Direct determination of influence lines and surfaces by F.E.M.

Abstract

In this study, element loading matrices are defined for static application of classical Mller-Breslau principle to finite element method. The loading matrices are derived from existing element matrices using Betti`s law and known governing equations of F.E.M. Thus, the ordinates of influence lines and influence surfaces may be easily obtained from structural analysis for the loading matrices derived from governing equations, instead of through introduced unit force or displacement techniques. An algorithm for a computer program and comparative numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the procedure for determination of influence line and surface ordinates.