BARS AND TRUSSES

ME 206T
Unit-I
Lecture-IV
Outline
 Derivation of Element Stiffness Matrix
 Methods of Weighted Residuals

 Assembly of Element Stiffness Matrix

 Direct Stiffness Method
Method of Weighted Residuals
 In certain Engineering problems we
could be able to formulate only the
differential equations for the system and
provide boundary conditions
 In other words, a convenient function like
potential energy may not be easily available

 Method of weighted residuals come

handy in such cases
Method of Weighted Residuals
 We assume a trial or approximate solution for the
independent variable in the given differential equation
 It would naturally result in some residual

 In residual method, weighing functions are used for

the residuals

 s
Galerkin Approach
 In Galerkin approach, the Shape functions
are used as the Weighing functions

 This would result in n equations

 We shall now discuss Galerkin method for

Bar element
Galerkin Approach
 We thus have
Assembly of Element Stiffness
Matrices
 Combining all the element stiffness
matrices in to one Global Stiffness Matrix is
necessary to represent the entire system

 Nodal connectivity is to be maintained

while assembling the matrices

 One for the popular method for assembling

is the ‘Direct Stiffness Method’
Direct Stiffness Method
 The order of the global stiffness matrix is equal to the total
number of DOF of the system

 Each element stiffness matrix is made of the same order as

the global stiffness matrix, by adding rows and columns of
zeros

 The rows and columns of zeros are added for global nodes
not present within the particular element (obviously!)

 Then all the element stiffness matrices are directly added

 Better understood with an example

Use Technology, don’t trust it !

Trust a Man, don’t use him !