Module 9: Matrix Stiffness Method - Examples

The examples progress from a single element to assembled systems, boundary conditions, prescribed displacement, equivalent nodal loading, and singularity diagnosis.

Example 1: Axial-Bar Stiffness Magnitude

A bar has A=2000 mm2A=2000\text{ mm}^2, E=200000 N/mm2E=200000\text{ N/mm}^2, and L=4000 mmL=4000\text{ mm}. Find AE/LAE/L.

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Example 2: Local Bar Stiffness Matrix

Using AE/L=100 kN/mmAE/L=100\text{ kN/mm}, write the local two-degree stiffness matrix.

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Example 3: Direction Cosines for a 3-4-5 Bar

A planar truss element runs from (0,0)(0,0) to (4,3) m(4,3)\text{ m}. Find its direction cosines.

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Example 4: Assembly at a Shared Degree of Freedom

Two axial springs with stiffnesses k1=30 kN/mmk_1=30\text{ kN/mm} and k2=50 kN/mmk_2=50\text{ kN/mm} both resist the same scalar nodal displacement. What is the assembled diagonal stiffness at that DOF?

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Example 5: Why an Unrestrained Bar Matrix Is Singular

For the local axial-bar matrix

[k]=k[1−1−11],[k]=k \begin{bmatrix} 1&-1\\ -1&1 \end{bmatrix},

show that a rigid translation produces no resisting force.

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Example 6: Applying a Support Constraint

The bar in Example 5 has node 1 fixed, so d1=0d_1=0, while node 2 is free. What reduced stiffness remains for d2d_2?

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Example 7: Solve a Two-DOF Reduced System

Solve

[30−10−1020]{D1D2}={1000},\begin{bmatrix} 30&-10\\ -10&20 \end{bmatrix} \begin{Bmatrix} D_1\\ D_2 \end{Bmatrix} = \begin{Bmatrix} 100\\ 0 \end{Bmatrix},

with stiffness in kN/mm\text{kN/mm} and force in kN\text{kN}.

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Example 8: Recovering a Reaction from a Partitioned System

For a restrained coordinate, the reaction equation is Qr=KrfDf+KrrDrQ_r=K_{rf}D_f+K_{rr}D_r. Let Krf=−25 kN/mmK_{rf}=-25\text{ kN/mm}, Df=3.0 mmD_f=3.0\text{ mm}, and Dr=0D_r=0. Find QrQ_r.

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Example 9: Prescribed Support Settlement

A one-free-DOF partition has Kff=40 kN/mmK_{ff}=40\text{ kN/mm}, Kfr=−10 kN/mmK_{fr}=-10\text{ kN/mm}, applied free load Qf=60 kNQ_f=60\text{ kN}, and prescribed support displacement Dr=−2.0 mmD_r=-2.0\text{ mm}. Find DfD_f.

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Example 10: Fixed-End Moment Magnitude for Equivalent Nodal Loading

A prismatic frame element of length L=6.0 mL=6.0\text{ m} carries w=12 kN/mw=12\text{ kN/m} over the full span. Find the magnitude of each fixed-end moment used when forming consistent member-load effects.

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Example 11: Diagnosing a Singular Reduced Matrix

A restrained frame model still produces a singular KffK_{ff}. One beam-to-column joint has rotational releases on every connected member, and no diagonal brace or rigid moment path restrains story sidesway. Identify the likely structural issue.

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