Methods of Structural Analysis 5

[Hudhaifa]

Hi all,

During my reading in one structural analysis book, I have found many methods using for structural analysis depending on structure analysed. I am bit confused with these methods.

I am here to ask if any one could create a mind map explaining all structural analysis methods and showing for which structure type is used.

Thank you.

 

[jayrod12]

This is an impossible question to answer clearly without some more information on your end.

Perhaps you should provide the different methods you have come across and explain why you are confused.

 

[JStephen]

Among other considerations:
-How it's normally done and how you've done it previously
-Software or design spreadsheets available that are applicable to the case at hand
-Time allotted to the task
-Building and design code requirements
-Nature of the loads and nature of the information required from the design

 

[BAretired]

What methods have you encountered in your book? Are you talking about the analysis of indeterminate framed structures? The method of structural analysis does not depend on the type of structure being analyzed. Any method may be used on any structure but some may be preferred over others for ease of calculation.

BA

 

[dursunlutfu]

Structural analysis is done after modeling your structure so first model your structure, and then if it is easy to analyze it by hand use the most efficient method to analyze it or else you can use softwares or excel sheets to do it for you.

 

[atrizzy]

"explain all structural analysis methods"...

LOL.

 

[Settingsun]

As others have pointed out, your question is too broad. I'm going to make a massive assumption that you're looking at introductory textbooks that present a bunch of methods that were used before computers were available and (IMO) are of little use today aside from history/interest. Once you've learned a software package to fair capability, a computer model is quicker than all but the most basic hand calculations (eg PL/4, WL/8, continuous beam formulae, look-up charts). With that perspective, I'd focus on matrix methods to understand what the software does, but not how to do stiffness matrix calcs by hand.

 

[klaus.]

What a question ......

 

[JoshPlumSE]

I'll say one thing about "all structural analysis methods". To me everything starts with statics. Sum of the forces in each direction equals zero. Sum of the moments in each direction equals zero.

Make sure you have a really, really good grasp on those two basic concepts and everything else should be much easier.

You can verify output from spreadsheets or FEM (rather than trusting a black box) if you always do some simple sum of forces, sum of moment checks.

 

[Nor Cal SE]

I 2nd JoshPlum's statement about always being aware of the statics. Some good structural analysis programs, similar in function but with slightly different styles, include SAP, Risa, and Visual Analysis. They allow you to build a custom model of all sizes/geometries. But always do a "gut-check" to make sure your results make sense.

Many of these programs have methods to design your members based on the material. Alternatively, you can use the programs to simply get the member forces/stresses/reactions that would've been difficult to calculate by hand, and then design the members based on that, which is often my preference.

 

[Arbu]

Dear Hudhaifa,

I think you are student that's why you got question like this. The question is good, I cannot explain all methods here. But I will try to explain little bit about selection of method. Might be it will useful for you.


There are different methods of structural Analysis like Moment distribution, Slope and deflection, Kani's method, Stiffness method, flexibility method, three moment theorem etc. Each method is having its speciality/assumption for solution. for example If u have normal Continuous beam with 3 to 4 span then Three moment theorem is easy to solve. These all methods was found before the analysis software's came in picture.


The all old methods of analysis are used very rarely as every one is having software. Most of the software are based on Stiffness methods. U can model any member (prismatic, Varying), support , sinking in stiffness method. So I will suggest you to study stiffness method in details. But when u are practicing u should know the basics of at least 2-3 methods so you can verify your results.

Basically when you will study any one method and solve some problems then only u will understand the basics and application of method. So first study then only u will know which method to be apply in which situation/case.