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Modeling - Rigid End Offsets

1) The document describes how to model rigid end offsets to account for shifts in neutral axes and flexibility in structural joints. 2) Rigid end offsets are modeled using additional nodes and rigid members to connect the ends of flexible members to joints. 3) This allows the model to account for the fact that member ends do not coincide with joint centers, better representing the structure's behavior.

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437 views7 pages

Modeling - Rigid End Offsets

1) The document describes how to model rigid end offsets to account for shifts in neutral axes and flexibility in structural joints. 2) Rigid end offsets are modeled using additional nodes and rigid members to connect the ends of flexible members to joints. 3) This allows the model to account for the fact that member ends do not coincide with joint centers, better representing the structure's behavior.

Uploaded by

Anonymous DNb6yWERfB
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modeling - Rigid End Offsets

Objectives:
1) Model the rigid portion of a structure
2) Use rigid end offsets to account for neutral axes shifts
3) Use rigid members to model offsets

Up to now, we have used the centerline dimensions of the real structure to create our
numerical models. The figure below shows an example of a real and the numerical
model of a structure.

This implies some assumptions about the structure that we have represented in our model.
The main assumption is that the depth of the member is small enough as not to affect the
results. In reality, our beam or column members stop at the joint. The structural joint
then connects the beams to the columns. The figure below shows the connection of the
beams and columns to joint elements.

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 1 of 1


When we use the centerline dimensions, we are assuming that the effect of the joint is
negligible. This implies that the additional length of the beams and columns (half the
beam or column depth) compensates for the effect of the joint. For most purposes, this is
a reasonable assumption. However, as the depth of a member becomes large or the
stiffness of a joint becomes large, this assumption fails.

In steel structures where 36-inch members and reinforced joints are used, the centerline
dimensions may not be acceptable. In concrete structures, the extreme rigidity of the
joint may cause the use of centerline dimensions to be inaccurate. The way to model this
effect is through the use of rigid end offsets when the flexibility of the joint can be
ignored.

Rigid end offsets allow you to model the fact that the ends of a member are not
considered to be part of the flexible portion. A model using rigid end offsets can be
represented schematically as shown below.

Notice how a rigid member replaces the portion of the member that extends from the
center of the joint to the end of the flexible portion of the member. This effect can be
handled in two ways:

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 2 of 2


1) Through the use of additional nodes and rigid members
2) Exactly through the use of a transformation matrix.

The use of extra nodes and members is an easy to use method that works in all programs.
The use of transformation matrices must be done at the program level and hence must be
an option in the program. We will look at the modeling method using extra nodes and
members first.

The most straightforward method of including rigid end offsets is to convert the model
with the rigid members into an analysis model. This means replacing the rigid sections
with small rigid beams. The model would look like:

Notice that each rigid end adds additional nodes and members. The DOF required for the
rigid end model are identical to the original structure, X and Y translation and Z rotation.
The choice of the properties for the rigid beam segments needs to again follow the rule of
thumb of 1000 times stiffer than the connected element. In this case, that means
choosing a moment of inertia 1000 times that of the connected element.

In the case of concrete or reinforced steel joints, this model will give good results.
However, the connection is still assumed to be rigid and the stiffness of the joint is
neglected. It is possible to add flexibility to the joint by using two nodes and springs
between them. This is identical to using a beam with a zero torsional moment of inertia
to model a hinge. By making the torsional stiffness represent the flexibility of the joint,
joint deformation can be included.

This same procedure of rigid members can be used to include the effect of a member
connected to another member but having different neutral axes. The most common use is
to include the effect of a pre-stressing tendon in a concrete beam. The concrete beam is
modeled using a standard beam element. The pre-stressing element is modeled using a

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 3 of 3


truss element. As an example, lets model the following simple span beam with a straight
pre-stressing tendon.

Note that the tendon is located at a distance d from the neutral axis of the beam. This
effect can be modeled using a rigid end offset for the truss element. The model shown
below can be used.

Beam Member

Tendon
Rigid Members Eccentricity

Truss Member

Computations Model of Prestressed Beam

Notice how rigid arms connect the beam to the truss. This has the effect of causing the
truss to stiffen the rotational stiffness of the beam as well as its axial stiffness. This
model can be created using either of the two methods above. If the truss element will
allow initial forces, such as pre-tensioning or thermal effects, then pre or post-tensioning
effects can be analyzed. The truss force at a distance from the neutral axis causes the
required additional moment.

The stiffening effect of the truss can be seen by looking at the deflected shape of the
combined structure shown below

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 4 of 4


Notice how the beam rotations cause the rigid arms to rotate and thus stretching the
tendon (truss) member. If the program being used has the option of using rigid end
offsets, then no rigid members or additional nodes are required. For the prestressed
beam, the truss would be connected directly to the support nodes with the applied
eccentricity.

Rigid End Offsets Example


Given the following steel frame, we would like to find the end moments in the beam
including the effects of the joints.

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 5 of 5


It is assumed that welding additional plates in the panel section reinforces the joints.
Therefore we can neglect any deformation of these joints and assume they are rigid..
Under this assumption, we can use the rigid end offset capability of SSTAN. The
centerline model of the structure with the nodes and members numbered is shown below.

Using the above figure we can create the required SSTAN input file. The file uses the
centerline nodal locations and includes the rigid ends for the beams. Notice that the rigid
end are given in the global coordinate system. Hence, the sign of the offset matches the
global coordinate directions. For example, the tops of the columns have a negative Y
offset singe they are downward from the joint. Another point to notice is that the
distributed load is applied to the beam but the beam is 18" shorter (due to the rigid ends.
Therefore, 18" worth of the distributed load is neglected. The required input file is:

Condensed Example - Rigid End Offsets


4,1,1
:
Boundary
1,4 dof=r,r,f,f,f,r
1,4,3 dof=f,f,f,f,f,r : Pinned supports
:
coordinate
1 x=0+9 y=0 z=0 : add depth of column
2 y=18*12-12 : subtract half depth of beam
3 x=40*12-9 : subtract depth of beam
4 y=0
:
beam
3,2
1 a= 31 i=3100 e=29000 : beam element
2 a=35 i=2190 e=29000 : column element
1 1,2,3 m=2 j=0,-12 : rigid end offset at top column -
12"

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 6 of 6


2 2,3,1 m=1 i=9 j=-9 l=-1.5/12 : beam - offset both ends 9"
3 4,3,1 m=2 j=0,-12 i=0 : column - offset top - 12"
:
loads
2 l=1 f=3 : 3 kip load at left joint
:

After running SSTAN, we can plot the structure to verify the input. Looking at the plot
we can see the rigid end offsets shown for each member. The maximum moment is
found under the beam results. The output for the beam is:

---------------------- FRAME MEMBER RESULTS ----------------


MEM LOAD NODE 1-2 PLANE 1-3 PLANE AXIAL FORCE
# # # MOMENT SHEAR MOMENT SHEAR
2 1 2 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .11444E+04 -.26425E+02 .97755E+01
3 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 -.17325E+04 -.29075E+02 -.97755E+01
AXIAL TORQUE = .00000E+00
** MAXIMUM MIDSPAN MOMENT = .165E+04 AT DISTANCE 211.40 FROM NODE 2

Note that the maximum positive moment is also given for loaded members.

Modeling – Rigid End Offsets - Page 7 of 7

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