The 'direct stiffness method' in matrix structural analysis assembles the global stiffness matrix by:
Choose the correct answer
Using the force method to find reactions first
Transforming each element stiffness to global coordinates and summing contributions at shared DOF positions
Computing stress from strain only
Only applying loads at fixed points
Correct Answer
B. Transforming each element stiffness to global coordinates and summing contributions at shared DOF positions
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Direct stiffness method: (1) Assign global DOF to each node; (2) Generate member stiffness matrix in local coordinates; (3) Transform to global (using [T]^T[k][T]); (4) Add (assemble) each member''s contribution to global [K] at matching DOF positions (overlap/superposition). Result: symmetric, banded [K] of size (nDOF × nDOF). Apply boundary conditions (zero displacement) → solve [K]{d}={F}.
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