Examples of simple systems PIUMA – Design and

(beams, frames, trusses, arches) Construction Studio

studied using computer codes for March, 2026
structural analysis
Here only linear elastic analyses are considered.
It is important to get familiar with the use of a
software by first solving problems for which a
reference solution is available (on books,
handbooks, scientific journal papers)

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 1

Three-span continuous beam equal spans – uniformly distributed load –
constant flexural rigidity ( E I )

The results
shown here
(in terms of
reactions
and internal
forces) are
determined
disregarding
the effects
of shear
deformation

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 2

Same structure of previous slide, but now only two spans are uniformly loaded

Note that M B is greater than in previous case. G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 3

 Portal frame Linear elastic solution found in a handbook
with fixity restraints at the base (considering only bending deformation;
(symmetric system) no shear def; no axial def) ;
uniform load q
q bending moment can be expressed in
function of parameter k :
C D I2 H
I2 k=
I1 I1 q L2 I1 L
hyperstatic structure
M
= B M
= G
H 12(k + 2)
M C = M D = −2 M B
I1, I 2 =
moment of inertia
B G q L2
of member cross-sections M=max − 2 MB
L 8
MC MD
Numerical example: L = 8m H = 4 m
material (concrete) E=30 GPa ; q = 16 kN / m
cross sec of columns: square 40 x 40 cm
cross sec of beam: rectangular 40 x 60 cm M max
1 1 MG
I1 = (0.4) 4 m 4 I2 = (0.4)(0.6)3 m 4 MB
12 12
3
3 4 M
= B M
= G 23.14 kN m M max = 81.72 kN m
k = 1.687
2 8 G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 4
Solution by means of a structural analysis software
for instance EngiLab, Beam.2D, lite edition, [Link] (free of charge)
analysis limitations of the lite edition: only small models, of up to 10 nodes,
3 materials and 3 sections
node and element numbering is shown
node 5 is at midpoint of the beam
Solution procedure
5 nodes, based on «displacement approach»:
4 frame elements the primary unknowns are "nodal displ": displ
y
global in direction x , displ in direction y , rotation
reference frame around z (at each node))
x Engilab Beam.2D has no default system of units; a
consistent system of units must be chosen by the user.
resulting bending
moment diagram resulting deformed configuration
max vertical displ = v = 2.23 mm

solution obtained accounting same v = 2.23 mm

for bending deformation only result
as
no shear def. ref. sol.
no axial def. in handbook
G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 5
 axial force diagram shear force diagram

kN kN

bending moment diagram Results relevant to

problem of previous slide

elastic axial stiffness

of members ∞
(modification factor
for cross-section areas is used, 106)
kN m

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 6

Example of isostatic 2D truss Reference solution in terms of axial forces
taken from a handbook

β = arctan(1.5/4) =
20.55 ⁰(degrees)
Hinges are
present at
all nodes.

Values indicated near each bar represent the resulting axial forces,
up to multiplication by P;
solution in terms of axial forces is determined by equilibrium considerations only
(and is indepenent of the geometrical parameter a) because the structure is isostatic.
(or "statically determined").
L=4a h = 1.5 a
G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 7
 Value of the geometric parameter a : a = 1.8 m
= P/2
node and element numbering is shown
=P
P = 10000 N
=P isostatic truss

1.5a =P

= P/2

a a a a
E = elastic modulus = 210 GPa (steel) same cross-section for
All the bars are circular tubes, with [Link] = 60 mm all the bars
and thickness = 5 mm
cross-section area = 863.93 mm^2
G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 8
 Axial force diagram

N (Newton as force unit)

cross-section area of all bars =

= A = 863.93 mm^2
N
Analysis carried out with
σ= in each bar
A
EngiLab Beam.2D (lite edition) G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 9
 Deformed configuration displ. are scaled
by a factor of 116.9

Max vert. displ = 3.49 mm , at node 4

Max horiz. displ = 2.13 mm , at node 9
G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 10
Other example of framed structure
Solution (in terms of bending moment) is given below (assuming
to disregard shear and axial deformation)

uniform load p on lower beam

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 11

Pin-jointed circular arch under concentrated load bending moment
diagram kN m
Analysis carried out with RSTAB software 10.000

(Dlubal); arch is represented by means of P = 10 kN

8 straight beam elements
Exact, reference solution (for EI=const):
-5.07 0.42 0.42 -5.07
H = 0.318 P horizontal reactions -5.07
10.41 -5.07

M max = 0.182 P R
at crown section arch with 2 hinges at the base
-5.21 -5.21
Z
Exact, ref solution:
accounting for 3.26
bending def. only 3.26
Y X

H (ref ) = 3.18 kN
5.00 5.00
Data:
M (ref
max
)
= 10.92 kN m
P = 10 kN R =6 m
square cross-section 30 x 30 cm nodes along the semi-circular arch
E = 25 GPa for the definition of
8 straight beam elements
RSTAB structural analysis code α = π/8
[Link]
R =6 m G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 12
Pin-jointed circular arch
10.000
P = 10 kN
axial
under concentrated load (continued) -4.18 -4.18
force
-5.49
diagram
-5.49

Exact, reference sol.

for the vertical displ. axial
at the crown (for EI=const): -5.97
force kN
-5.97

diagram
0.0189 P R 3
v= Z

EI -5.54 -5.54

3.26
Y X
Exact, ref solution: 10.000 3.26
accounting for
5.00 5.00
bending def. only For the given data:
0.0189 (10 kN) (6 m)3 (ref )
= v = 4
2.42 mm
2.3 25GPa (1/12)(30 cm)
numerical solution (6 straight elements):
Z
v = 2.3 mm
3.26
Y X
3.26

5.00 v(ref ) = 2.42 mm 5.00

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 13

Same problem of previous slides, bending moment
but now the arch is modelled
P = 10 kN 10.000

diagram kN m
using 16 (8 x 2) straight beam
elements -2.64 -2.64
-4.80 0.77 -4.80
5.30 0.77
Better geometric modelling -4.80
10.79
-4.80
of the arch (with 16 elements) -5.62 -5.62

Numerical solution -5.07

Z -5.07

(with RSTAB): -3.17 -3.17

axial def. and shear def. 3.20
are also accounted for Y X
3.20
(but these contributions are
almost negligible) 10.000
5.00
H (ref ) = 3.18 kN 5.00

M (ref )
max = 10.92 kN m
Deformed
configuration
(scale Numerical solution (with RSTAB),
factor 2.4 using 16 straight beam elements:
550)
Z
H = 3.20 kN The solution is
M max = 10.79 kN m improved w.r.t.
3.20 previous one
3.20
Y X v = 2.4 mm
v(ref ) = 2.42 mm
5.00 5.00

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 14

Grid (or grillage): 2 intersecting 10.000
hyperstatic structure
beams in the x-y plane, with one 10.000
beam subjected to a uniform load in Z

direct. z ; the beams have built-in

Y
ends (‘encastre’). X

The beams are subject to

shear, bending moment
and torque.
0.410
At node K (intersection
point) there will be v z (node K)
a displ. v z , a rotation θ x Assumptions:
and a rotation θ y . beams with same (constant) cross sections,
GJ
D
with = 0.5 (ratio of torsional rigidity and
L y EI flexural rigidity)
3 x B uniform distributed load q along beam AKB
A K geometry as in figure
2
L Exact results:v z =− (1/ EI) ⋅10−3 ⋅ q ⋅ (0.9798) ⋅ L4
3
C M A= (60.26) ⋅10−3 ⋅ qL2 (moment at A)
T A = (1.47) ⋅10−3 ⋅ qL2 (torque at A)
(2 / 3) L L/3 G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 15
 -21.69
10.000

Data -14.81
10.000

L=6m Z

q = 10 kN/m Y
-15.19

(G J) / (E I) = 0.5 -1.38

G = shear elastic modulus 1.321.47

E = elastic modulus -6.88

9.70

J = torsional moment of inertia 10.58

I = bending moment of inertia

bending moment diagram
(note the discontinuities at intersection G)
A
Results: M = 21.69 kNm
T A = 0.529 kNm

Numerical solution obtained with software RSTAB

(coincides with the exact solution)

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 16

Same structure
of the previous two slides
torque diagram kNm
10.000

10.000

-1.06
Y
X
-0.90

0.53

1.80

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 17

Grid: beams with same cross-sections, simply supported at the ends (symm. systems)

At the intersection node, the connection is assumed

to be moment transmitting for both beams

The beams turn out to be subject only to

bending and shear (with no torsion)

Hyperstatic
structures

for this length ratio

most of the load is
supported by the
shorter (stiffer) beam
moment transmitting
connection for glulam beams

steel connector G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 18

 Example of
beam grid
made from glulam

taken from the book:

A. De Angeli, Strutture in Legno Lamellare, DEI, 2006

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 19

Glulam beam roofing structure
of the John Hope Gateway
Biodiversity Centre
(Edinburgh)

(opened to public in 2009)

Grid of tapered glulam beams

Steel flitch plates bolted into

the timber elements are
welded to the columns
(this provides moment
continuity)

G. Novati - DICA - Poli_MI 20