1.2.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO STIFFNESS METHOD

This method of analyzing structures is probably (14) used more widely than the flexibility method,
especially for large and complex structures (with multiple nodes). Such structures require the use of
electronic computers for carrying out the extensive numerical calculations, and the stiffness method is
much more suitable for computer programming than the flexibility method!

The reason is that the stiffness method can be put into the form of a standardized procedure which dose
not requires any engineering decisions during the calculation process. And also the unknown quantities in
the stiffness method are prescribed more clearly than the flexibility method.

When analyzing a structure by the stiffness method, normally we use the concepts of kinematic
indeterminacy, fixed-end reactions, and stiffnesses. These definitions will be explained as follows:

1.2.1 KINEMATIC INDETERMINACY

In stiffness method the unknown quantities in the analysis are the joint displacements of the structure,
rather than the redundant reactions and stress resultants as is the case of flexibility method. The Joints in
any structure will be define as points where two or more members intersect, the points of support, and the
free ends of any projecting members.

When the structure is subjected to loads, all or some of the joints will undergo displacements in the form
of translations and rotations. Of course, some of the joints displacements will be zero because of the
restraint conditions; for instance, at a fixed support there will be no displacements of any kind.

The unknown joint displacements are called kinematic unknowns and their number is called either the
degree of kinematic indeterminacy or the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) for joint displacements.

1.2.2 FIXED-END ACTIONS

In stiffness method we regulatory encounter fixed-end beam, because one of the first steps in this method
is to restrain all of the unknown joint displacements. The imposition of such restrains causes a continuous
beam or plane frame to become an assemblage of fixed-end beams. Therefore, we need to have readily
available a collection of formulas for the reactions of fixed-end beams for multiple case. These reactions
which consist of both; forces and couples (moments), are known collectively as Fixed-End actions.
Values of fixed-end actions for multiple cases are shown in Appendix I.

1.2.3 STIFFNESSES

In the stiffness method we make use of actions caused by unit displacement. These displacement may be
either unit translation (or unit rotation for in-plane frame), and the resulting actions are either forces of
couples (moments). These actions caused by unit displacement are known as stiffness influence
coefficients, or stiffnesses. These coefficients called also member stiffnesses which they are frequently
used in this method. Here by two of the most useful cases as shown in fig. (1.2).
 U11= 1.0

K11 = +EA/L K31= - EA/L

K21 = 0.0 K41 = 0.0

L

L = L’

U44= 1.0
K14= 0.0
K34 = 0.0

K24 = 0.0 K44 = 0.0

U33= 1.0

K13= -EA/L K33= +EA/L

K23= 0 K43= 0
L

L = L’

U22= 1.0

K12= 0.0 K32= 0.0

K22 = 0 K42 = 0.0

L

Fig.(1.2) Axial Member Stiffnesses.

1.2.4. GENERAL EQUATION OF STIFFNESS METHOD

Now most of the preliminary ideas and definitions have been set fourth, and the problem of analyzing a
structure can be established. Interpreting of Equilibrium Equations, and making use of the Principles of
Superposition, for the case of a structure having (n x n) Degrees of Kinematic Indeterminacy will lead to
the following sets of linear equations are obtained:

S 11 D1 + S12 D2 + S13 D3 … … .+S 1 n D n + A1 ¿ P 1

S 21 D1 + S 22 D2 + S23 D3 … … .+S 2 n D n + A2 ¿ P 2
……………….Eq. (1.1)
: : : : : : :
Sn 1 D 1 +S n 2 D2 + S n 3 D3 … … .+ S nn D n + A n ¿ P n

This can be reduced to General Equation form:

[ k ]|∆|=| p|…………..Eq. (1.2)

Hence, the principles of superposition are used in developing fixed-end actions (forces), therefore, this
method is limited to linearly elastic structures with small displacements. The n equations can be solved
for the n unknown joint displacement of the structure.

The important fact which need to be established: that Equilibrium Equations of the Stiffness Method
express the superposition of actions (forces) corresponding to unknown displacements. While the
compatibility equations of the Flexibility Method express the superposition of displacements
corresponding unknown actions (forces).

Also; it should be noticed that above equilibrium equations (1.1) are written in a form which takes into
account only the effects of applied loads on the structure, but the equation can be readily modified to
include the effects of temperature changes, restrains, and support settlements. It is only necessary to
include these effects in the determination of the actions (forces) A1, A2,…, An. Furthermore, Eq. (1.2)
apply to many types of structures, including trusses and space frames, although in this project is limited to
in-plane structure (beams), and hence the stiffness method is applicable only to linearly elastic structures.

1.2.5. STIFFNESS METHOD VERSUS FINITE ELEMENT METHOD (FEM)

Stiffness method can be used to analyze structures only, finite element analysis, which originated as an
extension of matrix (stiffness and flexibility), it is detected to analyze surface structures (e. g. plates and
shells). FEM has now developed to the extent that it can be applied to structures and solids of practically
any shape or form. From theoretical viewpoint, the basic difference between the two is that, in stiffness
method, the member force-displacement relationships are based on the exact solutions of the underlying
differential equations, whereas in FEM, such relations are generally derived by Work-Energy Principles
from assumed displacement or stress functions.

Because of the approximate nature of its force-displacements relations, FEM analysis yield approximate
results for small node numbers. However, FEM is always more accurate than stiffness matrix especially
in nonlinear analysis.