University of Engineering & Technology

Peshawar, Pakistan

CE301: Structure Analysis II

Module 02:
Analysis of S.I Beams Using Flexibility method

By:
Prof. Dr. Bashir Alam
Civil Engineering Department
UET , Peshawar
 Topics to be Covered
• Introduction
• Prerequisites for using flexibility method
• Revision of conjugate beam concept
• Member end actions
• Analysis of beam Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

 Introduction:
Beams are analyzed with flexibility method due to
• To solve the problem in matrix notation, which is more systematic
• To compute reactions at all the supports.
• To compute internal resisting shear & bending moment at any section of the
continuous beam.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

 Prerequisites for Analysis with Flexibility method:

It is necessary that students must have strong background of
the following concepts before starting analysis with flexibility
or any other matrix method.
• Enough concept of Matrix Algebra
• Must be able to find the Statical Indeterminacy
• Concept of Deflection methods (Conjugate Beam & Unit load methods)
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

 Conjugate Beam Method:

Conjugate beam is defined as the imaginary beam with the same
dimensions (length) as that of the original beam but load at any
point on the conjugate beam is equal to the bending moment at
that point divided by EI. The conjugate-beam method is an
engineering method to derive the slope and displacement of
a beam.

Slope on real beam = Shear on conjugate beam

Deflection on real beam = Moment on conjugate beam
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Properties of Conjugate Beam:
1. The load on the conjugate beam is the M/EI
diagram of the loads on the actual beam.
2. A simple support for the real beam remains
simple support for the conjugate beam.
3. A fixed end for the real beam becomes free
end for the conjugate beam.
4. The point of zero shear for the conjugate beam
corresponds to a point of zero slope for the
real beam.
5. The point of maximum moment for the
conjugate beam corresponds to a point of
maximum deflection for the real beam.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
 Real beams and its Conjugate Beams
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
 Member End Actions: Member end actions are the moments
and shear at each point where its going to be changed. We can
find the member end actions using flexibility method when the
redundant actions are known.
• Let us illustrate the procedure of finding member actions by
flexibility method with the help of Example 2 in Module 1 as
shown in fig.
P1 P2
A B C
S.I = 2 degrees
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
P1 P2
Vertical reactions at AR1 1 2
B & moment at A is
taken as redundant. A B C
AR2

Step # 01: Specify the member end actions AMn by assigning a No. to
them. e.g. in the above problem
AM6
AM5
A B C
AM7 AM8
AM1 AM2 AM3 AM4

AMn = is the member end action in the indeterminate structure at

different location specified with a number “n”. n shows the
number of member end actions.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 02: Determine the member end actions ( shear & moments) in
the released structure under the external applied loads
(AMLn) at the specified locations.
P1 P2
AML6
AML5
A B C
1 2
AML7 AML8
AML1 AML2 AML3 AML4

AMLn = is the member end actions in the released structure at

location “n” when acted upon by the external applied loads.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 03: Determine the member end actions ( shear & moments) in
the released structure when acted upon by a unit at action 1st
at redundant location 1 and then at 2 (AMRn1 & AMRn2).

When a unit action is applied at the redundant location 1 as shown.

AMR61
AMR51 1ʹ k
A B C
1 2 AR1
AMR71 AMR81

AMR11 AMR21 AMR31 AMR41

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
When a unit action is applied at the redundant location 2 as shown.

1k

AMR52 AMR62
A B C
1
AMR72
2 AR2
AMR82

AMR12 AMR22 AMR32 AMR42

AMRn1 & AMRn2 = is the member end actions in the released structure when
acted upon by a unit action.
n shows the number member action and 1 & 2 shows the
unit action/ load position.
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

1 = 1 + 11 1 + 12 2

2 = 2 + 21 1 + 22 2
⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮

8 = 8 + 81 1 + 82 2

1 1 11 12
2 = 2 + 21 22 1
⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ 2
8 8 81 82

= +

This method will be explained again in the coming problem

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Problem 01: Analyze the given beam using flexibility method.

20k B 1.5k/ft
A C

20ft 20ft

10ft

Take EI = constant

S.I = 2 degree
So two redundant actions should be chosen.
Choose those as redundant which makes the calculation handy.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 01: Select the redundant actions and assign coordinates
at those locations.
Vertical reactions at B & C are taken as redundant.

AR1 AR2
20k 1.5k/ft
1 2

A B C
20ft 20ft

1 ?
2∗1= =
2 ?
1 0
2∗1= =
2 0
• DRS1 & DRS2 are the initial support rotation & settlement corresponding to the
redundant actions 1 & 2 which is zero in this case.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

• Remove all the loads and redundant constrains to get the

primary structure.

A B C

Basic determinate structure ( BDS) or

released structure or
Primary structure

Note: when the support settlement and redundant actions are in opposite direction
then DRS will have –ve sign.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 02 : Compute the values of displacements (DRL) in the
primary structure corresponding to the redundant locations when
primary structure acted upon by the actual loads or
Compute the values of [DRL].

20k 1
1.5k/ft
2
1100k-ft
A 600k-ft 300k-ft
20ft 20ft

1st Compute the moments at different locations in the released structure

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
20k
1 300k-ft
1.5k/ft 2
Real Beam 1100k-ft
A 600k-ft
DRL1 DRL2

Corresponding B C
A
conjugate beam

W1 W2 W3

A B C

1 2 2° 3
conjugate beam
Loaded with 300 W1 = ?
M/EI W2 = ?
1° 600 W3 = ?
1100
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Finding the values of W1, W2 & W3 from the fig shown in previous slide Note
x

1 = 10 = k A1
h n° A2

2 = 10 = k
b
1 = ℎ , 2= ℎ

2 = 20 = k x=
( ) L
1 = = 5.49ʹ
a c1 c2 b
( )
2 = = 5.56ʹ A

2 = 20 = 15ʹ =

C1 = 2=
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

1 = 1 1 + 10 + 2( 2 )

= (5.49 + 10) + (5.56)

2 = 1 1 + 30 + 2 2 + 20 + 3 3

= (5.49 + 30) + (5.56 + 20) + 15

= 1 = 156685 ×
2 446685
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 03 : Compute the values of rotations/displacements in the
primary structure corresponding to the redundant locations when
primary structure acted upon by the UNIT actions or
Compute the values of flexibility matrix [ f ].

i. 1st apply a unit value of AR1 at reference point 1 and Compute the
values of flexibility coefficients ( f11 & f21 ).

Note:
f1 1 & f 2 1

Refer to position of interest

Refer to unit load position

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 03 ( i ): Contd…
1k
1

0k-ft 2 Released
20k-ft structure
A Acted upon
f11 f21 by unit load

20ft 20ft

B C
A Corresponding
conjugate beam

W= B
conjugate beam A C
Loaded with
M/EI

20
x = 13.33ʹ
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 03 ( i ): Contd…

= = k

= 20 = 13.33ʹ

11 = 21 = + 20

= (13.33) = (13.33 + 20)

= =

Note: f11 & f22 will be the moment in conjugate beam at Corresponding location
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
ii. Now apply a unit value of AR2 at reference point 2 and Compute the values of
flexibility coefficients ( f12 & f22 ). 1k
1
20k-ft 2 Released
40k-ft structure
A Acted upon
f12 f22 by unit load

20ft 20ft

B C
A Corresponding
conjugate beam

W2=
W1= B C
A
conjugate beam
Loaded with
M/EI 20
40
x1 = 11.11ʹ
x2 = 26.67ʹ
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

1 = 20 = k W1 & X1 refer to the

( ) trapezoidal part in
1 = = 11.11ʹ digram

∗
2 = = k W2 & X2 refer to the
whole triangle in
2 = 40 = 26.67ʹ digram

12 = 1 1 22 = 2 2

= (11.11) = (13.33 + 20)

For f12 only the
For f22 the whole
trapezium part is
considered
= = tringle is taken.
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

11 = 12 =

21 = 22 =

11 12
=
21 22

2666 6666 Flexibility coefficient

=
6666 21336 matrix
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 04: Apply compatibility and principle of superposition at
the location of the removed redundants and solve the
matrices to compute the values of redundant actions
AR. As we know

From this
= + •

= 1 • −

1 11 12 1− 1
=
2 21 22 2− 2
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

1 11 12 1− 1
=
2 21 22 2− 2

1 0.0017 −0.00053 0 − 156685 1

= ×
2 −0.00053 0.00021 0 − 446685

1 −29.36 -ive sign shows that our assumed

= redundant actions direction is wrong
2 −11.76

20k 1.5k/ft
So Final determinate 1 2
structure
A B
29.36k 11.79k
20ft 20ft
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 05: Compute the member end actions. As we know that

= +

AM7
AM5
A B C
AM6

AM1 AM2 AM3 AM4

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
a) Compute AML values.
20k AML7
AML5 1.5k/ft
A B C
1 2
AML6
AML4
AML1 AML2 AML3 50
1
2 −30
20k 30
1100ʹ k 300ʹ k 3
1.5k/ft = 0
A B C 4
5 1100
1 2
600ʹ k 6 600
0 7 300
50k -30k 30k
20ft 20ft
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
b) Compute the AMR values.
1st apply a unit action at redundant location 1 and then at 2
as shown below. 1k
AMR51 AMR71
A B C
1 2
AMR61
AMR41
AMR11 AMR21 AMR31
20ft 20ft

1k

20ʹ k A 0ʹ k
B C
1 2
10ʹ k
0
1k -1k 0
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
1k
AMR52 AMR72
A B C
2 2
AMR62
AMR42
AMR12 AMR22 AMR32
20ft 20ft

1k
40ʹ k A 20ʹ k
B C
2 2
30ʹ k
-1k
1k -1k 1k
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

So the AMR values are

11 12 1 1
21 22 −1 −1
31 32 0 1
7∗2 = 41 42 = 0 −1
51 52 20 40
61 62 10 30
71 72 0 20
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Now member end actions will be computed as given below

= +

1 1 11 12
2 2 21 22
3 3 31 32
= + 1
4 4 41 42
2
5 5 51 52
6 6 61 62
7 7 71 72
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

1 50 1 1 8.88 k
2 −30 −1 −1 11.12 k
3 30 0 1 18.24 k
−29.36
4 = 0 + 0 −1 = 11.76 k
−11.76
5 1100 20 40 42.4 ˊ k
6 600 10 30 −46.4ˊ k
7 300 0 20 64.8ˊ k

42.4ʹ k 64.8ʹ k
A B C

46.4ʹ k
8.88k 11.12k 18.24k 11.76k

Complete analyzed structure. Shear force and bending moment diagrams are
given on next slide.
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
20k
42.4ʹ k 64.8ʹ k
A B 1.5k/ft
C

46.4ʹ k
8.88k 29.36k 11.76k
20ft 20ft
.
18.24 = 7.84ʹ
.
8.88

0 SFD
11.12
11.76

46.4 46.1

0 BMD

42.4
64.8
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Problem 02: Analyze the given beam using flexibility method, if
support A rotates by 0.002 rad clockwise, support B settles down
by 0.75 in & support C settles down by 1 in.

20k B 1.5k/ft
Take A C
E = 30000 ksi
I = 800 in4 20ft 20ft
EI = 166666.6 k-ft2
10ft
0.002 rad 20k
B 1.5k/ft
A C
DRS1= 0.75ʺ DRS2= 1ʺ

S.I = 2 degree So two redundant actions should be chosen.

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 01: Select the redundant actions and assign coordinates
at those locations.
Vertical reactions at B & C are taken as redundants.

AR1 AR2
20k 1.5k/ft
1 2

A B C
20ft 20ft

1 ?
2∗1= =
2 ?
0.75ʺ
2∗1=
1 = = 0.0625′
2 1ʺ 0.0833′
• DRS1 & DRS2 are the initial support settlement corresponding to the redundant
actions 1 & 2.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

• Remove all the loads and redundant constraints to get the

primary structure.

A B C

Basic determinate structure ( BDS) or released structure

Note: when the support settlement and redundant action are in opposite direction
then DRS will have –ve sign.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 02 : Compute the values of [DRL].
a) Due to direct loads [DRLʹ ]

20k 1
1.5k/ft
2
1100k-ft
A 600k-ft 300k-ft
20ft 20ft

1st Compute the moments at different locations in the released structure

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
20k
1 300k-ft
1.5k/ft 2
1100k-ft
Real Beam A 600k-ft DRLʹ2
DRLʹ1

W1 W2 W3

A B C

1 2 2° 3
conjugate beam
Loaded with
M/EI 300

1° Compute the values of W1 ,

600 W2, W3, X1, X2 & X3 as
1100
discussed in problem 1.
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

Check problem 1
ʹ =
ʹ1
= 156685 × for details
ʹ2 446685 calculations

ʹ =
ʹ1
= 156685 ×
ʹ2 446685 .

ʹ =
ʹ1
= 0.94ˊ
ʹ2 2.68ˊ
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
b) Due to indirect loads [DRLʺ ]
0.002 rad

1 2
A B C
0.002 rad DRLʺ2
DRLʺ1

As we know that for smaller angles

tanθ = θ
DRLʹ1 = 0.002 * 20 = 0.04 ft ʺ1 0.04ˊ
ʺ = =
DRLʺ2 = 0.002 * 40 = 0.08 ft ʺ2 0.08ˊ

So final DRL will be

ʹ1 ʺ1 0.94ˊ 0.04ˊ 0.98ˊ
= + = + =
ʹ2 ʺ2 2.68ˊ 0.08ˊ 2.76ˊ
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 03 : Compute the values of flexibility matrix [ f ].

1k
1

0k-ft 2 Released
20k-ft structure
Acted upon
f11 f21 by unit load

20ft 20ft

1k
1
20k-ft 2 Released
40k-ft
structure
A Acted upon
f22
f12 by unit load
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

11 = 12 = For detail calculations

see problem 1.

21 = 22 =

11 12
=
21 22

2666 6666 Flexibility coefficient

=
6666 21336 matrix

2666 6666
=
. 6666 21336

0.016 0.04
=
0.04 0.128
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 04: Compute the values of redundant actions AR. As we
know that

= + •

= 1 • −

1 11 12 1− 1
=
2 21 22 2− 2

1 0.016 0.04 0.0625 − 0.98

=
2 0.04 0.128 00833 − 2.76

1 −23.15 -ive sign shows that our assumed

= redundant actions directions are wrong
2 −13.66
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

Final determinate structure

20k 1.5k/ft
1 2

A B
23.15k 13.66k
20ft 20ft

Now we can apply equilibrium equations to further solve the structure.

Or we can compute member end actions using matrix approach as given
in the coming slides
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 05: Compute the member end actions. As we know that

AM7
AM5
A B C
AM6

AM1 AM2 AM3 AM4

a). Compute the AML values

1 50
2 −30
3 30
4 = 0 For detail calculation
See problem 1.
5 1100
6 600
7 300
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
b). Compute the AMR values

11 12 1 1
21 22 −1 −1
31 32 0 1
7∗2 = 41 42 = 0 −1
51 52 20 40
61 62 10 30
71 72 0 20

For detail calculation see problem 1 in this module.

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Now 1 1 11 12
2 2 21 22
3 3 31 32
= + 1
4 4 41 42
2
5 5 51 52
6 6 61 62
7 7 71 72

1 50 1 1 13. 17 k
2 −30 −1 −1 6.83 k
3 30 0 1 16.32 k
−23.15
4 = 0 + 0 −1 = 13.68 k
−13.66
5 1100 20 40 89.80ˊ k
6 600 10 30 −41.90ˊ k
7 300 0 20 26.40ˊ k
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
20k
89.8ʹ k 26.4ʹ k 1.5k/ft
A B C

41.9ʹ k
13.17k 6.83k 16.32k 13.66k

Final analyzed structure

 Class Activity: Draw shear force and bending moment

diagram for the above given beam .
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Problem 03: Analyze the given beam using flexibility method.
The supports at B & C are spring supports having
stiffness's S1= 15 k/ft & S2=10 k/ft as shown in fig.

Take
E = 30000 ksi
I = 800 in4
EI = 166666.6 k-ft2

S.I = 2 degree So two redundant actions should be chosen.

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 01: Select the redundant actions and assign coordinates
at those locations.
Vertical reactions at B & C are taken as redundants.

AR1 AR2
20k 1.5k/ft
1 2

A B C
20ft 20ft

1 ?
2∗1= =
2 ?
1 0
2∗1= =
2 0
• DRS1 & DRS2 are the initial support settlement corresponding to the redundant
actions 1 & 2.
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 02 : Compute the values of [DRL].
20k
1 300k-ft
1.5k/ft 2
Real Beam
1100k-ft
A 600k-ft DRL2
DRL1

W1 W2 W3

A B C

conjugate beam 1 2 2° 3
Loaded with
M/EI Compute the values of W1 ,
300
W2, W3, X1, X2 & X3 as
1° discussed in problem 1.
600
1100
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

156685
1 =
EI

2 =

= 1 = 156685 ×
2 446685
156685
= ×
446685 .

0.94
=
2.68
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
• Step # 03 : Compute the values of flexibility matrix [ f ]. Also as
there are spring supports at redundant location 1& 2 so add the
effect of spring with flexibility matrix.
1k
1

0k-ft 2
20k-ft
Released
f21 structure
f11 Acted upon
by unit load
20ft 20ft

1k
1
20k-ft 2 Released
40k-ft
structure
A Acted upon
f22
f12 by unit load
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
11 12
= For detail calculations
21 22 see problem 1.

2666 6666
=
6666 21336

2666 6666 0.016 0.04

= =
. 6666 21336 0.04 0.128

Now add the effect of spring with Flexibility matrix , as we know that

Stiffness = 1/ Flexibility

0.016 0.04 0 0.083 0.04

= + =
0.04 0.128 0 0.04 0.228
Flexibility coefficient matrix
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 04: Compute the values of redundant actions AR. As we
know that

= + •

= 1 • −

1 11 12 1− 1
=
2 21 22 2− 2

1 0.016 0.04 0.0625 − 0.98

=
2 0.04 0.128 00833 − 2.76

1 −6.30 -ive sign shows that our assumed

= redundant actions directions are wrong
2 −10.87
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis

Final determinate structure

20k 1.5k/ft
1 2

A B
6.3k 10.87k
20ft 20ft

Now we can apply equilibrium equations to further solve the structure.

Or we can compute member end actions using matrix approach as given
in the coming slides
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Step # 05: Compute the member end actions. As we know that

a). Compute the AML values 1 50

2 −30
3 30
For detail calculation
4 = 0 See problem 1.
5 1100
6 600
7 300
 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
b). Compute the AMR values

11 12 1 1
21 22 −1 −1
31 32 0 1
7∗2 = 41 42 = 0 −1
51 52 20 40
61 62 10 30
71 72 0 20

For detail calculation see problem 1 in this module.

 Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Now 1 1 11 12
2 2 21 22
3 3 31 32
= + 1
4 4 41 42
2
5 5 51 52
6 6 61 62
7 7 71 72

1 50 1 1 32. 87 k
2 −30 −1 −1 −12.83 k
3 30 0 1 19.13 k
−6.30
4 = 0 + 0 −1 = 10.87 k
−10.87
5 1100 20 40 539.2ˊ k
6 600 10 30 210.9ˊ k
7 300 0 20 82.6ˊ k
Flexibility Method for Beams Analysis
Now Shear force and Bending moment diagram
 References

• Structural Analysis by R. C. Hibbeler

• Matrix structural analysis by William Mc Guire

• Matrix analysis of frame structures by William Weaver

• Online Civil Engineering blogs