MODULE 7: ANALYSIS OF GRIDS USING MATRIX STIFFNESS METHOD

The learning objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:
 Identify whether a structure is analyzed as a grid
 Establish the coordinate system of the structure
 Identify the degrees of freedom on a grid
 Construct the local stiffness matrix, transformation matrix, and global stiffness matrix of
each member of the grid
 Construct the fixed-end force vector of each member of the grid
 Construct the structure stiffness matrix and the joint load vector of the structure
 Use stiffness method to evaluate the grid

COURSE MATERIAL:
A grid is defined as a two-dimensional framework of straight members connected
together by rigid and/or flexible connections and subjected to loads and reactions perpendicular
to the plane of the structure. Because of their widespread use as supporting structures for long-
span roofs and floors, the analysis of grids is usually formulated with the structural framework
lying in a horizontal plane (unlike plane frames, which are oriented in a vertical plane), and
subjected to external loads acting in the vertical direction.

DEGREES OF FREEDOM
The procedure for numbering the structure coordinates of grids is analogous to that for
other types of framed structures. The degrees of freedom are numbered before the restrained
coordinates. In the case of a joint with multiple degrees of freedom, the translation in the Y
direction is numbered first, followed by the rotation about the X axis, and then the rotation about
the Z axis. After all the degrees of freedom have been numbered, the grid’s restrained
coordinates are numbered in the same manner as the degrees of freedom.

Member Stiffness Relations in the Local Coordinate System

* + , -* + { } (7.1)

, - (7.2)

[ ]
Fig. 7.1
 Fig. 7.1 (continued)

Coordinate Transformation
√( ) ( ) (7.3)

(7.4)

(7.5)

, - (7.6)

[ ]
* + , -* + (7.7)
* + , - * + (7.8)
* + , -* + (7.9)
Fig. 7.2 Torsion Constants for Common Members
 Fig. 7.3 Coordinate Transformation

Member Stiffness Relations in the Global Coordinate System

, - , - , -, - (7.10)
SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. Determine the joint displacements, member end forces, and support reactions for the
grid shown in Fig. 7.4 by the matrix stiffness method.

Fig. 7.4 Grid

Fig. 7.5 Analytical Model

Joint Details

Joint x (m) z (m) Degrees of Freedom

1 0.00 0.00 4 5 6
2 8.00 0.00 7 8 9
3 0.00 6.00 10 11 12
4 8.00 6.00 1 2 3

Member Details

Beginning End
Member Xe Xb Ze Zb Length (m)
Joint Joint
1 1 4 8.00 0.00 6.00 0.00 10.00
2 2 4 8.00 8.00 6.00 0.00 6.00
3 3 4 8.00 0.00 6.00 6.00 8.00
Member 1 Member Local Stiffness Matrix [k]
Unit 4 5 6 1 2 3
E 200 GPa 832.80 0.00 4164.00 -832.80 0.00 4164.00 4
I 347000000 mm4 0.00 874.00 0.00 0.00 -874.00 0.00 5
J 115000000 mm4 4164.00 0.00 27760.00 -4164.00 0.00 13880.00 6
G 76 GPa -832.80 0.00 -4164.00 832.80 0.00 -4164.00 1
L 10 m 0.00 -874.00 0.00 0.00 874.00 0.00 2
cos θ 0.8 4164.00 0.00 13880.00 -4164.00 0.00 27760.00 3
sin θ 0.6
JG/L 874 kN∙m
EI/L3 69.4 kN/m Transformation Matrix [T]
6L 60 m 4 5 6 1 2 3
2L2 200 m2 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4
4L2 400 m2 0.00 0.80 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 5
0.00 -0.60 0.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 6
0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 0.60 2
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.60 0.80 3

Member Global Stiffness Matrix [K]

4 5 6 1 2 3
832.80 -2498.40 3331.20 -832.80 -2498.40 3331.20 4
-2498.40 10552.96 -12905.28 2498.40 4437.44 -7081.92 5
3331.20 -12905.28 18081.04 -3331.20 -7081.92 8568.56 6
-832.80 2498.40 -3331.20 832.80 2498.40 -3331.20 1
-2498.40 4437.44 -7081.92 2498.40 10552.96 -12905.28 2
3331.20 -7081.92 8568.56 -3331.20 -12905.28 18081.04 3
 Local Fixed-end Force Vector {Qf}
FSb 0.00 kN 4
FTb 0.00 kN∙m 5
FMb 0.00 kN∙m 6
FSe 0.00 kN 1
FTe 0.00 kN∙m 2
FMe 0.00 kN∙m 3

{Ff} = [T]T{Qf} Global Fixed-end Force Vector {Ff}

FSb 0.00 kN 4
FTb cosθ - FMb sinθ 0.00 kN∙m 5
FTb sinθ + FMb cosθ 0.00 kN∙m 6
FSe 0.00 kN 1
FTe cosθ - FMe sinθ 0.00 kN∙m 2
FTe sinθ + FMe cosθ 0.00 kN∙m 3
Member 2 Member Local Stiffness Matrix [k]
Unit 7 8 9 1 2 3
E 200 GPa 3855.56 0.00 11566.67 -3855.56 0.00 11566.67 7
I 347000000 mm4 0.00 1456.67 0.00 0.00 -1456.67 0.00 8
J 115000000 mm4 11566.67 0.00 46266.67 -11566.67 0.00 23133.33 9
G 76 GPa -3855.56 0.00 -11566.67 3855.56 0.00 -11566.67 1
L 6 m 0.00 -1456.67 0.00 0.00 1456.67 0.00 2
cos θ 0 11566.67 0.00 23133.33 -11566.67 0.00 46266.67 3
sin θ 1
JG/L 1456.66667 kN∙m
EI/L3 321.296296 kN/m Transformation Matrix [T]
6L 36 m 7 8 9 1 2 3
2L2 72 m2 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7
4L2 144 m2 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8
0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9
0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 2
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 3

Member Global Stiffness Matrix [K]

7 8 9 1 2 3
3855.56 -11566.67 0.00 -3855.56 -11566.67 0.00 7
-11566.67 46266.67 0.00 11566.67 23133.33 0.00 8
0.00 0.00 1456.67 0.00 0.00 -1456.67 9
-3855.56 11566.67 0.00 3855.56 11566.67 0.00 1
-11566.67 23133.33 0.00 11566.67 46266.67 0.00 2
0.00 0.00 -1456.67 0.00 0.00 1456.67 3
 Local Fixed-end Force Vector {Qf}
FSb 60.00 kN 7
FTb 0.00 kN∙m 8
FMb 60.00 kN∙m 9
FSe 60.00 kN 1
FTe 0.00 kN∙m 2
FMe -60.00 kN∙m 3

{Ff} = [T]T{Qf} Global Fixed-end Force Vector {Ff}

FSb 60.00 kN 7
FTb cosθ - FMb sinθ -60.00 kN∙m 8
FTb sinθ + FMb cosθ 0.00 kN∙m 9
FSe 60.00 kN 1
FTe cosθ - FMe sinθ 60.00 kN∙m 2
FTe sinθ + FMe cosθ 0.00 kN∙m 3
Member 3 Member Local Stiffness Matrix
Unit 10 11 12 1 2 3
E 200 GPa 1626.56 0.00 6506.25 -1626.56 0.00 6506.25 10
I 347000000 mm4 0.00 1092.50 0.00 0.00 -1092.50 0.00 11
J 115000000 mm4 6506.25 0.00 34700.00 -6506.25 0.00 17350.00 12
G 76 GPa -1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1
L 8 m 0.00 -1092.50 0.00 0.00 1092.50 0.00 2
cos θ 1 6506.25 0.00 17350.00 -6506.25 0.00 34700.00 3
sin θ 0
JG/L 1092.5 kN∙m
EI/L3 135.546875 kN/m Transformation Matrix
6L 48 m 10 11 12 1 2 3
2L2 128 m2 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10
4L2 256 m2 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11
0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12
0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 2
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 3

Member Global Stiffness Matrix

10 11 12 1 2 3
1626.56 0.00 6506.25 -1626.56 0.00 6506.25 10
0.00 1092.50 0.00 0.00 -1092.50 0.00 11
6506.25 0.00 34700.00 -6506.25 0.00 17350.00 12
-1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1
0.00 -1092.50 0.00 0.00 1092.50 0.00 2
6506.25 0.00 17350.00 -6506.25 0.00 34700.00 3
 Local Fixed-end Force Vector {Qf}
FSb 80.00 kN 10
FTb 0.00 kN∙m 11
FMb 106.67 kN∙m 12
FSe 80.00 kN 1
FTe 0.00 kN∙m 2
FMe -106.67 kN∙m 3

{Ff} = [T]T{Qf} Global Fixed-end Force Vector {Ff}

FSb 80.00 kN 10
FTb cosθ - FMb sinθ 0.00 kN∙m 11
FTb sinθ + FMb cosθ 106.67 kN∙m 12
FSe 80.00 kN 1
FTe cosθ - FMe sinθ 0.00 kN∙m 2
FTe sinθ + FMe cosθ -106.67 kN∙m 3
Structure Stiffness Matrix

1 2 3
6314.92 14065.07 -9837.45 1
S = 14065.07 57912.13 -12905.28 2
-9837.45 -12905.28 54237.71 3

Joint Load Vector

P
0.00 1 kN
0.00 2 kN∙m
0.00 3 kN∙m

Structure Fixed Load Vector

Pf
140.00 1 kN
60.00 2 kN∙m
-106.67 3 kN∙m

Solving for the displacement matrix:

0.00 140.00 6314.92 14065.07 -9837.45 d1

0.00 - 60.00 = 14065.07 57912.13 -12905.28 × d2
0.00 -106.67 -9837.45 -12905.28 54237.71 d3

-140.00 6314.92 14065.07

-60.00 = 14065.07 57912.13
106.67 -9837.45 -12905.28

d1 494.04 -105.62 64.48 -140.00

d2 = -105.62 40.81 -9.45 ×10 -6 × -60.00
d3 64.48 -9.45 27.88 106.67

d1 -0.055950929366162 m
d2 0.011330270850774 rad
d3 -0.005485620685438 rad
Member 1

{u} = [T]{v} Local Member End Displacement {u}

4 5 6 1 2 3
u1 0.0000000 m 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4 0.0000000
u2 0.0000000 rad 0.00 0.80 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 5 0.0000000
u3 0.0000000 rad 0.00 -0.60 0.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 6 0.0000000
u4 -0.0559509 m 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 -0.0559509
u5 0.0057728 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 0.60 2 0.0113303
u6 -0.0111867 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.60 0.80 3 -0.0054856

{Q} - {Qf} = [k]{u} Local Member End Forces {Q} - {Qf}

4 5 6 1 2 3
Q1 - Qf1 0.0146857 kN 832.80 0.00 4164.00 -832.80 0.00 4164.00 4 0.0000000
Q2 - Qf2 -5.0454659 kN∙m 0.00 874.00 0.00 0.00 -874.00 0.00 5 0.0000000
Q3 - Qf3 77.7088421 kN∙m 4164.00 0.00 27760.00 -4164.00 0.00 13880.00 6 0.0000000
Q4 - Qf4 -0.0146857 kN -832.80 0.00 -4164.00 832.80 0.00 -4164.00 1 -0.0559509
Q5 - Qf5 5.0454659 kN∙m 0.00 -874.00 0.00 0.00 874.00 0.00 2 0.0057728
Q6 - Qf6 -77.5619856 kN∙m 4164.00 0.00 13880.00 -4164.00 0.00 27760.00 3 -0.0111867
{Q} = [k]{u} + {Qf} Local Member End Forces {Q}
Q1 0.0146857 kN 4
Q2 -5.0454659 kN∙m 5
Q3 77.7088421 kN∙m 6
Q4 -0.0146857 kN 1
Q5 5.0454659 kN∙m 2
Q6 -77.5619856 kN∙m 3

{F} = [T]T{Q} Global Member End Forces {F}

4 5 6 1 2 3
F1 0.0146857 kN 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4 0.0146857
F2 -50.6616780 kN∙m 0.00 0.80 -0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 5 -5.0454659
F3 59.1397942 kN∙m 0.00 0.60 0.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 6 77.7088421
F4 -0.0146857 kN 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 -0.0146857
F5 50.5735641 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 -0.60 2 5.0454659
F6 -59.0223089 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.60 0.80 3 -77.5619856
 Member 2

{u} = [T]{v} Local Member End Displacement {u}

7 8 9 1 2 3
u1 0.0000000 m 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7 0.0000000
u2 0.0000000 rad 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8 0.0000000
u3 0.0000000 rad 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9 0.0000000
u4 -0.0559509 m 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 -0.0559509
u5 -0.0054856 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 2 0.0113303
u6 -0.0113303 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 3 -0.0054856

{Q} - {Qf} = [k]{u} Local Member End Forces {Q} - {Qf}

7 8 9 1 2 3
Q1 - Qf1 84.6684504 kN 3855.56 0.00 11566.67 -3855.56 0.00 11566.67 7 0.0000000
Q2 - Qf2 7.9907208 kN∙m 0.00 1456.67 0.00 0.00 -1456.67 0.00 8 0.0000000
Q3 - Qf3 385.0588173 kN∙m 11566.67 0.00 46266.67 -11566.67 0.00 23133.33 9 0.0000000
Q4 - Qf4 -84.6684504 kN -3855.56 0.00 -11566.67 3855.56 0.00 -11566.67 1 -0.0559509
Q5 - Qf5 -7.9907208 kN∙m 0.00 -1456.67 0.00 0.00 1456.67 0.00 2 -0.0054856
Q6 - Qf6 122.9518850 kN∙m 11566.67 0.00 23133.33 -11566.67 0.00 46266.67 3 -0.0113303
{Q} = [k]{u} + {Qf} Local Member End Forces {Q}
Q1 144.6684504 kN 7
Q2 7.9907208 kN∙m 8
Q3 445.0588173 kN∙m 9
Q4 -24.6684504 kN 1
Q5 -7.9907208 kN∙m 2
Q6 62.9518850 kN∙m 3

{F} = [T]T{Q} Global Member End Forces {F}

7 8 9 1 2 3
F1 144.6684504 kN 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7 144.6684504
F2 -445.0588173 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8 7.9907208
F3 7.9907208 kN∙m 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9 445.0588173
F4 -24.6684504 kN 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 -24.6684504
F5 -62.9518850 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.00 2 -7.9907208
F6 -7.9907208 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 3 62.9518850
 Member 3

{u} = [T]{v} Local Member End Displacement {u}

10 11 12 1 2 3
u1 0.0000000 m 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10 0.0000000
u2 0.0000000 rad 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11 0.0000000
u3 0.0000000 rad 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12 0.0000000
u4 -0.0559509 m 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 -0.0559509
u5 0.0113303 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 2 0.0113303
u6 -0.0054856 rad 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 3 -0.0054856

{Q} - {Qf} = [k]{u} Local Member End Forces {Q} - {Qf}

10 11 12 1 2 3
Q1 - Qf1 55.3168640 kN 1626.56 0.00 6506.25 -1626.56 0.00 6506.25 10 0.0000000
Q2 - Qf2 -12.3783209 kN∙m 0.00 1092.50 0.00 0.00 -1092.50 0.00 11 0.0000000
Q3 - Qf3 268.8552153 kN∙m 6506.25 0.00 34700.00 -6506.25 0.00 17350.00 12 0.0000000
Q4 - Qf4 -55.3168640 kN -1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1626.56 0.00 -6506.25 1 -0.0559509
Q5 - Qf5 12.3783209 kN∙m 0.00 -1092.50 0.00 0.00 1092.50 0.00 2 0.0113303
Q6 - Qf6 173.6796964 kN∙m 6506.25 0.00 17350.00 -6506.25 0.00 34700.00 3 -0.0054856
{Q} = [k]{u} + {Qf} Local Member End Forces {Q}
Q1 135.3168640 kN 10
Q2 -12.3783209 kN∙m 11
Q3 375.5218820 kN∙m 12
Q4 24.6831360 kN 1
Q5 12.3783209 kN∙m 2
Q6 67.0130297 kN∙m 3

{F} = [T]T{Q} Global Member End Forces {F}

10 11 12 1 2 3
F1 135.3168640 kN 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10 135.3168640
F2 -12.3783209 kN∙m 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11 -12.3783209
F3 375.5218820 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12 375.5218820
F4 24.6831360 kN 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1 24.6831360
F5 12.3783209 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 2 12.3783209
F6 67.0130297 kN∙m 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 3 67.0130297
Reaction Vector

Reactions
0.0146857 4 kN
-50.6616780 5 kN∙m
59.1397942 6 kN∙m
144.6684504 7 kN
-445.0588173 8 kN∙m
7.9907208 9 kN∙m
135.3168640 10 kN
-12.3783209 11 kN∙m
375.5218820 12 kN∙m

The reactions are as follows:

Fig. 7.6 Reactions

Activities:
1. Determine the joint displacements, member end forces, and support reactions for the
grid shown in Fig. 7.7.

Fig. 7.7

2. Determine the joint displacements, member end forces, and support reactions for the
grid shown in Fig. 7.8.

Fig. 7.8