STRUCTURAL REANALYSIS FOR GENERAL LAYOUT MODIFICATIONS

A procedure for reanalysis of structures subjected to various layout m odifications is presented. The procedure is based on exact analysis of the initial design. It is suitable for all types of layout changes, i ncluding the general case in which some members and joints are added, other members and joints are deleted, and some joint coordinates are m odified. In the particular and challenging case of addition of joints, where the number of degrees of freedom is increased, a simple reanaly sis of a modified initial design Is first carried out. Further changes are then applied to the latter design. It is shown that, for changes in a limited number of members of a truss structure, an exact solution is readily achieved. For changes in numerous members of a general str ucture, an approximate solution can he efficiently obtained. High-qual ity approximations are demonstrated for various types of layout modifi cations.