MODULE-4

FLEXIBILITY MATRIX METHOD

The systematic development of consistent deformation method in the matrix form has
lead to flexibility matrix method. The method is also called force method. Since the basic
unknowns are the redundant forces in the structure.
This method is exactly opposite to stiffness matrix method.
The flexibility matrix equation is given by

[P] [F] = {[Δ] – [ΔL]}

[P] = [F]-1{[Δ] – [ΔL]}

Where,
[P] = Redundant in matrix form
[F] = Flexibility matrix
[Δ] = Displacement at supports
[ΔL]= Displacement due to load

1. Analyse the continuous beam shown in the figure by flexibility matrix method, draw
BMD

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A
4m
60kN/m
B
100kN

1.5m 1.5m
C

Static Indeterminacy SI = 2 (MA and MB)

60kN/m 100kN

A B B C
4m 1.5m 1.5m

120/EI 75/EI

A’ B’ B’ C’
 Δ1L
[ΔL] =
Δ2L

Δ1L = Rotation at A = SF at A’

Δ1L = ½ [2/3 X 4 X ]

Δ1L =

Δ2L = Rotation at A = SF at B’

= VB1’ + VB2’

Δ2L = ½ [2/3 X 4 X ] + ½ [1/2 X 3 X ]

.
Δ2L =

160

VTUPulse.com [ΔL] =
216.25

Note: The rotation due to sagging is taken as positive. The moments producing due to
sagging are also taken as positive.

To get Flexibility Matrix

1kN-m
A B B C

δ11 δ12
[F] =
δ21 δ22
 .
δ11 = = =

.
δ21 = = =

Apply unit moment to joint A

1kN-m 1kN-m
A B B C

.
δ12 = = =

.
δ22 = + = + =

δ11 δ12 1.33 0.67

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δ21 δ22

Apply the flexibility equation

[P] = [F]-1{[Δ] – [ΔL]}

0
[Δ] =
0

-1
1.33 0.67 0 160
[P] = EI -
0.67 1.33 0 216.25

MAB -86.00
[P] = = kN-m
MBA -68.08
 120

86 +
75
68
-
- +

BMD

2. Analyse the continuous beam shown in the figure by flexibility matrix method, draw
BMD

40kN/m 120kN 20kN/m

Static Indeterminacy SI = 2 (MB and MC)

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Let us remove the redundant to get primary determinate structure

40kN/m 120kN

A B B C
12m 4m 8m

720/EI 320/EI

A’ B’ B’ C’
 20kN/m

C D
12m

360/EI

C’ D’

Δ1L
[ΔL] =
Δ2L

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Δ1L = Rotation at B = SF at B’

= VB1’ + VB2’

Δ1L =
.

Δ2L = Rotation at C = SF at C’

= VC1’ + VC2’

.
Δ2L =

3946.67
[ΔL] =
2293.33
To get Flexibility Matrix
Apply unit moment to joint A

1kN-m 1kN-m
A B B C

δ11 δ12
[F] =
δ21 δ22

δ11 = + = + =

δ21 = = =

Apply unit moment to joint A

1kN-m 1kN-m

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B C C D

δ12 = = =

δ22 = + = + =

δ11 δ12 8 2
[F] = =
δ21 δ22 2 8

Apply the flexibility equation

[P] = [F]-1{[Δ] – [ΔL]}

0
[Δ] =
0
 -1
8 2 0 3946
[P] = EI -
2 8 0 2293

MAB -449.97
[P] = = kN-m
MBA -174.22

120

86 +
75
68
-
- +

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BMD

SINKING OF SUPPORT

1. Analyse the continuous beam by flexibility method, support B sinks by 5mm. Sketch
the BMD and EC given EI = 15 X 103 kN-m2

30kN/m 120kN
A B C
6m, 2I 2m I 2m

NOTE: In this case of example with sinking of supports, the redundant should be selected as
the vertical reaction.
Static indeterminacy is equal to 2. Let VB and VC be the redundant, remove the redundant to
get the primary structure.

A’ B’ C’

120/EI

240/EI
480/EI
 A’ B’ C’

270/EI

Δ1L
[ΔL] =
Δ2L

Δ1L = Displacement at B in primary determinate structure = BM at B’ in conjugate beam

Δ1L = [ X 6 X X (2/3 X 6) ] + (6 X X 6/2) + [ X 6 X X (3/4 X 6) ]

Δ1L =

Δ2L = Displacement at C in primary determinate structure = BM at C’ in conjugate beam

Δ2L = [ X 6 X X (2/3 X 6 + 4) ] + (6 X X 6/2 + 4) + [ X 6 X X (3/4 X 6 +4) ]

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Δ2L =

8910
[ΔL] =
19070

To get Flexibility Matrix

A B C
6m 4m
1kN
3/EI

A’ B’ C’
 δ11 δ12
[F] =
δ21 δ22

δ11 = - X 6 X X (2/3 X 6) =

δ21 = - X 6 X X (2/3 X 6 + 4) =

Apply unit load at C

A B C
6m 4m
1kN
5/EI
4/EI

2/EI

A’ B’ C’

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δ12 = - X 6 X X (2/3 X 6) – [6 X X (6/2)] =

.
δ22 = - X 6 X X (2/3 X 6 + 4) – [6 X X (6/2 + 4)] - X 4 X X (2/3 X 4) =

δ11 δ12 -36 -72

Apply the flexibility equation

[P] = [F]-1{[Δ] – [ΔL]}

0.005
[Δ] =
0
 -1
-36 -72 0.005 8910
[P] = EI -
-72 -177.33 0 19070

VB 161.43
[P] = = kN-m
VC 41.98

Support Reaction
120kN
MA 30kN/m MB MB 0

VA VB1 VB2 VC

VA = 96.64kN, VB1 = 83.36kN, VB2 = 78.07kN, VC = 41.98kN

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VB = VB1+ VB2 = 161.43kN

MA 112.48
= kN-m
MB 72.28

135

112.48 +
120
72.28
-
- +

BMD