Simple Truss Problems and Linear Algebraic Systems

ES100 February 22, 1999 T.S. Whitten

Definition of a truss
q

A truss is a rigid frame consisting of slender members connected at their endpoints.

truss

Simple Trusses
C B A D E

The simplest configuration for a stable truss is a triangle as shown in red above.

Simple Trusses
C B A D E

The simplest configuration for a stable truss is a triangle as shown in red above.

The Triangular Truss

B 500 N

2m Ax=500 N A 45 C

Ay=500 N 2m

Cy=500 N

The Triangular Truss

B 500 N

2m Ax=500 N A 45 C

Ay=500 N 2m

Cy=500 N

The Triangular Truss

B 500 N Free Body Diagram (FBD) 2m Ax=500 N 0 A 45 C FBA Ay=500 N 2m Cy=500 N 500 N

FBC

Static Equilibrium
B 500 N

FBC FBA

Static Equilibrium
B 500 N
q

The joint B is not moving and is therfore said to be in static equilibrium.

FBC FBA

Static Equilibrium
B 500 N
q

FBC FBA

The joint B is not moving and is therfore said to be in static equilibrium. Physically speaking, this means that there are no unbalanced forces so if we add all of the forces acting in the x-direction, their sum should be zero.

Static Equilibrium
B 500 N
q

FBC FBA
q

The joint B is not moving and is therfore said to be in static equilibrium. Physically speaking, this means that there are no unbalanced forces so if we add all of the forces acting in the x-direction, their sum should be zero. The same is true for forces acting in the ydirection

Solving For Forces

B 500 N

FBC FBA

Solving For Forces

B 500 N

= 0; 500 FBC sin 45 = 0

FBC FBA

FBC = 707.1 N

Solving For Forces

B 500 N

= 0; 500 FBC sin 45 = 0

FBC FBA

FBC = 707.1 N

= 0; FBC cos 45 FBA = 0

FBA = 500 N

Unique vs. Singular Systems

q

Some systems of equations do not have unique solutions.

unique solution y singular system x

Statically Indeterminate Example

q

Previously, we showed a system of two equations that had two unknowns. Now, adding member BD and CD:
B

Statically Indeterminate Example

q

Previously, we showed a system of two equations that had two unknowns. Now, adding member BD and CD:
B D

Statically Indeterminate Example

q

Previously, we showed a system of two equations that had two unknowns. Now, adding member BD and CD:
B D At pin B:
x

F F
C

= 500 FBC x + FBD = 0

= FBC y FBAy = 0

Statically Indeterminate Example

q

Previously, we showed a system of two equations that had two unknowns. Now, adding member BD and CD:
B D At pin B:
x

F F
C

= 500 FBC x + FBD = 0

= FBC y FBAy = 0

Hence, we have only two equations for three unknowns.

Expressing Sets of Linear Algebraic Equations in Matrix Form

q

Summation of the forces in the x and y directions can be written as:

FBC sin 45 + (0) FBA = 500 FBC cos 45 (1) FBA = 0

q

These two equations can be equivalently expressed in matrix form as...

Multiplication of Two Matrices

sin 45 0 FBC 500 cos 45 1 F = 0 4 244 2 1 4 3 1 BA 3
coefficients variables

Generalized System of Linear Equations

a11 x1 + a12 x2 + ... + a1n xn = b1 a21 x1 + a22 x2 + ... + a2 n xn = b2 M M M M am1 x1 + am 2 x2 + ... + amn xn = bm

Generalized Matrix Representation of Linear System

a11 a A = 21 M am1 a12 a22 M am 2 L a1n L a2 n L M L amn
x1 x x = 2 M xn
b1 b b= 2 M bm

In matrix A, m is the index that identifies the row and n is the index that identifies the column. Thus, the requirement that the number of unknowns must equal the number of equations in order for a unique solution to exist, is at the root of matrix multiplication. i.e. m must be equal to n

Solution Techniques
One method of solving involves successive elimination of variables until only one equation and one unknown variable remains. Gauss Elimination q Cramers Method is based on finding matrix determinants for the system q Another technique particularly suited to MATLAB is based on the matrix inverse method
q

Solution of Linear System Using MATLAB

Start script file Ask user for number of equations Call function build.m to create matrix A Call function build.m to create matrix B Send A and B to function linsolve1.m

Display results

end file

Script matalg.m
q

Calls the function build.m twice

build.m performs a dedicated task to inout data

Calls a separate function, linsolve1.m to do the dedicated task of computing the solution Displays the answer

Function build.m
q

Function uses a for loop to iterate through matrix position.

Function linsolve1.m
q

This function introduces use of the MATLAB backslash( \ ), matrix operator to solve linear systems of the general form:

Ax = b

MATLAB Demo

run matalg.m