CENG6506: Matrix Methods of

Structural Analysis

Example on Truss

Dr. Tesfaye Alemu

 Example 1: Truss Members
Determine the reactions and the force in each member of
the truss shown below by the matrix stiffness method.
Degrees of freedom:
From the analytical model of the truss shown below, we
observe that only joint 3 is free to translate. Thus the
truss has two degrees of freedom and , which are
the unknown translations of joint 3 in the and Y
directions respectively.

Analytical model
 Member Stiffness Matrix
Member 1:
Joint 1 has been selected as the beginning joint and joint 3
as the end joint for member 1.

L= ( X 3 − X 1 )2 + (Y3 − Y1 )2 = (15 − 0)2 + (20 − 0)2 = 25 ft

− 15
cos = = = 0.6
25
− 20
sin = = = 0.8
25

The member stiffness matrix in global coordinates can now

be evaluated by using the following equation
 − −
[ ]= − − …………………….(1)
− −
− −

≡ cos !
≡ sin !
0.36 0.48 −0.36 −0.48
(29,000)(9) 0.48 0.64 −0,48 −0.64
=
(25)(12) −0.36 −0.48 0.36 0.48
−0.48 −0.64 0.48 0.64
  0 0 1 2
0
 313.2 417 . 6 − 313. 2 − 417 . 6 
 417.6 556 .8 − 417 .6 − 556 .8 0
K1 =  1
 − 313.2 − 417.6 313.2 417.6 
− 417.6 − 556.8 417.6 417.6  2

we observe that the displacements of the beginning joint 1 for the

member are zero, whereas the displacements of the end joint 3 are
and .

Thus the structure degree of freedom numbers for this member are
0,0,1,2. These numbers are written on the right side and at the top of
to indicate the rows and columns, respectively, of the structure stiffness
matrix (, where the elements of must be stored.

Note that the elements of , which correspond to the zero structure

degree of freedom number, are simply disregarded.
Member 2:
joint 2 is the beginning joint and joint 3 is the end joint for
member 2.
− 15 − 15
cos = = =0
20
− 20 − 0
sin = = =1
20

Thus stiffness matrix for member 2 in global coordinates using eqn

(1) will be
0 0 1 2

0 0 0 0 0
0 1087.5 0 − 1087.5 0
K2 =  1
0 0 0 0 
0 − 1087.5 0 1087.5  2
Member 3: cos = 1 sin = 0
thus, stiffness matrix for member 3 in global coordinates using eqn
1) will be

 0 0 1
2

 1450 0 − 1450 0 0
 0 0 0 0 0
K3 =  1
− 1450 0 1450 0
 0 0 0 0 2
Assembly:
The structure stiffness matrix (, obtained by assembling
the stiffness coefficients of the three members
S = K1 + K 2 + K 3
417.6 + 0 + 0  1 1763.2 417.6  1
 1 2
313.2 + 0 + 1450
S=  = 
 417.6 + 0 + 0 556.8 + 1087.5 + 0 2  417.6 1644.3 2
 

Joint Load Vector

) = 100 cos 60* = 50+ ) = −100 sin 60* = −86.6+

Thus the joint load vector is

50
)=
−86.6
Joint Displacements

The stiffness relations for the entire truss can be expressed

as (with ), = 0)
)=(

50 = 1,763.2 417.6
−86.6 417.6 1,644.3

By solving these equations simultaneously, we determine

the joint displacements to be

= 0.0434 in. = −0.0637 in.

or
0.0434
= in.
−0.0637
 Member End Displacements and End Forces

Member 1

The member end displacements in global coordinates

 v1  0  0   0 
v  0  0   0 
v1 =  2  =   =  in
v3  1  d1   0.0434 
     
v4  2 d 2  − 0.0637
The member end displacements in local coordinates can
now be determined by using the relationship

. = /0
where
1 ! 23! 0 0
/=
0 0 1 ! 23!

0
.
. = . = 0.6 0.8 0 0 0 = 0 in.
0 0 0.6 0.8 0.0434 −0.0249
−0.0637
Member end forces in local coordinates as

4 = +.
4
4 = = 870 1 −1 0 = 21.66 +
4 −1 1 −0.0249 −25. 66

Member end forces in global coordinates as

6 = /7 4
6 0.6 0 13
6 25. 66 = 17.33 +
6 = = 0.8 9
6 0 0.6 −21.66 −53
68 0 0.8 −17.33
 Member End Displacements and End Forces

Member 2

The member end displacements in global coordinates

 v1  0  0   0 
v  0  0   0 
v2 =  2  =   =  in
v3  1  d1   0.0434 
     
v4  2 d 2  − 0.0637
The member end displacements in local coordinates can
now be determined by using the relationship

. = /0
where
1 ! 23! 0 0
/=
0 0 1 ! 23!

0
.
. = . = 0 1 0 0 0 = 0 in.
0 0 0 1 0.0434 −0.0637
−0.0637
Member end forces in local coordinates as

4 = +.
4 0
4 = = 870 1 −1 = 69.27 +
4 −1 1 −0.0637 −69.27

Member end forces in global coordinates as

6 = /7 4
6 0 0 0
6
6 = = 1 9 69.27 = 69.27 +
6 0 0 −69.27 0
68 0 1 −69.27
 Member End Displacements and End Forces

Member 3

The member end displacements in global coordinates

 v1  0  0   0 
v  0  0   0 
v3 =  2  =   =  in
v3  1  d1   0.0434 
     
v4  2 d 2  − 0.0637
The member end displacements in local coordinates can
now be determined by using the relationship

. = /0
where
1 ! 23! 0 0
/=
0 0 1 ! 23!

0
. 1 0 0 0 0 0
. = . = = in.
0 0 1 0 0.0434 0.0434
−0.0637
Member end forces in local coordinates as

4 = +.
4 0
4 = = 870 1 −1 = −62.93 +
4 −1 1 0.0434 62.93

Member end forces in global coordinates as

6 = /7 4
6 1 0 −62.93
6
6 = = 0 9 −62.93 = 0 +
6 0 1 62.93 62.93
68 0 0 0
Support Reactions

Reactions at joints 1, 2, and 4 are equal to the forces in

global coordinates at the ends of the members

Equilibrium Check

Applying the equations of equilibrium to the free body of

the entire structure to check results

∑F = 0
x

∑F = 0
y

∑M = 0 0