Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.

Computer Aided Analysis

Notes

Analysis of structures can be a very tedious operation if done entirely by hand calculations.
The process becomes complex for multi-redundant structures. Over the years, various
methods have been developed to simplify the hand calculations for the analysis of redundant
structures; one such technique is the moment distribution.

Structural analysis for the determination of forces, moments displacements in individual

members is very conveniently solved for by the application of matrix methods and basic
strength of materials. The most popular and convenient technique is the matrix stiffness
method. The concept of the matrix stiffness method is very straight forward but the hand
computations involved is repetitive and tedious. A computer is therefore used to speed up the
process.

The increasing power, availability and falling prices of the computers have had a direct effect
on the engineers in their approach to structural analysis. There are numerous software
available on the market for structural analyses that run on a personal computer. The matrix
stiffness method is almost universally used for the structural analyses of frames.

Naturally, all software must give the same answers for the same problem. However, each
software will have a different way of modelling a structure. With Graphical User Interface
now as the standard computer operating system, most of the modelling is done through the
clicking of the mouse. The engineers job of modelling a structure is now even easier than it
used to be as industry standard software now invariably have a graphical interface. Generally
speaking, the better the graphics, the more it costs.

We will be looking at the modelling of plane frames, that is, the structure is all lying on one
plane and the loads are applied in the same plane. There are three steps involved: modelling
(data input), analysis (the actual number crunching) and output (the results).

It is instructive to look at a particular (simple) example to highlight the discussion. The

determinate frame shown below is pinned at the left column base and is on rollers (simple
support) at the right column base. The frame is subjected to side load of 6 kN at the top left
corner, a downward load of 24 kN at the horizontal member mid span, and a downward
uniformly distributed load of 3 kN/m on the horizontal member. All the members are of
constant section and of the same material. We want to model this on the Strand7 to get the
bending moment diagram.

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.2

24 kN

3 kN/m
6 kN
2 3 4

3m

5m
5

1 X
3m 3m

Modelling
The frame must be wholly and accurately described in the manner that the software is set-up
for correct interpretation of the modelled frame. The user has to pay particular attention to the
units for each item. Most programs have a default system of units for each item. The
following items need to be somehow described:
frame geometry
section properties
material properties
applied loads
supports

Frame geometry: nodes

The frame geometry is described by discrete nodes representing the section centroid. The
position of a node is described by coordinates referenced to an axes system. For plane frame
analysis, only two coordinate values are required to fix a nodal position. Generally, a
cartesian axes system is used (although for non straight members, a polar or cylindrical axes
system may be more suitable). The cartesian axes system is one in which the three axes are
mutually perpendicular and it follows a Right-Hand-System (RHS). Thus, using the RHS,
positive X into positive Y screws into positive Z; or positive Y into positive Z screws into
positive X; or positive Z into positive X screws into positive Y. The axes forming the plane
of the frame will be taken as the X and Z axes:

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.3

The nodal coordinates are defined in the global axes system. A global axes system, implicit
by its global nature, is therefore common to all the members in the frame, regardless of the
member inclination. A convenient origin is chosen for the global axes. It is not necessary that
this origin should lie on the frame. The most convenient location is the extreme left bottom
position, thus ensuring all the coordinates have a positive value. For the example, the global
axes origin is chosen to be at the base of the left column.

The global axes system is denoted by the capital letters X, Y and Z.

There must be sufficient nodes to define completely the frame geometry. In this case, only
four nodes would be needed; Nodes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Generally, it is good practice to define a node at the extremities of a member, at the location
of the point loads and at the extremities of a distributed loading on a member. In some
computer packages, it is not essential to define a node at the extremities of a distributed
loading on a member, as offset positions of the distributed load from the member extremities
can be input from which the calculations are then adjusted accordingly.

Additional nodes must be positioned at locations where specific output is required. Thus, if
the bending moment or the displacement at a particular location is needed, then a
corresponding node must be placed there.

For the example then, five nodes will be needed. The actual coordinate values will depend on
the length units set by the user in the program. Thus:

Node X Y
1 0 0
2 0 5
3 3 5
4 6 5
5 6 2

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.4

Frame geometry: elements

The actual member is represented by an element connected by two nodes, each being at the
section centroid. The order in which the nodes are connected (topology) implicitly defines the
element axes system. Thus, an element connected from Node A to Node B will have a
different element axes directions than the same element connected from Node B to Node A.
Thus the element topology has to be carefully defined.

The element axes is sometimes referred to as the local axes. The element axes system is also
usually a cartesian axes system. The element axes system is denoted by the small letters x, y
and z.

The element positive x-axis (sometimes referred to as the beam principal axis) is the line
joining Node A to Node B, with the origin at Node A. The element y-axis and element z-axis
then forms a right hand system. It is extremely important that the user is absolutely clear as to
the element axes system used, as some output (forces and moments) are given in the element
axes (or in planes dependant on the local axes) and the directions of the output is thus
dependant on the correct interpretation of the element axes.

x
A B
z

This follows a RHS cartesian system, with the positive z-axis coming out of the paper. For
the modelling of a horizontal member, the user is therefore encouraged to stick to defining
the first node (Node A) as being the left node, and the second node (Node B) as being the
right node. A change in this order, say from Node B to Node A, will change the directions of
the local element axes (and the principal planes).

The local element axes for a vertical member is defined as:

B

y A
z

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.5

Again, this follows a RHS cartesian system, with the positive z-axis coming out of the paper.
For the modelling of a vertical member, the user is therefore encouraged to stick to defining
the first node (Node A) as being the lower node, and the second node (Node B) as being the
upper node. A change in this order, say from Node B to Node A, will change the directions of
the local element axes.

The local axes for an inclined member is defined as:

y x

Again, this follows a RHS cartesian system, with the positive z-axis coming out the paper.
For the modelling of an inclined member, the user is therefore encouraged to stick to defining
the first node (Node A) as being the lower node, and the second node (Node B) as being the
upper node. A change in this order, say from Node B to Node A, will change the directions of
the local element axes.

For the example then, the element nodal connections (topology) for the four elements,
keeping to the practice described above, are:

Element Node A Node B

1 1 2
2 2 3
3 3 4
4 5 4

Section properties
A section is completely defined by the cross sectional dimensions and the relevant elastic
properties of the material used.

Only two section property values are required for plane frame analysis. These are the cross
sectional area (A) and the second moment of area about the major bending axis which is the
zz-axis (Izz). For space frame analysis, the additional section property values required are the
second moment of area about the other minor bending axis that is the yy-axis(Iyy), and the
torsion constant (J). By default, most programs expect to have all the four section property
values (A, Izz, Iyy, J), even if only plane frame analysis is requested.

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.6

The section properties may either be directly input by the user, or the user can select industry
approved sections from a given database and the section properties will be automatically
calculated by the program. Alternatively, the user can edit the cross sectional dimensions
from given standard sections, and the program will then calculate the section property values
automatically.

Section material
Only one elastic property for the material used is required for plane frame analysis; this is the
Young's modulus value (E) of the material.

For this example, all the members are of the same constant section and of the same material.
Since only the bending moment values are of interest, then any section can be chosen from
the supplied database for the cross sectional dimensions and the material property.

Applied loads
All loads are applied in either the global axes direction or the element axes directions. In
most cases, for non complicated loading types, the loads are usually applied in the global axes
directions.

If a load is acting in the same direction to that of a positive global axis direction, then a
positive value of the load is specified. However, if a load is acting in the opposite direction to
that of a positive global axis direction, then a negative value of the load is specified.

Point loads (forces, couples, settlement) are usually best applied at a node (although it is
possible to apply it as an element load with offset positions specified). Distributed loads are
best applied on an element.

In this example, the following loads are applied:

Value Direction Location

6 Global X Node 2
-24 Global Y Node 3
-3 Global Y Element 2
-3 Global Y Element 3

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.7

Supports
Each node has an associated "degree of freedom" (dof). A degree of freedom is an item that is
needed at a node to simulate the structural behaviour. Nodal degrees of freedom are usually
described in the global axes directions (although it is possible to describe them in the element
axes directions).

For a plane frame analysis, each node has three degrees of freedom. In terms of the global
directions, the degrees of freedom are: X-displacement, Y-displacement and rotation about
the Z-axis (Z-rotation). These three items will completely define the structural response of a
plane frame subjected to plane loading.

A structure support is represented by a nodal restraint of a relevant degree of freedom. Where

there is no support, then the three degrees of freedom at node are allowed complete free
movement. For example, a pinned support will not allow any X-displacement and Y-
displacement, but the rotation about the Z-axis will free to occur. Thus, a degree of freedom
is either restrained (no corresponding movement allowed) or free (corresponding movement
is allowed to occur). The global axes is defined as:

X
Z

Support Description X-displacement Y-displacement Z-rotation

Fixed Restrained Restrained Restrained

Pinned Restrained Restrained Free

Vertical simple Free Restrained Free

support

Horizontal Restrained Free Free

or simple support

In this example, the supports are:

Support Node X-displacement Y-displacement Z-rotation
Pinned 1 Restrained Restrained Free
Simple support 5 Free Restrained Free

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.8

Output
Having modelled the structure correctly, the analysis is then activated. At this stage, an
overall check is made that the data input has been correctly described and all the relevant
required data are available. If there are no errors in the preparation stage, then the analysis
will proceed. If any error is encountered, then these will be highlighted and the analysis will
not proceed.

The details and the extent of the output will be dependent on the capabilities of the program.
The following output is usually available as a minimum:
Text:
data input echo
node displacements
element end forces
reactions
Graphical:
axial force diagram
shear force diagram
bending moment diagram
displaced shape

Text output
The data input echo prints out all the input data usually in a tabular form. The default values
for any particular data stage input is also echoed. This textual echo is extremely useful and
the user must scrutinise it thoroughly to check that the structure has been modelled correctly.

The nodal displacements is usually given in the global axes directions. A negative
translational value indicates a direction opposite to the positive global axis direction. The
displacements output for plane frame analysis are the X-displacement (DX), Y-displacement
(DY) and Z-rotation (RZ).

The element end forces gives (for plane frame analysis) the axial force (FX), shear force (FY)
and bending moment (MZ) at the two end nodes of an element. These values are usually
given in the element axes system, or the beam principal planes (dependant on the local
element axes).

The support reactions are generally given in the global axes. For plane frame analysis, the
reactions are force in the X-direction (FX), force in the Y-direction (FY) and moment about
the Z-axis (MZ).

M DATOO
Computer Aided Analysis: Notes 2.9

Graphical output
A picture of the modelled structure from the input data is extremely useful in getting a visual
check on the correct modelling. If say, a node has been mistyped, then the structure view
would immediately show something is wrong. All sorts of relevant information can be
requested to be shown or hidden on the structure: e.g. node points, node numbers, element
numbers, element orientation, loads, supports etc.

The output results of displacements, forces and bending moments can also be viewed
graphically. This facility will give a quick view of the expected results without having to go
through the text output in detail. Usually, there is a facility for annotating the output values
on the structure and on individual elements.

M DATOO