Using Spreadsheets to Demonstrate the Stiffness Method in

Structural Analysis
Peter W. Hoadley
Abstract
A course in matrix methods of structural analysis has become a standard elective for
undergraduate civil engineering students especially since the advent of the personal computer.
Teaching a student to program the stiffness method using FORTRAN or BASIC is a tedious task.
Students often lose sight of the process as they struggle with logic and syntax. The spreadsheet is a
tool that allows students to better visualize the logic and reduces the work necessary to eliminate
syntax errors. . This paper describes how spreadsheet software was used to demonstrate the
stiffness method of structural analysis to a class of senior level civil engineering students. The
process is described for a simple truss, a simple frame and a shear wall. The success of using the
spreadsheet is discussed along with some of the problems encountered.

Introduction
The heart of the stiffness method of structural analysis is the solution of a large system of
equilibrium equations. This large system of equations is developed from simple element matrices
that represent relationships between member forces and displacements in a global axis system. This
process has been programmed in commercial software. The user need only provide information
regarding geometry, material and cross-sectional properties, loads and boundary conditions. These
software are useful in showing students what can be done with the stiffness method but are not
useful in demonstrating the process involved.
The spreadsheet is the perfect tool to demonstrate the basics of the stiffness method. This
paper describes how spreadsheet software was used to demonstrate the stiffness method of
structural analysis to a class of senior level civil engineering students. A working knowledge of the
stiffness method of structural analysis is assumed since space precludes a full description of the
process. Detailed explanations of the stiffness method may be found in several texts (Laursen, 1988,
Logan, 1992, McCormac and Nelson, 1997, McGuire, Gallagher and Ziemian, 2000). The stiffness
method of structural analysis was developed fully in class for a simple truss, a frame and a shear
wall. The development of the stiffness method for a simple truss is described here followed by a brief
discussion of the frame and shear wall.

Development of the Stiffness Method for a Simple Truss

Analysis of 2D Trusses
The analysis of a simple truss using the stiffness method may be divided into eight steps:
1.
2.

Development of the local member stiffness matrices, [LMSM]

Development of the transformation matrices, [B], [B] T

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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Development of the global member stiffness matrices, [GMSM]

Development of the global structure stiffness matrix, [GSSM]
Development of the load/reaction vector, {P}
Modification for boundary conditions
Solution of the final system of equations for nodal deformations
Computation of member forces

Development of the local member stiffness matrices, [LMSM]

The local member stiffness matrix, [LMSM], for a truss is composed of the positive or
negative value of the member stiffness, AE/L, where A is the cross-sectional area, E is the
modulus and L is the length. The spreadsheet is an excellent tool to help a student organize the
necessary input data. Figure 1 shows a spreadsheet that allows the user to input the necessary data
Three-Bar Truss
Input nodal coordinates, loads, area and modulus in consistent units

Node #
1
2
3

Nodal Properties
x
0
5
12

y
0
9
5

F1

Nodal Forces
F1
F2
1000
-1500
y

F2

1
1

3
3

x
Member #

Area

Modulus

1
2
3

0.111
0.111
0.111

1.80E+08
1.80E+08
1.80E+08

Member Properties
Length
Stiffness
10.30
8.06
13.00

1.94E+06
2.48E+06
1.54E+06

Angle w.r.t.
x-axis
60.95
-29.74
22.62

Member Force
-8.06E+03
-1.60E+03
1.51E+03

Figure 1. Input table for three-bar truss.

to create the [LMSM] for each member of the simple three-bar truss shown. For example, the truss
in Fig. 1 has nodes at (0,0), (5,9) and 12, 5) where units are in feet. The area (units in f 2) and
modulus (ksf) must be provided by the user. The spreadsheet computes the length of the member
from the nodal coordinates then computes the member stiffness, as shown in bold the table. These
stiffnesses are used to create the [LMSM]. The [LMSM] for member 1 is shown in Fig. 2.

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Development of the transformation matrices, [B], [B] T

The local member stiffness matrix relates axial force, P, in a member to axial deformation, .
One must transform the [LMSM] into global coordinates that relate horizontal and vertical nodal
displacements to horizontal and vertical forces. The matrices necessary to transform the [LMSM]
consist of the cosine and sine of a members angle with respect to the horizontal. The angle is
computed from nodal coordinates as shown in Fig. 1. Figure 2 shows the transformation matrices
for displacement and force.
Development of the global member stiffness matrices, [GMSM]
The [LMSM] is pre-multiplied by the transformation matrix for force, [B] T, and postmultiplied by the transformation matrix for displacement, [B], to create the global member stiffness
matrix, [GMSM]. These matrices can be created by the spreadsheet and all matrix operations can be
performed by the spreadsheet. The resulting matrices are shown in Fig. 2. The [GMSM] relates
nodal forces and displacements in the global axis system.

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Member Stiffness Matrix for a Truss

Member

i-node

j-node

Area

Modulus

Length

Angle (degrees)

0.111

1.80E+08

10.30

60.95

Local Member Stiffness Matrix

P1x

P2x

1.94E+06

-1.94E+06

1x

-1.94E+06

1.94E+06

2x

Transformation Matrix for Displacement

0.486

0.874

0.486

0.874

Transformation Matrix for Force

0.486

0.874

0.486

0.874

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Global Member Stiffness Matrix

F1X
F1Y

F2X
F2Y

4.58E+05
8.24E+05

8.24E+05
1.48E+06

-4.58E+05
-8.24E+05

-8.24E+05
-1.48E+06

1X
1Y

-4.58E+05
-8.24E+05

-8.24E+05
-1.48E+06

4.58E+05
8.24E+05

8.24E+05
1.48E+06

2X
2Y

Global Displacements
1X
1Y
2X
2Y

0
0
1.17E-03
-1.12E-03
Transformation Matrix for Displacement

1x
2x

0.486
0

0.874
0

0
0.486

0
0.874

0
0
1.17E-03
-1.12E-03

Local Displacements
0
-4.16E-04

1x
2x

Local Member

Local

Local Member

Stiffness Matrix

Displacemen

Force

t
P1x

1.94E+06

-1.94E+06

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806

Development of the global member stiffness matrices, [GSSM]

The global structure stiffness matrix [GSSM] can be created by writing equilibrium
equations at each node. The rows of the [GSSM] represent a given equilibrium equation. The terms
in the [GSSM] come from the global member stiffness matrices [GMSM] for each member framing
into a node.
In order to create the [GSSM] one begins with an empty matrix. The [GMSM] for each
member is considered one at a time. The terms in the [GMSM] are placed in the appropriate place
in the [GSSM]. The process is not described here but was demonstrated in detail in class. The
spreadsheet is an ideal tool for executing this process. For a given configuration the process may be
automated but the student was required to create the [GSSM] by hand given the [GMSM] for each
member. The [GSSM] is shown in Fig. 3 for the current example.
Development of the load/reaction vector, {P}
As stated, the [GSSM] is composed of equilibrium equations at the nodes. The sum of the
internal member forces must be in equilibrium with the external loads and reactions. At this point
the load/reactions vector, {P} may be created. This is a relatively simple vector and can be generated
by hand. Given a certain configuration, a spreadsheet may generate the {P} vector from the input
data. Note that nodal forces F 1 and F2 for the given example are shown in Figure 1 and must be
provided by the student. Figure 3 shows the load and reaction vector for the current example.
Modification for boundary conditions
In order to solve this system of equations some of the equilibrium equations must be replaced
by boundary conditions. The [GSSM] becomes a combination of equilibrium equations and
boundary conditions and the {P} vector becomes a combination of known external loads and known
displacements. This is a relatively simple process and may be done by hand. Given a certain
configuration the spreadsheet can perform the operations automatically. Figure 3 shows the modified
system of equations.
Solution of the final system of equations for global deformations at the nodes
This modified system of equations may be solved for the horizontal and vertical deformations
at the nodes. The vector containing the known external loads and known deformations is premultiplied by the inverse of the modified [GSSM]. The spreadsheet is capable of performing all
these computations. The nodal deformations for the current example are shown in Fig. 3.
Computation of member forces
The nodal deformations for each member may be obtained from the solution vector. These
horizontal and vertical deformations may be transformed into axial deformations by pre-multiplying
by the transformation matrix for displacement. The member axial load may be obtained by premultiplying the axial deformations by the local member stiffness matrix. All the information is
contained in the spreadsheet and the spreadsheet may be programmed to perform all operations.
This process is shown in Fig. 2 for member 1 for the current example. The example presented here
may be found in an Excel spreadsheet at Three-bar truss.xls.

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Student Stumbling Blocks

The students had a difficult time understanding the repetitive nature of the [LMSM] and the
power of the spreadsheet to make repetitive calculations. They had a tendency to treat every
[LMSM] as a unique entity. Several students would compute member stiffnesses with their
calculators and input the number into the [LMSM] rather than using the spreadsheet to make those
calculations from the input data.
The students were happy to use the matrix multiplication capabilities of the spreadsheet be
cause they realized that this is much too difficult to do with a calculator. At this point I often tell my
students that when I was in their place I had to multiply matrices with a slide rule! It is inter-

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Equilibrium Equations of Joints

1X

Global Structure Stiffness Matrix

1Y
2X
2Y
3X

Loads &
Reactio
ns

3Y

F1X =
F1Y =

1.77E+06

1.37E+06

-4.58E+05

-8.24E+05

-1.31E+05

-5.46+E05

1.37E+06

1.71E+06

-8.24E+05

-1.48E+05

-5.46E+05

-2.27E+05

F2X =
F2Y =

-4.58E+05

-8.24E+05

2.33E+06

-2.44E+05

-1.87E+06

1.07E+06

-8.24E+05

-1.48E+05

-2.44E+05

2.09E+06

1.07E+06

-6.10E+05

F3X =
F3Y =

-1.31E+05

-5.46E+05

-1.87E+06

1.07E+06

3.18E+06

-5.22E+05

-5.46+E05

-2.27E+05

1.07E+06

-6.10E+05

-5.22E+05

8.37E+05

1X
1Y
*

2X
2Y

R1X
R1Y
=

3X
3Y

1000
-1500
0
R3Y

Equilibrium Equations of Joints with Boundary Conditions

1X
1X = 0
1Y = 0
F2X =
F2Y =
F3X =
3Y = 0

Modified Global Structure Stiffness Matrix

1Y
2X
2Y
3X

3Y

-4.58E+05

-8.24E+05

2.33E+06

-2.44E+05

-1.87E+06

1.07E+06

-8.24E+05

-1.48E+05

-2.44E+05

2.09E+06

1.07E+06

-6.10E+05

-1.31E+05

-5.46E+05

-1.87E+06

1.07E+06

3.18E+06

-5.22E+05

Inverse of GSSM

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1X

1Y
*

2X
2Y
3X
3Y

0
=

1000
-1500
0
0

esting to note that a student will take advantage of a spreadsheets capabilities only when it is too
difficult to do the task by hand.
Students had difficulty understanding the process of building the global structure stiffness
matrix, [GSSM]. This is understandable since it is a rather mysterious operation. The process
consists of picking apart the member stiffness matrices and reassembling them into the global
structural stiffness matrix. Once the process is begun neither the member matrix nor the structure
matrix is recognizable. The [GSSM] is best comprehended when complete.
One who watches an artist create an impressionist painting has a similar problem. The
artist places a dab of blue paint here and a dash of red paint there and so on. To the external
observer, the patches of color make little sense but the artist understands the purpose of each dab of
color since he has the entire painting in mind. The external observer might better understand the
purpose of each stroke of the artist if he had the final painting before him. In the same way, it helps
to present initially to the student the [GSSM] in its completed form and then demonstrate how it got
that way.
Initially the students seemed to understand the modifications necessary for boundary
conditions but many were unable to properly modify a [GSSM] given a different set of boundary
conditions

Development of the Stiffness Method for a Simple Frame

Analysis of 2D Frames
The analysis of a simple frame using the stiffness method may be divided into eleven steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Development of the local member stiffness matrices, [LMSM]

Development of the local fixed-end moment vector (If member loads exist)
Development of the transformation matrices, [B], [B] T
Development of the global member stiffness matrices, [GMSM]
Development of the global fixed-end moment vector (If member loads exist)
Development of the global structure stiffness matrix, [GSSM]
Development of the structure fixed-end moment vector (If member loads exist)
Development of the load/reaction vector, {P}
Modification for boundary conditions
Solution of the final system of equations for global deformations at the nodes
Computation of member forces

The steps are the same as for the truss except for the case when a member is loaded between
the nodes. Of course the terms of the matrices are different since axial load, shear and moment
must be considered. The process is not described here but an example may be found in an Excel
spreadsheet at Three-bar Frame Nodal Loads.xls.
The process is presented first with a frame with only nodal loads. The process is modified by
considering how member loads change the equilibrium equations at the nodes. The process is not
described here but an example may be found at Three-bar Frame Member Loads.xls.

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Most students seemed to understand the process even though the local member stiffness
matrix for a bending member is more complicated than that for a truss. The addition of member
loads is difficult to understand because the equilibrium equations become more complicated. It
seems that the best way to help students understand the process is to have them complete as many
examples as possible. Students best become familiar with the process the more they use it.

Development of the Stiffness Method for a Continuum

Development of the CST
The structural analysis of a continuum, like a shear wall or a flat plate, is similar to that of a
linear structure in that the goal is to relate forces and displacements; however, the process of
developing these relationships is very different. For the continuum, the equilibrium equations are
developed by using energy principles. This process is very difficult for undergraduates to
understand but it is important to introduce this process since it is the foundation of the finite
element method.
The development of the stiffness method for a continuum may be divided into eight steps:
1. Assume that the deformations at a specified number of points within a continuum are
known.
2. Estimate deformations everywhere else within the continuum using interpolation
functions.
3. Estimate strains everywhere within the continuum from the interpolation functions.
4. Estimate stresses everywhere within the continuum from the estimated strains.
5. Develop the equilibrium equations by equating internal work (strain energy) with
external work.
6. Modify the equilibrium equations for boundary conditions.
7. Solve for nodal deformations.
8. Compute nodal stresses and strains.
Interpolation formulas
Before students can understand the finite element method they must understand
interpolation functions. For simplicity, linear interpolation functions were used with a triangular
continuum as shown in Fig. 4. If the in-plane horizontal and vertical deformations are known at the
vertices of the triangle, the deformations everywhere within the triangle can be estimated using the
following:
u(x,y) = a1 + a2x + a3y
v(x,y) = b1 + b2x + b3y
where u and v are horizontal and vertical deformations, x and y are coordinates of a point within the
continuum and the coefficients a and b are a function of the nodal deformations. The computation of
the coefficients a and b is discussed in class but will not be discussed here.

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Table 1. Data for Triangular Continuum

CoordinatesDeformationsNodexyuv120020

00029002001012320080015-10A4003005.361.76
2
x

Figure 4. Triangular Continuum

Since this is such an important concept for students to grasp it is useful to have the students
plot the deformed shapes of triangles given deformations of the vertices and to compute deformations
within the triangle. For example consider the triangle in Fig. 4 with the deformations at the vertices
shown in Table 1. The deformed shape of the triangle is shown in the Fig. 4 and the interpolation
functions are:
u(x,y) = -7.86 + 1.43x/100 + 2.5y/100
v(x,y) = -9.52 + 1.71x/100 1.67y/100
The deformation of point A in the triangle (see Fig. 4 and Table 1) is given by substituting the
coordinates of point A into the interpolation functions. This gives the deformation of point A to be
5.36 in the x-direction and 1.76 in the y-direction as listed in Table 1.
Computation of Nodal Deformations
Once the deformations are defined within the continuum the strains may be computed using
kinematic equations and the stresses may be computed using constituitive equations. Once the
stresses are known the internal strain energy for the continuum may be computed and is set equal
to the external work. This set of matrices is modified for boundary conditions and then the
deformations at the nodes may be computed. Once the nodal deformations are known then
deformations within the continuum may be estimated and strains and stresses may be computed. An
example of a shear wall may be found in an Excel spreadsheet at Shear Wall.xls.
Comments
The energy formulation was not understood well by the students. Even so they seemed to
understand the behavior of a single triangle. It is only when a continuum was divided into several
triangles that the student had trouble. As before, the formation of the the global structure stiffness
matrix was difficult for the student to understand.

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Commercially Available Software

Visual Analysis is commercially available structural analysis software that is excellent for
instruction. Students were asked to solve all problems using Visual Analysis but only as a check for
their own spreadsheet solutions. The purpose of the course was to help students understand how a
program like Visual Analysis solves for deformations, internal forces, stresses and strains using the
stiffness method.

Conclusion

The stiffness method is a powerful tool for the analysis of complicated structures. It is important for
the engineer to understand the stiffness method in order to use better commercially available
software. The spreadsheet is a useful tool in helping students understand the process involved in
the stiffness method.

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References
Laursen, H.L., (1988), Structural Analysis, McGraw Hill, New York.
Logan, K.L., (1992), A First Course in the Finite Element Method, PWS-Kent, Boston.
McCormac, J.C. and Nelson, Jr., J.K., (1997), Structural Analysis A Classical and Matrix
Approach, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.
McGuire, W., Gallagher R.H. and Ziemian, R.D., (2000), Matrix Structural Analysis, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. , New York.

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Peter W. Hoadley
Peter W. Hoadley earned an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a M.S. and Ph.D.
from The University of Texas of Austin. His interests lie in the area of structural steel behavior. He
is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Military
Institute. He lives in Lexington VA with his wife and three children.

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