Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 1

Utilizing Python as an Effective Solver for Equations in Structural Analysis

Musa Abdul1 and Muhammed Tuga Bawa2

1
Department of Building, College of Environmental Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna.
[email protected]

2
Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Baze University, Abuja.
[email protected]

A Journal Paper Submitted for Publication in the Journal of Environmental Design and Construction
of the Harvard Publications and Research International Academic Journals (Vol. 24)
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 2

Abstract
Computers are used to accurately represent the behaviour of real structures. Python is a powerful
programming language that has become a popular choice for developing computer algorithms and built-
in solvers for various categories of equations and numerical problems. This paper aims to evaluate the
effectiveness of using Python to solve equations in structural analysis. To do this, a set of test cases
representing real-world structures is created and analyzed. Results were obtained from different methods
of analysis on the same problem case. The results obtained from the different methods were the same.
The overall accuracy and speed of the Python-based solutions are then evaluated and discussed. The tests
cover the structural configurations of statically indeterminate structure, which comprise the analysis of
continuous beam supporting uniformly distributed load and several point loads. The following methods
were applied: force method, three-moments-equation, and slope-deflection method. The equations
derived from the different methods were solved using the Python popular packages: NumPy and SciPy.
Results show that Python is an effective and efficient tool for solving equations in structural analysis.
The Python-based solutions are accurate with high numerical precision and very fast execution period.
Overall, this paper provides evidence that Python is a useful tool for engineers to solve equations quickly
and accurately in structural analysis. The findings suggest that Python should be considered a viable and
attractive option when computational speed and accuracy are essential in engineering projects.

Keywords: python, solver, equations, structural analysis, NumPy, SciPy

Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 3

Introduction
Structural analysis involves solutions to various kinds of equations including ordinary and partial
differential equations. Most of these equations are complex and require special packages for solutions.
Most of the available packages are commercial and expensive. There is a need for efficient and cost-
effective solutions. Not only is Python and its support packages efficient, and cost-effective, they are
freely available for use and at no cost. Their provisions are open source, everyone can download and use.
The packages used for this project alongside Python are NumPy (numerical python) and SciPy (scientific
python). Bressert (2013) described Python as a highly flexible high-level programming language with
easy to read syntax and an ideal language to learn and use. A few extra packages, such as Scipy and
Numpy are used to streamline the development process for Science and reasearch and development (R
& D).
According to (Quraishi & Dhapekar, 2021), Python is an advanced open source programming
language which is widely utilized by software engineers across the world for different applications. It is
accessible for free and can work effectively on PCs and can be setup with little or no configuration.
Commercial software have been utilized in the analysis and design of reinforced concrete and other
Building and Civil Engineering structures. The cost of the commercial software hinders their wider
applications, as most organisations acquire only a limited quantity for a few staff of the organisation.
Individuals with little or no programming background can easily understand and immediately commence
utilizing Python in their projects.
According to Harris et al. (2020) NumPy is a community-developed, open-source library, which
provides a multidimensional Python array object along with array-aware functions that operate on it.
Because of its inherent simplicity, the NumPy array is the de facto exchange format for array data in
Python. According to (Lemenkova, 2019), NumPy enables various object-oriented approach,
mathematical and logical manipulations with table using ndarray. Boulle & Kieffer (2019) stated that,
python, together with its associated librabries, Numpy and Scipy, has become the standard for scientific
and engineering computing in different fields. This popularity is mainly due to the ease with which a
Python program can be written and executed coupled with the existence of a large number of specialized
third-party libraries that aim to lift all the limitations of the raw Python language. NumPy introduces
vector programming, improving execution speeds, where as SciPy brings a wealth of highly optimized
and reliable scientific functions.
Waheed Kadhim et al. (2022) described SciPy an open-source library for scientific computing
built on top of the Python programming language. Its access and use is free. Since its initial release in
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 4

2001, SciPy has established itself as the industry standard for implementing scientific algorithms in
Python and witnessed millions of annual downloads. Both NumPy and SciPy can be used to solve
equations. According to (Virtanen et al., 2020), SciPy is a library of numerical routines for the Python
programming language that provides fundamental building blocks for modeling and solving scientific
problems. SciPy includes algorithms for optimization, integration, interpolation, eigenvalue problems,
algebraic equations, differential equations and many other classes of problems.
The aim of this paper is to apply NumPy and SciPy as equation solvers in Python to solve
equations from different methods of analysing statically indeterminate structures. To achieve this, solvers
from the two different packages were used. To test their efficiency and effectiveness, results from the
two different approaches were compared and at the same time, the results obtained from the different
methods of structural analysis were compared. Further comparison was carried with pre-determined
results of the case under study.
Python Programming Language
Block of code structure is created using indentation in Python. Indent one level, in, for the
beginning of a block and indent, out, to show end of the block. Python can be downloaded for free at
https://python.org/downloads/. Installing Python automatically installs with it, IDLE (Integrated
Development and Learning Environment) an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for executing
Python programmes. The following are the defined data types in Python: int (for integers), float (for
numbers with decimal points), str (for characters), list(for collection of values), tuple (for unmodifiable
collection of values), set(for non duplicate collection of values), dict (for key:value pairs collection of
values) and bool(for true or false values). Python is object-oriented programming language. Method or
functions are defined using the “def” keyword and class definition is with the keyword, “class”.
(Stewart & Mommert, 2023,Kuhlman, 2013,Zemkoho, 2023,Mehare et al., 2023,Wang & Wang,
2023,Mehare et al., 2023,Kaufmann & Held, 2023& J. Goldbaum et al., 2018)
NumPy and SciPy
NumPy is the fundamental package for scientific computing in Python. It provides a
multidimensional array object, various derived, and an assortment of routines for fast operations on
arrays. NumPy has packages dealing with different fields as aspects. The main data type of NumPy is
the N dimensional array (ndarray) object. NumPy has support packages for matrix, polynomial, set,
statistics, linear algebra, and much more. The linear algebra functions provide efficient low-level
implementations of standard linear algebra algorithms, which include matrices and solution to
simultaneous linear equations. The NumPy library has other specialised packages for specific and special
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 5

tasks and activities. Installation of NumPy is simple. It is installed by this command: pip install numpy.
(Idris, 2012,Harris et al., 2020,Pawlik et al., 2015,Waheed Kadhim et al., 2022,Lynch, 2023,Lemenkova,
2019)
SciPy is a collection of mathematical algorithms and convenience functions built on NumPy . It
enhances the capability and power of Python by the provision of the ability to analysis data, solve
equations and manipulate and visualize data. It provides utility functions for optimisation, statistics, and
signal processing. Scipy is installed by this command: pip install scipy. (Hill, 2016, Martins et al., 2017,
Blanco-silva, 2015,DataCamp, 2015,Virtanen et al., 2020 & Santos, 2015)
Structural Analysis
Structural analysis involves the assessment of structures under loads application. In this paper,
only the analysis of statically indeterminate structures were considered, i.e. structures where equilibrium
equations are insufficient for their complete analysis. Three methods of analysis discussed: are: three-
moments-equation method, slope-deflection method and the force method.
Three-Moments-Equation Method
The three-moment equation method gives us the relation between the moments between any three
points in a beam and their relative vertical distances or deviations. The three moments equation is given
as follows:
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑀3 𝐿3 6𝐴1 𝑎̅1 6𝐴2 𝑏̅2
+ 2𝑀2 ( + )+ =− −
𝐸1 𝐼1 𝐸1 𝐼1 𝐸2 𝐼2 𝐸3 𝐼3 𝐸1 𝐼1 𝐿1 𝐸2 𝐼2 𝐿2
Which reduces when E is constant to:
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑀3 𝐿3 6𝐴1 𝑎̅1 6𝐴2 𝑏̅2
+ 2𝑀2 ( + ) + =− −
𝐼1 𝐼1 𝐼2 𝐼3 𝐼1 𝐿1 𝐼2 𝐿2
And reduces when both E and I are constant to:
6𝐴1 𝑎̅1 6𝐴2 𝑏̅2
𝑀1 𝐿1 + 2𝑀2 (𝐿1 + 𝐿2 ) + 𝑀3 𝐿3 = − −
𝐿1 𝐿2
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀1 , 𝑀2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀3 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠,
𝐿1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠
𝐸1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠
𝐼1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎
𝐴1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠
𝑎̅1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏̅2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠. (Roark, 2002)
Slope-Deflection Method
The slople-deflection method relates the unknown slopes and deflections to the applied load on a
structure, treating each span separately. The moments (MAB and MBA) at the ends of a span A-B are
related with slopes at their ends and the relative supports displacement with the given formulae.
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 6

2𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = (2𝜃𝐴 + 𝜃𝐵 − 3𝜑) + 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵
𝐿
2𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐵𝐴 = (𝜃𝐴 + 2𝜃𝐵 − 3𝜑) + 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴
𝐿
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐸𝐼 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝜃𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃𝐵 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 𝑓𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝜑
∆
= , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ∆ 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟.
𝐿
The slope-deflection equations can be obtained by using the principle of superposition by
considering separately the moments developed at each support due to each of the ends displacements
and then the loads. (Kassimali, 2012 & Hibbeler, 2015)
Force Method
This method involves releasing the redundants from an indeterminate structure and ensuring
conpatibity of the released structure with redundants acting separately as the only loads on the structure.
This will result in equations with the redundants as unknowns. When the equations are solved and the
rendundants determined, the structure can be fully analysed using equilibrium equations. (Ghali et al.,
2017,R. Hibbeler, 2017, Kassimali, 2012 and Connor & Faraji, 2016)

Applications of Python in Solving Equations

A case of continous beam with many redundants is considered. In order to assess the efficiency,
effectiveness and reliability of the solvers in Python, several methods were used to analyse the beam and
the results obtained from the different methods were compared and there accuracy compared with
predetermined values. Three methods were used, which are: three-moments-equation method, slope-
deflection method and the force method.
The Problem Case
42kN 30kN 48kN
15kN/m

A B C D E F

4m 2m 4m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m

Figure 1

Python Equation Solver

The python program to solve simultaneous equations using both NumPy and SciPy is hereby
presented as follows:
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 7

The following commands are to be run from a python environment, after entering the values for a and b
(Note: # is for comment and description. It is a nonexecutable statement):
import numpy as np
import scipy as sp

# Array variable declaration representing the coefficients of equations

a = np.array([]) #values are entered row by row when they become available
# Array variable declaration for the values after the equal sign
b = np.array([]) #Values after the equal signs are entered, separated by
commas
# Variable to store solution values after solving

# Using NumPy Solver

x = np.linalg.solve(a,b) # Solution values are stored in the variable x
# Prompt to display, Solution using NumPy Solver
Print(‘Solution using NumPy Solver’)
# This displays the solution
print(x)

# Using SciPy Solver

x = sp.linalg.solve(a,b) # Solution values are stored in the variable x
# Prompt to display, Solution using SciPy Solver
Print(‘Solution using SciPy Solver’)
# This displays the solution
print(x)
Solution Using Three-Moments-Equation Method
15 × 53 15 × 63 42(62 − 42 )
4 × 𝑀𝐴 + 2𝑀𝐵 (4 + 6) + 6 × 𝑀𝐶 = − − −
4 4 6
10𝑀𝐵 + 3𝑀𝐶 = −805 − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(1)
15 × 63 42(62 − 22 ) 15 × 63 30(62 − 32 )
6 × 𝑀𝐵 + 2𝑀𝐶 (6 + 6) + 6 × 𝑀𝐷 = − − − −
4 6 4 6
6𝑀𝐵 + 24𝑀𝐶 + 6𝑀𝐷 = −2473 − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(2)
15 × 63 30(62 − 32 ) 15 × 53 48(62 − 32 )
6 × 𝑀𝐶 + 2𝑀𝐷 (6 + 5) + 5 × 𝑀𝐸 = − − − −
4 6 4 6
−42891
6𝑀𝐶 + 22𝑀𝐷 + 5𝑀𝐸 = − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(3)
20
15 × 53 48(52 − 22 ) 15 × 53
5 × 𝑀𝐷 + 2𝑀𝐸 (5 + 5) + 5 × 𝑀𝐹 = − − −
4 5 4
−13407
5𝑀𝐷 + 20𝑀𝐸 = − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(4)
10

The equations are solved using NumPy and SciPy linear algebra as earlier outlined in the python
program.
The procedure for solving the equations is as follows:
Firstly, form a matrix from the equations.
−805
10 3 0 0 𝑀𝐵 −2473
6 24 6 0 𝑀 42891
[ ]{ 𝐶 } = −
0 6 22 5 𝑀𝐷 20
0 0 5 20 𝑀𝐸 13407
{− 10 }
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 8

To run the python program, “a” and “b” in the program are defined as follows:
a = np.array([[10, 3, 0, 0], [6, 24, 6, 0], [0, 6, 22, 5], [0, 0, 5, 20])
b = np.array([-805, -2373, -42891/20, -13407/10])
Running the file after the entry will give the following output:
Solution using NumPy Solver
[-58.99788061 -71.67373131 -66.47386083 -50.41653480]
Solution using SciPy Solver
[-58.99788061 -71.67373131 -66.47386083 -50.41653480]
Both NumPy and SciPy gave identical results.
MB = -58.99788061 kNm
MC = -71.67373131 kNm
MD = -66.47386083 kNm
ME = -50.41653480 kNm
Solution Using Slope-Deflection Equation Method
Fixed End Moments
247 191 135
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐵 = −20𝑘𝑁𝑚 , 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 20𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐶 = − 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐵 = 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐷 = − 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐶 =
3 3 2
135 6581 5429 125 125
𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐸 = − 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐸𝐷 = 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐸𝐹 = − 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝑀𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘𝑁𝑚
2 100 100 4 4

Slope-Deflection Equations
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴 + − 20 − − − − − − − − − −(1)
2
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴
𝑀𝐵𝐴 = + 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 + 20 − − − − − − − − − −(2)
2
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 247
𝑀𝐵𝐶 = + − − − − − − − − − − −(3)
3 3 3
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 191
𝑀𝐶𝐵 = + + − − − − − − − − − −(4)
3 3 3
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 135
𝑀𝐶𝐷 = + − − − − − − − − − − −(5)
3 3 2
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 135
𝑀𝐷𝐶 = + + − − − − − − − − − −(6)
3 3 2
4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 6581
𝑀𝐷𝐸 = + − − − − − − − − − − −(7)
5 5 100
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 5429
𝑀𝐸𝐷 = + + − − − − − − − − − −(8)
5 5 100
4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐹 125
𝑀𝐸𝐹 = + − − − − − − − − − − −(9)
5 5 4
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐹 125
𝑀𝐹𝐸 = + + − − − − − − − − − −(10)
5 5 4
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑀𝐸𝐷 = 0
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (1) 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒:
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴 + = 20 − − − − − − − − − (11)
2
𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝑀𝐵𝐶 = 0
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴 5𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 187
+ + = − − − − − − − −(12)
2 3 3 3
𝑀𝐶𝐵 + 𝑀𝐶𝐷 = 0
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 23
+ + = − − − − − − − − − −(13)
3 3 3 6
𝑀𝐷𝐶 + 𝑀𝐷𝐸 = 0
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 22𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 169
+ + =− − − − − − − − − − (14)
3 15 5 100
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 9

𝑀𝐸𝐷 + 𝑀𝐸𝐹 = 0
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 8𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐹 576
+ + =− − − − − − − − − − (15)
5 5 5 25
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (10) 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒:
2𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 4𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐹 125
+ =− − − − − − − − − − (16)
5 5 4
Representing equations (11) to (16) in matrix form we have:
1
1 2
0 0 0 0 20
187
1 5 1 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴
0 0 0 3
2 3 3
1 4 1 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 23
0 3 3 3
0 0 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 6
1 22 2 = − 100 `
169
0 0 3 15 5
0 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷
𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 576
0 0 0
2 8 2 − 25
5 5 5 {𝐸𝐼𝜃 𝐹}
125
[0 0 0 0
2 4
{− 4 }
5 5]

When the values for “a” and “b” and entered and the program executed, this output is obtained:
Solution using NumPy Solver
[ 0.66807959 38.66384081 -7.32132344 2.12145296 -5.90255799
-36.11122101]
Solution using SciPy Solver
[ 0.66807959 38.66384081 -7.32132344 2.12145296 -5.90255799
-36.11122101]
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐴 , 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐵 , 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐶 , 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐷 , 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐸 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝐼𝜃𝐹
Substituting the values into the slope-deflection equations we have:
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 0 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 58.99788060755917 kNm, 𝑀𝐵𝐶 = −58.99788060755916 kNm
𝑀𝐶𝐵 = 71.67373130813611 kNm, 𝑀𝐶𝐷 = −71.67373130813611 kNm, 𝑀𝐷𝐶 = 66.47386082656305 kNm
𝑀𝐷𝐸 = −66.47386082656305 kNm , 𝑀𝐸𝐷 = 50.41653479335923 kNm 𝑀𝐸𝐹 = −50.41653479335923 kNm,
𝑀𝐹𝐸 = 0 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Solution Using Force Method

In this analysis, RB, RC, RD and RE are considered as the redundant loads.
The Released Structure
42kN 30kN 48kN
15kN/m

A F

Figure 2 26m

The Redundant Loads

A F
𝑅𝐵 𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐷 𝑅𝐸
4m 2m 4m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Figure 3
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 10

Deflections from the released structure (at points: B, C, D and E)

759178 116303 116519 7415285
𝑦𝐵1 = , 𝑦𝐶1 = , 𝑦𝐷1 = , 𝑦𝐸1 =
13EI EI EI 104EI

Deflections from the redundant loads (at points: B, C, D and E)

−3872𝑅𝐵 6464𝑅𝐶 5600𝑅𝐷 3175𝑅𝐸
𝑦𝐵2 = − − −
39EI 39EI 39EI 39EI
−6464𝑅𝐵 12800𝑅𝐶 11900𝑅𝐷 137755𝑅𝐸
𝑦𝐶2 = − − −
39EI 39EI 39EI 78EI
−5600𝑅𝐵 11900𝑅𝐶 12800𝑅𝐷 7900𝑅𝐸
𝑦𝐷2 = − − −
39EI 39EI 39EI 39EI
−3175𝑅𝐵 13775𝑅𝐶 7900𝑅𝐷 3675𝑅𝐸
𝑦𝐸2 = − − −
39EI 78EI 39EI 26EI
Compatibility Equations
3872𝑅𝐵 6464𝑅𝐶 5600𝑅𝐷 3175𝑅𝐸 759178
+ + + = − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(1)
39 39 39 39 13
6464𝑅𝐵 12800𝑅𝐶 11900𝑅𝐷 137755𝑅𝐸
+ + + = 116303 − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(2)
39 39 39 78
5600𝑅𝐵 11900𝑅𝐶 12800𝑅𝐷 7900𝑅𝐸
+ + + = 116519 − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(3)
39 39 39 39
3175𝑅𝐵 13775𝑅𝐶 7900𝑅𝐷 3675𝑅𝐸 7415285
+ + + = − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(4)
39 78 39 26 104
The “a” and “b” matrices are formed for the program.
3872 6464 5600 5600
39 39 39 39 759178
6464 12800 11900 137755 𝑅𝐵 13
39 39 39 78 𝑅𝐶 116303
{ }=
5600 11900 12800 7900 𝑅𝐷 116519
39 39 39 39 𝑅𝐸 7415285
3175 13775 7900 3675 { 104 }
[ 39 78 39 26 ]

𝑅𝐵 = 115.636828368460 𝑘𝑁, 𝑅𝐶 = 121.979286863692𝑘𝑁,

𝑅𝐷 = 128.644820126379 𝑘𝑁, 𝑅𝐸 = 101.071841752031 𝑘𝑁
Solving using equilibrium equations the following results are obtained.
𝑅𝐴 = 15.2505298481102 𝑘𝑁, 𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚, 𝑅𝐹 = 27.4166930413282 𝑘𝑁
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 11

Discussion of Results
Table 1: Results
Python Solution
METHOD Actual Solution
NumPy SciPy
𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚
Three-Moments 𝑀𝐵 =
167023
2831
𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Equation = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚
608725
𝑀𝐶 = 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚
8493
Slope-Deflection = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Equation 𝑀𝐷 =
376375
5662
𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚
= −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐵 = −58.9978806075592 𝑘𝑁𝑚
14272921
𝑀𝐸 = 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐶 = −71.6737313081361 𝑘𝑁𝑚
Force Method 283100
𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐷 = −66.4738608265629 𝑘𝑁𝑚
= −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀𝐸 = −50.4165347933595 𝑘𝑁𝑚

The results as compared showed that the solutions from python are accurate. It can also be seen that
both NumPy and SciPy packages produced identical results and in the same format.
Conclusion
Python programming is simple and easy to use. The packages NumPy and SciPy provides efficient and
effective platform for solving equations, which under normal circumstances, will require costly
specialized software packages. The solutions from using NumPy and SciPy are found to be accurate. Not
only were the solutions accurate, but the procedure is simple and easy. It is recommended for further
research be carried out to explore the power of NumPy and SciPy in handling problems associated with
building and engineering projects.
Recommendations
The following are offered as recommendations:
i. Lecturers, Teachers, and Instructors in institutions of higher education to acquire and update their
skills with respect to Python programming to translate same to students.
ii. Professional bodies of building and engineering to organize training workshops for their members
to Python programming skills.
iii. Professionals in building and engineering professions should consider the use of Python as a
solution tool.
Utilizing Python as Equations Solver in Structural Analysis 12

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