EQUIVALENT BENDING STIFFNESS OF TRUSS BASED ON CONTINUUM ASSUMPTION

摘要

Based on a continuum assumption introduced to the diagonal web members in a truss system, the differential equation is established to solve the internal forces of the web members. Then, the lateral displacement of the truss chord is derived using the applied load and continuum web forces. With a consideration that the lateral displacement of the equivalent beam equals to that of the actual truss system, the equivalent bending stiffness is obtained. Numerical example demonstrates that the equivalent stiffness matches well with the actual one, while the suggested method uses much fewer elements. The suggested method is supposed to contribute to the analysis of a truss system, especially during the preliminary design stage.