SOLVING FOR
DETERMINACY OF
STRUCTURE
PREPARED BY:
ENGR. PRECIOUS PRINCESS T. SABA
Instructor
1ST SEMESTER / 2020 - 2021
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
CLASSIFY EACH OF THE STRUCTURES AS STATICALLY DETERMINATE, STATICALLY INDETERMINATE, OR UNSTABLE.
IF INDETERMINATE, SPECIFY THE DEGREE OF INDETERMINACY. THE SUPPORTS OR CONNECTIONS ARE TO BE
ASSUMED AS STATED.
SOLUTION:
1) First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
Solve for the determinacy of beam.
There are two ways to solve determinacy of beams. (you can use any of these solutions)
SOLUTION 1 (using equation 1 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”)
Eqn 1: DI = r – 3m 1
1 r =5
4 m =1
2 3 5 DI = r – 3m
DI = 5 – 3 (1)
Note ( to avoid confusion): DI = 2
Reaction # Statically Indeterminate to the 2nd degree (2o)
Member #
SOLUTION 2 (using equation 2 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) joints should be placed at least at the
following locations:
Eqn 2: DI = 3m+ r−(3j + ec) • Free ends
1 2
Note ( to avoid confusion): 1 2 3 • Supports
1 4 • Intersections of three or more
Reaction #
5
elements
Member #
2 In this problem, I chose to put the
Joint # 3
joints at each support, splitting the
given beam into two (2) members.
From the figure: DI = 3(2) + 5 –[3(3) + 0]
r=5 DI = 6+ 5 –(9)
m=2 DI = 2
j=3
ec = 0 Statically Indeterminate to the 2nd degree (2o)
2)
SOLUTION:
First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure. Observe the FBD of the structure. As
we can see on the figure, reactions
are parallel, satisfying condition #2 of
conditions of instability. Therefore,
the structure is UNSTABLE.
SOLUTION:
3) First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
Internal hinge
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
Solve for the determinacy of beam.
As stated in problem #1, there are two ways to solve determinacy of beams. (you can use any of these solutions)
SOLUTION 1 (using equation 1 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) Eqn 1: DI = r – 3m
By removing the internal hinge, the members connected by hinge will be
detached, splitting the structures into two(2) members and exposing
two (2) internal reactions. From the figure:
1 r =6
1 m =2
4
2
2 3 DI = r – 3m
DI = 6– 3 (2)
6 DI = 0
Note ( to avoid confusion): Statically determinate
Reaction # 5
Member #
SOLUTION 2 (using equation 2 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) joints should be placed at least at the
following locations:
Eqn 2: DI = 3m+ r−(3j + ec) • Free ends
Internal hinge
Note ( to avoid confusion): 1 • Supports
1 • Intersections of three or more
Reaction #
1
elements
Member #
2 In this problem, I chose to put the
Joint # 2 joints at each support.
From the figure: 4
r=4 DI = 3(1) + 4 –[3(2) + 1] from our handout, to find ec
m = 1 (without removing the in DI = 3+ 4 –(6 + 1) 3 considering internal hinge,
ternal hinge, the whole structure DI = 0 ec = n-1
can be considered as 1 member where n is the number of members
only) Statically determinate joined by the hinge to form a single –
j=2 member structure. Thus,
ec = 1 ec = 2 -1 = 1
SOLUTION: Observe the FBD of the structure. As
4) First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure. we can see on the figure, reactions
are concurrent, satisfying condition
#3 of conditions of instability.
Therefore, the structure is UNSTABLE.
Also, by inspection, knowing that the
supports are all rollers, they are not
enough to prevent the structure from
sudden movement.
SOLUTION:
5)
First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
Internal roller
Solve for the determinacy of beam.
As stated in problem #1, there are two ways to solve determinacy of beams. (you can use any of these solutions)
SOLUTION 1 (using equation 1 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) Eqn 1: DI = r – 3m
By removing the internal roller, the members connected by the roller will
be detached, splitting the structures into two(2) members and exposing
one (1) internal reaction. From the figure:
1 r =6
1 m =2
6
2 2 DI = r – 3m
5 DI = 6– 3 (2)
3 DI = 0
Note ( to avoid confusion): Statically determinate
Reaction # 4
Member #
SOLUTION 2 (using equation 2 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) joints should be placed at least at the
following locations:
Eqn 2: DI = 3m+ r−(3j + ec) • Free ends
Note ( to avoid confusion): 1 • Supports
1
1 • Intersections of three or more
Reaction #
elements
Member # Internal roller
2 5 In this problem, I chose to put the
Joint # 2
joints at each support.
From the figure: 4
r=5 DI = 3(1) + 5 –[3(2) + 2] from our handout, to find ec
m = 1 (without removing the in DI = 3+ 5 –(6 + 2) 3 considering internal hinge,
ternal roller, the whole structure DI = 0 ec = 2(n-1)
can be considered as 1 member where n is the number of members
only) Statically determinate joined by the roller to form a single –
j=2 member structure. Thus,
ec = 2 ec = 2 (2-1) = 2
SOLUTION:
5) First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
This can be considered as frame since columns
and beams are connected to form a box – liked
structure or the so called loop.
Solve for the determinacy of frame.
There are two ways to solve determinacy of beams. (you can use any of these solutions)
SOLUTION 1 (using equation 1 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”)
To use equation #1 in this type of structure, we should use the method of section to cut the structure. Then, identify the reactions.
Be sure to cut each loop apart. Remember that, cutting a member of a frame
will expose three (3) internal forces.
8
5
1 4
7
1
2 6 3
3 10
11
Cutting planes
From the figure:
9
Note ( to avoid confusion): r = 12 12
m =3
Reaction #
Member # DI = r – 3m
DI = 12– 3(3)
DI = 3
Statically Indeterminate to the 3rd degree (3o)
SOLUTION 2 (using equation 2 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) joints should be placed at least at the
following locations:
Eqn 2: DI = 3m+ r−(3j + ec) • Free ends
1 2
Note ( to avoid confusion): • Supports
Reaction # • Intersections of three or more
elements
Member # In this problem, I chose to put the joints at
3
Joint # each support and intersections of three or m
From the figure: ore elements.
r=3 DI = 3(3) + 3 –[3(3) + 0]
m=3 DI = 9+ 3–(9)
j=3 DI = 3
ec = 0
Statically Indeterminate to the 3rd degree (3o)
SOLUTION 3 “The shortcut method” Draw an arrow to represent 1 loop
1
DI = 3L -a
Where L = # of loops
If: 1 2
the support is hinge a = 1
the support is roller a = 2 From the figure: 2
the support is fixed a = 0 L=2 DI = 3L - a
a=1 (for support 1 – hinge) DI = 3(2) –(1+2)
a=2 (for support 2 –roller) DI = 3
Statically Indeterminate to the 3rd degree (3o)
SOLUTION:
6)
First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
Solve for the determinacy of frame.
There are two ways to solve determinacy of beams. (you can use any of these solutions)
SOLUTION 1 (using equation 1 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”)
To use equation #1 in this type of structure, we should use the method of section to cut the structure. Then, identify the reactions.
Be sure to cut each loop apart. Remember that, cutting a member of a frame
will expose three (3) internal forces.
6 From the figure:
5 r = 11
m =2
4
9 DI = r – 3m
Cutting planes 1 8 DI = 11 – 3(2)
2
DI = 5
2 7
1 10 Statically Indeterminate to the
Note ( to avoid confusion):
5th degree (5o)
Reaction #
3 11
Member #
SOLUTION 2 (using equation 2 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”) joints should be placed at least at the
following locations:
Eqn 2: DI = 3m+ r−(3j + ec) • Free ends
2
Note ( to avoid confusion): • Supports
Reaction # • Intersections of three or more
elements
Member # 3 In this problem, I chose to put the joints at
Joint # 1 4 each support and intersections of three or m
From the figure: 3 ore elements.
r=5 1 4 DI = 3(4) + 5 –[3(4) + 0]
m=4 DI = 12+ 5–(12)
j=4 2 5
DI = 5
ec = 0
Statically Indeterminate to the 3rd degree (3o)
SOLUTION 3 “The shortcut method” Draw an arrow to represent 1 loop
1
DI = 3L -a From the figure:
Where L = # of loops L=2
If: 1 a=1 (for support 1 – hinge)
the support is hinge a = 1 a=2 (for support 0 –fixed)
the support is roller a = 2
the support is fixed a = 0 2 DI = 3L - a
DI = 3(2) –(1+0)
DI = 5
Statically Indeterminate to the 5th degree (5o)
7) SOLUTION:
First of, draw the FBD of the whole structure.
By inspection, we can assume
that the given beam is stable
since it didn’t satisfy conditions
(2 – 4) of instability.
SOLUTION:
In solving determinacy of trusses, it is more convenient to use equation 3 from our handout “Determinacy of Structures”
5
6
Note ( to avoid confusion): Eqn 3: DI = m+r - 2j In trusses, it is safe to assume that the joint is
located at the end of each member.
Reaction #
4
Joint #
3
From the figure:
1
r=6
DI = m + r – 2j 2
m =10
j=8
DI = 10 + 6 – 2(8)
DI = 5
Statically determinate.
