Matrix Flexibility Method

Structure flexibility matrix

Matrix analysis is similar to the other methods in that the load-deformation characteristics can
be formulated using either forces or displacements as the independent variables.

The flexibility method, which we shall consider in this chapter, uses forces as the independent
variables, and the stiffness method, to be considered in the next chapter, employs
deformations as the independent variables. The two methods are consequently also referred to
as the force method and the deformation method.
Example
Construct the flexibility matrix for the cantilever beam that relates the forces and
displacement as shown in Fig. 15.2. The figure defines the considering forces and
displacement and their directions.

Note that W1 is a vertical concentrated load whereas W2 is a moment and also Δ1 is a vertical
translation whereas Δ2 is a rotation.

FIGURE 15.2
Example
Construct the flexibility matrix for the cantilever beam that relates the forces and
displacement as shown in Fig. 15.3. The figure defines the considering forces and
displacement and their directions.
Element flexibility matrix
A flexural element of a plane structure actually has six forces acting on it: an axial force, a
shear, and a moment at each end. However, axial deformations are usually negligible in a
flexural element, and only two of the remaining four forces are independent.

Thus we have chosen the moments and the corresponding rotations at the ends of the elements
as the forces and deformations we shall use to describe the behavior of the elements. To
differentiate these quantities from the structure forces and deformations, we refer to them as
element forces and deformations.

We shall now construct the flexibility matrix which relates the element deformations (δi, δj) to
the element moments (qi, qj) for the typical element shown in Fig. 15.5a. The directions
shown in the figure are assumed positive directions.

To obtain the flexibility coefficients; fii, fji , fij,and fjj, we are using the virtual work method
and apply a unit moment qi=1 and qj =1 as shown in Fig.15.5b., we obtain:

fii=L/(3EI) fij=L/(3EI)
fji=L/(6EI) fjj=L/(6EI)

Similar results are obtained if we apply a unit moment to the right end of the element. The
flexibility matrix thus takes the form;
Formation of the structure-flexibility matrix from element-flexibility
matrices
Although the method used to form the flexibility matrix in the previous section could
theoretically be used on any structure, the difficulty of obtaining deflections in large and
complex structures would make it extremely impractical. As a consequence, we will now
introduce an alternative method for determining the flexibility matrix.

In this method the structure is subdivided into several elements and a flexibility matrix is
formed for each of the elements. The flexibility matrix for the entire structure is then obtained
by combining the flexibility matrices of the individual elements. This process, whereby the
behavior of a large system is synthesized from the behavior of the individual elements into
which the system has been subdivided, is the basis of matrix analysis.

To formulate the structure-flexibility matrix from element-flexibility matrices, we need first

to form Composite element-flexibility [fc] and Force-transformation matrix [B] and then
transform [fc] into [F]. The procedure is explained next.

Composite element-flexibility [fc]

Composite element-flexibility [fc] contains element-flexibility matrices and describes the

force-deformation characteristics of the individual elements;

[δ]= [fc][q] 15.4

Force-transformation matrix [B]

Force-transformation matrix [B] relates the element-forces [q] to the entire structure force
[W];

[q]= [B][W] 15.5

Transformation of [fc] into [F]

We make use of the principle of conservation of energy. The work performed by the structure
forces acting on the entire structure must be equal to the work of element forces acting on all
of the elements into which the structure has been subdivided. Thus;
[F]=[B]T[fc][B]

This can be proved as follows:

Example
Re-construct the flexibility matrix for the cantilever beam shown in the previous example.

Formulation of Composite element-flexibility [fc]

Formulation of Force-transformation matrix [B]

The first column in [B] contains the value of q1 through q4 due to a unit W1, we obtain the
terms in this column by applying a unit vertical load to the free end of the structure as shown
in Fig.15.6a below. Similarly, the remaining three columns of [B], are obtained using the
loading shown in Fig. 15.6b, 15.6c, and 15.6d.

Fig.15.6

[B]=
Transformation of [fc] into [F]

[F]=[B]T[fc][B]

[F]

Frame example
Construct the structure-flexibility matrix for the frame in Fig. 15.7a. Both structure and
element forces are defined in the figure. On the basis of these, the composite element-
flexibility matrix [.fc] and the force-transformation matrix [B] can be formed. Thus
And

The free bodies used to construct [B] are shown in Fig. 15.7b.

The structure-flexibility matrix is formed using the relation [F] = [B]T[fc][B]. Hence

where [F] is the 2 x 2 matrix on the right side of the equation.

Flexibility matrix of truss element
The element flexibility matrix for an axially loaded bar which relates the element
deformations (δi) to the element axial force (qi) for the typical element is:

Fig. 15.8 shows that the tension force is positive.

Truss example
Construct the structure-flexibility matrix for the truss in Fig. 15.8a. The structure forces are
defined in Fig. 15.8a, and the element forces are assumed to consist of a single tension force
for each bar. The element-flexibility matrix for an axially loaded bar of the type shown in Fig.
15.8b is given by
Analysis of indeterminate structures by flexibility matrix

The procedure for analyzing indeterminate structures can be summarized as follows:

1. Decide on the degree of indeterminacy and remove a sufficient number of redundants to
form a determinate structure.
2. To the determinate structure apply the known loads [W] and the unknown redundants [R].
These forces together with their corresponding displacements form the structure loads and
displacements.
3. Subdivide the structure into elements and define the element forces [q] and the
corresponding displacements [δ].
4. Form the composite element-flexibility matrix [fcl defined by the relation
[δ] = [fc] [q] (15.9)
5. Form the force-transformation matrix [B] for the determinate structure, and partition it into
two submatrices corresponding to the known loads [W] and the unknowns [R]. Thus

6. Form the structure flexibility matrix [F] for the determinate structure using the relation [F]
= [B]T[fcl[B], and partition [F] into four submatrices. Thus

The horizontal partitioning of [F] corresponds to the separation of [Δ] into the unknown
deflections [dw] and the known deflections [ΔW]. Similarly, the vertical partitioning of [F]
corresponds to the separation of the loads into [W] and [R].

It is convenient to obtain [F] as a single matrix and then to partition this matrix. However, if
one uses the computer to carry out the calculations, it is desirable to obtain the four
submatrices of [F] individually. In view of Eq. (15.10),

7. Solve the lower part of Eq. (15.11) for [R] using the condition that [ΔR] = [0].
Equation (15.13) gives the solution for the redundants in terms of the known loads [W]. To
obtain the solution, we must invert [F22], a matrix whose order is equal to the number of
redundants.

8. By substituting [R] into Eq. (15.10) we can evaluate the member loads. Thus

and by substituting [R] into the upper part of Eq. (15.11) we can determine
the structure deformations

Equations (15.14) and (15.15) give the member forces and the structure deformations
in terms of the known loads [ W]. One can think of the matrices to the right of the equality
sign in these equations as the force-transformation and flexibility matrices for the
indeterminate structures.

Example

For the beam in Fig. 15.9a find the member forces and the unknown structure deformations.
Solution

The composite element-flexibility matrix is

and the force-transformation matrix is given by

15.7

Next, the structure-flexibility matrix is obtained using the relation [F] =[B]T [fc] [B]. This
leads to

15.8
The flexibility matrix is partitioned into four submatrices. The horizontal partition divides the
unknown deflection Δ1 from the known deflections Δ2 and Δ3, and the vertical partition
separates the effects of W1 from those of R2 and R3.

Since Δ2 and Δ3 , the deflections at the redundants, are equal to zero, we can use the lower part
of Eq. (15.8) to solve for the unknown redundants. Thus

Having evaluated the redundants, we can now obtain the member forces and the structure
deformations. Substitution of the values for R2 and R3 in Eq. (15.7) gives
and substitution of the redundants into the upper part of Eq. (15.8) leads to

Example 15.4 (in the textbook)

Example 15.5 (in the textbook)

Problems for Solution

Solve the following problems in the textbook:

1. 15.2
2. 15.4
3. 15.6
4. 15.9
5. 15.12