Structural reanalysis for topological modifications - a unified approach

A unified approach for structural reanalysis of all types of topological mo difications is presented. The modifications considered include various case s of deletion and addition of members and joints. The most challenging prob lem where the structural model is itself allowed to vary is presented. The two cases, where the number of degrees of freedom is decreased and increase d, are considered. Various types of modified topologies are discussed, incl uding the common conditionally unstable structures. The solution procedure is based on the combined approximations approach and involves small computa tional effort. Numerical examples show that accurate results are achieved f or significant topological modifications. Exact solutions are obtained effi ciently for modifications in a small number of members.