EAS254/3 - STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Computer Software for Structural Analysis by Aslam Kassimali

Introduction:

- This computer software only designed to analyze 2-D plane structures.

- The structures can be analyzed including plane trusses, continuous beams, and
plane frames.
- The analysis of structures is based on Matrix Stiffness (Displacement) Method.
- This software is using basic Imperial Units. E.g. ft (length), k/ft2 (moduli of
elasticity), ft 2 (cross-sectional area), ft 4 (moment of inertia), kips (joint force), k-ft
(moment), and k/ft(uniformly distributed load).
- The input data consist of following:-
o General Structural Data
o Joint Coordinates and Supports
o Material Properties
o Cross-Sectional Properties
o Member Data
o Joint Loads
o Uniformly Distributed Load on Frame and Beam Members
o Support Settlements, Temperature Changes and Fabrication Errors
- The output of analysis results may consist of following:-
o Joint Displacements
o Member Axial Forces (for truss) or Member End Forces in Local
Coordinates (for beam and frame)
o Support Reactions

A. Analysis of Truss

Check: Horizontal Displacement at point C ∆C= 0.13 ft →

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1. Starting Computer Software
 Start > All Programs> Structural Analysis 3.0 by A. Kassimali
 Click I Agree – Continue.

2. Creating New Model

 Project > New Project
 Enter project title as Truss
 Select structural type as Plane Truss and click OK

3. Define Joint Coordinates and Supports

 Click Joints
 Key in X-Coordinate, Y-Coordinate, and Restraints for each joints as tabulated
in below:
Joint X-Coordinate Y-Coordinate Restraints
A 1 0 0 X, Y
B 2 4 0 Y
C 3 9 12 -
 Click OK after finish input the data

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4. Define Material Properties
 Click Materials
 Enter modulus of elasticity E as 1440000
 Enter Co-eff. of thermal expansion as 0
 Click OK

5. Define Cross-sectional Properties

 Click Cross-sections
 Enter Area A as 0.041667
 Click OK

6. Define Member Data

 Click Members
 For each member, input the beginning point, end point, material no., and cross-
section no. as shown in table below:-
Member No. Beginning joint End joint Material No. Cross-section No.
1 1 2 1 1
2 2 3 1 1
3 1 3 1 1
 Click OK

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7. Define Joint Loads
 Click Loads > Joint Loads
 Enter Joint No., X-force, and Y-force as 3, 0, and -40 respectively
 Click OK

8. Saving the File

 Project > Save project

9. Running the Analysis

 Click Analyze
 “Save Input Data in File?”, click Yes
 “Print Results of the Analysis?”, click No

10. Viewing the Results

 Click Joint Displacements to view X Translation and Y Translation
 Click Member Forces to view Axial Force
 Click Reactions to view X Force and Y Force at support
 The print-out results are shown in Appendix A

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B. Analysis of Beam

1. Creating New Model

 Project > New Project
 Enter project title as Continuous Beam
 Select structural type as Beam and click OK

2. Define Joint Coordinates and Supports

 Click Joints
 Key in X-Coordinate, Y-Coordinate, and Restraints for each joints as tabulated
in below:
Joint X-Coordinate Restraints
A 1 0 Y, Rot.
B 2 20 Y
- 3 30 -
C 4 40 Y
D 5 55 Y, Rot.
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  Click OK after finish input the data

3. Define Material Properties

 Click Materials
 Enter modulus of elasticity E as 4176000
 Enter Co-eff. of thermal expansion as 0
 Click OK

4. Define Cross-sectional Properties

 Click Cross-sections
 Enter moment of inertia as 0.024113
 Click OK

5. Define Member Data

 Click Members
 For each member, input the beginning point, end point, material no., and cross-
section no. as shown in table below:-
Member No. Beginning joint End joint Material No. Cross-section No.
1 1 2 1 1
2 2 3 1 1
3 3 4 1 1
4 4 5 1 1
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  Click OK

6. Define Joint Loads

 Click Loads > Joint Loads
 Enter Joint No., Y-load, and moment as 3, -30, and 0 respectively
 Click OK

7. Define Uniformly Distributed Loads

 Click Loads > Member Loads
 Enter Member No. and Load Intensity -w as 1 and 1.5 respectively
 Click OK

8. Saving the File

 Project > Save project

9. Running the Analysis

 Click Analyze
 “Save Input Data in File?”, click Yes
 “Print Results of the Analysis?”, click No

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10. Viewing the Results
 Click Joint Displacements to view Y Translation and Rotation (rad)
 Click Member Forces to view Shear force and Moment
 Click Reactions to view Y Force and Moment at support
 The print-out results are shown in Appendix B

C. Analysis of Frame

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1. Creating New Model
 Project > New Project
 Enter project title as Frame
 Select structural type as Plane Frame and click OK

2. Define Joint Coordinates and Supports

 Click Joints
 Key in X-Coordinate, Y-Coordinate, and Restraints for each joints as tabulated
in below:
Joint X-Coordinate Y-Coordinate Restraints
A 1 0 0 X, Y
B 2 0 15 -
- 3 10 15 -
C 4 20 15 -
D 5 20 0 X, Y
 Click OK after finish input the data

3. Define Material Properties

 Click Materials
 Enter modulus of elasticity E as 4176000
 Enter Co-eff. of thermal expansion as 0
 Click OK

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4. Define Cross-sectional Properties
 Click Cross-sections
 Enter Area A as 0.243056
 Enter moment of inertia as 0.048225
 Click OK

5. Define Member Data

 Click Members
 For each member, input the beginning point, end point, material no., cross-
section no., and Hinge as shown in table below:-
Member Beginning End Material Cross-section Hinge
No. joint joint No. No.
1 1 2 1 1 -
2 2 3 1 1 End
3 3 4 1 1 Beginning
4 4 5 1 1 -
 Click OK

6. Define Joint Loads

 Click Loads > Joint Loads
 Enter Joint No., X-load, Y-load, and moment as 2, 10, 0, and 0 respectively
 Click OK

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7. Define Uniformly Distributed Loads
 Click Loads > Member Loads
 Enter first Member No. and Load Intensity -w as 2 and 2 respectively
 Enter second Member No. and Load Intensity -w as 3 and 2 respectively
 Click OK

8. Saving the File

 Project > Save project

9. Running the Analysis

 Click Analyze
 “Save Input Data in File?”, click Yes
 “Print Results of the Analysis?”, click No

10. Viewing the Results

 Click Joint Displacements to view X Translation, Y Translation and Rotation
(rad)
 Click Member Forces to view Axial force, Shear force and Moment
 Click Reactions to view X force, Y force and Moment at support
 The print-out results are shown in Appendix C

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References

Kassimali A. (2005). Structural Analysis. Third Edition. Thomson.

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Appendix A – Results of Truss Analysis

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Appendix B – Results of Beam Analysis

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Appendix C – Results of Frame Analysis

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