BLD 401- Structural Analysis

Module 6:
Matrix Method of Analysis- Beams
 1. Introduction
The stiffness matrix method of analysis of beams involves the following.
i. Identify the elements and number the nodes in ascending order from left to right.
ii. Convert the applied load to nodal load. For uniformly distributed load, fix the elements at
the nodes, determine the reactions and fixed-end moments at the node of each element and
use the balancing force and moment at the common node of each element as the nodal
loads.
iii. Using the matrix equation K u = f , determine the nodal displacements u due to the
nodal load f for each element as defined below.

where K = Beam element stiffness matrix

v1 1 v2 2

 12 3  6 2  12 6 
 L L  v1
3 2
L L
 6 2 4 6 2  1
 L L L2 L 
  12 3 6 2 12 3 6 2  v2
=  L L L L 
2
EI

 6 2 2 6 2 4 
 L L L L 
u = Beam element displacement vector
 v1 
 
=  1
v2 
 
 2 
= Vertical displacement at node 1
v1
v2 = Vertical displacement at node 2
 1 = Clockwise rotational displacement at node 1
 2 = Clockwise rotational displacement at node 2

f = Beam element load vector

 F1 
F 
=  2
 F3 
 
 F4 
F1 = Load at node 1
F2 = Moment at node 1
F3 = Load at node 2
F4 = Moment at node 2
iv. Using the nodal displacements, determine the nodal shear forces and bending
moments for the elements using the equations below.
6E I 12 E I
V1 = Shear force at node 1 =  (  1   2 )  ( v1  v 2 )
L2 L3
6E I 12 E I
V2 = Shear force at node 2 = (  1   2 )  ( v1  v 2 )
L2 L3
6E I EI
M1 = Clockwise moment at node 1 = 2
( v 2  v1 )  ( 41  2 2 )
L L
2E I 4E I 6E I
M2 = Clockwise moment at node 2 = 1   2  2 ( v1  v 2 )
L L L

v. For uniformly distributed load, superimpose the fixed-end moments in step (ii)
with bending moments in step (iv) to obtain the final moments for the beam.
 2. Worked Examples
Question 1
Determine the bending moments for the beam shown below.

Solution
Method 1
Pab 2 40* 3* 2 2
M FAB =  =  =  19.2 kNm
L2 52
Pa 2 b 40 * 3 2 * 2
M FBA = = = 28.8 kNm
L2 52
 Pab
M Max, AB = = 40* 3 * 2 = 48 kNm
L 5
3
y1 = 19.2 + ( 28.8 19.2 ) = 24.96 kNm
5

Midspan moment, y2 = 48 24.96 = 23.04 kNm

Method 2: Matrix Method

Stiffness Matrices:

Element 1-2: L  3 m Element 2-3: L  2 m

   12 6  v2
   8 4 
    6 2 
K1 2 = EI   K 23 = EI  4  2
 12
27
6  v2
9  
 6 4   2  
 9 3  

 1.944  0.833
K = K1 2 + K 23 = EI  
 0.833 3.333 

 1.944  0.833 v2   40

Ku = f  EI     =  0 
 0.833 3.333   2  
 40
The simultaneous equations are 1.944 v2 - 0.833 2 = 
EI
 0.833 v2 + 3.333 2 = 0

23.044 5.7593
 v2 =  and 2 = 
EI EI
Bending Moment:
23.044 5.7593
Element 1-2: L  3 m , v1 =  1 = 0 , v2 =  and 2 = 
EI EI
6E I EI
M1 = 2
( v 2  v1 )  ( 41  2 2 )
L L
6E I 23.044 E I 5.7593
= *  *2* =  15.363  3.840 =  19.203 kNm
9 EI 3 EI
Similarly,
2E I 4E I 6E I
M2 = 1   2  2 ( v1  v 2 ) =  23.042 kNm
L L L

23.044 5.7593
Element 2-3: L  2 m , v2 =  2 = 0 , v1 =  and 1 = 
EI EI
6E I EI
M1 = 2
( v 2  v1 )  ( 41  2 2 ) = 23.047 kNm
L L

2E I 4E I 6E I
M2 = 1   2  2 ( v1  v 2 ) = 28.81 kNm
L L L
Question 2
Determine the bending moments for the beam shown below.

Solution
Method 1
wL 2 24* 6 2
M FAB =  M FBA = 
12
= 
12
=  72 kNm
 wL 2 24 * 6 2
M Max, AB = 8
= 8
= 108 kNm

Mid-span moment, y = 108 72 = 36 kNm

Method 2: Matrix Method

wL 2 24* 3 2
M F12 =  M F 21 = 
12
= 
12
=  18 kNm

The net reaction at node 2 = 36 + 36 = 72 kN and the net moment = +18 – 18 = 0.

Introducing the balancing moment (- 0 = 0) and balancing load (-72) at node 2, we have
Stiffness Matrices:
Element 1-2: L 3m Element 2-3: L2 m

v2
  12 6 
   27 9 
    6 4  2
K1 2 = EI   K 23 = EI  9 3 
 12
27
6  v2
9  
 6 4   2  
 9 3  

0.889 0 
= + = EI 
2.667
K K1 2 K 23
 0

0.889 0  v2   72

=  EI    =
2.667  0 
Ku f
 0  2  

72 80.99
0.889 v2 =   v2 = 
EI EI
2.667  2 = 0  2 = 0
Bending Moment:
80.99
Element 1-2: L 3m , v1 = 1 = 2 =0 and v2 = 
EI
6E I EI
M1 = L 2
( v 2  v1 ) 
L
( 41  2 2 )

Superimposing the fixed-end moment,

6E I EI
M1 = L 2
( v 2  v1 ) 
L
( 41  2  2 )  18 =  72 kNm

2E I 4E I 6E I
M2 = L
1 
L
 2  2 ( v1  v 2 )  18
L
=  36 kNm

23.044
Element 2-3: L2m , v2 = 1 = 2 = 0 and v1 = 
EI
6E I EI
M1 = L2
( v 2  v1 ) 
L
( 41  2  2 )  18 = 36 kNm

2E I 4E I 6E I
M2 = L
1 
L
 2  2 ( v1  v 2 )  18
L
= 72 kNm