The theorems of structural variation predict the forces and displacements throughout a structure without need of fresh analysis when the physical properties of one or more of its members are altered. It is necessary to carry out a single linear analysis of a parent structure under the applied loads and a set of unit loadings in order to study the effect of infinite number of changes in the cross-sectional properties or even total removal of a member in the structure. The member end forces obtained in this analysis is used to calculate variation factors. The displacements and member end forces of the modified structure is then obtained by simply multiplying the displacements and member end forces of the parent structure. The earlier application of these theorems covers the rigid frames and some finite element structures. In this study, the theorems of structural variation are extended to grillage structures. The unit loading cases required to study the modification of grillage elements are determined. Number of examples are included to demonstrate the simplicity of the method.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £52 +P&P)