International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering

Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

DEVELOPMENT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS PROGRAM FOR

TRUSS STRUCTURE USING MATLAB
Pallavi G. Barhate1, Dr. K. B. Ladhane2
1
Student, ME, 2Professor
Department of Civil Engineering, Pravara Rural Engineering College, Loni, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: This paper researches analysis of truss by problems can be handled by finite element analysis. This
MATLAB developed program. The structural analysis method is used extensively for the analysis and design of
program helps to analyze truss which gives the results of ships, aircrafts, space crafts, electric motors and heat
displacement, reaction and stresses. A MATLAB script engines. Analysis of truss structure involves computational
based on finite element technique is developed to generate deflection and solution of simultaneous equation. In order to
numerical results. The results obtained from MATLAB analyze the truss using computer programming languages
program were compared to results of other structural like MATLAB, C, C++ and FORTRAN and different soft
analysis software, STADD-pro. It enables the user to wares such as STADD-pro, e-tab, Ansys, etc. The existing
analyze the truss with less efforts and time to give accurate work on truss analysis programming limit sit to analyze for
results as the method used is Finite Element Analysis which proposed particular truss structure. The use of computer
itself is a very useful and effective method to analyze gives quick and accurate solution of trusses. Although there
structure. are many programming languages MATLAB software was
Keywords: Truss analysis, Finite element method, chosen as it has many embedded tools which simplify matrix
MATLAB, stiffness, displacement, stresses, reactions. operation encountered in the finite element method of
structural analysis. MATLAB is a tool for doing numerical
I. INTRODUCTION computations w1ith matrices and vectors. It can also display
A truss is a structure with members connected at their ends information graphically. Matlab is quiet useful in
by pin joints and subjected to load and reactions only at the computation of complex and large order matrices. This paper
joints. The truss can be classified as a plane truss and space comprises of MATLAB coding for finite Element analysis of
truss. When all the members and external load lie in the same truss.
plane the truss is a plane truss. Whereas in space truss the
members and loading use all the three coordinate system. II. OVERVIEW OF THE METHOD
This paper consists of plane truss. Over the years, the truss The procedure used in analysis of the truss in finite element
system has been increasing popular because of their light method comprises of various steps. The stepwise procedure
weight, pleasing appearance, high strength, easy fabrication can be divided as follows:
and rapid erection. Many structural truss applications are A. Select suitable field variable and the elements:
found all over the world covering stadium exhibition centers, In the above first step in FEM, two-dimensional elements
factories, airplane hangars bridges and many other. In may have a variety of shapes such as flat or curved triangles
today’s structural world truss is one of the most important and quadrilaterals. Nodes are usually placed at the element
structure to withhold enough strength to carry the loads and corners and, if needed for higher accuracy, additional nodes
ensure the stability and safety. To analyze the truss the can be placed along the element edges or even inside the
method used is Finite Element Analysis. Thefinite element element.
method (FEM) is a numerical technique for finding
approximate solutions to boundary value problems for partial B. Discretize the continua:
differential equations. It includes the use of mesh generation In this step the entire truss is divided into small elements.
techniques for dividing a complex problem into small These elements coincide with the geometry of the structure.
elements as well as the use of software program coded with For truss line elements are used.
FEM algorithm.Finite Element Analysis encompasses
methods for connecting many simple element equations over C. Find element properties:
many small sub domains, named finite elements, to After selecting element and nodal unknowns, next step in
approximate a more complex equation over a larger domain. finite element analysis is to assemble element properties for
Today this method is used not only for the analysis in solid each element which includes area (A) and elastic modulus
mechanics, but even in the analysis of fluid flow, heat (E). Find out the length and coordinates of each node and
transfer, electric and magnetic fields and many others. Civil direction cosines of each element. The stiffness matrix of
engineers use this method extensively for the analysis of each element in local coordinate system with local
beams, space frames, plates, shells, folded plates, numbering is calculated.
foundations, rock mechanics problems and seepage analysis For truss:2-D truss element. The direction cosines l and m
of fluid through porous media. Both static and dynamic are as follows,

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International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

𝑥2 − 𝑥1 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
l= , m= (1) A. Pre-Processing:
𝐿 𝐿
Pre-processing stage defines the structural analysis problem
D. Assemble Global Properties: which includes definition of geometry, physical properties of
Element properties are used to assemble global properties to the section, applied loads and nodal constraints. Processing
get system equations. The global stiffness matrix is compiled stage solves the problem defined in the pre-processing stage
with the help of all members stiffness matrix[k] and nodal using finite element method. Solution contains the unknown
external load vector matrix is assembled [q]. nodal displacements and reaction forces at the constrained
The stiffness matrix for an element is as follows, nodes.
𝑙2 𝑙𝑚 −𝑙2 −𝑙𝑚 Pre-processing
2
k=
𝐴𝐸 𝑙𝑚 𝑚 −𝑙𝑚 −𝑚2 (2) (Preparation of geometry)
𝐿 −𝑙2 −𝑙𝑚 𝑙2 𝑙𝑚
2 2
−𝑙𝑚 −𝑚 𝑙𝑚 𝑚
Structural type
E. Boundary conditions:
The boundary conditions are imposed to find the solution of
system equations which gives nodal unknown. By using
boundary conditions reduction of global stiffness matrix was
Define Nodal Data
carried.
Calculation of displacements was carried out using the
following formula, Define Sectional Properties
𝐾 𝑑 = 𝐹 (3)
Where:
F is the external loading. Define Elements
K is reduced stiffness matrix.
d is the displacement matrix.
Make the additional calculations to get the required values. Define Nodal Loads
Additional calculations of reaction and stresses are carried as
follows.
The reaction is calculated as,
Define Nodal Fixity
𝑅 = 𝐾 𝑑 − 𝑞 (4)
The stress formula:
𝑑1 Fig.2 Flowchart for preprocessing of Matlab.
𝐸 𝑑2 In first step the creation of geometry was done by selecting
𝜎 = 𝐿 −𝑙 −𝑚 𝑙 𝑚 (5) the structure as a 2D truss. Then problem geometry was
𝑑3
𝑑4 defined in terms of nodes and elements. Nodes act three fold
purposes in the analysis and those are (a) Used to define
III. MATLAB EXECUTION element connectivity, (b) apply load, (c) apply boundary
Execution MATLAB program in Finite Element Method are condition. Element length and direction cosines required for
processed as below, the construction of element stiffness matrices and
transformation matrices are calculated using the end node
START coordinates as follows,
𝐿 = (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ) + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 ) (6)

Preprocessing Section B. Processing:

(Input Data) Nodal loadings were defined with support conditions to carry
out processing that is to analyze truss. The processing
compiled of,
Processing section  Element stiffness matrix in global coordinates.
(Solve)  Element transformation matrix.
 Construction of structure stiffness matrix.
 Partitioning of structural stiffness matrix.
Post-processing Section  Prepare displacement vector.
(Preparing Results)
 Partitioning of displacement vector.
 Prepare load vector/partition load vector.
C. Post-Processing:
END In post processing displaying of required results was done on
user command.
Fig .1 Flowchart for execution of MATLAB

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International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

IV. ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED PLANE TRUSS

STRUCTURE
This paper considers two different truss examples which are
as follows,
Example No.1:
The propose truss structure was16m wide with 3m height,
composing of steel. The modulus of elasticity of steel is
2x105/mm2 and 1000mm2 area. The structural configuration
of proposed structure can be seen in Figure3 and Figure
4shows the analytical model of plane truss structure;

Fig. 3 Proposed plane truss.

Fig.5 MATLAB scribe file for pre-processing.

Preparing all the input data required for the analysis of the
plane truss in the form of m-file these files were attached to
the program for processing. In processing all member
stiffness matrices were calculated leading to the compilation
of global stiffness matrix. After application of boundary
conditions reduced stiffness matrix was obtained by
following function as shown in figure. (All input data are
taken in N and mm for processing).

Fig.4 Analytical model of plane truss structure.

The main data input to the MATLAB program were joint,
support, material property, member and nodal load data. Joint
data of this plane truss consists of the total number of joints
and the global coordinates of each joint. There were eight
joints in the truss. The position of each joint was specified by
means of the global coordinates of the joint. Joint coordinates
were stored in a joint coordinate matrix. For truss, the
number of degree of freedom of a free joint was two so and
the global degree of freedom can be calculated as number of
joints × 2.In this truss structure the number of nodes were 8
therefore total number of degree of freedoms were 16. The
joint numbers and their corresponding directions of restraints
were defined and stored. Material property data were defined
by storing modulus of elasticity as E. In cross-sectional
property data, the cross-sectional areas were stored as a
variable (A), External loading conditions, element nodes and
node co-ordinates were assigned with the specific variables.
The degrees of freedom which are restrained were assigned
to prescribed Dof. The degrees of freedom which are non-
restrained were assigned as active Dof: those were taken Fig.6 MATLAB scribe file for determination of stiffness
from user as input data. The number of nodes and the number matrix.
of elements can be calculated by the program itself. The Element nodal load vector was created, using this and
processing of analyzing the truss was carried out. The reduced stiffness matrix displacements and reactions were
execution and results of the truss were as given below, calculated.

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International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

After evaluation of nodal displacement MATLAB program

gives the values of reactions as shown below:

Fig.7 MATLAB scribe file for determination of displacement

and reaction.

Fig.10 MATLAB scribe file shows the results of reactions.

The function used for obtaining The results of displacements

at each joints, support reactions and stresses is as below,

Fig.8 MATLAB scribe file for determination of stresses.

In the post processing the results that of displacements were
obtained as follows:

Fig .11 MATLAB scribe file shows the results of stresses.

The given plane truss was also analyzed with Staad-pro

software, to compare the results obtained from the developed
Matlab program.

The following table shows the comparison of displacements

by the developed Matlab program and Staad-pro. All the
values are in millimeter (mm).
Fig.9 MATLAB scribe file shows the results of displacement.

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International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

TABLE I. COMPARISON OF NODAL DISPLACEMENTS TABLEIII.COMPARISON OF STRESSES IN MATLAB

IN MATLAB AND STAAD-PRO. AND STAAD-PRO.

Example No.2:
This truss structure consists of 5 member 6 nodes which is
13.66m wide and 5m height. The modulus of elasticity of
steel is 2x105/mm2 and 1000mm2 area. The structural
configuration of proposed structure can be seen in Figure12
and Figure 13shows the analytical model of plane truss
structure.

The following table shows the comparison of reactions by the

developed Matlab program and Staad-pro. All the values are
in Newton (N).

TABLE II.COMPARISON OF NODAL REACTIONS IN

MATLAB AND STAAD-PRO.
Fig.12 Proposed plane truss

The following table shows the comparison of stresses by the

developed Matlab program and Staad-pro. All the values are Fig. 13 Analytical model of plane truss structure.
in N/mm.

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International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 9, May-2016 ISSN (Online): 2347 - 4718

TABLE IV.COMPARISON OF NODAL comparison between results produced from MATLAB

DISPLACEMENTS IN MATLAB AND STAAD-PRO. programming and Staad-pro software shows that the values
are approximately consistent. It is observed from the results
Node Displacements (mm)
thatdisplacements, reactions at each node and stresses on
number Matlab Staad –pro members obtained from the MATLAB programming are
acceptable. Therefore, all the analytical results from
X 1.0943 1.094 MATLAB software are satisfying with the results of Staad-
1
Y -1.0774 -1.077 pro software. So in conclusion to this, the developed
X 0 0 program with MATLAB code presented in this paper can be
2 applied for any plane truss structure to analyze it effectively.
Y 0 0
X 0 0
3 REFERENCES
Y 0 0
[1] U. D. Ahmad, “Development of a Structural
X 0 0 analysis program (SABSM) using MATLAB
4
Y 0 0 featuring graphical user interfaces”, London
X 0 0 University, September 2013.
5 [2] J.M. Ferreira, “MATLAB Codes for Finite Element
Y 0 0 Analysis “, Solids mechanics and its application
X 0 0 vol. 175, Universidade do Porto Portugal, 2000.
6
Y 0 0 [3] H. Rahami (2010), Ph. D.”Matrix Structural
Analysis (MSA)”, University of Tehran-Iran, March
TABLE V. COMPARISON OF NODAL REACTIONS IN MATLAB AND 2010.
STAAD-PRO. [4] A.Stephen & Y. Lou, “2D-Truss with GUI
Node Reactions (N) Program, China”,2009.
number Matlab Staad-pro [5] M. W.Minett, C.Perera, “Programming for civil and
buildingEngineers using matlab”, June 2006.
X -51471 -51470.917
2 [6] J. Chessa, “Programming the finite element method
Y 29700 29700.472 with MATLAB”, Northwesten University, October
X -61432 -61422.638 2002.
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Y 61432 61422.638 [7] David Roylance, “Trusses”, Massachusetts Institute
X 0 0 of Technology, June 2000.
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Y 86189 86188.614 [8] A. Khennane, “Introduction to finite element
analysis using MATLAB and Abaqus”.
X 13372 13371.638
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X 23166 23166.368
X -478 -478.090
6
Y -478 -478.090

TABLE VI. COMPARISON OF STRESSES IN MATLAB

AND STAAD-PRO.

V. CONCLUSION
This paper has discussed the analysis of plane truss by using
computer programming language MATLAB. The basic idea
of Finite element method used in this analysis to develop the
program can be applied to analyze any truss structure. The
generated program gives the displacements, reactions at each
node directly and stresses for respective member. The

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