Example 1

Analyse the frame shown in the figure below:

(Note that it is statically indeterminate, but the method still works)
30 kN 2
3

1.5m

4
Ɵ
1

2.0m

Assume constant EA =20

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The general stiffness matrix for a beam element is:

Fx1 = (AE/L) cos2a (AE/L) cosa sina -(AE/L) cos2a -(AE/L) cosa sina U1
Fy1 (AE/L) cosa sina (AE/L) sin2a -(AE/L) cosa sina -(AE/L) sin2a V1
Fx2 -(AE/L) cos2a -(AE/L) cosa sina (AE/L) cos2a (AE/L) cosa sina U2
Fy2 -(AE/L) cosa sina -(AE/L) sin2a (AE/L) cosa sina (AE/L) sin2a V2

The values of EA, L and Ɵare:

Member EA Length Inclination
12 20 1.5 90
23 20 2.0 0
34 20 1.5 -90
13 20 2.5 36.87
42 20 2.5 -36.87

Inserting these values into each individual stiffness matrix gives:

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With 4 nodes there be (4 x 2=8) possible displacements so the
general stiffness matrix will be (8 x 8)
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We can then add up these 5 matric es to get:

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Clearly both operations could be done as one, but my method is a lot less
prone to errors.

We can also apply the loads

Next, introduce boundary conditions. In this case the displacement at each

support iszero: U1 =V1 =U4 =V4 =0

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This can then be compressed by deleting the irrelevant rows and
columns:

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Invert the stiffness matrix (+MINVERSE):

Multiply this inverted matrix by the applied load to get the (unknown)
displacements at nodes 2 and 3 (+MMULT):

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We can use these displacements to calculate internal forces (in the X
and Y directions) by multiplying the element stiffness matrices by these
displacements (+MMULT): :

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 Axial Force =√𝑋𝑋2 + 𝑌𝑌2
These are the forces in each
member in the X-X and Y-Y This gives:
direction.

It is more useful to consider the

forces along the member
(axial) and perpendicular to
the member (shear).

Since the shear forces in all

members is zero, we can
simply get the axial force by
getting the resultant of the X-X
and Y-Y forces.

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 Note that to establish whether the force is compression or tension, the
forces need to be drawn on the member.
A simple hand calculation of the reactions and by using the method of joints you
can figure out if the member internal force is whether tension or compression

C
T C

22.5 kN 22.5 kN

THIS CONCLUDES THE STIFFNESS METHOD

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