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Method of Finite Elements I

Chapter 2

The Direct Stiffness Method

Method of Finite Elements I

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Direct Stiffness Method (DSM)

• Computational method for structural analysis
• Matrix method for computing the member forces
and displacements in structures
• DSM implementation is the base of most commercial
and open-source finite element software
• Based on the displacement method (classical hand
method for structural analysis)
• Formulated in the 1950s by Turner at Boeing and
started a revolution in structural engineering

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Goals of this Chapter

• DSM formulation
• DSM software workflow for …
• linear static analysis (1st order)
• 2nd order linear static analysis
• linear stability analysis

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Chapter 2a

The Direct Stiffness Method:

Linear Static Analysis (1st Order)

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Computational Structural Analysis

Y

Physical problem Continuous Discrete

mathematical model computational model

strong form weak form

Modelling is the most important step in

the process of a structural analysis !
Method of Finite Elements I
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System Identification (Modelling)

Y
3 4
6

4 5
1 2
3

1 2

X 5 6

Global coordinate system Node numbers

Nodes
Elements Element numbers
Boundary conditions and orientation
Loads

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Deformations
System Deformations Nodal Displacements

System identification

nodes, elements, loads and supports (deformational, nodal)

deformed shape degrees of freedom = dofs

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Degrees of Freedom
Truss Structure Frame Structure

ui
ui

ui = ( udx , udy ) dof per node ui = ( udx , udy , urz )

7 * 2 = 14 dof dof of structure 8 * 3 = 24 dof

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Elements: Truss
1 dof per node
ux DX

P1 P2 P1 P2
N
1 1 2
X/Y = local coordinate system 2 1

ux = displacement in direction 2 1 2
of local axis X
DX = displacement of truss end

compatibility 

const. equation   p=ku

equilibrum 2 1 p : (element) nodal forces
k : (element) stiffness matrix
  u : (element) displacement vector
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Elements: Beam
3 dof per node

ux
DX

uy DY

RZ
uy

ux = displacement in direction
of local axis X

uy = displacement in direction
of local axis Y

k u

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Elements: Global Orientation

local

global
cos − sin 0 0 0 0
sin cos 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 0 0
=
0 0 0 cos − sin 0
0 0 0 sin cos 0
0 0 0 0 0 1
uglob = u = uloc
-1 = T
kglob = k = T kloc

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Beam Stiffness Matrix

e.g. k24 =
UXS UYS UZS UXE UYE UZE UXE=1
E
FXS = k11 k12 k13 k14 k15 k16 reaction
FYS = k22 k23 k24 k25 k26
in global direction Y
at start node S
MZS = k33 k34 k35 k36

FXS = k44 k45 k46

due to a
FYS = symm. k55 k56 S
unit displacement
MZE = k66 FYS in global direction X
at end node E
 piS  k iSS  k iSE  uiS 
    
 piE  k iES  k iEE  uiE 
Element stiffness matrix
p=ku in global orientation

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Nodal Equilibrum
r4: Vector of all forces acting at node 4
f4
r4 = - k6ES u3 + contribution of element 6 due to
3 6 4 start node displacement u3
- k6EE u4 + contribution of element 6 due to
5 end node displacement u4
- k5EE u4 + contribution of element 5 due to
2 start node displacement u4
- k5ES u2 + contribution of element 5 due to
start node displacement u2
f4 external load

Equilibrum at node 4: r4 = - k5SE u2 -k6ES u3 - k5EE u4 - k6EE u4 + f4 = 0

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Global System of Equations

u1 u2 u3 u4
3 6 4
k1EE+ k3SE k4SE
r1 = - k3SS+ + f1 = 0 4 5
k4SS 1 3 2
k3ES k2EE+ k5SE
r2 = - k3EE+ + f2 = 0 1 2
k5SS
k4ES k4EE+ k6SE
r3 = - + f3 = 0
k6SS
k5ES k6ES k5EE+
r4 = - + f4 = 0
k6EE

-K U + F = 0 F = K U

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Global System of Equations

F = global load vector = Assembly of all fe
K = global stiffness matrix = Assembly of all ke
U = global displacement vector = unknown

F = K U = equilibrium at every node of the structure

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Solving the Equation System

What are the nodal displacements (= U )
for a given structure (= stiffness matrix K )
due to a given load (= load vector F ) ?

K U=F left multiply K-1

K-1 K U = K-1 F U = K-1 F

Inversion possible only if K is non-singular

(i.e. the structure is sufficiently supported = stable)

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Beam Element Results

1. Element nodal displacements
Disassemble u from resulting global displacements U

2. Element end forces

Calculate element end forces = p = k u

3. Element stress and strain along axis

Calculate moment/shear from end forces (equilibrium equation)
Calculate curvature/axial strain from moments/axial force

4. Element deformations along axis

Calculate displacements from strain (direct integration)

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Lateral Load
1. Adjust global load vector

f = local load vector => add to global load vector F

2. Adjust element stresses

e.g. bending moment M: M due to f M diagram

M due to u
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Linear Static Analysis (1st order)

Workflow of computer program

1. System identification: Elements, nodes, support and loads

2. Build element stiffness matrices and load vectors
3. Assemble global stiffness matrix and load vector
4. Solve global system of equations (=> displacements)
5. Calculate element results

Exact solution for displacements and stresses

Method of Finite Elements I