| Abstract: | A structure is broken down into a number of substructures by means of the finite element method and the substructures are synthesized for the complete structure. The divided substructures take two types: fixed–free and free–free end elements. The flexibility and stiffness matrices of the free–free end elements are the Moore–Penrose inverse of each other. Thus, it is not easy to determine the equilibrium equations of a complete structure composed of two mixed types of substructures. This study provides a general form to express equilibrium equations of the entire structure by combining the equilibrium equation of each substructure and compatibility conditions. Applications demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and simple. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
