APPROACH / METHOD

For the approach, we are going to discuss the methods or steps that we use to solve the
problem according to the bridge structure with different element, whether beams or rods.
The bridge structure is idealized in the X – Y plane based on thirteen elements,
numbering from I to XIII which are connected at eight nodes. There are some
geometrical and material parameters are given:

L = length for each element

E = Young’s Modulus for each element

I = Second moment of inertia for each element

A = Area for each element

In this project, there are four different cases. The main difference between these four
cases is the types of element, some of the elements are beams and some of the elements
are rods.

Differences between Rod and Beam

For rod, it comprises of two-force members, connected by frictionless joints. Local and
global coordinate systems are shown at below.

Y’
X’

Y θ

X
In local coordinate (x’), every node has one degree of freedom, while in global coordinate
(x, y), every node has two degrees of freedom or two unknown. The nodal displacements,
in the local coordinate system is,
T
{ q ' }= [ q ' 1 q ' 2 ]
In global coordinate system,
T
{ q }=[ q 1 q 2 q3 q 4 ]
The relationship between the local coordinate system and global coordinate system is
{ q ' }=[ L ] {q } ,
where [L] is a rectangular matrix called transformation matrix,

[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , Ɩ = cos θ, m = sin θ
[0 ]
0 Ɩ m
Therefore, the local element stiffness matrix is

[ k ' ]e = EA 1 −1
L −1 1 ]
[
The internal strain energy in an element, in local coordinate is
1 T
U ' e = {q ' } [ k ' ] { q ' } , since { q ' }=[ L ] {q }
2
1 T
= ( [ L ] {q } ) [ k ' ] [ L ] { q }
2
1 T T
= { q } [ L ] [ k ' ][ L ] { q }
2
Since the internal strain energy in an element, in global coordinate is
1 T
U e = {q } [ k ] { q }
2
The global element stiffness matrix is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
 Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
each node has 2 unknown, so it is a 4×4 matrix

For beam, it is same as the rod, but it has slope or rotation at the node. Therefore, for
every beam, it has three degree of freedom. Each node has 3 unknown. Local and global
coordinate systems are shown at below. q2
q’2

q1’

q1
q3

The nodal displacements, in the local coordinate system is

T
{ q ' }= [ q ' 1 q ' 2 q ' 3 q ' 4 q ' 5 q ' 6 ]
In the global coordinate system is
T
{ q }=[ q 1 q 2 q3 q 4 q 5 q 6 ]
Note that q3 = q’3 and q6 = q’6

The relationship between the local coordinate system and global coordinate system is
{ q ' }=[ L ] {q } ,
where [L] is a rectangular 6×6 matrix called transformation matrix,
 Ɩ m 0 0 0 0

[
−m
[ L ]= 0
0
0
0
Ɩ 0
0 1
0 0

0 0
0
0
Ɩ
0 0 −m
0
0
0
m
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
1
] , Ɩ = cos θ, m = sin θ

Therefore, each node has 3 unknown, so the local element stiffness matrix is a 6×6 matrix

EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
[ k ' ]e =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L

The formula for global element stiffness matrix is with the rod, which is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Now, we will use all the equation above to solve all the cases.

STEPS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

There are several steps that we are undergoing to solve all the cases.
1. Find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for all the elements, [k]e
2. Find the global element stiffness matrix, [K]
3. Find the nodal displacement matrix, {q}
 4. Find the total force matrix, {F}
5. Form the linear equation for the system, [ K ] { q }= { F }
6. Form the reduced linear equation for the system by using elimination method
7. Using MATLAB programming software to solve for all the displacement and/or
rotation

a) CASE I
For CASE I, there are all together 13 elements and connected through 8 nodes. All the
elements are beams, therefore, each node has 3 degree of freedom, which are vertical
displacement, horizontal displacement and rotation.

ELEMENT CONNECTION TABLE

Element Node
I 1 2
II 2 3
III 3 4
IV 4 5
V 5 6
VI 4 6
VII 3 6
VIII 6 7
** Expression is faulty ** 3 7
X 3 8
XI 7 8
XII 2 8
XIII 1 8

ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

Since element I, II, III, IV, VIII and XI have the same element length which is equal to L
and they are already in the global coordinate, [ k ' ]= [ k ]

Y
 EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
k I =k II =k III =k IV =k VIII =k XI =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L

Since element VI, IX and XII have the same length which is equal to L also, but they are
not in the global coordinate. They have same θ = 90°. Therefore, they have the same
element stiffness matrix.
Y

X’

Y’
The element stiffness matrix in local coordinate is

EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
k ' VI =k ' IX =k ' XII =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L

Since the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate is

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ] ,
Where [L]T is the transpose of the transformation matrix and [L] is the transformation
matrix

Ɩ −m 0 0 0 0

[
m
[ L] = 0
T

0
0
0
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0 0 0
0 0 0
Ɩ −m 0
m Ɩ
0 0 1
0 ]
Ɩ m 0 0 0 0

[
−m
[ L ]= 0
0
0
0
Ɩ 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
Ɩ
−m
0
0
0
m
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
1
] , where Ɩ = cos 90° and m = sin 90°

T
After we apply the formula, [ k ]e =[ L ] [ k ' ] [ L ] , we can find the element stiffness matrix in
global coordinate for element VI, IX and XII, [k]VI, [k]IX and [k]XII.
For element V and X, they have the equal length, but different length with the others
element in the above.

√ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
θ

The length of element V or X is √ 2 L and θ = 135°.

The or the transformation matrix, [L], transpose of transformation matrix, [L]T and
element stiffness matrix in local coordinate are the same as the above.

EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
[ k ' ]V =[ k ' ] X =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
 Ɩ −m 0 0 0 0

[m
[ L] = 0
T

0
0
0
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0 0 0
0 0 0
Ɩ −m 0
m Ɩ
0 0 1
0 ]
Ɩ m 0 0 0 0

[−m
[ L ]= 0
0
0
0
Ɩ 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
Ɩ
−m
0
0
0
m
Ɩ
0
T
0
0
0
0
1
] , where Ɩ = cos 135° and m = sin 135°

After we apply the formula, [ k ]e =[ L ] [ k ' ] [ L ] , we can find the element stiffness matrix in
global coordinate for element V and X, [k]V and [k]X.

For element VII and XIII, they have the equal length with the element V and X, which is
equal to √ 2 L , but θ = 45°

√ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
θ

The transformation matrix, [L], transpose of transformation matrix, [L]T and element
stiffness matrix in local coordinate are the same as the above.
 EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
[ k ' ]VII =[ k ' ] XIII =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L

Ɩ −m 0 0 0 0
m
[ L] = 0
T

[
0
0
0
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0 0 0
0 0 0
Ɩ −m 0
m Ɩ
0 0 1
0 ]
Ɩ m 0 0 0 0
−m
[ L ]= 0
0
0
0
[ Ɩ 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
Ɩ
−m
0
0
0
m
Ɩ
0
0
0
0
0
1
] , where Ɩ = cos 45° and m = sin 45°

T
After we apply the formula, [ k ]e =[ L ] [ k ' ] [ L ] , we can find the element stiffness matrix in
global coordinate for element VII and XIII, [k]VII and [k]XIII.

COMBINATION OF ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

After we calculate the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for all the 13
elements, we have to combine the entire element stiffness matrix to form the global
element stiffness matrix, [K], node by node, from node 1 to node 8.
In the structure, 13 elements are connected at 8 nodes, each node has 3 degree of
freedom. This means for the entire structure, there are all together 24 unknowns.
Therefore, the global element stiffness matrix is a 24×24 matrix.

We will assume the value in the matrix with

kij, where i = 1,2,3……24

j = 1,2,3……24

NODAL DISPLACEMENT MATRIX

Nodal displacement matrix will show horizontal displacement, vertical displacement and
rotation at all the nodes.
 q1
q2

{}
q3
q4
q5
q6
q7
q8
q9
q10
q 11
q
nodal displacement ¿ { q }= 12
q13
q14
q15
q16
q17
q18
q19
q20
q21
q22
q23
q24

q1, q4, q7, q10, q13, q16, q19 and q22 are the horizontal displacement for each node.

q2, q5, q8, q11, q14, q17, q20 and q23 are the vertical displacement for each node.

q3, q6, q9, q12, q15, q18, q21 and q24 are the rotation for each node.
TOTAL FORCE MATRIX

There are 4 conditions for the vertical force applied at the structure, where the position of
the force is different. We have to form the total force matrix, {F}, before we can apply
the formula of linear equation of the system, [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 1, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at node 3 and in the negative Y
direction.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

0
0

[]
0
0
0
0
0
−F
0
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 2, basically it is same with the condition 1, but the vertical force of
magnitude –F is applied at node 2 and in the negative Y direction.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

0
0

[]
0
0
−F
0
0
0
0
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 3, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at the middle of element 1,
which is between node 1 and node 2 and in negative Y direction.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 1 Node 2

Since the vertical force, F, is in the middle of the element, but, in finite element method,
we only consider the force that is applied at the node. Therefore, we have to divide the
applied force into two equivalent force that is applied at the node, where the value is half
of the total applied force.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0
−F /2

{}
0
0
−F /2
0
0
0
0
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 4, it is the same condition with the condition 3. The difference between
these 2 conditions is, for condition 4, the vertical force of magnitude, -F, is applied at the
middle of element II, which is between node 2 and node 3.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 2 Node 3

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0
0

{}
0
0
−F /2
0
0
−F /2
0
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

b) CASE 2

For CASE II, there are all together 13 elements connected through 8 nodes, only element
I, II, III and IV are beams, the others element are rod. In other words, element I, II, III
and IV have 3 degree of freedom which are vertical displacement, horizontal
displacement and rotation. For the other elements, only have 2 degree of freedom which
are vertical displacement and horizontal displacement.

ELEMENT CONNECTION TABLE

 Element Node
I 1 2
II 2 3
III 3 4
IV 4 5
V 5 6
VI 4 6
VII 3 6
VIII 6 7
** Expression is faulty ** 3 7
X 3 8
XI 7 8
XII 2 8
XIII 1 8

ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

Since element I, II, III and IV, which are beams and have the same element length which
is equal to L. Besides, they are already in the global coordinate, therefore [ k ' ]= [ k ]

EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
k I =k II =k III =k IV =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
Since element VI, IX and XII are the rods and have the same length which is equal to L
also, but they are not in the global coordinate. They have the same θ = 90°. Therefore,
they have the same element stiffness matrix.

X’

Y’

Since element VI, IX and XII are the rods, so they do not contain any moment in the
element. Therefore, second moment of inertia, I, is equal to zero. With that, when we take
into account node 2, node 3 and node 4, we do not include the rotation at these node.
Since the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ] ,
Where [L]T is the transpose of the transformation matrix, [L] is the transformation matrix
and [k’] is the element stiffness matrix in local coordinate.

[ k ' ]e = EA 1
[ −1
]
L −1 1
 Ɩ 0
T
[ L] = m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 90° and m = sin 90°
[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element VI, IX and XII,
[k]VI, [k]IX and [k]XII.

For element V and X, they are also rods and have the equal length, but different length
with the others element in the above.

√ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
 θ

The length of element V or X is √ 2 L and θ = 135°.

Since element V, and X are the rods, so they do not contain any moment in the element.
Therefore, second moment of inertia, I, is equal to zero. With that, when we take into
account node 3 and node 5, we do not include the rotation at these node. Since the
element stiffness matrix in global coordinate is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ] ,
Where [L]T is the transpose of the transformation matrix, [L] is the transformation matrix
and [k’] is the element stiffness matrix in local coordinate

[ k ' ]e = EA 1 [ −1
]
L −1 1

Ɩ 0

[ ]
[ L ]T = m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m

[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 135° and m = sin 135°

[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
 Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element V and X, [k]V
and [k]X.

For element VII and XIII, they are also rods and have the equal length with the element V
and X, which is equal to √ 2 L , but θ = 45°

√ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
θ

The transformation matrix, [L], transpose of transformation matrix, [L]T and element
stiffness matrix in local coordinate are the same as element V and X.

[ k ' ]e = EA 1
−1
L −1 1 ]
[
Ɩ 0
T
[ L] =
[ ]
m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m
 [ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 45° and m = sin 45°
[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element VII and XIII,
[k]VII and [k]XIII.

COMBINATION OF ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

After we calculate the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for all the 13
elements, we have to combine the entire element stiffness matrix to form the global
element stiffness matrix, [K], node by node, from node 1 to node 8.

In the structure, 4 beam elements are connected from node 1 to node 5, each node has 3
degree of freedom. Besides, 9 rod elements are also connected at different nodes, each
node has 2 degree of freedom. This means for the entire structure, there are all together
21 unknowns. Therefore, the global element stiffness matrix is a 21×21 matrix.

We will assume the value in the matrix with

kij, where i = 1,2,3……21

j = 1,2,3……21

NODAL DISPLACEMENT MATRIX

Nodal displacement matrix will show horizontal displacement, vertical displacement and
rotation at all the nodes.

q1
q2

{}
q3
q4
q5
q6
q7
q8
q9
q10
nodal displacement ¿ { q }= q 11
q12
q13
q14
q15
q16
q17
q18
q19
q20
q21

q1, q4, q7, q10, q13, q16, q18 and q20 are the horizontal displacement for each node.

q2, q5, q8, q11, q14, q17, q19 and q21 are the vertical displacement for each node.

q3, q6, q9, q12 and q15 are rotation for node 1 to node 5.
TOTAL FORCE MATRIX

There are 4 conditions for the vertical force applied at the structure, where the position of
the force is different. We have to form the total force matrix, {F}, before we can apply
the formula of linear equation of the system, [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 1, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at node 3 and in the negative Y
direction.

0
0

[]
0
0
0
0
0
−F
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 2, basically it is same with the condition 1, but the vertical force of
magnitude –F is applied at node 2 and in the negative Y direction.

0
0

[]
0
0
−F
0
0
0
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 3, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at the middle of element 1,
which is between node 1 and node 2 and in negative Y direction.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 1 Node 2

Since the vertical force, F, is in the middle of the element, but, in finite element method,
we only consider the force that is applied at the node. Therefore, we have to divide the
applied force into two equivalent force that is applied at the node, where the value is half
of the total applied force.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0
−F /2

{}
0
0
−F /2
0
0
0
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 4, it is the same condition with the condition 3. The difference between
these 2 conditions is, for condition 4, the vertical force of magnitude, -F, is applied at the
middle of element II, which is between node 2 and node 3.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 2 Node 3

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0
0

{}
0
0
−F /2
0
0
−F /2
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

c) CASE 3

For CASE 3, there are all together 13 elements and connected through 8 nodes. All the
elements are rod, therefore, each node has 2 degree of freedom, which are vertical
displacement and horizontal displacement.

ELEMENT CONNECTION TABLE

Element Node
I 1 2
II 2 3
III 3 4
IV 4 5
V 5 6
VI 4 6
VII 3 6
VIII 6 7
** Expression is faulty ** 3 7
X 3 8
XI 7 8
XII 2 8
XIII 1 8

ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

Since element I, II, III, IV, VIII and XI have the same element length which is equal to L
and θ = 0, they have equal global element stiffness matrix.

The transformation matrix, [L], transpose of transformation matrix, [L]T and element
stiffness matrix, [k’] in local coordinate are
 EA 1 −1
[ k ' ]e = [
L −1 1 ]
Ɩ 0

[ ]
[ L ]T = m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m

[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 0° and m = sin 0°

[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element I, II, III, IV, XI
and VIII, [k]1, [k]II, [k]III, [k]IV, [k]XI and [k]VIII.
Since element VI, IX and XII are the rods and have the same length which is equal to L
also, but they are not in the global coordinate. They have the same θ = 90°. Therefore,
they have the same element stiffness matrix.

X
 X’

Y’

Since element VI, IX and XII are the rods, so they do not contain any moment in the
element. Therefore, second moment of inertia, I, is equal to zero. With that, when we take
into account node 2, node 3 and node 5, we do not include the rotation at these node.
Since the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ] ,
Where [L]T is the transpose of the transformation matrix, [L] is the transformation matrix
and [k’] is the element stiffness matrix in local coordinate.

[ k ' ]e = EA 1 −1
L −1 1 ]
[
Ɩ 0
T
[ L] = m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 90° and m = sin 90°
[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
 Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element VI, IX and XII,
[k]VI, [k]IX and [k]XII.

For element V and X, they are also rods and have the equal length, but different length
with the others element in the above.

√ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
θ

The length of element V or X is √ 2 L and θ = 135°.

Since element V, and X are the rods, so they do not contain any moment in the element.
Therefore, second moment of inertia, I, is equal to zero. With that, when we take into
account node 3 and node 5, we do not include the rotation at these node. Since the
element stiffness matrix in global coordinate is
[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ] ,
Where [L]T is the transpose of the transformation matrix, [L] is the transformation matrix
and [k’] is the element stiffness matrix in local coordinate

[ k ' ]e = EA 1
−1
L −1 1 ]
[
 Ɩ 0
[ L] = m 0
T

0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 135° and m = sin 135°
[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element V and X, [k]V
and [k]X.

For element VII and XIII, they are also rods and have the equal length with the element V
and X, which is equal to √ 2 L , but θ = 45°
 √ L2 + L2 = √ 2 L

L
θ

The transformation matrix, [L], transpose of transformation matrix, [L]T and element
stiffness matrix in local coordinate are the same as element V and X.

[ k ' ]e = EA 1 [ −1
]
L −1 1

Ɩ 0

[ ]
[ L ]T = m 0
0 Ɩ
0 m

[ L ] = Ɩ m 0 0 , where Ɩ = cos 45° and m = sin 45°

[0 ]
0 Ɩ m

After we apply the formula,

[ k ]e =[ L ] T [ k ' ] [ L ]
Ɩ 0
=
0 Ɩ
0 m
[ ]
m 0 . EA 1 −1 Ɩ m 0 0
L −1 1 0 0 Ɩ m [ ][ ]
 Ɩ 2 Ɩm −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm
=
[
AE Ɩm m2 −Ɩm −m2
L −Ɩ 2 −Ɩm Ɩ 2 Ɩm
−Ɩm −m2 Ɩm m2
]
we can find the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for element VII and XIII,
[k]VII and [k]XIII.

COMBINATION OF ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

After we calculate the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for all the 13
elements, we have to combine the entire element stiffness matrix to form the global
element stiffness matrix, [K], node by node, from node 1 to node 8.

In the structure, all the elements are connected from node 1 to node 8, each node has 2
degree of freedom. This means for the entire structure, there are all together 16
unknowns. Therefore, the global element stiffness matrix is a 16×16 matrix.

We will assume the value in the matrix with

kij, where i = 1,2,3……16

j = 1,2,3……16
NODAL DISPLACEMENT MATRIX

Nodal displacement matrix will show horizontal displacement and vertical displacement.

q1
q2

{}
q3
q4
q5
q6
q7
q
nodal displacement ¿ { q }= 8
q9
q10
q 11
q12
q13
q14
q15
q16

q1, q3, q5, q7, q9, q11, q13 and q15 are the horizontal displacement for each node.

q2, q4, q6, q8, q10, q12, q14 and q16 are the vertical displacement for each node.
TOTAL FORCE MATRIX

There are 4 conditions for the vertical force applied at the structure, where the position of
the force is different. We have to form the total force matrix, {F}, before we can apply
the formula of linear equation of the system, [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 1, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at node 3 and in the negative Y
direction.

0
0

[]
0
0
0
−F
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 2, basically it is same with the condition 1, but the vertical force of
magnitude –F is applied at node 2 and in the negative Y direction.

0
0

[]
0
−F
0
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
 d) CASE 4

In CASE 4, there are all together 4 elements and connected through 4 nodes. All the
elements are beams, therefore, each node has 3 degree of freedom, which are vertical
displacement, horizontal displacement and rotation.

ELEMENT CONNECTION TABLE

Element Node
I 1 2
II 2 3
III 3 4
IV 4 5

ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

Since element I, II, III and IV have the same element length which is equal to L and they
are already in the global coordinate, [ k ' ]= [ k ]

X
 EA −EA
0 0 0 0

[ ]
L L
12 EI 6 EI −12 EI 6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 4 EI −6 EI 2 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L
k I =k II =k III =k IV =
−EA EA
0 0 0 0
L L
−12 EI −6 EI 12 EI −6 EI
0 0
L3 L2 L3 L2
6 EI 2 EI −6 EI 4 EI
0 0
L2 L L2 L

COMBINATION OF ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX

After we calculate the element stiffness matrix in global coordinate for all the 4 elements,
we have to combine the entire element stiffness matrix to form the global element
stiffness matrix, [K], node by node, from node 1 to node 5.

In the structure, 4 elements are connected at 5 nodes, each node has 3 degree of freedom.
This means for the entire structure, there are all together 15 unknowns. Therefore, the
global element stiffness matrix is a 15×15 matrix.

We will assume the value in the matrix with

kij, where i = 1,2,3……15

j = 1,2,3……15
NODAL DISPLACEMENT MATRIX

Nodal displacement matrix will show horizontal displacement, vertical displacement and
rotation at all the nodes.

q1
q2

{}
q3
q4
q5
q6
q7
nodal displacement ¿ { q }= q 8
q9
q10
q 11
q12
q13
q14
q15

q1, q4, q7, q10 and q13, are the horizontal displacement for each node.

q2, q5, q8, q11 and q14 are the vertical displacement for each node.

q3, q6, q9, q12 and q15 are the rotation for each node.
TOTAL FORCE MATRIX

There are 4 conditions for the vertical force applied at the structure, where the position of
the force is different. We have to form the total force matrix, {F}, before we can apply
the formula of linear equation of the system, [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 1, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at node 3 and in the negative Y
direction.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

[]
0
0
0
0
0
0
total force ¿ −F
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 2, basically it is same with the condition 1, but the vertical force of
magnitude –F is applied at node 2 and in the negative Y direction.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

[]
0
0
0
−F
0
0
total force ¿ 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.
For condition 3, vertical force of magnitude –F is applied at the middle of element 1,
which is between node 1 and node 2 and in negative Y direction.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 1 Node 2

Since the vertical force, F, is in the middle of the element, but, in finite element method,
we only consider the force that is applied at the node. Therefore, we have to divide the
applied force into two equivalent force that is applied at the node, where the value is half
of the total applied force.

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0

{}
−F /2
0
0
−F /2
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.

For condition 4, it is the same condition with the condition 3. The difference between
these 2 conditions is, for condition 4, the vertical force of magnitude, -F, is applied at the
middle of element II, which is between node 2 and node 3.

F/2 F/2
F

Node 2 Node 3

Therefore, the total force matrix is

 0
0

{}
0
0
−F /2
0
0
total force ¿ { F }= −F /2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

After we find [K], {q} and {F}, then we can apply them in the equation [K]{q}={F}.