Using Frame4 for truss analysis

The Frame4 spreadsheet is set up to allow the analysias of rigid-jointed 2D frames, but it is simple to use it for 2D truss analysis; simply either provide a moment release at each end of every member, or define every member with a second moment of area (I) sufficiently low that all bending moments will be negligible.  I have added a truss example to the download zip file.  The program has also had a minor upgrade to Ver 3.06.  Free download (including open source code) from Frame4.zip.

The truss example is taken from: http://richardson.eng.ua.edu/Former_Courses/CE_331_fa00/Notes/Truss_Design_Example.pdf

Truss Example - note that truss height should be 6 feet

Truss Example – note that truss height should be 6 feet

The truss may either be specified with moment end releases at both ends of each member:

Truss2-3a

Or specify a very low I value for each member:

Truss2-3

The results given in the example are shown below:

Truss2-2

The axial load values from the spreadsheet are in good agreement:

Truss2-4

Truss deflected shape:

Truss2-5

Axial force in top and bottom chords:

Truss2-6

This entry was posted in Excel, Finite Element Analysis, Frame Analysis, Newton, VBA and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Using Frame4 for truss analysis

  1. Pingback: Daily Download 5: Frame Analysis | Newton Excel Bach, not (just) an Excel Blog

  2. Pingback: Frame Analysis with Excel | Newton Excel Bach, not (just) an Excel Blog

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