Why Are My Bending Moment Signs Incorrect in the Direct Stiffness Method?

In summary, the incorrect bending moment signs in the Direct Stiffness Method often arise from misinterpretation of the sign convention used for beam elements. This can occur due to confusion in defining positive and negative moments, especially when considering support conditions and loading directions. It's crucial to maintain consistency in applying sign conventions throughout the analysis to ensure accurate results. Additionally, improper assembly of the global stiffness matrix or mistakes in nodal force calculations can further contribute to discrepancies in bending moment signs.
  • #1
Tygra
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TL;DR Summary
Why am I getting incorrect signs
Hi there,

I was wondering if someone might know why I am getting incorrect signs for my structure that I am working on using the Direct Stiffness Method? I am following the procedure that I was taught when I was at University and I can't completely remember everything. I am designing a seven-storey structure that looks like this:

7 storey structure.png


The magnitude of the forces I am getting is accurate, but the signs are incorrect.

Here are the bending moment on the structure:

bm frame.png


You might not be able to see, but for the columns, you get a positive bending moment at the bottom of each storey and a negative bending moment at the top of the storey - this pattern is the same for each storey.

In my code I am getting positive bending moments at the top and the bottom, but like I said the magnitude is quite accurate.

Rather than post the entirity of my code, lets focus on a single column.

The local stiffness matrix for a column has the form:

LSM.png


And I set up the transformation matrix as follows:


Code:
T =

  6x6 table

              U1    V1    theta1    U2    V2    theta2
              __    __    ______    __    __    ______

    U1         0    1       0        0    0       0  
    V1        -1    0       0        0    0       0  
    theta1     0    0       1        0    0       0  
    U2         0    0       0        0    1       0  
    V2         0    0       0       -1    0       0  
    theta2     0    0       0        0    0       1


To compute the global stiffness matrix you use the equation:

1720191801904.png



This will give you the global stiffness matrix! You can then proceed to find the displacements and rotations. Then you can find the internal forces on the structure.

I guess the thing to look at is the transformation matrix. Does it seem correct to you. The local stiffness matrix is definitely correct. I know you guys might not be Structural Engineers, but I am hoping some of you have experience with the Stiffness Method.

Many thanks in advance!
 

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  • #2
Before I try to remove the dust from what I can recall regarding this topic.
Could you provide a WAY SIMPLER structure to test your code and our knowledge?

Something like this for example:
1723322043165.png
 
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