truss analysis in matlab

MATLAB can be used to analyze 2D truss structures using the finite element method (FEM). Here are the steps to perform a truss analysis in MATLAB:

  1. Define the geometry of the truss (node coordinates, element connectivity)
  2. Set material properties and loads
  3. Assemble the stiffness matrix and load vector
  4. Apply boundary conditions (fix nodes)
  5. Solve for the nodal displacements
  6. Calculate the reaction forces and element forces

Here is an example code that performs a truss analysis using MATLAB:

main.m
% Define truss geometry
coord = [0 0; 10 0; 20 0; 30 0; 10 10; 20 10];
connect = [1 5; 2 5; 2 6; 3 6; 4 6; 5 6];

% Set material properties and loads
E = 1e7; % Modulus of elasticity (Pa)
A = 0.0001; % Area (m^2)
f = [0; 0; 0; 0; -1000; 0]; % External loads (N)

% Assemble stiffness matrix and load vector
num_nodes = size(coord, 1);
num_dofs = num_nodes * 2;
K = zeros(num_dofs);
F = zeros(num_dofs, 1);
for i = 1:size(connect, 1)
    node1 = connect(i, 1);
    node2 = connect(i, 2);
    x1 = coord(node1, 1);
    y1 = coord(node1, 2);
    x2 = coord(node2, 1);
    y2 = coord(node2, 2);
    L = norm([x2-x1 y2-y1]);
    cos_theta = (x2-x1) / L;
    sin_theta = (y2-y1) / L;
    k = [cos_theta^2 cos_theta*sin_theta -cos_theta^2 -cos_theta*sin_theta;
        cos_theta*sin_theta sin_theta^2 -cos_theta*sin_theta -sin_theta^2;
        -cos_theta^2 -cos_theta*sin_theta cos_theta^2 cos_theta*sin_theta;
        -cos_theta*sin_theta -sin_theta^2 cos_theta*sin_theta sin_theta^2];
    k = E * A / L * k;
    dofs = [node1*2-1 node1*2 node2*2-1 node2*2];
    K(dofs, dofs) = K(dofs, dofs) + k;
end
F(5:6) = f;

% Apply boundary conditions
fixed_nodes = [1 2 3 4];
free_nodes = setdiff(1:num_nodes, fixed_nodes);
fixed_dofs = [fixed_nodes*2-1 fixed_nodes*2];
free_dofs = reshape(setdiff(1:num_dofs, fixed_dofs), [], 1);
Kf = K(free_dofs, free_dofs);
Ff = F(free_dofs);
df = Kf \ Ff;
d = zeros(num_dofs, 1);
d(free_dofs) = df;

% Calculate reaction forces and element forces
R = K * d - F;
for i = 1:size(connect, 1)
    node1 = connect(i, 1);
    node2 = connect(i, 2);
    x1 = coord(node1, 1);
    y1 = coord(node1, 2);
    x2 = coord(node2, 1);
    y2 = coord(node2, 2);
    L = norm([x2-x1 y2-y1]);
    cos_theta = (x2-x1) / L;
    sin_theta = (y2-y1) / L;
    dofs = [node1*2-1 node1*2 node2*2-1 node2*2];
    u = d(dofs);
    f = E * A / L * [-cos_theta -sin_theta cos_theta sin_theta] * u';
    fprintf('Element %d: Force = %f N\n', i, f)
end
fprintf('Reaction forces: Ry = %f N, Rx = %f N\n', R(5), R(6))
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This code defines a truss with six nodes and six elements, apply a downward external load on node 5, and solve for the nodal displacements, reaction forces, and element forces. You can modify the code to define your own truss geometry and loads.

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