Chapter 15 Beam Analysis Using

the Stiffness Method

Structural Mechanics 2

Dept of Arch Eng, Ajou Univ

 Outline
• Preliminary Remarks
• Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix
• Beam-Structure Stiffness Matrix
• Application of the Stiffness Method for
Beam Analysis
 15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Member and node identification
– Each element must be free from load and
have a prismatic cross section
– Nodes of each element are located at a
support or at points where
• members are connected together
• an external force is applied
• cross-sectional area suddenly changes
• vertical or rotational displacement at a point is to
be determined
 15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Global and member (local) coordinates
– identified using x, y, z axes
– local or member x’, y’, z’ coordinates

※ Right-handed
coordinate system
 15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Kinematic indeterminacy
– Effects of bending and shear can be
expressed by two degrees of freedom,
vertical displacement and rotation
– Will be identified by code numbers
– The lowest code numbers to identify
unknown displacement, while the highest
numbers for known displacement
 15-1 Preliminary Remarks
• Kinematic indeterminacy (unknown DOF)

Kinematically indeterminate
to 4th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4

Kinematically indeterminate to
5th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Kinematically indeterminate to
5th degree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
 15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix

• Force ― displacement relationship in

local x', y', z' coordinate system
 15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix

• y' displacement
– A positive displacement dNy’ is imposed while
other possible displacement are prevented
 15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix

• z' rotation
– A positive rotation dNz’ is imposed while other
possible displacement are prevented
 15-2 Beam-Member Stiffness Matrix

• Force-displacement relationship can be

obtained by superposing transverse and
rotation displacements

q  k d 
 15-3 Beam-Structure Stiffness Matrix

• structure stiffness matrix K can be

obtained by assembling member stiffness
matrices
• Where several members are connected at
a node, their member stiffness influence
coefficients will have the same position in
the K matrix and therefore must be
algebraically added
 15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Load and displacement relationship
Q  K D
• Partitioning the stiffness matrix into the
known and unknown elements of load and
displacement
 15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Expanding into 2 equation
Qk   K11 Du  K12 Dk 
Qu   K 21 Du  K 22 Dk 
• Determine the unknown displacement {Du}
from the first of equations
• The support reactions {Qu} are then
computed from the second equation
 15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Intermediate loadings
 15-4 Application of the Stiffness
Method for Beam Analysis
• Member forces

q  k d  qo 

where qo  fixed  end reactions
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.

 0 1
 5  2
Qk   
 0 3
 
 0 4

0  5
Dk   
0  6
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.

Q  K D
Example 15.1 Determine the reactions
at the supports. EI=const.
0  2 D1  1.5 D2  D3  0
5
  1.5 D1  1.5 D2  1.5D3  0
EI
0  D1  1.5 D2  4 D3  D4
0  0  0  D3  2 D4

16.67 26.67 6.67 3.33

D1   , D2   , D3   , D4 
EI EI EI EI

 Q5  10kN , Q6  5kN
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
• The beam in Fig 15.10(a) is subjected to
the 2 couple moments
• If the center support 2 settles 1.5mm,
determine the reactions at the supports
• E = 200GPa, I = 22(10-6)m4
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
• The beam has 2 elements and 3 unknown
degree of freedom
 4 1  0 4
Qk   0  2 Dk   0.0015 5
 4  3  0  6
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports

Q  K D
Example 15.3 Determine the
reactions at supports
4
 2 D1  D2  0 D3  1.5(0)  1.5(0.0015)  0
EI
0  1D1  4 D2  1D3  1.5(0)  0  0
4
  0 D1  1D2  2 D3  0  1.5(0.0015)  0
EI
D1  0.001580 rad ; D2  0 ; D3  0.001580 rad

Q4  0.525kN ; Q5  1.05kN ; Q6  0.525kN