Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD

Member End-Actions And Reactions

We would now like to develop the matrix equations for determining member end actions
and reactions using stiffness methods. The procedure closely follows the procedure
developed for the flexibility method. First member end-actions due to the external loads,
denoted by {A
ML
}, are determined. Then the contributions of the member end-actions
caused by unit displacements multiplied by the now known actual displacements are added.
Thus
Here:
{A
M
} is the vector of member end actions on the actual structure
{A
ML
} is the vector of member end actions due to the external loads on the restrained
structure.
{A
MD
} is the matrix of member end-actions due to unit values of the displacements on
the restrained structure
{ } { } { }{ } D A A A
MD ML M
+ =
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
A similar equation can be written for the reactions, i.e.,
Here:
{A
R
} is the vector reactions in the actual structure
{A
RL
} is the vector of reactions due to the external loads on the restrained structure
{A
RD
}is the matrix of reactions due to unit values of the displacements on the
restrained structure
{ } { } { }{ } D A A A
RD RL R
+ =
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
Example
Consider again the two span beam previously discussed and determine
The shearing force A
M1
at end B of member AB.
The bending moment A
M2
at end B of member AB.
The shearing force A
M3
at end B of member BC.
The bending moment A
M4
at end B of member BC.
The force A
R1
at support A.
The couple A
R2
at support A.
Force A
R3
at support B.
Force A
R4
at support C.
P P
P P
PL M
P P
=
=
=
=
3
2
1
2
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2 2
2
3 1
P
A P
P
A
ML ML
= = =
8 4
2
4
2
2
2
PL
A
PL
L
b Pa
A
ML ML
= = =
Once again, member end actions in the restrained structure will be denoted by a vector
{A
ML
}. Keep in mind the beams below are really one restrained beam with the
cantilever support in the middle of the beam. The member end-actions are treated as if
they were support reactions for each beam segment.
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
31
2
11
6 6
L
EI
A
L
EI
A
MD MD
= =
L
EI
A
L
EI
A
MD MD
4 4
41 21
= =
We can use the same approach when we analyze the restrained structure after unit
displacements are applied. The corresponding member end actions, denoted by the
matrix {A
MD
} are given below when a unit rotation is applied at B.
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
32 12
6
0
L
EI
A A
MD MD
= =
L
EI
A A
MD MD
2
0
42 22
= =
{ }
(
(
(
(

=
L L
L
L
EI
A
MD
2
6
0
4
6
4
0 6
2
The corresponding member end actions associated with a unit rotation is applied at C
are
thus
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
{ }

=
)
`

=
L
L
P
EI
PL
L L
L
L
EI
L
L
P
A
M
36
64
20
5
56 5
17
112
2 4
6 6
0 4
0 6
4
2
8
8
2
2
{ } { } { }{ } D A A A
MD ML M
+ =
{ }
)
`

=
5
17
112
2
EI
PL
D
The superposition principle leads to the following matrix equation
from a previous solution
which leads to
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2 2
4 3 1
P
P
P
A P A P A
RL RL RL
= = =
'
=
2 4
3 2
P
A
PL
A
RL RL
=
' '
=
P A A A
RL RL RL
2
3
3 3 3
=
' '
+
'
=
Turning our attention to beam reactions in the restrained structure, denoted by a vector
[A
RL
] once again the beams below are really one restrained beam with the cantilever
supports replaced with forces and moments. The two beams are treated as cantilever-
cantilever beams.
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
41
2
31
2
11
6 6 6
L
EI
A
L
EI
A
L
EI
A
RD RD RD
= =
'
=
2
31 21
6 2
L
EI
A
L
EI
A
RD RD
=
' '
=
0
31
=
RD
A
We also analyze the restrained structure after unit displacements are applied. The
corresponding reactions, denoted by the matrix [A
RD
] are given below when a unit
rotation is applied at B.
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
0
32 22 12
=
'
= =
RD RD RD
A A A
2
42
2
32 32
6 6
L
EI
A
L
EI
A A
RD RD RD
= = =
' '
{ }

=
6 6
6 0
0 2
0 6
2
L
L
EI
A
RD
The corresponding reactions associated with a unit rotation is applied at C are
thus
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
{ }

=
)
`

=
64
69
31
107
56 5
17
112
6 6
6 0
0 2
0 6
2
6
4
4
2
2
L
P
EI
PL
L
L
EI
L
P
A
R
{ } { } { }{ } D A A A
RD RL R
+ =
{ }
)
`

=
5
17
112
2
EI
PL
D
The superposition principle leads to the following matrix equation
from a previous solution
which leads to
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
Example 2
For the two span beam previously discussed determine the unknown displacement at joints
B and C. In addition find the member end-actions as well as the reactions.
The unknowns are identified as
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
8 8 8
2 1
1
PL L P L P
A
DL
= + =
{ }
)
`

=
4 8
L
P
A
DL
Using the following restrained structure
The actions in the restrained structure due to applied loads corresponding to the
previously identified displacements are
thus
2 2
2
2
P P
A
DL
= =
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
21
6
L
EI
S =
L
EI
L
EI
L
EI
S S S
8 4 4
11 11 11
= + =
' '
+
'
=
Applying a unit rotation at B in the restrained structure, i.e.,
leads to the following stiffness coefficients
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
12
6
L
EI
S =
3
22
12
L
EI
S =
Applying a unit translation at C in the restrained structure, i.e.,
leads to the following stiffness coefficients
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
| |
(

=
6 3
3 4 2
2
3
L
L L
L
EI
S
{ } { } 0 =
D
A
{ } | | { } { } { }
DL D
A A S D =
1
{ }
)
`

=
)
`

=
L EI
PL
L
P
L L
L
EI
L
D
13
6
240 4 8 4 3
3 6
30
2
2
Thus
| |
(

2
1
4 3
3 6
30 L L
L
EI
L
S
which leads to
With
and
then
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
P
P
A
ML
= =
2
1
1
4 8
1
2
PL L P
A
ML
= =
Once again, member end actions in the restrained structure will be denoted by a vector
[A
ML
]. Keep in mind the restrained beam is treated as two cantilever beams side by
side.
{ }
)
`

=
L
P
A
ML
4
4
thus
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
2
11
6
L
EI
A
MD
=
L
EI
A
MD
4
21
=
We analyze the restrained structure after unit displacements are applied. The
corresponding member end actions, denoted by the matrix [A
MD
] are given below
when a unit rotation is applied at B.
When a unit translation is applied at C then
0
12
=
MD
A
0
22
=
MD
A
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
{ } { } | |{ }
)
`

= + =
L
P
D A A A
MD ML M
7
23
20
Using superposition and previous results leads to
| |
(

=
0 2
0 3
2
2
L L
EI
A
MD
Thus
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
P
P
A
RL
= =
2
1
1
4 8
1
2
PL L P
A
RL
= =
8 8
2
4
PL L P
A
RL
= =
Next we turn our attention to beam reactions in the restrained structure subject to the
applied loads, denoted by a vector [A
RL
]. Keep in mind the restrained beam is treated
as two cantilever beams side by side.
2
3
2 2
2 1
3
P P P
A
RL
= + =
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
{ }

=
L
L
P
A
RL
12
2
8
8
Thus
We analyze the restrained structure after unit displacements are applied. The
corresponding member end actions, denoted by the matrix [A
MD
] are given below
when a unit rotation is applied at B.
2
11
6
L
EI
A
RD
=
L
EI
A
RD
2
21
=
0
6 6
2 2
31 31 31
= + =
' '
+
'
=
L
EI
L
EI
A A A
RD RD RD
L
EI
A
RD
2
41
=
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
0
22 12
= =
RD RD
A A
3 3
32 32 32
12 12
0
L
EI
L
EI
A A A
RD RD RD
= =
' '
+
'
=
{ }

=
L L
L
L
L
EI
A
RD
3
6 0
0
0 3
2
2
2
3
2
42
6
L
EI
A
RD
=
When a unit translation is applied at C we obtain
thus
Lecture 12: THE STIFFNESS METHOD
{ } { } { }{ }

= + =
L
L
P
D A A A
RD RL R
3
43
4
17
20
Using superposition and previous results leads to