Structural model and Direct Stiffness Method

In this section, a frame system will be solved using

Direct Stiffness Method with the aid of
spreadsheet and will be verified using Graphical
Rapid Analysis of Structures Program (GRASP)

The structure to be analyze is a two-storey with

uniform load on one member and thermal action
consideration on all members. All members have
uniform properties as follows.

Each frame member has 3 degrees of freedom,

vertical and horizontal translation (GLOBAL AXIS as
a reference) as well joint rotation. Each member is
subjected to change in temperature (Temp T2 is
greater than Temp T1) and will be considered on
the frame analysis.

Degrees of freedom including the labeling on each

member are shown below
Local Matrix will be formulated based from the labeling of degrees of freedom. The stiffness matrix can
be written as:

For members oriented in different direction, transformation of stiffness matrix of members from local to
global axis is necessary in formulating the global stiffness matrix. The transformation matrix can be
written as:
By having the local stiffness and transformation matrix, the global stiffness matrix can now be
formulated by assembly.

KG = [Btrans] [ke ] [B]

EQUIVALENT JOINT LOADING

The uniform load and the thermal load shall be converted to their corresponding joint load on the
frame.

For the uniform load on member 3:

Converted into its corresponding joint load by changing the forces to its opposite direction:
For members subjected to temperature change, Moment and Axial forces due to thermal action shall be
calculated as an equivalent joint load using the formula:

Pt = EαATav

Mt = EαI(T2-T1)/h

Where:

E = Modulus of Elacticity

α = thermal coefficient

A = area of section

I = moment of inertia

h = depth of section

Tav = average temperature (T2+T1 / 2)

Pt = (200GPa)(0.0000065)(0.01m2)(50+20)/2 = 455KN

Mt = (200GPa)(0.0000065)(1.33x10-5m4)(50-20)/(0.2m) = 2.6kN-m

The equivalent joint loads due to thermal can be formulated based from the illustration above. A depth
of 200mm was used.
From the equivalent loads, the load vector corresponding to unconstrained degrees of freedom is:

P = Ffem + Ft

=
 DIRECT STIFFNESS EQUATION P = [K][u]

Kpp Kps

Fp Up

Fs Us
Ksp Kss
[Kpp][Up] + [Kps][Us] = Fp

[Ksp][Up] + [Kss][Us] = Fs

Kpp Kps

Fp Up

Fs Us
Ksp Kss
Up = [Kpp-1][Fp]
Kpp

Kpp-1

=
SOLVING FOR UNKNOWN JOINT LOADS, Fs = [k][u] ; where u = solved nodal displacement Up

Fs = [Ksp][Up]
Ksp Up

SOLVING FOR ACTUAL REACTION, R = Fs + PF

= + =
SOLVING FOR MEMBER FORCES, P = [ke][B][u] + P

MEMBER 1

+ =

MEMBER 2

+ =

MEMBER 3
 + =

MEMBER 4

+ =

MEMBER 4

+ =
MEMBER 5

+ =

MEMBER 6

+ =
GRASP – EXCEL COMPARISON

- Nodal Displacement

EXCEL GRASP

- Reactions

EXCEL GRASP
- Member Forces

Member 1 / B-3 Member 2 / C-4 Member 3 / B-7

Member 4 / C-6 Member 5 / C-1 Member 6 / C-2

Comparison Between High Temperature Changes on the Interior And Exterior Of Frames

- Nodal Displacement

No Thermal High Temp (exterior) High Temp (interior)

- Reaction

No Thermal High Temp (exterior) High Temp (interior)

- Member Forces (no thermal)

- Member Forces (high temp ext)

- Member Forces (high temp int)