Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

Example
The plane truss shown below is statically indeterminate to the second degree.
degree The
horizontal reaction at support B (positive to the right) and axial force in bar AD (positive in
tension) are selected as redundants. Find these redundants.

The cut bar remains part of the released structure since the deformation in the cut bar must
be included in the calculations of displacements in the released structure.

Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

A displacement corresponding to Q2 consists of the relative translation of the end of bar AD.
When the ends of bar AD displace toward one another the displacements are in the direction
of Q2 and thus are positive. When the joints move away the displacements are negative.
The first step in the analysis is determining the displacements that correspond to Q1 and Q2
in the released structure due to external loads. These displacements are denoted DQL1 and
DQL2 and are depicted below.
Assuming that all the members have the same axial stiffness EA, then from application of
Castiglianos theorem
PL
DQL1 =
1+
1
+2 2
EA
PL
= 3.828
EA

DQL 2

= 2

PL
EA

Please verify
Pl
if th
these quantities
titi for
f homework.
h
k The
Th minus
i
signs
i
indicate
i di t that
th t joints
j i t A andd D
move away from each other under the application of the external load in the released
structure.

Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

The next step will be the determination of the displacements associated with Q1 and Q2
in the released structure due to unit loads at Q1 and Q2, i.e., determine the flexibility
coefficients The flexibility coefficient F11 is the displacement corresponding to Q1 and
coefficients.
caused by a unit value of Q1. Thus

F11

L
1+ 2 2
EA
L
= 3.828
EA
=

The flexibility coefficient F21 is the displacement corresponding to Q2 and caused by a

unit value of Q1. Thus

F21

L
4+ 2
2 EA
L
= 2.707
EA

Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

The flexibility coefficient F22 is the displacement corresponding to Q2 and caused by a

unit value of Q2. Thus

F22

2L
1+ 2
EA
L
= 4.828
EA

The flexibility coefficient F12 is the displacement corresponding to Q1 and caused by a

unit value of Q2. Thus

F12

L
4+ 2
2 EA
L
= 2.707
EA

Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

The flexibility matrix is

[F ]

L
EA
A

3.828 2.707
2.707 4.828

EA
L

0.4328 0.2426
0.2426 0.3431

The inverse of this matrix is

[F ]

There are no support displacements in the truss. Thus the displacement in the structure
corresponding
p
g to Q1 is

DQ1

= 0

In addition, the displacement in the structure corresponding to Q2 consists of a relative

di l
displacement
t off the
th joints
j i t A andd D.
D In
I th
the original,
i i l or primary
i
structure,
t t
the
th cutt ends
d off
bar AD occupy the same location in space before loads are applied. After loads are
applied the cut ends still occupy the same point, however the point moved to another
p
location. So relative to either cut end of the released structure, no translation takes place.
Thus

DQ 2

= 0

Lecture 8: Flexibility Method - Trusses

The compatibility equation is

{D }

{D }
QL

[F ]{Q}

Manipulating
pu
g thiss eexpression
p ess o and
d subs
substituting
u g thee inverse
ve se oof thee flexibility
e b y matrix leads
e ds to
o

{Q}

[F ]1 { {DQ }

{D } }
QL

or

{Q}

=
=
=

0.4328 0.2426 0
PL 3.828

0.2426 0.3431 0
2

AE

EA 0.4328 0.2426 PL 3.828

L 0.2426 0.3431 AE 2
EA
L

1.172
P

0.2432

The minus sign for Q2 indicates that member AD is in compression