Introduction to Matrix

Method
Introduction
There is an increasing tendency among modern structural engineers to lean
heavily on software packages for everything
This induces a false sense of knowledge, security and power.
The computer is indeed a powerful tool and an asset for any structural engineer,
but it is dangerous to make the tool one’s master and to make it a convenient
substitute for human knowledge experience and creative thinking
What is Matrix?
By definition: a matrix is a rectangular array of elements arranged in horizontal
rows and vertical columns.

The entries of a matrix are called elements. They are scalar quantities
They can also be functions; they can be operators; they can also be matrices
which are called sub matrices
Square, null, identity matrix??
What is Vector?
Vector is one type of matrix.
It is a matrix which has only one column.

Row vector
Matrix operations
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, transpose, inverse etc.
Solving linear equations
Gauss Elimination
Matrix Structural Analysis
Matrix

Stiffness Method Flexibility Method

• Joint displacements are treated • Redundant forces are treated as

as basic unknowns basic unknowns
• No. of displacements involved is • No. of equation involved is
equal to the no. of DOF of the equal to the degree of static
structure indeterminacy of the structure.
Element Transformation matrix Force Transformation matrix
Element Stiffness Matrix Element Flexibility Matrix
Stiffness Matrix Method
Load-Displacement Relationship
Global axes

[F] [K] [∆]

[T]T Force [T] Displacement

Transformation Transformation
Matrix Matrix

[f] [k] []

Local axes
Stiffness Matrix Method
Member Global Stiffness Matrix
f  k  and   T   f  k T 
F  T f F  T k T
T T
F  K '

K ' T kT
T
Stiffness Matrix Method
Coordinate transformation
Member stiffness matrix Member stiffness matrix stiffness matrix
in local coordinates in global coordinates of the structure

 k1   K '1   
 k2   K '2   K 
transform combine  
 
 kn   K 'n 
Local axes Global axes Global axes

9
 General steps to solve stiffness matrix
Generate element Compute
Input Data unknowns
properties

i. Idealization i. Separate the unknown and

ii. Select a global XY coordinate i. Generate transformation known matrix by equilibrium
system matrices, T , TT equations
iii. Establish a local x’y’ coordinate ii. Evaluate the K’ matrix ii. Calculate the unknown
system. Draw an arrow to iii. Assemble matrix K, Combine displacement and reactions.
indicate near end to far end, Matrix K’ to make Matrix K. The Then determine the internal
iv. Identify the DOF or unknown matrix K’ and K must be forces of the each member.
joint displacement symmetric. iii. Then determine the internal
v. Establish matrix k and Fk in forces of the each member.
global axes
Flexibility Matrix Method
Load-Displacement Relationship
Global axes

{F} [f-1] {∆}

[TR Tx] Force [TRT TxT]

Transformation Displacement
Matrix Transformation
Matrix

{Fa} [f*] {}

Local axes
Flexibility and Stiffness Matrix
Relationship

Stiffness Matrix Method [F] [K] [∆]

Flexibility Matrix Method {F} [f-1] {∆}

[K] [f-1]
Stiffness Coefficient Flexibility Coefficient
Conclusions
The potential of the flexibility method is not great as the stiffness method.
There are however, cases wherein application of the flexibility method is found
to be convenient. –where the degree of static indeterminacy is low and when
the hand computations are to be used.
The flexibility method considers actions (forces and moments as the redundants
(unknowns) which when removed do not render the structure unstable.
The solution of these redundants requires a set of simultaneous linear algebraic
equations, describing the continuity of the system, with as many independent
equations as redundants.