Question

Which of the following statements is NOT true of a 1-D problem represented using 2-node line elements as indicated?

• A. this could represent a finite element model of a bar under axial loading
• B. size of global stiffness matrix is 4 x 4
• C. size of global force vector is 4 x 1
• D. size of global stiffness matrix is 8 x 8

Hint:

In finite element modeling, the size of the global stiffness matrix is determined by the total degrees of freedom in the system, which corresponds to the number of nodes multiplied by the degrees of freedom per node.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

For a 1-D problem using 2-node line elements, each node typically has one degree of freedom under axial loading, resulting in a global stiffness matrix size equal to the number of nodes times the degrees of freedom per node, which is 4x4, not 8x8.