Stiffness Method : Basic Ideas

Rotation
joint A

4EI

!A

!A

Note that the rotation

is clockwise

6EI
L2

2EI
L

!B

6EI
L2

L3

L2

4EI

!B

Rotation
joint B

!B

!B

12EI

6EI

!A

L2

"A

!A

6EI

Settlement
joint A

2EI

"A

"A

"B

Settlement
joint B

12EI
L3

"

"B

Example : Rotation of joints only

10kN/m
B
A ########################################### C

6m

12m

-120kN-m

120kN-m

-30kN-m

30kN-m
C

!A
A

4EI !
A
12

ROTATION
OF JOINT A

ROTATION
OF JOINT B

2EI !
A
12

!B
A
B

2EI !
B
12

4EI !
B
12

4EI !
B
6

2EI !
B
6

!C

A
B

2EI !
C
12

4EI !
C
12

ROTATION
OF JOINT C

Stiffness matrix
A

4EI

2EI

12

12

2EI

4EI

12

12

Rotation matrix
C
0

!A

4EI

2EI

!B

2EI

4EI

Reduced stiffness matrix

EI
6

4EI

2EI

12

12

2EI

4EI

12

12

2
1

!A

1
6

= 441.8/(EI)

MAB

-120

1/3

1/6

MBA

120

1/6

1/3

!A
4EI

!B

=
-90

!B

Rotation matrix

120

!A

!B

!C

= -163.6/(EI)
C
0

441.8
-163.6

MBC

-30

2/3

1/3

MCB

30

1/3

2/3

-139.1
24.3

139.1
24.3

Bending Moment Diagram (kN-m)

139.1

Example : Rotation of joints and settlement of supports in beams

We are given that support B settles by 2mm and EI= 12000kN-m2.
10kN/m
B
A ###########################################

12m
-120kN-m

6m
120kN-m

-30kN-m

30kN-m
C

B
30kN

60kN

!A
A

4EI !
A
12

ROTATION
OF JOINT A

ROTATION
OF JOINT B

2EI !
A
12
6EI !
A
122

!B
A
B

2EI !
B
12

4EI !
B
12

4EI !
B
6

6EI !
B
122

2EI !
B
6

6EI !
B
122
!C

A
B

2EI !
C
12
6EI !
C
122

4EI !
C
12

ROTATION
OF JOINT C

EI

EI
C

6EI "
B
122
6EI "
62

12EI "
123

12EI "

63

-1kN-m

-1kN-m

4kN-m

30kN

EI
6

!A

= 0.0372

!A

121
=
-93

!B

!B

= -0.0140

4kN-m
C

B
60kN

For a continuous beam

py1

12EI/L3

m1

6EI/L2

6EI/L2

-12EI/L3

4EI/L

dy1

6EI/L2

-6EI/L2

2EI/L

!1

12EI/L3

-6EI/L2

dy2

=
py2

-12EI/L3

m2

6EI/L2

-6EI/L2

p x1 = K11 d 1 + K12 d 2

-6EI/L2

2EI/L

!2

4EI/L

p x2 = K21 d 1 + K22 d 2

The stiffness matrix is

A

K11a

K12a

K21a

K22a+ K11b

K12b

K21b

K22b

833.3

5000.0

-833.3

5000.0

dyA

5000.0

40000.0

-5000.0

20000.0

!A

-833.3

-5000.0

7500.0

-15000.0

dyB

5000.0

20000.0

-15000.0

120000.0

!B

Q. 1
Draw the BM and SF diagrams for the structure shown in Fig. 1.
8kN
A

1.8kN/m
C !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D

oo

oo

10m

Ans.

MAB = -1.8

oo

10m

MBC = 3.6

Fig. 1

10m

MCD = 17.8 kN-m

Q. 2
Assemble the stiffness matrix for the continuous beam shown in Fig. 2. The second moments of area are as
shown, and E = 210kN/mm2. Draw the BM diagram and calculate the support reactions.

50kN
A

30kN
10kN/m
B !!!!!!!!!!!!! C

oo
I=

oo

60

50

3m
A

Ans.

103

16.8
8.40
0
0

Fig. 2

oo
40

3m

8.40
30.8
7.0
0

3m

x 106 mm4
2m

0
7.0
25.2
5.6

0
0
5.60
11.2

A
B
C
D

MBC = 23.5 MCD = -16.9 MDE = 60 kN-m

RA = 17.2 RB = 61.3 RC = -24.1 RD = 55.6 kN

Q. 3
In Fig. 3 the plane frame has members of equal length, L. The load P is applied at point X where BX = 0.6L. The
flexural rigidity of the members is EI. Draw the BM diagram and calculate the support reactions.

P
B

A
X

Fig. 3
C

Ans.

MCB = -0.048WL MBA = 0.096WL

VC= 0.496W HC = 0.144W

Q. 4
In Fig. 3 the plane frame has members of equal length, 15m and flexural rigidity. Find the axial forces in BC and
CD.
8kN

1kN/m
B

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

=
D

Fig. 4

Ans.
A

PBC = 1.01kN P CD = 0.72kN

Q. 5
The frame shown in Fig. 5 is of uniform modulus throughout, but the second moment of area of the stanchions is
twice that of the beam BC. The stanchions are 8m high and the beam is 9m long. The point of application of the
100kN load is X with BX = 3m. Draw the BM and SF diagrams.
100kN

Ans.

50kN

MBC = -76.4 MCB = 95.5 kN-m