Stiffness Method | Exam-Style Beam Question | Rotation & Deflection Using Direct Stiffness Method

This lecture in the Stiffness Method series presents a complete exam style worked example for analysing a fixed-fixed beam using the direct stiffness method. The beam is subjected to a concentrated point load and is divided into two beam elements for analysis. The problem is solved step-by-step exactly as would be expected in a structural analysis exam, making this lecture ideal for revision, coursework support, and exam preparation. In this lecture, we cover: ✅ How to approach stiffness-method beam exam questions systematically ✅ Dividing a beam into multiple beam elements ✅ Identifying the degrees of freedom ✅ Formulating beam element stiffness matrices ✅ Assembling the global stiffness matrix ✅ Creating the global load vector ✅ Applying fixed support boundary conditions ✅ Solving for the rotation at the loaded node ✅ Determining the vertical deflection under the point load This worked example demonstrates how the direct stiffness method can be used to determine nodal rotations and deflections in continuous beam structures. It provides valuable practice for engineering students preparing for structural analysis examinations and coursework. 👷‍♀️ Delivered by Dr Margi Vilnay – Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering, Chartered Engineer, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 📺 Watch the full playlist here: http://bit.ly/3VuvFfk 🔔 Subscribe for more structural-analysis lectures and tutorials #StiffnessMethod #DirectStiffnessMethod #BeamAnalysis #StructuralAnalysis #ExamPreparation #ExamStyleQuestion #BeamDeflection #BeamRotation #GlobalStiffnessMatrix #MatrixStructuralAnalysis #StructuralEngineering #CivilEngineering #FiniteElementMethod #EngineeringStudents #EngineeringTutorials #EngineeringMechanics #StructuralEngineeringLectures