Analysis of Space Frame by Employing the Integrated Force Method

ABSTRACT: As newly developed approach, the Integrated Force Method (IFM) is applied as the principal approach for analysis of indeterminate space frames. For automatic generation of equilibrium equations, computer codes are developed and then nodal displacement, internal forces, support reactions and deformations are calculated using the aforementioned equations and compatibility conditions In the first two programs the member forces of space frames are calculated as primary unknowns. Since obtaining the compatibility condition is one of initial steps in IFM, two codes were developed that address this issue through different approaches which are null space and singular value decomposition. In third code the displacement method known as Dual Integrated Force Method is applied. Generation of global stiffness matrix is the initial step in Dual Integrated Force Method. In contrast with the previous two methods, in Dual Integrated Force Method displacements are the main unknowns. Keywords: Integrated force method, Space Frame, Equilibrium Equation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………