Compliance of Hollow Nodes

A 3D finite element analysis of hollow spherical and octahedral nodes is presented. The stiffness matrix of the nodes has been derived numerically for different sizes. A new method of incorporating the stiffness matrix in the regular analysis of the space truss has been developed. The new method proposed yields realistic values for the forces in the members and takes into account the elastic deflections or in other words the compliance of the node. The implementation of the proposed method has been carried out by writing the custom program using the state of the art object oriented programming technique. A sample problem has been analysed and the influence of the flexibility or compliance of the joint or node has been obtained.

• Introduction

• Stiffness Matrix of the Node

• Static condensation

• Member Stiffness including Node Flexibility

• Summary of Method to Incorporate flexibility of Hollow nodes

• Conclusions:

• References: