14.6 Application of the Stiffness Method
for Truss Analysis
Once the structure stiffness matrix is formed, the global force
components Q acting on the truss can then be related to its global
displacements D using
(14–17)
This equation is referred to as the structure stiffness equation. Since
we have always assigned the lowest code numbers to identify the
unconstrained degrees of freedom, this will allow us now to partition this
equation in the following form*:
(14–18)
Here
known external loads and displacements; the loads here exist
on the truss as part of the problem, and the displacements are
generally specified as zero due to support constraints such as
pins or rollers.
unknown loads and displacements; the loads here represent
the unknown support reactions, and the displacements are at
joints where motion is unconstrained in a particular direction.
structure stiffness matrix, which is partitioned to be compati-
ble with the partitioning of Q and D.
Expanding Eq. 14–18 yields
(14–19)
(14–20)
Most often since the supports are not displaced. Provided this is
the case, Eq. 14–19 becomes
Since the elements in the partitioned matrix represent the total
resistance at a truss joint to a unit displacement in either the x or y
direction, then the above equation symbolizes the collection of all the
force equilibrium equations applied to the joints where the external loads
are zero or have a known value Solving for we have
(14–21)
From this equation we can obtain a direct solution for all the unknown
joint displacements; then using Eq. 14–20 with yields
(14–22)
from which the unknown support reactions can be determined. The
member forces can be determined using Eq. 14–13, namely
q = k¿TD
Q
u
= K
21
D
u
D
k
= 0
D
u
= [K
11
]
-1
Q
k
D
u
,1Q
k
2.
K
11
Q
k
= K
11
D
u
D
k
= 0
Q
u
= K
21
D
u
+ K
22
D
k
Q
k
= K
11
D
u
+ K
12
D
k
K =
D
u
=Q
u
,
D
k
=Q
k
,
c
Q
k
Q
u
d= c
K
11
K
12
K
21
K
22
dc
D
u
D
k
d
Q = KD
552
CHAPTER 14 TRUSS ANALYSIS U SING THE STIFFNESS METHOD
14
*This partitioning scheme will become obvious in the numerical examples that follow.