Calculate the local element stiffness matrix for a 2D Truss element.
Element Properties
Stiffness Matrix (k)
Enter properties to calculate
About this calculator
Quick Reference
kStiffness Matrix
ACross-sectional Area
EYoung's Modulus
LLength of Element
Overview
The stiffness matrix relates the forces at the nodes of an element to the displacements at those nodes. For a 2D truss element, it's a 4x4 matrix derived from the material properties and geometry.
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Pro Tips
Enter the angle θ relative to the positive x-axis.
Ensure consistent units (e.g., if E is in Pa and A in m², L should be in m).
The resulting matrix is symmetric.
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Fun Facts
"The stiffness method is the foundation of Finite Element Analysis (FEA)."
"A truss element can only carry axial loads (tension or compression)."
"The global stiffness matrix is assembled by summing the element stiffness matrices."
