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Beam Element Stiffness Matrix Guide

- The document discusses the principles of simple beam theory including deriving the differential equation governing linear-elastic beam behavior from force and moment equilibrium. - It outlines the procedures for developing the stiffness matrix of a beam element, including selecting the element type, defining displacement and strain relationships, and deriving and assembling the global stiffness matrix while applying boundary conditions. - Examples are provided to illustrate applying the beam theory steps to solve for nodal displacements and element forces.

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Ayoub Abdessalem Djebbar
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9 views17 pages

Beam Element Stiffness Matrix Guide

- The document discusses the principles of simple beam theory including deriving the differential equation governing linear-elastic beam behavior from force and moment equilibrium. - It outlines the procedures for developing the stiffness matrix of a beam element, including selecting the element type, defining displacement and strain relationships, and deriving and assembling the global stiffness matrix while applying boundary conditions. - Examples are provided to illustrate applying the beam theory steps to solve for nodal displacements and element forces.

Uploaded by

Ayoub Abdessalem Djebbar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

• Direct Stiffness – beam

STEP
Linear spring Bar/Truss
Select element type Summary:
Select Solve for a1 and a2
; •The principles of simple beam theory
displacement function
approx. shape function
; ;
•Stiffness matrix of a beam element

Define relationships ; ; • Procedures for handling distributed loading and


concentrated nodal loading
Derive stiffness matrix
(Local)
• Example Problems
Assemble global
stiffness matrix + BC ;

Solve for nodal disp. +


; ;
element forces

Beams: Engineering structures that are long, slender and


generally subjected to transverse loading that produces
significant bending effects as opposed to twisting or axial
effects
Development of
Beam Equations

Ideal beams are straight and have constant cross-sectional area.


The differential equation governing simple linear-elastic beam behavior
can be derived as follows. Consider the beam shown below.

From force and moment equilibrium of a differential beam element, we get:

Write the equations of equilibrium for the differential element:


STEP 1: Select Element Type
Consider a linear-elastic beam element shown below

Stiffness Matrix
A Beam Element

STEP 2: Select a displacement function

Assume the transverse displacement function v is

Neglect all axial effects!


Applying the boundary conditions

In matrix form the above equations are:

Shape Functions for a Beam Element


Solving these equations for the unknown coefficient gives

Shape Functions for a Beam Element STEP 3: Define the strain/displacement + stress/strain relationships

The stress-displacement relationship is:


STEP 4: Derive the element stiffness matrix and equations
Using beam theory sign convention for shear force and bending moment,
one obtain the following equations:

In the matrix form the above equations are: STEP 5: Assemble the element equations and
Introduce boundary conditions
This will be illustrated in the following example!

EI constant
Where the stiffness matrix is:
The beam element stiffness matrices are:

STEP 6: Introduce boundary conditions

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