Structural Analysis - Solved Step by Step
Based on the uploaded question sheet. Solutions are kept short and exam-ready.
Interpretation used: In Q2, the right frame has three fixed bases and one roller at the left end. In Q4, the 80 k-ft moment arrow
is taken as clockwise.
Q1. Principle of Superposition
Statement: In a linear-elastic structure, the total response produced by several loads equals the algebraic
sum of the responses produced by each load acting separately.
R(P + P + ...) = R(P ) + R(P ) + ...
1 2 1 2
Conditions: (1) material behavior is linear elastic, (2) deflections are small, and (3) supports and geometry
do not change during loading.
Example: If load P1 causes 3 mm downward deflection and load P2 causes 2 mm downward
deflection at the same point, both loads together cause 3 + 2 = 5 mm downward.
Q2. Stability and Static Determinacy
Structure Classification Reason
1. Left truss Unstable Although m + r = 2j, the support reaction lines are
concurrent; therefore the truss can rotate as a rigid body.
2. Beam on A, B, C Unstable All three supports are rollers, so all reactions are parallel.
The horizontal component of P cannot be resisted.
3. Right rigid frame Stable; indeterminate to For a plane rigid frame: Ds = 3m + r - 3j. Here m=7, r=10,
degree 7 j=8, so Ds=21+10-24=7.
Q2 final: (1) Unstable, (2) Unstable, (3) Stable and statically indeterminate to degree 7.
Structural Analysis - concise worked solution Page 1
Q3. Forces in Members AB, AC, BC and CE
14 kN
D
12 kN 10 kN
2m
B F
2m
A C E G H
4m 4m 4m 4m
Step 1: Support reactions
Sum MA = 0:
Hy(16) - 12(4) - 14(8) - 10(12) = 0
Hy = 17.5 kN upward
Sum Fy = 0: Ay + 17.5 - 36 = 0 => Ay = 18.5 kN upward
Ax = 0
Step 2: Joint A
For member AB: tan(theta) = 2/4 => theta = 26.565 deg
sin(theta)=0.4472, cos(theta)=0.8944
Sum Fy = 0: 18.5 + FAB(0.4472) = 0
FAB = -41.37 kN => 41.37 kN compression
Sum Fx = 0: FAC + FAB(0.8944) = 0
FAC = 37.00 kN => tension
Step 3: Joint C
There is no external load at C.
Sum Fy = 0: FBC = 0
Sum Fx = 0: -37 + FCE = 0 => FCE = 37.00 kN tension
Final Q3: AB = 41.37 kN (C), AC = 37.00 kN (T), BC = 0, CE = 37.00 kN (T).
Structural Analysis - concise worked solution Page 2
Q4. Displacement at D by Unit Load Method
80 k-ft 6k
A B C D
10 ft 10 ft 15 ft
Given: E = 29,000 ksi, I = 800 in4. Take downward unit load at D.
Step 1: Actual-load reactions
The shown 80 k-ft moment is taken clockwise.
Sum MA = 0: 20Cy - 6(10) - 80 = 0
Cy = 7 k, Ay = 6 - 7 = -1 k
Step 2: Actual bending moment M(x), x in ft from A
0 <= x <= 10: M = 80 - x
10 <= x <= 20: M = 80 - x - 6(x-10) = 140 - 7x
20 <= x <= 35: M = 0
Step 3: Virtual system - unit downward load at D
Sum MA = 0: 20cy - 1(35) = 0 => cy = 1.75
ay = 1 - 1.75 = -0.75
0 <= x <= 20: m = -0.75x
20 <= x <= 35: m = -0.75x + 1.75(x-20) = x - 35
Step 4: Unit-load integral
EI = (29,000)(800) = 23,200,000 kip-in2 = 161,111.11 kip-ft2
deltaD = Integral(Mm/EI) dx
= [Integral010(80-x)(-0.75x)dx + Integral1020(140-7x)(-0.75x)dx] / EI
= (-2750 - 3500) / 161,111.11 = -0.038793 ft
= -0.4655 in relative to the downward unit-load direction
Final Q4: displacement at D = 0.466 in upward.
Direction note: The scan is slightly blurred. If the 80 k-ft arrow was intended counterclockwise instead, the result would be
approximately 0.130 in downward.
Final Answers at a Glance
Q1 Total linear response = sum of separate-load responses.
Q2 Unstable; Unstable; Stable and indeterminate to degree 7.
Q3 AB=41.37 kN C, AC=37.00 kN T, BC=0, CE=37.00 kN T.
Q4 delta_D = 0.466 in upward (clockwise 80 k-ft assumption).
Structural Analysis - concise worked solution Page 3