Scribd
Upload
6 views

Force Method

The document discusses the Virtual Force Method for analyzing truss displacement, linking virtual work to strain energy and equilibrium. It explains the concepts of virtual displacements and forces, emphasizing that external virtual work must equal internal virtual work for structural equilibrium. The document also provides examples and calculations for determining deflections in trusses using these principles.

Uploaded by

dkuria340
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views

Force Method

The document discusses the Virtual Force Method for analyzing truss displacement, linking virtual work to strain energy and equilibrium. It explains the concepts of virtual displacements and forces, emphasizing that external virtual work must equal internal virtual work for structural equilibrium. The document also provides examples and calculations for determining deflections in trusses using these principles.

Uploaded by

dkuria340
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Structural Analysis 1A

5.0 TRUSS DISPLACEMENT BY VIRTUAL FORCE METHOD


5.1 Introduction
5.2 General
Virtual Work is a fundamental theory in the mechanics of bodies and it provides a basis upon
which vectorial mechanics (i.e. Newton’s laws) can be linked to the energy methods (i.e.
Lagrangian methods) which are the basis for finite element analysis and advanced
mechanics of materials.

5.3 Background

5.3.1 Strain Energy and Work Done

Strain energy is the amount of energy stored in a structural member due to deformation
caused by an external load. For example, consider a simple spring:

As the spring is loaded by a gradually increasing force, F, it elongates. This can be presented
in the graph as below.

An increase in the force of a small amount, δF results in a small increase in deflection, δy .


The work done during this movement (force × displacement) is the average force during the
course of the movement, times the displacement undergone.

5.4 Virtual Displacements

A virtual displacement is a displacement that is only imagined to occur.

K. M. 1
Structural Analysis 1A

5.5 Virtual Forces

A virtual force is a force imagined to be applied and is then moved through the actual
deformations of the body, thus causing virtual work.

So, if at a particular location of a structure, we have a deflection, y, and impose a virtual force
at the same location and in the same direction of δF we then have the

Virtual work δW = y ⋅δF

Virtual forces must form an equilibrium set of their own. For example, if a virtual force is
applied to the end of a spring there will be virtual stresses in the spring as well as a virtual
reaction.

5.6 Internal and External Virtual Work

which states that the external virtual work must equal the internal virtual work for a
structure to be in equilibrium therefore,

δWE = δWI
5.6.1 Application of Virtual Displacement
Rigid Bodies
Basis
Rigid bodies do not deform and so there is no internal virtual work done. Thus
𝛿W = 0
𝛿WE = 𝛿WI
∑ 𝑦i 𝛿Fi = ∑ 𝑒 i 𝛿Pi
And again, note that we have an equilibrium set of forces and a compatible set of
displacements:
Application of Virtual Forces
Basis
When virtual forces are applied, we have:
𝛿W = 0
𝛿WE = 𝛿WI
∑ 𝑦 i 𝛿Fi = ∑ 𝑒i 𝛿Pi

K. M. 2
Structural Analysis 1A

And again, note that we have an equilibrium set of forces and a compatible set of
displacements:

In this case the displacements are the real displacements that occur when the structure is in
equilibrium and the virtual forces are any set of arbitrary forces that are in equilibrium.
5.7 Deflection of Trusses
Illustrative Example
For the truss shown below, we have the actual displacements shown with two possible sets
of virtual forces.

Actual loading and compatible displacement

K. M. 3
Structural Analysis 1A

Virtual Force (Equilibrium) Systems


In this truss, we know we know:
1.The forces in the members (got from virtual displacements or statics);
2. Thus we can calculate the member extensions, ei as:
𝑃𝐿
ei = ( )i
𝐸𝐴

3. Also, as we can choose what our virtual force δ F is (usually unity), we


𝛿W = 0
𝛿WE = 𝛿WI
∑ 𝑦 i 𝛿Fi = ∑ 𝑒i 𝛿Pi
𝑃𝐿
y 𝛿F = ∑ (𝐸𝐴) i 𝛿Pi

4. Since in this equation, y is the only unknown, we can calculate the deflection of the truss.
Example 5
Given that E = 200 kN/mm2 and A = 100 mm2 for each member, for the truss shown below,
calculate the vertical and horizontal deflection of joint B.

K. M. 4
Structural Analysis 1A

Example ASSIGNMENT
Determine the vertical and deflection of joint D of the truss shown. Take E = 200
kN/mm2 and member areas, A = 1000 mm2 for all members except AE and BD where
A = 1000√2 mm2.

K. M. 5

You might also like