Dr. S.

Raviraj, Professor of Civil Engineering, SJCE, JSS STU, Mysuru – 570 006

FLEXIBILITY AND STIFFNESS METHODS OF MATRIX ANALYSIS

Matrix methods of structural analysis is a systematic approach to analyse large and complex
structures with the help of computers. In matrix analysis, a set of linear simultaneous equations
are formulated which describe the load-deformation characteristics of the structure. All
calculations are carried out using matrix algebra.

There are two basic methods of analyzing indeterminate structures

1. Force method or Flexibility method of analysis.
2. Displacement method or Stiffness method of analysis.

1. Force method or Flexibility method of analysis

In force method of analysis the force-displacement relations are formulated by considering forces
as independent variables. Here, the statically indeterminate structure is reduced to a statically
determinate structure by removing/releasing sufficient number of unknown external forces
(reactions) or internal forces (or both). These unknown forces are called as redundants. The
redundants are determined by formulating sufficient number of compatability equations
expressed in terms of deformation considering the statically determinate structure.
Example: Consistent deformation method, Three moments theorem, Castiglianos second
theorem, etc.

2. Displacement method or Stiffness method of analysis

In displacement method of analysis the force-displacement relations are formulated by
considering displacements as independent variables. Here, the joint displacements (translations
and rotations) also called as degrees of freedom are treated as the unknowns. Further, the
kinematically indeterminate structure is reduced to a kinematically determinate structure by
locking all the degrees of freedom in the given structure. The joint displacements (which are
unknowns) are determined by formulating sufficient number of joint equilibrium equations
expressed in terms of forces considering the kinematically determinate structure.
Example : Slope deflection method, Moment distribution method, etc.

1
 Difference between Force and Displacement Methods

Force Method (Flexibility Method) Displacement Method (Flexibility Method)

 The force-displacement relations are  The force-displacement relations are
formulated considering forces as basic formulated considering displacements as
unknowns. basic unknowns.
 The number of unknown forces is decided  The number of unknown joint
based on the degree of static displacements decides the degree of
indeterminacy, kinematic indeterminacy,
 The unknown forces (external or internal)  The unknown joint displacements are
are released to make the structure locked to make the structure
staiically determinate. These unknown kinematically determinate.
forces are normally called as redundants.
 The selection of unknown forces is not  The selection of unknown displacements
uniquely defined. The choice of selection is uniquely defined.
is left to the analyst.
 The flexibility matrix is generated by  The stiffness matrix is generated by
relating the displacements and unknown relating the forces and unknown
forces using the compatability condtions displacements using the joint equilibrioum
expressed in terms of deformations. condtions expressed in terms of forces.
 The procedure is difficult to program.  The procedure is easy to program.