SCHOOL OF CEGE

MAPUA UNIVERSITY
CE 255P

Finite Element Modeling

Concept of Stiffness Analysis
by

Gilford B. Estores, PhD1

1
Faculty, School of CEGE, Mapua University, Philippines
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Concept of Stiffness Analysis

The simplest structural component with which most engineers

are familiar is the pin-ended tie, which has characteristics that
are similar to those of the elastic spring shown

=µ
B’

=Kµ
Simple Elastic Spring

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Formulation of Stiffness Matrix for Single Elastic Spring

Consider:

Nodal force is applied

Case 1:
@ node 1. Fixed @ node 2.

Case 2: Nodal force is applied

@ node 2. Fixed @ node 1.

Case 3: Nodal forces are applied

@ both ends.

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When the spring is subjected to both

forces N1 and N2, by principle of
superposition, the total forces F1 and F2
will become,

F1 = N1 – R1

F2 = N2 – R2

But, F = K µ, then

F1 = K µ1 - K µ2  F1   K  K   1 
     
F2 = -K µ1 + K µ2 F
 2   K K  2

Fe  K e e 

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Formulation of Stiffness Matrix for Assembly of Elastic Springs

e1 e2
1 2
 K1  K1  1
For element 1:  K1   
1 2 3
  K1 K1  2  K1  K1 0  1
2 3 K    K1 K1  K 2  K 2  2
K2  K2  2
For element 2: K 2   
 0  K2 K 2  3
  K 2 K 2  3

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Sample Problem:

The three springs shown are collinear and nodes 1 and 4 are fixed. If axial loads of
10 KN and 20 KN are applied at nodes 2 and 3 respectively as shown, determine the
displacements at nodes 2 and 3.

Solution:
The boundary conditions are µ1 = µ4 = 0.
Given are F2 = 10 KN, F3 = 20 KN.
Unknowns are µ2 , µ3 , F1, and F4.

 F1   1200  1200  1 
Consider spring 1-2,      
F
 2   1200 1200  2

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 F2   1800  1800  2 
Consider spring 2-3,      
F
 3   1800 1800  3

 F3   1500  1500  3 
Consider spring 3-4,      
F
 4   1500 1500  4

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Assemble the overall matrix for the whole springs,

 F1   1200  1200 0 0   1 0 
 F 10    1200 1200  1800  1800 0    2 
 2  
   
F
 3 20   0  1800 1800  1500  1500  
 3 
 F4   0 0  1500

1500   4 0

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10   3000  1800  2 

     
20
    1800 3300  3

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By Matlab,

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Bar Element

ONE-DIMENSIONAL TRUSS ELEMENT

In Matrix Form,

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TWO-DIMENSIONAL TRUSS ELEMENT

As shown, a plane truss structure consists of axial members with different

orientations.

A longitudinal force in one member may act at a right angle to another member. For
example, the force F in Figure shown acts at right angle to member a, and therefore
causing it to displace in its transversal direction. The nodal degrees of freedom
(nodal displacements) of the rod element become four as represented in Figure
shown, and they are given as

The corresponding stiffness matrix becomes

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Figure above shows a truss element oriented at an arbitrary angle θ with

respect to the horizontal axis (X,Y) of the structure. It also shows two sets
of nodal displacements: The first set (u,v) is given in terms of the local set
of axis (x,y) associated with the element, while the second set of
displacements (U,V) is associated with the global set of axis (X,Y).

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The element stiffness matrix is expressed in terms of the local displacements u

and v. In order to be assembled with the stiffness matrices of the other
elements to form the global stiffness matrix of the whole structure, it should be
transformed such that it is expressed in terms of the global displacements U
and V.

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If we consider node 1, it can be seen that the

displacements U1 and V1 can be written in terms of u1
and v1 as

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Sample Problem:

Assume that all the members of the truss are made of steel with an elastic modulus
of 200,000 MPa, and all the elements have the same cross-sectional area,
2,300mm2.

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Element 1 has a length of 4000mm.

Element 2 has a length of 6000mm.

Element 3 has a length of 7211mm by Pythagorian Theorem

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ELEMENTS’ STIFFNESS MATRICES IN GLOBAL COORDINATES

The local axis x of element 1 makes an angle of 0◦ with the global X axis of the structure. The
transformation matrix [C] is given as

The stiffness matrix of element 1 [K1]G in the global coordinates system is [C1][K1]L[C1]T, it
remains unchanged; that is,

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ELEMENTS’ STIFFNESS MATRICES IN GLOBAL COORDINATES

The local axis x of element 2 makes an angle of 90◦ with the global X axis of the structure. The
transformation matrix [C] is given as

The stiffness matrix of element 2 [K2]G in the global coordinates system is [C2][K2]L[C2]T, that is,

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ELEMENTS’ STIFFNESS MATRICES IN GLOBAL COORDINATES

The local axis x of element 3 makes an angle of 56.31◦ with the global X axis of the structure.
The transformation matrix [C] is given as

The stiffness matrix of element 3 [K3]G in the global coordinates system is [C3][K3]L[C3]T, that is,

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GLOBAL MATRIX ASSEMBLY

As shown in the truss has six degrees of freedom {U 1,V1,U2,V2,U3,V3}; that is, two degrees of
freedom per node. Its stiffness matrix must therefore have six lines and six columns each
corresponding to a degree of freedom:

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GLOBAL MATRIX ASSEMBLY

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GLOBAL MATRIX ASSEMBLY

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GLOBAL MATRIX ASSEMBLY

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GLOBAL MATRIX ASSEMBLY

By direct addition of the preceding matrices, the global structure stiffness matrix is obtained as

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GLOBAL FORCE VECTOR ASSEMBLY

At node 1, which is pinned, there are two reaction forces: R X1 and RY1. At node 2, which is a
roller support, there is one reaction force RY2. Node 3 is free, but there is an external force of
12000 N acting in the positive x-direction. The external forces can be grouped in the global force
vector as

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Once the global stiffness matrix and the global force vector are assembled, the
equilibrium equations of the truss are written as follows:

or in more compact form as ,

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Finally, the matrix [K] is partitioned as,

The partitioned system of equations can be rewritten in a compact form as,

where,

The subscripts P and F refer respectively to the

prescribed and free degrees of freedom

{δP}T ={0 0 0}
{δF}T ={U2 U3 V3}
{FP}T ={RX1 RY1 RY2}
{FF}T ={0 12000 0}
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SOLUTION OF THE SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS

However, since {δP}T ={0 0 0}, this reduces to

Solving the system of equations yields

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SUPPORT REACTIONS

Once {δF} is known, it is possible to obtain the vector of the unknown reaction forces {F P}T
={RX1 RY1 RY2}. Since {δP}T ={0 0 0}, the vector {FP} is obtained as

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MEMBERS’ FORCES
Once all the displacements are known, the member forces can be easily obtained. For example,
element 3 has the following vector of global displacements, {d 3}, extracted from the global
displacements vector {δ}

The vector of displacements in local coordinates {d 3} is obtained using the inverse transformation
{d3}=[C3]T{d3}; that is,

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Multiplying the local stiffness matrix of element 3, [K 3]L, by the local displacement vector {d3}
yields the local vector of forces {f3}; that is,

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