2.

Axial Force Element

2.1 Element stiffness equations for a truss element (axial force element) in local coordinates

Element stiffness equation are of the form,

f e  K eu e
e
where f e is the element force vector, K e is the element stiffness matrix and u is the element
displacement vector.

If u j  1 and uk  0 , k  j the force fi  Kij .

Consider a simple truss member

(a) y

f1 , u1 f 2 , u2
x
1 2

(b )
f1 f2

u1

(c )
f1 f2

u2

From Fig. (b), for a displacement u1 while u2  0 :

f1 L EA
From Hooke’s law u1   f1  u,
EA L 1
EA
also from equilibrium f2   f1   u.
L 1

Similarly from Fig. (c), for a displacement u2 while u1  0 :

EA
f2   f1  u .
L 2

In matrix form

f1  K11 K12 u1  EA  1 1u1 

     element stiffness equations for an
K22    .
f 2  K 21 u2  L 1 1 u2  axial member in local coordinates

• matrix is symmetric
• sum of terms in each column of K e is zero
• K e is singular

October 01, 2018 2.1-1