EV204 Theory of Structure

Structure of Chapter

CHAPTER 5: VIRTUAL WORK METHOD ON TRUSSES

a) Introduction to Virtual Work Method (VWM)

b) VWM on Trusses

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
Introduction to Virtual Work Method
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-1

Principle of Virtual Work Method

•An energy method developed by John Bernoulli in 1717
•Most energy methods are based on the conservation of energy, i.e. the
work done by all external forces acting on a structure, Ue is transformed into
internal work, Ui when structure deforms:

Ue = Ui

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
Introduction to Virtual Work Method
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-1
• External work:
a) Force: Work = Force acting x Displacement of force acting point in its direction

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
Introduction to Virtual Work Method
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-1
b) Moment: Work = Moment x Total rotation in radians

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
Introduction to Virtual Work Method
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-3

• External loads cause internal loads, and are related by equilibrium

equations
• External loads will cause external displacements; internal loads will cause
internal displacements  external and internal displacements are related
by compatibility of displacements
• The basic concept of Virtual Work Method, based on conservation of
energy, is therefore:
 Work due to external loads =  Work due to internal loads

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
Introduction to Virtual Work Method
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-3

 (Virtual external force x Real external displacement) =  (Virtual internal force x Real internal displacement)

So, for a virtual UNIT load, 1 = uL

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
VWM on Trusses
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-4

• Application on Truss Structures

i. Computing internal displacement of a truss member

L
L

For thermal loading and fabrication error displacement, read textbook 9-4. 7
 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
VWM on Trusses
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-4

ii. Procedure of analysis

a) Place virtual unit load on where displacement need to be found
and in the same direction as the displacement.
b) Find virtual internal forces due to unit load only.
c) Find real internal forces.
d) Apply virtual work method equation to compute displacement.

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 EV204 Theory of Structure
VWM ON TRUSSES
VWM on Trusses Determine the vertical
REF: Textbook Chapter 9, 9-4 displacement at joint C of the
truss. For each of the steel
Look into Textbook Example 9-1: bar, the cross-sectional area,
A = 300 mm2 and Young’s
Modulus, E = 200 GPa

3m

3m 3m 3m

20 kN 20 kN