420
22Al
420

22Al
420
4Al2
420

54A
420
13A
420

13Al
420
3Al2
420

0
0
It
3

0
0
It
6

54A
420
13Al
420

13A
420
3Al2
420

156A
420
22Al
420

22Al
420
4Al2
420

It

6
.
0

0
It
3

(14)