Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro

Bar and Truss

Bar is a simple structural element, which can carry only axial force and results in axial deformation
(lengthening or shortening). In a bar structure, all elements have the same axis (co-axial axis), and the
applied axial load is at the same axis of bars. If the bar elements have different axis, the structure is termed
as truss.
1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

Displacement function (linear):

u  a1  a2 x SIMILAR TO SPRING
In term of nodal displacements :
x   d1x   d1x 
 x
u  1    u  N1 N 2  
 L L  d 2 x  d 2 x 
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
• The Form of Bar Element Equation

1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

 f1x   k11 k12   d1x  f1x  k11  d1x  k12  d 2 x

    
 f 2 x  k21 k22  d 2 x  f 2 x  k21  d1x  k22  d 2 x

A = bar cross-sectional area

E = modulus Young
L = length of bar element
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
• Element Equation, Direct Equilibrium

1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

A,E

T T

Deformation of a bar under tensile load

Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
• Element Equation, Direct Equilibrium
T  A x  x  E
 d 2 x  d1x 

d 2 x  d1x T  AE  
   L 
L L

f1x  T
 d  d2x 
f1x  AE  1x 
 L 
 f1x  AE  1  1  d1x 
f2x  T    1 1  d 
 2x 
f L   2 x 
d d 
f 2 x  AE  2 x 1x 
 L  {f} = [k] {d}
 Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
Truss
A framework composed of bar members joined at their ends to form a rigid structure
is known as a truss. In truss structures, the end connections are assumed to be
pin jointed connections. Bridges, roof supports, and derricks are common examples
of trusses.
y
2 4
Global coordinate x-y
Local coordinate xˆ  yˆ
1 6 x
3 5 Element equation in local
x̂
coordinate
 fˆ1x 
  dˆ1x 
 AE  1  1  
f̂ 2x , d̂ 2x

ˆ   1 1  ˆ 

A truss element 2

 f2x  L  d 2 x 

A, E

fˆ  [kˆ]dˆ
L

1 θ

xx
f̂ 1x , d̂ 1x
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
• Transformation Matrix
y
d  d xi  d y j  dˆxiˆ  dˆ y ˆj
ŷ dy d

dˆ x 
   C S  d x 
d̂ y x̂
d̂ x ˆ   d 
d
 y    S C  y 

O dx x C = cos  S = sin 
The x-y and x̂ - ŷ coordinate systems.

 d1x 
 dˆ1x  C  
S 0 0   d1 y 
ˆ   
d 2 x   0 0 C S  d 2 x 
d 2 y 
 C S 0 0
d T d
* T* = 
S 
.
0 0 C
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
f2y, d2y
x̂
y
f2x, d2x 
2  d1x   C S 0 0   d1x 
    
 d1 y   S C 0 0   d1 y 
A, E, L    
d2 x   0 0 C S  d 2 x 
f1y, d1y d 2 y   0 0 
 S C  d 2 y 
  
1 
x
d Td
f1x, d1x

A bar element in global coordinate axis.

 C2 CS  C2  CS 
  
AE  CS S2  CS  S2 
k  T kT k    2
T
L C  CS C2 CS 
 
 CS  S2 CS S 2 

The element stiffness matrix

in global coordinate
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss

The equation of the truss element

(or the bar element in global coordinate)

 f1x   C2 CS  C2  CS   d1x 
f    
 1y  AE  CS S2  CS  S 2   d1 y 
     
 f 2 x L  C 2
 CS C2 CS d 2 x 
 f 2 y   
 CS  S2 CS S 2  d 2 y 

 f   [k ]d 