Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro

Bar and Truss

Bar is a simple structural element, which can carry only axial force and results in axial deformation
(lengthening or shortening). In a bar structure, all elements have the same axis (co-axial axis), and the
applied axial load is at the same axis of bars. If the bar elements have different axis, the structure is termed
as truss.
1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

Displacement function (linear):

u a1 a2 x SIMILAR TO SPRING
In term of nodal displacements :
x d1x d1x
x
u 1 u N1 N 2
L L d 2 x d 2 x
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
The Form of Bar Element Equation

1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

f1x k11 k12 d1x f1x k11 d1x k12 d 2 x

f 2 x k21 k22 d 2 x f 2 x k21 d1x k22 d 2 x

A = bar cross-sectional area

E = modulus Young
L = length of bar element
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
Element Equation, Direct Equilibrium

1 A,E,L 2
x,u
f1x, d1x f2x, d2x
Bar element convention

A,E

T T

Deformation of a bar under tensile load

Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
Element Equation, Direct Equilibrium
T A x x E
d 2 x d1x

d 2 x d1x T AE
L
L L

f1x T
d d2x
f1x AE 1x
L
f1x AE 1 1 d1x
f2x T 1 1 d
2x
f L 2 x
d d
f 2 x AE 2 x 1x
L {f} = [k] {d}
 Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
Truss
A framework composed of bar members joined at their ends to form a rigid structure
is known as a truss. In truss structures, the end connections are assumed to be
pin jointed connections. Bridges, roof supports, and derricks are common examples
of trusses.
y
2 4
Global coordinate x-y
Local coordinate x y
1 6 x
3 5 Element equation in local
x
coordinate
f1x
d1x
AE 1 1
f 2x , d 2x

1 1

A truss element 2

f2x L d 2 x

A, E

f [k]d
L

1

xx
f 1x , d 1x
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
Transformation Matrix
y
d d xi d y j dxi d y j
y dy d

d x
C S d x
d y x
d x d
d
y S C y

O dx x C = cos S = sin
The x-y and x - y coordinate systems.

d1x
d1x C
S 0 0 d1 y

d 2 x 0 0 C S d 2 x
d 2 y
C S 0 0
d T d
* T* =
S
.
0 0 C
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss
f2y, d2y
x
y
f2x, d2x
2 d1x C S 0 0 d1x

d1 y S C 0 0 d1 y
A, E, L
d2 x 0 0 C S d 2 x
f1y, d1y d 2 y 0 0
S C d 2 y

1
x
d Td
f1x, d1x

A bar element in global coordinate axis.

C2 CS C2 CS

AE CS S2 CS S2
k T kT k 2
T
L C CS C2 CS

CS S2 CS S 2

The element stiffness matrix

in global coordinate
Chapter 3 W Kuntjoro
Bar and Truss

The equation of the truss element

(or the bar element in global coordinate)

f1x C2 CS C2 CS d1x
f
1y AE CS S2 CS S 2 d1 y

f 2 x L C 2
CS C2 CS d 2 x
f 2 y
CS S2 CS S 2 d 2 y

f [k ]d