calculation of stiffness constan

huangyhg

calculation of stiffness constant
hi all,
does each and every different shape have its own stiffness constant value?  for example will a pfc have a different k value to say a ub? if so is their a generic formula for the calculation of the constant for a given shape?
cheers,
johnod1
hi john0d1,
yeah you are correct, each individual element does have its own stiffness coeeficient when related to others.  normally, for simple sub frames k (individual stiffness) can be related to i(second moment area) divied by l, length of element.  for a continous   
the stiffness is defined as the force required to make an element undergo a 1 unit deformation.  with beams, logs, and widgets of varying proportions, the stiffness is likely different for each.
is this the text book question it appears to be?
if you ignore shear deformations, the stiffness of a cantilevered beam is 3ei/l^3 in bending, or ea/l in axial deformation.
obviously pfc's and ub's have different second moments of inertia and area, so they will have different stiffnesses.
another small point to add is that if, for example, you were to assess forces in a steel rope, the "stiffness" ('k') required to work out the deformation ('x') due to axial force ('f') or vice-versa would be:
k = f/x
the 'f' and 'x' values would be obtained from the material's stress-strain mechanical properties at yield. hope this helps,
-- drej --
thanks for the replys.
i have new topic of interest: blast overpressure loading on industrial structures.
can anyone guide me to some useful books/web sites that could provide the basics?
regards,