1.18.

1 Stiffness Analysis Page 1 of 3

1.18.1 Stiffness Analysis

The stiffness analysis implemented in STAAD is based on the matrix displacement method. In the matrix
analysis of structures by the displacement method, the structure is first idealized into an assembly of
discrete structural components.
Structural systems such as slabs, plates, spread footings, etc., which transmit loads in two directions
(frame members or finite elements). Each component has an assumed form of displacement in a manner
which satisfies the force equilibrium and displacement compatibility at the joints. have to be discretized
into a number of three or four noded finite elements connected to each other at their nodes. Loads may be
applied in the form of distributed loads on the element surfaces or as concentrated loads at the joints. The
plane stress effects as well as the plate bending effects are taken into consideration in the analysis.

Assumptions of the Analysis

For a complete analysis of the structure, the necessary matrices are generated on the basis of the following
assumptions:

1. The structure is idealized into an assembly of beam, plate and solid type elements joined together at
their vertices (nodes). The assemblage is loaded and reacted by concentrated loads acting at the
nodes. These loads may be both forces and moments which may act in any specified direction.
2. A beam member is a longitudinal structural member having a constant, doubly symmetric or near-
doubly symmetric cross section along its length. Beam members always carry axial forces. They
may also be subjected to shear and bending in two arbitrary perpendicular planes, and they may
also be subjected to torsion. From this point these beam members are referred to as "members" in
the manual.
3. A plate element is a three or four noded planar element having variable thickness. A solid element is
a four-to-eight- noded, three dimensional element. These plate and solid elements are referred to as
"elements" in the manual.
4. Internal and external loads acting on each node are in equilibrium. If torsional or bending
properties are defined for any member, six degrees of freedom are considered at each node (i.e.,
three translational and three rotational) in the generation of relevant matrices. If the member is
defined as truss member (i.e., carrying only axial forces) then only the three degrees (translational)
of freedom are considered at each node.
5. Two types of coordinate systems are used in the generation of the required matrices and are
referred to as local and global systems.
Local coordinate axes are assigned to each individual element and are oriented such that computing effort
for element stiffness matrices are generalized and minimized. Global coordinate axes are a common datum
established for all idealized elements so that element forces and displacements may be related to a
common frame of reference.

Basic Equation

The complete stiffness matrix of the structure is obtained by systematically summing the contributions of
the various member and element stiffness. The external loads on the structure are represented as discrete
concentrated loads acting only at the nodal points of the structure.
The stiffness matrix relates these loads to the displacements of the nodes by the equation:
Aj = aj + SjDj

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This formulation includes all the joints of the structure, whether they are free to displace or are restrained
by supports. Those components of joint displacements that are free to move are called degrees of freedom.
The total number of degrees of freedom represent the number of unknowns in the analysis.

Method to Solve for Displacements

There are many methods to solve the unknowns from a series of simultaneous equations.
In STAAD.Pro, the element stiffness matrices are assembled into a global stiffness matrix by standard
matrix techniques used in FEA programs. The technique used by STAAD was copied from SAP IV. The
global stiffness matrix is then decomposed as
[ K ] = [LT] [D] [L]
which is a modified Gauss method.
[K] {d} = {F}
becomes
[LT] [D] [L] {d} = {F}
which can be manipulated into a forward and a backward substitution step to obtain {d}. STAAD can detect
singular matrices and solve then via a technique copied from Stardyne.

Basic Solver
An approach which is particularly suited for structural analysis is called the method of
decomposition. This method has been selected for use in STAAD. Since the stiffness matrices of all
linearly elastic structures are always symmetric, an especially efficient form of the decomposition
called Modified Cholesky's method may be applied to these problems. This method is reasonably
accurate and well suited for the Gaussian elimination process in solving the simultaneous
equations.
Advanced Solver
(Available effective 2007 Build 01): An approach is used that is mathematically equivalent to the
modified Choleski method. However the order of operations, memory use, and file use is highly
optimized. Run times are often 10 to 100 (even 1000) times faster.

Consideration of Bandwidth

For the Basic Solver only. The method of decomposition is particularly efficient when applied to a
symmetrically banded matrix. For this type of matrix fewer calculations are required due to the fact that
elements outside the band are all equal to zero.
STAAD takes full advantage of this bandwidth during solution, as it is important to have the least
bandwidth to obtain the most efficient solution. For this purpose, STAAD offers features by which the
program can internally rearrange the joint numbers to provide a better bandwidth.
For the Advanced Solver only. Internal storage order is automatically calculated to minimize time and
memory.

Multiple Structures & Structural Integrity

The integrity of the structure is a very important requirement that must be satisfied by all models. You
must make sure that the model developed represents one or more properly connected structures.

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An "integral" structure may be defined as a system in which proper "stiffness connections" exist between
the members/elements. The entire model functions as one or more integrated load resisting systems.
STAAD checks structural integrity using a sophisticated algorithm and reports detection of multiple
structures within the model. If you did not intend for there to be multiple structures, then you can fix it
before any analysis. There are several additional model checking options within the Tools and Geometry
menus.

Modeling and Numerical Instability Problems

Instability problems can occur due to two primary reasons.

1. Modeling problem
There are a variety of modeling problems which can give rise to instability conditions. They can be
classified into two groups.
a. Local instability - A local instability is a condition where the fixity conditions at the end(s) of
a member are such as to cause an instability in the member about one or more degrees of
freedom. Examples of local instability are:
i. Member Release: Members released at both ends for any of the following degrees of
freedom (FX, FY, FZ and MX) will be subjected to this problem.
ii. A framed structure with columns and beams where the columns are defined as
"TRUSS" members. Such a column has no capacity to transfer shears or moments
from the superstructure to the supports.
b. Global Instability - These are caused when the supports of the structure are such that they
cannot offer any resistance to sliding or overturning of the structure in one or more
directions. For example, a 2D structure (frame in the XY plane) which is defined as a SPACE
FRAME with pinned supports and subjected to a force in the Z direction will topple over
about the X-axis. Another example is that of a space frame with all the supports released for
FX, FY or FZ.
2. Math precision
A math precision error is caused when numerical instabilities occur in the matrix inversion process.
One of the terms of the equilibrium equation takes the form 1/(1-A), where A=k1/(k1+k2); k1 and
k2 being the stiffness coefficients of two adjacent members. When a very "stiff" member is adjacent
to a very "flexible" member, viz., when k1>>k2, or k1+k2 k1, A=1 and hence, 1/(1-A) =1/0. Thus,
huge variations in stiffnesses of adjacent members are not permitted. Artificially high E or I values
should be reduced when this occurs.
Math precision errors are also caused when the units of length and force are not defined correctly
for member lengths, member properties, constants etc.
Users also have to ensure that the model defined represents one single structure only, not two or
more separate structures. For example, in an effort to model an expansion joint, you may end up
defining separate structures within the same input file. Multiple structures defined in one input file
can lead to grossly erroneous results.

Reference Materials
5.37 Analysis Specification

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