Question

Which of the following conditions must be fulfilled to apply symmetry in a finite element model?

(a) Geometry of the model is symmetric

(b) Boundary conditions to be applied are symmetric

(c) Geometry model has large number of nodes

(d) Geometry of the model is symmetric and boundary conditions to be applied are symmetric

I have been asked this question during a job interview.

This question is from Beams and Frames in section Beams and Frames of Finite Element Method

Answer 1

Correct answer is (d) Geometry of the model is symmetric and boundary conditions to be applied are symmetric

To explain: The geometry and boundary conditions both have to be symmetric to apply any kind of symmetry. Half or quarter portions of a model can be used to reduce computational cost.