Description

LSA2D is a MATLAB® based 2D truss and frame Linear Structural Analysis program that is installable as a function p-file in a MATLAB® directory so it can be called from the user’s own m-files or executed from the MATLAB® command window. The program may be employed in carrying out structural design projects in the text book: Umez-Eronini, Essential Statics in Engineering Mechanics, for which it is a downloadable student resource file, free with purchase of the book. A complementary interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI) program (LSA2Dgui) which is downloaded together with LSA2D, is available to conveniently sketch a structure model in the MATLAB® graphics window and apply necessary model data.The structural analysis program may be invoked directly from the GUI to solve the model and display the deformed shape or the GUI may be asked to generate a corresponding MATLAB® model script file, all without leaving the graphics interface. The GUI generated script m-file may be solved later, or modified and or incorporated in a perhaps more elaborate structural design program m-file. The GUI file with its data may also be saved and later opened by LSA2Dgui to edit or continue with the structure model.