On the static analysis of constrained structural systems

Abstract

Complete structures might contain so many degrees of freedom that it would be infeasible to perform a structural analysis. The derivation of the equilibrium equations of an entire structure to utilize kinematical compatibility conditions at the interfaces of the substructures requires complicated intermediate processes or numerical schemes for determining multipliers. This study derives an explicit matrix form of the equilibrium equations of structural systems subjected to constraints like compatibility conditions or linear displacement relations. The equation is obtained by minimizing a quadratic form of the variation in unconstrained and constrained displacements with respect to all constrained displacements that satisfy the constraints. And the physical meaning of the constraint forces required to satisfy the constraints is investigated. The validity of the proposed method is illustrated by several applications.