CH3 PDF

59
CHAP 3. Truss Finite Element

3.1. Truss Element in One-Dimension
The simplest type of engineering structure is the truss structure. A truss member is a
slender (the length is much larger than the cross-section dimensions) two-force member.
Members are joined by pins and only have the capability to support tensile or
compressive loads axially along the length. Consider a uniform slender prismatic bar of
length L, cross-sectional area A, and Youngs modulus E. The ends of the bar are
identified as nodes. The nodes are the points of attachment to other elements. The nodes
are also the points for which displacements are calculated. The truss element is a two-
force member element, forces are applied to the nodes only, and the displacements of all
nodes are confined to the axes of elements.

x
f
1
f
2

L A

Figure 3.1 Truss component

For the truss analysis, the following sign convention will be used:

1. Forces and displacements are defined as positive when they are acting in the
positive x-direction.

2. The position of a node in the undeformed condition is the finite element position
for that node.

We will use the general equations of a single one-dimensional truss element to
illustrate the formulation of the direct stiffness matrix method. By using the relative
motion analysis method, we can derive the general expressions of the applied force (f
1

and f
2
) in terms of the displacements of the nodes (u
1
and u
2
) and the stiffness constant
(K).

60 Finite Element Analysis and Design

Node 1
Node 2
u
1
u
2

f
1
f
2

K=EA/L

Figure 3.2 One-dimensional truss finite element

From the elementary mechanics, the force is proportional to the relative displacement
between two nodes. Thus,

1 1 2
2 2 1
( )
( )
f K u u
f K u u
=
=

If a matrix notation is used, then the above equation can be written as

1 1
2 2
f u K K
f u K K
(
=
` `
(
) )

This is the general force-displacement relation for a two-force member element, and the
equation can be applied to all members in an assemblage of elements.
Example 3.1
Consider an assemblage of three of these two-force member elements. (Motion is
restricted to one-dimension, along the x-axis.)

Element 1
x
f
1
K
1
Element 2
Element 3
K
2
K
3

The assemblage consists of three elements and four nodes. The Free-Body-Diagram
of the system with node numbers and element numbers labeled:

Chap. 3 Truss Finite Element 61

Element 1
u
1

f
1
K
1
Element 2
Element 3
K
2
K
3
N
1
N
3

N
4
N
2
u
4

u
3

u
2

f
3

f
4

Consider now the application of the general force-displacement relation equations to
the each element of the assemblage.
Element 1:
1 1 1 1
21 1 1 2
f K K u
f K K u
(
=
` `
(
) )

Element 2:
22 2 2 2
3 3 2 2
f u K K
f u K K
(
=
` `
(
) )

Element 3:
3 3 23 2
3 3 4 4
K K f u
K K f u
(
=
` `
(
) )

Expanding the general force-displacement relation equation into an Overall Global
Matrix (containing all nodal displacements):
Element 1:
1 1 1 1
2 21 1 1
3
4
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
u f K K
u f K K
u
u
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Element 2:
1
2 22 2 2
3 3 2 2
4
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0
u
u f K K
u f K K
u
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Element 3:
1
3 3 23 2
3
3 3 4 4
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
u
K K f u
u
K K f u
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )


Summing the three sets of general equation (Note that f
2
= f
21
+ f
22
+ f
32
):

1 1 1 1
1 1 2 3 2 3 2 2
2 2 3 3
3 3 4 4
0 0
( )
0 0
0 0
OverallGlobalStiffnessMatrix
K K f u
K K K K K K f u
K K f u
K K f u
(
(
+ +

(
=
` `
(

(

) )
(3.1)

Once the Overall Global Stiffness Matrix is developed for the structure, the next step
is to substitute boundary conditions and solve the unknown displacements. At every node
in the structure, either the externally applied load or the nodal displacement is needed as a
boundary condition.

Consider a case in which K
1
= 50 N/cm, K
2
= 30 N/cm, K
3
= 70 N/cm and f
1
= 40 N.
The nodal displacement and the nodal reaction force can be found by solving Eq. (3.1).

1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
50 50 0 0
50 (50 30 70) 30 70
0 30 30 0
0 70 0 70
f u
f u
f u
f u
(
(
+ +

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Next, apply the known boundary conditions to the system: the right-end of element 2 and
element 3 are attached to the vertical wall; therefore, these two nodal displacements (u
3

and u
4
) are zero.

1 1
2 2
3
4
50 50 0 0
50 (50 30 70) 30 70
0 30 30 0 0
0 70 0 70 0
f u
f u
f
f
(

(

+ +

(
=
` `
(
( ) )

The two displacements we need to solve the system are u
1
and u
2
. Remove any
unnecessary columns in the matrix:

1
2 1
3 2
4
50 50
50 150
0 30
0 70
f
f u
f u
f
(
(

(
=
` `
(
)

(

)


Next, include the applied loads into the equations. The external load at N
1
is 40 N and
there is no external load at N
2
.

1
3 2
4
40 50 50
0 50 150
0 30
0 70
u
f u
f
(
(

(
=
` `
(
)

(

)

The above matrix equation represents the following simultaneous system of four
equations:

1 2
1 2
3 1 2
4 1 2
40 50 50
0 50 150
0 30
0 70
u u
u u
f u u
f u u
=
= +
=
=

From the first two equations, we can solve for u
1
and u
2
:

1
2
1.2 cm
0.4 cm
u
u
=
=

Substituting these known values into the last two equations, we can now solve for f
3
and
f
4
:

3 1 2
4 1 2
0 30 12 N
0 70 28 N
f u u
f u u
= =
= =

From the above analysis, we can now reconstruct the Free-Body-Diagram of the system:

1.2 cm
f
1
= 40 N K
1
K
2
K
3
0.4 cm
-12 N
-28 N

The above example is the classical finite element analysis procedure. As can be seen,
the formulation of the global force-displacement relation equation is based on the general
force-displacement equations of a single one-dimensional truss element. The two-force
member element (truss element) is the simplest type of element used in finite element

analysis. The procedure to formulate and solve the global force-displacement equation is
straightforward, but somewhat tedious. In real-life application, the use of truss element in
one-dimensional space is rare and very limited. In the next section, we will expand the
procedure to solving two-dimensional truss frameworks.
3.2. Truss Element in Two-Dimension
This section presents the formulation of the direct stiffness method of truss elements
in a two-dimensional space and the general procedure for solving two-dimensional truss
structure using the direct stiffness method. A two-dimensional truss structure consisting
of two truss elements is used to illustrate the solution process of the direct stiffness
method.
Two-Bar Truss Structure
Consider a two-bar truss structure in Figure 3.3. Two ends of the truss are pin-jointed
to the ground and an applied force f = 50 N is applied at the top. The finite element
formulation in Section 3.1 cannot directly be applied because the geometry and applied
force are not aligned.

50 N
8 cm
12 cm

Figure 3.3 Two-bar truss structure

As discussed in Section 3.1, the system equation of a truss element can be
represented using the system equation of a linear spring in one-dimensional space. In the
case of two-dimensional space, the same concept can be applied if a body-fixed local
coordinate system is constructed along the axis of the truss element. For the truss
members positioned in a two-dimensional space, two coordinate systems are established:

1. The global coordinate system (X and Y axes) chosen to represent the entire structure.

2. The local coordinate system (x and y axes) selected to align the x-axis along the
length of the element.


Using the relation of K = EA/L, the system equation of a truss element can be written
in the local coordinate system as

1 1
2 2
1 1
1 1
x
x
f u
EA
f u L
(
=
` `
(
) )

N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

u
1

v
1

u
2

v
2

X
Y
Local coordinates
Global coordinates

Figure 3.4 Local and global coordinate system

Note that the force and displacement are represented in the local coordinate system.
In order to make the above equation more general, let consider a transverse displacement
v
1
and v
2
in the y
1
- and y
2
-direction, respectively. Similarly, the transverse force at each
node can be defined as f
1y
and f
2y
. Then, the above stiffness matrix (system equations in
matrix form) can be expanded to incorporate the two force components at each node and
two displacement components at each node.

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
x
y
x
y
f u
f v
EA
f u L
f v
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

In regard to the expanded local stiffness matrix

1. It is always a square matrix

2. It is always symmetric for linear systems

3. The diagonal elements are always positive or zero.

The above stiffness matrix, expressed in terms of the established two-dimensional
local coordinate system, represents a single truss element in a two-dimensional space. In

a general structure, many elements are involved, and they would be oriented with
different angles. The above stiffness matrix is general form of a single element in a two-
dimensional local coordinate system. Two-bar truss structure in Figure 3.3 involves in
two local coordinate systems (x
1
y
1
and x
2
y
2
), which are aligned to the elements.

Element 1
x
1

y
1

A
y
2

x
2

Element 2
X
Y

Figure 3.5 Local coordinate systems of two-bar truss structure

In order to solve the system equations of two-dimensional truss structure, it is
necessary to assemble all elements stiffness matrices into a Global Stiffness Matrix, with
all the equations of the individual elements referring to a common global coordinate
system. This requires the use of coordinate transformation equation applied to system
equation for all elements in the structure.
Coordinate Transformation
A vector, in a two-dimensional space, can be expressed in terms of any coordinate
system set of unit vectors.

X
Y
A
i
j

Vector A can be expressed as:
X Y = + A i j
where i and j are unit vectors along X- and Y-axes, respectively. Magnitude of X and Y
can also be expressed as:

cos
sin
X
Y
=
=
A
A

Therefore,
cos sin X Y = + = + A i j A i A j (3.2)

Next, establish a new unit vector (u) in the same direction as vector A.

A
i
j
u

Using unit vector u, vector A can be expressed as
= A A u (3.3)
Since both Eqs. (3.2) and (3.3) represent the same vector A,
cos sin = = + A A u A i A j
The unit vector u can now be expressed in terms of the original set of unit vectors i and j:
cos sin = + u i j

Now consider another vector B:


X
Y
B
i
j

Vector B can be expressed as:
X Y = + B i j
Magnitude of X and Y can also be expressed as components of the magnitude of the
vector:

sin
cos
X
Y
=
=
B
B

Therefore,
sin cos X Y = + = + B i j B i B j (3.4)

Next, establish a new unit vector (v) along vector B:

B
i
j
v

Vector B can now be expressed as
= B B v (3.5)
Equations (3.4) and (3.5) represent the same vector B:

sin cos = = + B B v B i B j
The unit vector v can now be expressed in terms of the original set of unit vectors i and j:
sin cos = + v i j
We have established the coordinate transformation equations that can be used to
transform vectors from i-j coordinates to the rotated u-v coordinates.

i
j
u
v

Figure 3.6 Two-dimensional coordinate transformation

Coordinate transformation equations:

cos sin
sin cos

= +
= +
u i j
v i j

In matrix form

cos sin
sin cos

(
=
` `
(
) )
u i
v j

The above direction cosine allows us to transform vectors from the global coordinates to
the local coordinates. It is also necessary to be able to transform from the local coordinate
to global coordinates. Although it is possible to derive the local to global transformation
equation in a similar manner as demonstrated for the above equations, the matrix
operations provide a slightly more elegant approach.

The above equations can be represented symbolically as:
{ } [ ]{ } = a T b
where {a} and {b} are direction vectors, and [T] is the direction cosine.


Perform the matrix operations to derive the reverse transformation equation in terms
of the above direction cosines: First, multiply [T]
1
to remove the direction cosines from
the right hand side of the original equation.

1 1
[ ] { } [ ] [ ]{ }

= T a T T b
Since [T]
1
[T] = [I] and [I]{b} = {b}, the equation can be simplified as

1
{ } [ ] { }
= b T a

The direction cosines is an orthogonal matrix and the inverse of the matrix is equal to
the transpose of the matrix

1
[ ] [ ]
T
= T T
Therefore, the transformation equation can be expressed as:
{ } [ ] { }
T
= b T a

The transformation equation that enables us to transform any vector from a local
coordinate system to the global coordinate system becomes:

LOCAL coordinates to GLOBAL coordinates
cos sin
sin cos

(
=
` `
(
) )
i u
j v
(3.6)
The reverse transformation can also be established by applying the transformation
equation that transforms any vector from the global coordinate system to the local
coordinate system:

GLOBAL coordinates to LOCAL coordinates
cos sin
sin cos

(
=
` `
(
) )
u i
v j
(3.7)
Global Stiffness Matrix
For a single truss element, using the coordinate transformation equations, we can
proceed to transform the local stiffness matrix to the global stiffness matrix.

For a single truss element arbitrarily positioned in a two-dimensional space:

N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

u
1

v
1

u
2

v
2

X
Y
K

The force-displacement equations can be expressed as:

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
Local Stiffness matrix
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
x
y
x
y
f u
f v
EA
f u L
f v
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

(3.8)
Next, apply the coordinate transformation equations to establish the general Global
Stiffness Matrix of a single truss element in a two-dimensional space.

First, the displacement transformation equations (global to local):

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
Local Global
cos sin 0 0
sin cos 0 0
0 0 cos sin
0 0 sin cos
u U
v V
u U
v V

(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )
(3.9)
The force transformation (global to local):

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
Local Global
cos sin 0 0
sin cos 0 0
0 0 cos sin
0 0 sin cos
x X
y Y
x X
y Y
f F
f F
f F
f F

(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

(3.10)


The above three sets of equations can be represented as:

{ } [ ]{ } Local force- displacement equation
{ } [ ]{ } Displacement transformation equation
{ } [ ]{ } Force transformation equation
=
=
=
f k u
u T U
f T F

We will next perform matrix operations to obtain the global stiffness matrix. By
substituting Eqs. (3.9) and (3.10) into Eq. (3.8) yields
[ ]{ } [ ][ ]{ } = T F k T U
Multiplying both sides of equation with [T]
1
,

1
Global Global
{ } [ ] [ ][ ] { }
or
{ } [ ]{ }
=
=
F T k T U
F K U

The global stiffness matrix [K] can now be expressed in terms of local stiffness matrix.
[ ] [ ] [ ][ ]
T
= K T k T

For a single truss element in a two-dimensional space, the global stiffness matrix is

2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
cos cos sin cos cos sin
cos sin sin cos sin sin
[ ]
cos cos sin cos cos sin
cos sin sin cos sin sin
EA
L

(
(

(
=
(

(
(

K (3.11)
The above matrix can be applied to any truss element positioned in a two-dimensional
space.
Example 3.2
The two-bar truss structure shown in Figure 3.7 has 0.25 cm circular cross-sections.
Calculate the displacement of each node and stress of each member.

Element A:

50 N
8 cm
12 cm
Element A
Element B
N
1

N
2

N
3

Figure 3.7 Two-bar truss structure

N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

u
1

v
1

u
2

v
2

X
Y
K
A
= tan
1
(8/12) = 33.7
o

E = 30 x 10
6
N/cm
2

A = r
2
= 0.049 cm
2

L = 14.4 cm

Figure 3.8 Local coordinates of element A

The local force-displacement equations:

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
x
y
x
y
f u
f v
EA
f u L
f v
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Using the equations we have derived, the global system equations for element A can be
expressed as:
{ } [ ]{ } = F K U
After applying the global stiffness matrix in Eq. (3.11),

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
.692 .462 .692 .462
.462 .308 .462 .308
102150
.692 .462 .692 .462
.462 .308 .462 .308
X
Y
XA
YA
F U
F V
F U
F V
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Element B:

N
3

N
2

f
3x

f
2x

u
1

v
1

u
2

v
2

B
X
Y
K
B
= 90
o

E = 30 x 10
6
N/cm
2

A = r
2
= 0.049 cm
2

L = 8 cm

Figure 3.9 Local coordinates of element B


2 2
2 2
3 3
3 3
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
x
y
x
y
f u
f v
EA
f u L
f v
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Using the equations we derived in the previous sections, the global system equations for
element B is:
{ } [ ]{ } = F K U
Or,

2 2
2 2
3 3
3 3
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1
184125
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1
XB
YB
X
Y
F U
F V
F U
F V
(
(

(
=
` `
(

(

) )

Now we are ready to assemble the overall global stiffness matrix of the structure.

Summing the two sets of global force-displacement equations:

1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
3 3
3 3
70687 47193 70687 47193 0 0
47193 31462 47193 31462 0 0
70687 47193 70687 47193 0 0
47193 31462 47193 215587 0 184125
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 184125 0 184125
X
Y
X
Y
X
Y
F U
F V
F U
F V
F U
F V
(
(

(
(

=
` (

(
(
(
(
)

`

)

Next, apply the following known boundary conditions into the system equations:

(a) Node 1 and Node 3 are fixed-points; therefore, any displacement components of
these two node-points are zero (U
1
, V
1
and U
3
, V
3
).

(b) The only external load is at Node 2: F
2X
= 50 N.

1
1
2
2
3
3
70687 47193 70687 47193 0 0 0
47193 31462 47193 31462 0 0 0
50 70687 47193 70687 47193 0 0
0 47193 31462 47193 215587 0 184125
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 184125 0 184125 0
X
Y
X
Y
F
F
U
V
F
F
(

(

(

(

( =
`

(

(

(

(
)

)

The two displacements we need to solve are U
2
and V
2
. Lets simplify the above matrix
by removing the unaffected/unnecessary columns in the matrix.

1
1
2
2
3
3
70687 47193
47193 31462
50 70687 47193
0 47193 215587
0 0
0 184125
X
Y
X
Y
F
F
U
V
F
F
(
(

(
(

=
` ` (
)
(
(
(
(
)

Solve for the nodal displacements U
2
and V
2
:

2
2
4
2
4
2
50 70687 47193
0 47193 215587
8.28 10 cm
1.81 10 cm
U
V
U
V
(
=
` `
(
) )
=
=

Substituting the known U
2
and V
2
values into the matrix and solve for the reaction forces:

1
4
1
4
3
3
70687 47193 50
47193 31462 33.39 8.28 10
0 0 0 1.81 10
0 184125 33.39
X
Y
X
Y
F
F
N
F
F
(
(

(
= =
` ` `
(
)
(

) )

To determine the normal stress in each truss member, one option is to use the
displacement transformation equations to transform the results from the global coordinate
system back to the local coordinate system.

Element A:

1
1
4
2 2
4
2 2
0 .832 .555 0 0 0
0 .555 .832 0 0 0
0 0 .832 .555 5.89 10
0 0 .555 .832 6.11 10
u
v
u U
v V
(
(

(
= =
` ` `
(

(

) ) )


1
1
4
2
4
2
1 0 1 0 0 60.2
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 5.89 10 60.2
0 0 0 0 6.11 10 0
x
y
x
y
f
f
EA
N
f L
f
(
(

(
= =
` ` `
(

(

) ) )

Therefore, the normal stress developed in element A can be calculated as (60.2 / 0.049) =
1228 N/cm
2
.
Example 3.3
Determine the normal stress in each member of the truss structure shown.

12' 12' 12'
9'
400 lb
1,200 lb
Material: Steel rod
Diameter: 2"

Prior to carrying out the finite element analysis, it is important to do an approximate
preliminary analysis to gain some insight into the problem and as a means to check the
finite element analysis results. The Free-Body-Diagram of the structure becomes:

400 lb
1,200 lb
A
B
C
D
E F
F
AX

F
AY
F
FY

Member BC is a zero-force member. Thus, the force and stress in BC will be zero.

Moment equilibrium:

36 24 1200 9 400 0
900 lb
A FY
FY
M F
F
= =
=


Next, using the joint method, solve for the internal forces in members DF and EF.

900 lb
F
EF
F
DF
F

4
0
5
3
900 0
5
1500 lb, 1200 lb
X EF DF
Y DF
DF EF
F F F
F F
F F
= =
= + =
= =

Therefore

1500
477.5 psi
1200
382 psi
DF
EF
= =
= =

3.3. Two-Dimensional Truss Analysis Using I-DEAS
Now, we want to calculate the reaction force and stress of the truss structure using I-
DEAS S/W.

1. Create Model File (Truss2D.mf1, Simulation, Meshing)

2. Choose Unit (in-lb)

3. Create FE-model (FE model name: Truss2D). Global coordinate system (CS1,
default) is generated.

4. Create Nodes (0,0,0), (12,9,0), (24,9,0), (12,0,0), (24,0,0), (36,0,0)

Create Copy Label Label size control

5. Create material property (Quick create, Steel, E = 310
7
, = 0.3)

6. Create Cross Section (Go to Beam Section, choose Circular section with diameter
= 2", store section).

Circular section Store section

7. Create Finite Element (Go back to Meshing, 1-D, Rod)

Create Label

8. Boundary Condition (Pin, axis of rotation = Z; Roller, X trans Z rot)

Displacement Force

9. Model Solution (Go to Model solution, Create, Solve). Procedure is shown in
Truss2D.lis

Solution Set.. Manage Solve

10. Post-Processing (Go to Postprocessing). Turn off Fast Display for contour plot.

Results Display Display Template

3.4. Truss Element in Three-Dimension
Three-Dimensional Coordinate Transformation
The coordinate transformation in the two-dimensional space can be generalized into
the three-dimensional space, although the latter is more complicated. The coordinate
transformation matrix is necessary to obtain the global stiffness matrix of a truss element.

N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

u
1

v
1

u
2

v
2

X
X
Y
K
Z
Z
w
2
w
1

Figure 3.10 Three-dimensional coordinate transformation

Since truss elements are two-force member, the displacements occur only along the
local x-axis. The global to local transformation matrix can be written as:

1
1
1 1
2 2
2
2
cos cos cos 0 0 0
0 0 0 cos cos cos
x y z
x y z
X
Y
x Z
x X
Y
Z

(
=
` ` (
)

)

Stiffness Matrix
The displacement and force transformations can be expressed as:

{ } [ ]{ } Displacement transformation Eq.
{ } [ ]{ } Force transformation Eq.
=
=
u T U
f T F


Combined with the local stiffness matrix, {f} = [k]{u}, we can then derive the global
stiffness matrix for an element

2 2
2 2
2 2
2
2
2
[ ]
x x y x z x x y x z
y y z x y y y z
z x z y z z
x x y x z
y y z
z
C C C C C C C C C C
C C C C C C C C
C C C C C C EA
L C C C C C
Sym C C C
C
(
(

(
(

=
(
(
(
(
(

K (3.12)
where C
x
= cos
x
, C
y
= cos
y
, and C
z
= cos
z
. The resulting matrix is a 66 matrix. The
size of the stiffness matrix is related to the number of nodal displacements. The nodal
displacements are also used to determine the number of degree-of-freedom at each node.
Example 3.4

Y
X
Z
6 kN
4 m
3 m
6 m
5 m
2 m
A
B
C
D
E
a
b

Lets solve the problem using the conventional vector algebra to solve the three-
dimensional truss problem. The material property of E = 210 GPa, and dimensions of the
cross-section are a = b = 7.5 mm. The coordinate of the nodes: A(5, 4, 3), B(0, 2, 3), C(5,
0, 0), D(5, 0, 6), E(0, 0, 3). Free Body Diagram of Node A:

F
AB

F
AD
F
AC

6 kN i

Position vectors AB, AC, and AD:

(0 5) _(2 4) (3 3) 5 2
(5 5) (0 4) (0 3) 4 3
(5 5) (0 4) (6 3) 4 3
AB
AC
AD
= + =
= + + =
= + + = +
i j k i j
i j k j k
i j k j k

Unit vectors along AB, AC, and AD:

2 2
2 2
2 2
5 2
0.9285 0.371
( 5) ( 2)
4 3
0.8 0.6
( 4) ( 3)
4 3
0.8 0.6
( 4) (3)
AB
AC
AD

= =
+

= =
+
+
= = +
+
i j
n i j
i j
n j k
i j
n j k

Force in each member

( 0.9285 0.371 )
( 0.8 0.6 )
( 0.8 0.6 )
AB AB AB AB
AC AC AC AC
AD AD AD AD
= =
= =
= = +
F F n F i j
F F n F j k
F F n F j k

Applying the equation of equilibrium at node A:

@
0 6000
6000 0.9285 0.371 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6
(6000 0.9285 ) ( 0.371 0.8 0.8 ) ( 0.6 0.6 )
A AB AC AD
AB AB AC AC AD AD
AB AB AC AD AC AD
= = + + +
= +
= + + +
F i F F F
i F i F j F j F k F j F k
F i F F F j F F k

Also, since the structure is symmetric,
AC AD
= F F . Therefore,
6000 0.9385 0, 6462
AB AB
N = = F F
0.371 0.8 0.8 0 1500
AB AC AD AC AD
N = = = F F F F F
Stresses:

5
5
6460/(5.63 10 ) 115
1500/(5.63 10 ) 26.7
AB
AC AD
MPa
MPa
= =
= = =


Degrees of Freedom
For a truss element in a one-dimensional space:

N
1

N
2

X
1
X
2
f
1
f
2
K

Figure 3.11 One-dimensional truss element

One nodal displacement at each node: one degree of freedom at each node. Each
element possesses two degree of freedom, which forms a 22 stiffness matrix for the
element. The global coordinate system coincides with the local coordinate system.

For a truss element in a two-dimensional space:

N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

X
1

Y
1

X
2

Y
2

X
Y
K

Figure 3.12 Two-dimensional truss element

Two nodal displacements at each node: two degrees-of-freedom at each node. Each
element possesses four degrees-of-freedom, which forms a 44 stiffness matrix for the
element.

For a truss element in a three-dimensional space:


N
1

N
2

f
1x

f
2x

X
1

Y
1

X
2

Y
2

X
Y
K
Z
Z
2

Z
1

Figure 3.13 Three-dimensional truss element

Three nodal displacements at each node: three degrees-of-freedom at each node.
Each element possesses six degrees-of-freedom, which forms a 66 stiffness matrix for
the element.

3.5. Project #1

The structure shown in Figure 3.14 is symmetric about member EF and the members
are connected to each other by pin joints. All members consist of the same material. A
concentrated load P = 50 kN is applied at point E, and a distributed force q = 1 kN/m is
acting on member AG and GB. Youngs modulus E = 207 GPa, yield stress
Y
= 200
MPa, density = 7,850 kg/m
3
, and height h = 1 m are given.

1. Use I-DEAS finite element software to verify whether this structure can carry the
given load without failing. Assume that all members have the square cross-sectional
area A = 22 cm
2
. Submit the following:

a) A plot of the structure showing all the node numbers and element numbers.
Describe all the forces and boundary conditions that you applied.

b) Plot of the structure in the deformed shape

c) Plot showing stress in the members

2. Minimize the weight of the structure in Figure 3.14 by varying the cross-sectional
area of each member while ensuring that none of the members fail. Make a table
listing the cross-sectional area, length, force, stress, and weight of each member and

the total weight of the optimized structure. Submit plots showing deformation and
stresses for the final design.

3. If members of this structure were welded to each other (instead of being connected
by pin joint), will the structure be stiffer? Verify by performing FEA using I-DEAS
to determine the deflection of node E for the same load. Assume that all members
have a same square cross-sectional area of A = 22 cm
2
. Include a plot of the
deformed shape and stresses.

A B
C
D
E
F
G
P
45
o

45
o
60
o
30
o

q
h

Figure 3.14 Twelve member structure
3.6. Exercise
3.1 Determine the nodal displacements and reaction forces using the direct stiffness
method.

x
f
1
= 50 N K
1
=50 N/cm K
2
=60 N/cm
N
1
N
2
N
3

3.2 For a two-dimensional truss structure as shown in the figure, determine
displacements of the nodes and normal stresses developed in the members using
the direct stiffness method. Use E = 3010
6
N/cm
2
and the diameter of the
circular cross-section is 0.25 cm.


60 N
9 cm
12 cm
Pin joint
Roller support

3.3 For a two-dimensional truss structure as shown in the figure, determine
displacements of the nodes and normal stresses developed in the members using
I-DEAS. Use E = 3010
6
N/cm
2
and the diameter of the circular cross-section is
0.25 cm.

50 N
9 cm
12 cm
N
1

N
2

N
3

3.4 Determine the normal stress in each member of the truss structure. All joints are
ball-joint and the material is steel whose Youngs modulus is E = 210 GPa.

Y
X
Z
8 kN
3 m
6 m
5 m
6 m
A
B
C
D
b
a
a = b = 10 cm


3.5 The truss structure shown in the figure supports force F. Finite element method is
used to analyze this structure using two truss elements as shown.

N
1

N
2

N
3
F
E, A, L
E, A, L
1
2
45
o

(a) Compute the transformation matrix for elements 1 and 2.

(b) Compute the element stiffness matrices for both elements in the global coordinate
system.

(c) Assemble the overall global matrix equations for the truss structure (dont apply
boundary conditions).

(d) Solve the finite element equation after applying the boundary conditions. Write
nodal displacements in the global coordinates.

(e) Compute stress in the element 1. Is it tensile or compressive?

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CHAP 3. Truss Finite Element

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