An incremental, non-linear displacement method for the elastic analysis of space trusses and plane frames

• Main Author: Dittmer, Colin Thomas
• Other Authors: Martin, JB
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Civil Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12291

Includes bibliographical references. === An incremental displacement method which takes account of finite deflections is developed for the elastic non-linear analysis of space trusses. In the incremental loading procedure the elastic critical load of a structure is determined by establishing the load at which the determinant of the stiffness matrix passes through zero. Chord shortening due to bowing of truss compression members which have an initial imperfection in straightness is included in the analysis by modifying the member axial stiffness term. Numerical examples of truss analyses are presented and comparisons made with published results. An incremental non-linear displacement method is then developed for plane frame analysis taking account of finite deflections and the effect of axial force on flexural stiffness, but ignoring member chord shortening due to flexure. Numerical examples of plane frame analyses are presented and comparisons made with published results.