FORMULATION OF A FINITE ELEMENT FRAME WORK FOR A 1-D BARELEMENT IN PREDICTING THE DEFLECTION OF A 2-D TRUSS STRUCTURE.

Abstract

This paper highlights the formulation of a finite element frame work in predicting the deflection in a simple 2-D truss structure. The results obtained from the developed frame work matched the exact analytical solution for the same structure. This was also verified using a standard commercial software (Abaqus). It showed that the accuracy of the finite element frame work (i.e. the computational prediction) in predicting the exact behavior of the truss structure under applied load, depends on the ability to describe accurately the displacement field for the bar element.