BLD 401- Structural Analysis

Module 5:
Matrix Method of Analysis- Trusses
 1. Introduction
In matrix analysis, structures are described in terms of elements between nodes. The analysis
approach could be stiffness matrix or flexibility matrix.
The stiffness matrix approach relates the applied loads to the joint displacements using
K u = f and it is used to determine unknown displacements at joints. Hence, for n number of
unknowns to be determined (i.e. n degree of freedom),
 K11 K 12 .. .. K1n   u1   f1 
K K 2 n  u  f 
 21  2  2
 ' '  ' =  '
     
 ' '  '  '
 K n1 K nn  u n   f n 

The flexibility matrix approach relates the applied loads to the joint displacements using
D f = u and it is used to determine unknown forces at joints. Hence, for n number of
unknowns to be determined (i.e. n degree of freedom),
 D11 D12 .. .. D1n   f1   u1 
D D2 n  f  u 
 21  2  2
 ' '   ' = '
     
 ' '   ' '
 Dn1 Dnn   f n  u n 
 2. Stiffness Matrix Method of Structural Analysis
• The finite element method involves the determination of joint displacements
from which the strains, stresses etc. are determined.
• The stiffness matrix method is commonly used in the finite element analysis
of structural elements such as trusses, beams, frames, grillage structures,
plates and shells.
• The stiffness matrix method involves the following.
i. Identify the elements in the structure and determine their stiffness
matrices about their centroidal axes.
ii. Determine the elements’ stiffness matrices about the global axis of
the structure.
iii. Determine the structure stiffness matrix. This is an assembled
matrix obtained from the elements’ stiffness matrices about the
global axis. This is used for the final analysis of the structure
depending on its degree of freedom.
 3. Matrix Analysis of Trusses
A truss is a pin-jointed frame which carries axial load only. Hence, it possesses only axial
stiffness and cannot accommodate bending (or transmit moment). The stiffness matrix method of
analysis of trusses involves the following.
i. Number all the nodes and the elements.
ii. Determine the elements’ stiffness matrices in the global axis. For example, the element
shown below has 4 unknowns ( u1  u 4 ) and hence a 4 x 4 matrix.
 The element’s stiffness matrix in the global axis can be determined using
 c 2 cs  c 2  cs 
 
 EA   c s s
2
 cs  s 2 
Ke =  
 L e   c  cs c 2 cs 
2

 
  cs  s
2
cs s 2 

x 2  x1 y 2  y1
c  cos   s  Sin  
L L
Length of member = L ( x2  x1 ) 2  ( y 2  y1 ) 2 .
E = Young’s Modulus A = Area of cross-section of member
iii. Assemble the elements’ stiffness matrices in the global axis to obtain the structure stiffness
matrix. For example, the structure shown below has 6 unknowns ( u1  u6 ) and hence a 6 x 6
matrix.

However, due to the restraints (i.e. no displacement) at Joints 1 and 2 , the number of
unknowns ( u5 and u6 ) or degree of freedom of the structure is 2 resulting in a 2 x 2 matrix.
iv. Determine the joint displacements. For a member shown below,
 u1 
the displacement at Joint 1, u1 = c s   and
u 2 
u 
the displacement at Joint 2, u2 = c s  3  .
u 4 

v. Determine the strains, stresses and forces in the members using

u 2  u1
Strain,  =
L
Stress = E
EA
Axial force = ( u 2  u1 )
L
4. Worked Example on Matrix Analysis of Trusses
Question
The truss shown below is made of 60 mm thick and 120 wide rectangular members.
Using a Young’s Modulus (E) of 2.5 x 10 3 N/mm2 , determine the following.
a. The stiffness matrices of the members about the structure axis.
b. The stiffness matrix of the truss.
c. The displacement at the joints of the truss
d. The strains, stresses and axial forces in the members.
Solution
a. Stiffness Matrices of Members
Elements 1 and 5
EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120
 = 90 o , c  cos 90 = 0 , s  Sin 90 = 1 , = = 6000
L 3000

 0 0 0 0 
 0 1 0  1
K1 = K5 = 6000 
0 0 0 0 
0 1 0 1 


Elements 2 and 4
EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120
 = 0o , c  cos 0 = 1 , s  Sin 0 = 0 , = = 4500
L 4000

 1 0 1 0
 0 0 0 0 
K2 = K4 = 4500 
1 0 1 0 
 0 0 
 0 0

Element 3
4 3 EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120
c  cos  = = 0.8 , s  Sin  = = 0.6 , = = 3600
5 5 L 5000

 0.64 0.48  0.64  0.48 

 0.48 0.36  0.48  0.36 
K3 = 3600 
  0.64  0.48 0.64 0.48 
  0.48  0.36 0.48 0.36 

b. Stiffness Matrix of Truss
Due to the restraints at Joints 1, 2 and 3, the truss has 2 unknown joint
displacements ( u1 and u 2 ) and hence a 2 x 2 matrix contributed by the members as
shown below.
Members 1 and 2 are restrained at both ends and contribute nothing to the truss’
matrix.
0.64 0.48 2304 1728
Member 3 contributes its u3 and u 4 = 3600   = 1728 1296 to u1 and u 2 of the
0.48 0.36  
truss
1 0  4500 0
Member contributes its = 4500   =  0 to of the truss
0
4 u3 and u 4 u1 and u 2
0 0  

0 0  0 0 
Member 5 contributes its u3 and u 4 = 6000   = 0 6000 to u1 and u 2 of the truss
0 1   

2304  4500  0 1728  0  0  6804 1728 

 =  1728  0  0 =
1296  0  6000 1728 7296
K
  
c. Joint Displacements
6804 1728   u1   50 *10 3 
Ku = f  1728 7296 u  =  3
   2  100 *10 

6804 u1  1728u 2  50 *10 3

1728u1  7296u 2   100 *10 3

 u1   11.52 mm
Solving the equations simultaneously, u  =  16.44 mm
 2  

d. Strains, Stresses and Axial forces in members

Members 1 and 2
Members are restrained at both ends,
Strain = Stress = Axial force = 0

Member 3
L = 5000 mm , E = 2.5 *10 3 N / mm 2 , c s = 0.8 0.6

0 
Displacement: u1 = 0.8 0.6   = 0
0 
0.8 0.6 
11.52 mm
u2 =  =  0.648 mm
 16.44 mm
 u 2  u1
Strain = =  0.648  0 =  1.296 *10  4
L 5000
Stress = E  = 2.5*10 *  1.296 *10 4 =  0.324 N / mm 2
3

EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120

Axial force = ( u 2  u1 ) = *  0.648 =  2332.8 N =  2.33 kN
L 5000

Member 4
L = 4000 mm , E = 2.5*10 3 N / mm 2 , c s  = 1 0

= 1 0 
0
Displacement: u1  = 0
0 

1 0 
11.52 mm
u2 =  = 11.52 mm
 16.44 mm

u 2  u1
Strain = = 11.52  0 = 2.88*10  3
L 4000
Stress = E  = 2.5*10 * 2.88*10 3 = 7.2 N / mm 2
3

EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120

Axial force = ( u 2  u1 ) = * 11.52 = 51840 N = 51.84 kN
L 4000
Member 5
L = 3000 mm , E = 2.5*10 3 N / mm 2 , c s = 0 1

Displacement: u1 = 0 1 0 = 0
0 

u2 = 0 1  11.52 mm =  16.44 mm

 16.44 mm
 

u 2  u1  16.44  0
Strain = = =  5.48*10  3
L 3000

Stress = E = 2.5*10 3 *  5.48*10  3 =  13.70 N / mm 2

EA 2.5 *10 3 * 60 *120

Axial force = ( u2  u1 ) = *  16.44 =  98640 N =  98.64 kN
L 3000