This document discusses the direct stiffness method for structural analysis. It begins by introducing the direct stiffness method and its key aspects, including using member stiffness matrices to express actions and displacements at both ends of each member. It then provides examples of applying the direct stiffness method to analyze a plane truss member and plane frame member. This involves deriving the member stiffness matrices in local coordinates, and transforming displacement, load, and stiffness matrices between local and global coordinate systems using rotation matrices.