CEE 456 Structural Analysis

Assigned 3/24/2015

HW 1
Due 4/1/2015, 5:30 pm

The first three problems in this assignment are designed to allow you to brush up on your statics and
mechanics of materials basics. We will build on these skills throughout the quarter and they are essential
for the understanding the concepts in this class. The fifth problem is based on material discussed this first
week.
Problem 1
Determine the axial loads in the two trusses below. Include in your solution a sketch of each truss with the
member axial loads indicated; a tensile (compressive) axial load should be identified as positive
(negative). What is the primary difference between the two trusses in terms of the member axial loads?
(20 points)
Truss 1:

Truss 2:

CEE 456 Structural Analysis

Assigned 3/24/2015

HW 1
Due 4/1/2015, 5:30 pm

Problem 2
Determine the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the two different loadings of beam below.
Note that the open circles indicate pin connections. (20 Points)
Loading 1:

Loading 2:

Problem 3
Use the method of superposition to determine the support reactions, axial forces in each bar segment and
the displacement of Point B in the system below. To do this, identify the member stiffnesses assuming all
members have cross-sectional area, A, and modulus of elasticity, E. Identify the necessary kinematic,
constitutive and equilibrium equations. Formulate the equations algebraically but you may solve using
values: P = 25 kips, A = 1 in2, E = 30000 ksi, L = 50 in.

a
L/4

b
L/4

1.5P

c
L/2

CEE 456 Structural Analysis

Assigned 3/24/2015

HW 1
Due 4/1/2015, 5:30 pm

Problem 4:
The figure below represents a reaction frame that is commonly used in the Structural Engineering
Research Laboratory. It is designed to test member b while having small overall deflection. In other
words, it is designed so that the displacement at node 2 may be large but the displacement at node 3
should be small. Loads may be applied at nodes 2 and 3 to test the force-deformation behavior of member
b. The system may be idealized as shown and the crossbar can be assumed to not bend or rotate. Your job
is to analyze the idealized system to ensure that the design objective is achieved. (40 Points)

(a) Write down the expressions for the spring stiffnesses, ka, kb, kc and kd, in terms of physical
parameters indicated for the Real System.
(b) Write down the four kinematic relations expressing the member elongations, a, b, c and d in
terms of the system displacements 1, 2 and 3. You can simplify the expressions using the fact
that 1 = 0 here.
(c) Express the kinematic expressions in matrix form and identify the kinematics/compatibility
matrix [B].
(d) Determine equilibrium equations relating the system loads, P2 and P3, to the member forces, fa, fb,
fc and fd.
(e) Express the equilibrium equations in matrix form and verify that the equilibrium matrix is
equivalent to [B]T, the transpose of the kinematics matrix. Is [B]T square and symmetric? Is it
invertible?
(f) Write down the constitutive relations expressing the member forces , fa, fb, fc and fd, in terms of
the member elongations, a, b, c and d, and member spring stiffnessses, ka, kb, kc and kd.
(g) Express the constitutive equations in matrix form and identify the constitutive matrix, [C]. Is this
matrix square and symmetric?
(h) Use the results you have generated so far to construct the system stiffness matrix, [K].
(i) Use the following member properties to compute numerical values for the stiffness matrix: Ea =
Ec = Ed = 20,000 ksi, Eb = 10,000 ksi, Aa = Ad = 100 in2, Ac = 75 in2, Ab = 50 in2, La = Ld = 20 ft,
Lb = 10 ft, and Lc = 10 ft.
(j) Compute the system displacements and member forces for the load case P2 = 200 kips and P3 =
150 kips.
(k) Does the testing frame achieve the objectives of limiting the system displacement of the cross-bar
when testing member b (use judgment based on the above calculations)?
(l) What differences would you expect if the area of members a and d were reduced by half (no
calculations necessary just a rational discussion)?