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EME4403
Finite Element Analysis
Two Dimensional Truss Elements
(Week 5)

PowerPoint® Slides
By Ir. Dr. Patrick Teo

Last Updated:October 19, 2023

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Learning Objectives

• To develop a system of linear equations for

one-dimensional problem.
• To apply FE method for solving general
problems involving truss structures with
different support conditions.

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Learning Outcomes

• Students are required to understand the

fundamental of truss elements.
• To gain good understanding of discretisation
process in truss elements.
• Students are able to solve plane truss problem.
• Students will understand the importance of
learning truss elements.

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 Introduction
A truss comprises straight members connected by pin joints
in such a way the members form a combination of
triangles.
• Smooth pin joints transfer loads and cannot support moments.
• External loads are applied at the joints only.

Assumptions:
• All members are pin jointed.
• Gravitational forces are neglected.
• Loads are applied at the joints only.

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 Formulation of Element Matrices
• Consider an element of truss with two nodes I and j.
• At each node, one translational degree of freedom is
considered in the coordinate O’X’.
• When viewed in global coordinate system, xoy, two
degrees of freedom have to be considered at each node.
• Nodal displacement vector in local coordinate system:

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 Global and Nodal Displacements
Nodal displacement vector in global coordinate system:

If the nodes are numbered as I = 1 and j = 2, the nodal

displacement vector in global coordinate system is:

q1 and q3 are nodal displacements in horizontal direction, q2

and q4 are nodal displacements in vertical direction.
Relation between global and nodal displacements:

Where l = cos θ and m = sin θ, which are direction cosines

of the inclined member of the truss.

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 Global and Nodal Displacements
Both equation can be expressed as product of two matrices
as:

Where, is a transformation matrix used to transform

the nodal displacements expressed in global coordinate
system to nodal displacement expressed in local coordinate
system.
Strain energy of inclined truss member expressed in local
coordinate system:

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 Element Stiffness Matrix
Strain energy expressed in global coordinate system
substituting for {q’}:

Element stiffness matrix of the truss member:

For simplifying the expression for element stiffness matrix:

Where , which are direction

cosines of the inclined member of the truss.
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 Element Stiffness Matrix
Element stiffness matrix [K(e)]:

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 Example

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 Example
1. Determine element stiffness matrix for element 1 and 2

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 Example

2. Assemble all elemental stiffness matrix into a global stiffness matrix

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 Example
3. Determine global equation

4. Substitute boundary condition

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 Example
Three member truss is under load of 8 kN and 12 kN.
Determine the nodal displacements, element stresses, and
support reactions if A = 800 mm2 and E = 200 Gpa for all
members.

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 Example
1. Create a nodal number table with angle and length

2. Determine element stiffness matrix for element 1

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 Example
3. Determine element stiffness matrix for element 2

4. Determine element stiffness matrix for element 3

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 Example
5. Determine global stiffness matrix

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 Example
6. Determine global equation:

7. Boundary condition is:

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 Example
8. Determine stress in element 1:

9. Determine stress in element 2 and 3:

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 Example
10. Determine support reaction:

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 References

1) Daryl Logan, A First Course in the Finite Element

Method, 5th Edition, Cengage Learning
13thEdition,Prentice Hall, 2011
2) K. J. Bathe, Finite Element Procedures, 1st Edition,
Prentice Hall, 2007

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