FINITE ELEMENT SPREADSHEET

Program Description:
This is an MS-Excel spreadsheet to analyze 2-Dimensional frame and truss problems.
The frame resides in the x-y plane and consists of a number of members. Each member is straight, defined
by the nodes at each end. The number of nodes and members is fixed for a given spreadsheet.
Each node must be connected to the structure.
Each member must have a node at each end (cannot have the same node at each end of a member)
Members that are not needed can be "inactivated" by setting properties Axx, Izz and/or E_mod to approach zero.
"Right-hand rule" defines x,y & z axes and shear & moment sign convention.
Inputs are:
Node coordinates, in x-y plane
Member connectivity (which two nodes define member end points)
Member properties, Axx, Izz, E_mod (cross-section area, moment-of-inertia, and modulus of elasticity)
Support springs, at node locations only. Springs may be kx, ky (deflection in x&y) or kz (rotation in z)
Node loads, Fx, Fy, Mz (forces in x&y, moment about z)
Member uniform load (a distributed load of constant value along the length of and perpendicular to a member)
Note that the calculated values at a member end may not be maximum values for that member.

Calculated Results:
Support Reactions (x&y forces, z-moments)
Node displacements (x&y displacements, z-rotation)
Member end forces (Axial force, shear force, moment) - Note that the calculated values at a member end may not be maximum
All intermediate calculations steps and values are available.
This program is a workbook consisting of three (3) worksheets, described as follows:

Worksheet Tab

Contents

Description
FEM
Plot

This documentation sheet

Finite Element Analysis
Member geometry plot

Program Assumptions and Limitations:

1. This program uses the "stiffness matrix" method of analysis and the following basic analysis assumptions:
a. Members are isotropic and homogeneous (Axx, Izz, and E_mod are constant for entire length).
b. Small deflections (not significant enough to alter the geometry of the problem).
c. Stress is linearly proportional to strain, ie: elastic.
d. Shear deformations are not included.
2. A vertical load, horizontal load, and externally moment may be applied to any of the joints of the frame.
Joint loads are to be applied in "global" axes directions. Note: Joint loads applied directly at supports are merely
added directly to support reactions and are not reflected in member end force values.
Procedure Used by FEM Spreadsheet:
1. User inputs node geometry & loads, and member connectivity, properties & uniform loading
2. Spreadsheet calculates fixed-end moments (FEM's) and shears for each member due to applied member loads.
3. Spreadsheet calculates local member stiffness matrix for each member. (See FEM cells AA7:AF12 for equations)

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Spreadsheet calculates coordinate transformation matrix for each member (transforms local geometry to global)
Transforms local member stiffness matrix into global stiffness componants for each member.
Assembles the global matrix, K, by summing all local values for each respective degree-of-freedom.
Inverts the global stiffness matrix (using Excel's "MINVERSE" function, or add-in function "MINVERSE.EXT")
Assembles the global loading vector, F, from node loads and FEM values of step 2 above.
Calculates global deflections from D= [K]-1*F
Calculates member end forces, using global deflections, F, and transformed local stiffensses (see FEM tab)

Disclaimer:

This spreadsheet is provided for illustrative teaching purpose only, and is not intended for use in any specific project
Anyone making use of the information contained in this spreadsheet does so at his/her own risk and assumes any an
all resulting liability arising therefrom.

pproach zero.

us of elasticity)

ndicular to a member)

at a member end may not be maximum values for that member.

ports are merely

o applied member loads.

s AA7:AF12 for equations)

nsforms local geometry to global)

n "MINVERSE.EXT")

sses (see FEM tab)

ded for use in any specific project."

her own risk and assumes any and

FIGURE 4

3-STORY BUILDING EXAMPLE

16 NODE, 37 MEMBER SPREADSHEET

Rev:
1/25/12

This spreadsheet is provided for illustrative teaching purpose only, and is not intended for use in any specific project." Anyone making use
of the information contained in this spreadsheet does so at his/her own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

NODE DATA:
Node x
y
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
7
10
8
20
9
30
10
30
11
30
12
30
13
30
14
30
15
0.001
16
20

Support Springs
Input Forces
k_rot
k_y
k_x
Mom
FY
0
999999
999999
15
30
40
50
60
60
60
60
50
40
30
15
0
999999
999999
30
30

[rad]
Support Reactions
Output Deflections
FX
Mom
FY
FX
Rot [radians] Dy
0
-1500
-637.2
-0.22
0
0
0.0
-0.21
1000
0
0
0.0
-0.17
0
0
0.0
-0.14
0
0
0.0
-0.11
1000
0
0
0.0
-0.09
0
0
0.0
-0.07
0
0
0.0
-0.07
0
0
0.0
-0.09
0
0
0.0
-0.12
0
0
0.0
-0.13
0
0
0.0
-0.13
0
0
0.0
-0.20
0
4500
-1362.8
-0.23
0
0
0.0
-0.02
0
0
0.0
-0.06
1

MEMBER DATA:
Output Member Forces
Mem I_node
j_node Axx
Izz
E_mod
Uni_Load
Len
Mi
Vi
Axi
Mj
1
1
2
0.200
10
596571
15
0
637
-1500
2
2
3
0.200
10
596571
15
-9557
637
-1500
3
3
4
0.200
10
596571
10 -19113
-152
-546
4
4
5
0.200
10
596571
10 -17596
-152
-546
5
5
6
0.200
10
596571
10 -16079
-152
-546
6
6
7
0.200
10
596571
-50
10 -14562
-546
1152
7
7
8
0.200
10
596571
-50
10
-6602
-1046
1152
8
8
9
0.200
10
596571
-50
10
6357
-1546
1152
9
9
10
0.200
10
596571
10
24317
1152
2046
10
10
11
0.200
10
596571
10
12800
1152
2046
11
11
12
0.200
10
596571
10
1282
1152
2046
12
12
13
0.200
10
596571
15
40885
1363
4500
13
13
14
0.200
10
596571
15
20443
1363
4500
14
3
15
0.050
1.0E-08
596571
[Pin]
0.001
-1
-954
211
15
15
16
0.050
10
596571
-50
20
0
-954
211
16
16
12
0.050
10
596571
-50
10
29080
-1954
211
17
1
2
0.000
0.000
0.000
[Inactive]
15
0
0
0
18
2
3
0.000
0.000
0.000
15
0
0
0
19
3
4
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
20
4
5
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
21
5
6
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
22
6
7
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
23
7
8
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
24
8
9
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
25
9
10
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
26
10
11
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
27
11
12
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
28
12
13
0.000
0.000
0.000
15
0
0
0
29
13
14
0.000
0.000
0.000
15
0
0
0
30
3
15
0.000
0.000
0.000
0
0
0
0
31
15
16
0.000
0.000
0.000
20
0
0
0
32
16
12
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
33
1
2
0.000
0.000
0.000
15
0
0
0
34
2
3
0.000
0.000
0.000
15
0
0
0
35
3
4
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
36
4
5
0.000
0.000
0.000
10
0
0
0
37
1
2
0.000
0.000
0.000
[Inactive]
15
0
0
0

Dx
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.5
-0.2
-0.9
-1.7
-1.5
-1.3
-1.1
-0.6
0.0
0.4
-0.2

0.0
3.2
6.1
7.6
8.9
9.9
9.8
9.7
9.6
8.5
7.2
5.9
3.3
0.0
6.1
5.9

Vj
9557
19115
17596
16079
14562
6602
-6357
-24317
-12800
-1282
10235
-20443
0
0
-29080
-51120
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Axj
-637
-637
152
152
152
1046
1546
2046
-1152
-1152
-1152
-1363
-1363
954
1954
2454
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1500
1500
546
546
546
-1152
-1152
-1152
-2046
-2046
-2046
-4500
-4500
-211
-211
-211
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

NODE AND MEMBER PLOT

30
1

60 xi / xj
yi / yj
2
0
0
0
15

0
0

15
30

0
0

30
40

0
0

40
50

0
0

50
60

0
10

60
60

10
20

60
60

20
30

60
60

10

30
30

60
50

10

10

11

30
30

50
40

11

11

12

30
30

40
30

12

12

13

30
30

30
15

13

13

14

30
30

15
0

14

15

0
0.001

30
30

15

15

16

0.001
20

30
30

16

16

12

20

30

NODE & MEMBER PLOT

70

60
Y-ORDINATE

9
1

50

40

30

20

10

10

15

20

X-ORDINATE

30

30

17

0
0

0
15

18

0
0

15
30

19

0
0

30
40

20

0
0

40
50

21

0
0

50
60

22

0
10

60
60

23

10
20

60
60

24

20
30

60
60

25

10

30
30

60
50

26

10

11

30
30

50
40

27

11

12

30
30

40
30

28

12

13

30
30

30
15

29

13

14

30
30

15
0

30

15

0
0.001

30
30

31

15

16

0.001
20

30
30

32

16

12

20
30

30
30

33

0
0

0
15

34

0
0

15
30

35

0
0

30
40

36

0
0

40
50

37

0
0

0
15

Disclaimer:
This spreadsheet is provided for illustrative teaching purpose only, and is not intended for use in a
Anyone making use of the information contained in this spreadsheet does so at his/her own risk a
all resulting liability arising therefrom.

E & MEMBER PLOT

10

15

20

X-ORDINATE

25

30

35

d is not intended for use in any specific project."

does so at his/her own risk and assumes any and