STIFFNESS MATRIX FOR BEAM ELEMENT

Figure (a) shown below shows the general behavior of a flexural element. The beam element is

subjected to end moments and shears as a result of which it deforms in the general
manner shown relative to the set of axes taken through point 1. The element is of length L, and
has flexural properties defined by EI, where E and I are young’s modulus of elasticity and
second moment of area of the beam section respectively. The general deformation of fig (a) can
be considered as the combination of the deformations shown in figure (b) and (c) and it is
convenient to consider the action-displacement relationship for the beam in terms of these two
patterns before combining the result.
All the terms shown in figure (a) are shown in a positive sense and that they define the sign
convention to be used.
The moment-area theorems may be applied to the element of figure (b), where the change of
slope from point 1 to point 2 is , and where the deflection of point 2 from a tangent at
point 1 is equal to .
Hence the first moment-area theorem gives:

While the second area-moment theorem gives

Equations (1) and (2) may be written as

And solving for and gives

The results may be written in matrix form as:

Solving equation (3) for M12 and M21 yields;

Which can be written in matrix form as;

The area-moment theorems can be applied to the element of figure (c) in a similar manner. In
this case the slope change from point 1 to point 2 is zero, while the deflection of point 2 from a
tangent at point 1is equal to . Hence the 1st area-moment theorem gives;
And the 2nd area-moment theorem gives;

From equation (5), as would be expected from the symmetry of problem. Equation
(6) therefore yields;

The end moments that must be developed to prevent end rotation while relative end translation

occurs are thus seen to be equal in magnitude to . However, they are necessarily of
opposite sense to the end moments defined in figure (a) as being positive. For this reason, the
action-displacement relationship for figure (a) can be written as;

The end shears are readily introduced into the relationship through the requirements of
equilibrium. Taking moments about point 2 gives:

And for equilibrium in the y direction

The first two of the above set of simultaneous equations are referred to as the slope-deflection
equations, although they are often written in a form that includes the effect of transverse load on
the beam.
The equations may be written in matrix form as:
{ ¿ } =¿ ¿--------------------(11)
The matrix expression of equation (11) represents four equations and in reality only three
unknowns namely , and the relative displacement between the beam ends conveniently

specified as . Solutions are based on the element, either in its own right or as part of a
structure.
The matrix is more generally referred to as the continuous beam element stiffness matrix.
 Example
Analyze the cantilever beam by stiffness matrix method. P is applied load.

Solution:
General stiffness matrix for a beam element of flexural properties EI is given as:

{ ¿ } =¿ ¿

Applying the boundary conditions, , and the known actions at node 2, the remaining
equations are given in the relationship, using the sign convention defined earlier.
{ ¿ } =[ ¿ ] { ¿ }

Expressed in a non-dimensional form, the matrix equation is

And the basis of the solution is of the form;

Where B= { ¿ } , A=[ ¿ ] and X ={ ¿ }

With the solution and

That is, and

[ ]
12 6 −12 6
6 4 −6 2 { }
{ ¿ } =¿ ¿
−12 12 −6
6 2 −6 4
 FLEXIBILITY METHOD OF ANALYSIS
Basic concepts:
Both stiffness and flexibility methods can be used to analyze statically determinate and
indeterminate structures. Structures that are highly kinematically determinate represent
convenient starting point for the analysis by the stiffness method [kinematic indeterminacy: the
number of unknown displacements at the joints in a structural member defines kinematic
indeterminacy].
The primary structure of the stiffness method is the restrained form where certain degrees of
freedom have been suppressed.
In the flexibility method, the primary structure is the released form, where unknown actions,
whether internal or external have been released.
The primary unknowns in the stiffness method are the displacements at the nodes/ends, while in
the flexibility method, the primary unknowns are the released unknown actions. The initial
equations affording the solution in the stiffness method are regarded as equilibrium equations,
whereas the corresponding equations in the flexibility method are based on compatibility
requirements or the requirement of consistent deformation.
The propped cantilever below shows a series of operations that are required to determine the
fixed-end moments. Its study illustrates the concepts of the flexibility method and highlights a
comparison with the stiffness method.

The stiffness method may be readily applied to determine the rotation and hence the required
moment. The steps of the analysis are shown in the series of operations in the figure,
commencing with the restrained primary structure where the end moments are taken from a
standard solution. The action necessary to introduce a unit displacement at the imposed restraint
at node 2 gives a coefficient of the structure stiffness (i.e. stiffness coefficient). Moment
equilibrium at node 2 is then satisfied by the equation;

--------------------------------------------------------(1)

Equation (1) is of the form as discussed to be the basis of the stiffness method. Using
the flexibility approach, the operations as shown in the figure commence with identifying a
suitable action as unknown. In this case, the redundant reaction at node 2 has been selected and
designated .
In the released primary structure, the displacement at node 2 is readily found as a standard
solution or by direct calculation. With a unit forced/load applied at the release, the displacement
designated as can be found. The displacement at a release due to a unit action is known as a
flexibility coefficient. For unyielding supports, compatibility is then satisfied by the following
equation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(2)

The unknown action , is determined from Eqn. 2 and the required moment is also found
by back-substitution and superposition.

QUESTION
Find the element flexibility matrix of the cantilever shown

Solution:
The flexibility matrix relationship is of the form;
{ ¿ } =[ ¿ ] { ¿ }

Step1:

Apply a unit vertical load at node 2. By means of the conjugate-beam method, the
deflection at node 2 in real beam = bending moment at node 2 in conjugate beam. That is,

Deflection
Rotation in real beam = shear at node 2 in conjugate beam;

Step2:

Apply a unit moment at node 2. From conjugate beam, deflection at node 2 in real beam
due to unit moment = bending moment at node 2 in conjugate beam.

That is;

Rotation due to unit moment in real beam = shear at node 2 in conjugate beam

That is;
Hence { ¿ } =[ ¿ ] { ¿ } and flexibility matrix = [ ¿ ]