Chapter 15 Beam Analysis Using
the Stiffness Method
Structural Mechanics 2
Dept of Arch Eng, Ajou Univ
Outline
• Preliminary Remarks
• Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• Beam-Structure Stiffness Matrix
• Application of the Stiffness Method for
Beam Analysis
15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Member and node identification
– Each element must be free from load and
have a prismatic cross section
– Nodes of each element are located at a
support or at points where
• members are connected together
• an external force is applied
• cross-sectional area suddenly changes
• vertical or rotational displacement at a point is to
be determined
15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Global and member (local) coordinates
– identified using x, y, z axes
– local or member x’, y’, z’ coordinates
※ Right-handed
coordinate system
15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Kinematic indeterminacy
– Effects of bending and shear can be
expressed by two degrees of freedom,
vertical displacement and rotation
– Will be identified by code numbers
– The lowest code numbers to identify
unknown displacement, while the highest
numbers for known displacement
15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Kinematic indeterminacy (unknown DOF)
Kinematically indeterminate
to 4th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4
Kinematically indeterminate to
5th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Kinematically indeterminate to
5th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• Force ― displacement relationship in
local x', y', z' coordinate system
15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• y' displacement
– A positive displacement dNy’ is imposed while
other possible displacement are prevented
15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• z' rotation
– A positive rotation dNz’ is imposed while other
possible displacement are prevented
15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• Force-displacement relationship can be
obtained by superposing transverse and
rotation displacements
q k d
15-3 Beam-Structure Stiffness Matrix
• structure stiffness matrix K can be
obtained by assembling member stiffness
matrices
• Where several members are connected at
a node, their member stiffness influence
coefficients will have the same position in
the K matrix and therefore must be
algebraically added
15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Load and displacement relationship
Q K D
• Partitioning the stiffness matrix into the
known and unknown elements of load and
displacement
15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Expanding into 2 equation
Qk K11 Du K12 Dk
Qu K 21 Du K 22 Dk
• Determine the unknown displacement {Du}
from the first of equations
• The support reactions {Qu} are then
computed from the second equation
15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Intermediate loadings
15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Member forces
q k d qo
where qo fixed end reactions
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.
0 1
5 2
Qk
0 3
0 4
0 5
Dk
0 6
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.
Q K D
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.
0 2 D1 1.5 D2 D3 0
5
1.5 D1 1.5 D2 1.5D3 0
EI
0 D1 1.5 D2 4 D3 D4
0 0 0 D3 2 D4
16.67 26.67 6.67 3.33
D1 , D2 , D3 , D4
EI EI EI EI
Q5 10kN , Q6 5kN
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
• The beam in Fig 15.10(a) is subjected to
the 2 couple moments
• If the center support 2 settles 1.5mm,
determine the reactions at the supports
• E = 200GPa, I = 22(10-6)m4
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
• The beam has 2 elements and 3 unknown
degree of freedom
4 1 0 4
Qk 0 2 Dk 0.0015 5
4 3 0 6
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
Q K D
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
4
2 D1 D2 0 D3 1.5(0) 1.5(0.0015) 0
EI
0 1D1 4 D2 1D3 1.5(0) 0 0
4
0 D1 1D2 2 D3 0 1.5(0.0015) 0
EI
D1 0.001580 rad ; D2 0 ; D3 0.001580 rad
Q4 0.525kN ; Q5 1.05kN ; Q6 0.525kN
