UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Dubinan East, Santiago City

MODULE 3: EQUILIBRIUM OF STRUCTURES

This module provides a discussion on how equilibrium plays an important part on structures stability, a discussion
on the types of support that you will encounter and a review on the computation of reactions of truss, beams and
frames.
MODULE CONTENT:
1. Equilibrium
2. Types of supports for plane structures
3. Static determinacy, indeterminacy, and instability
4. Review: computation of reactions
LEARNING OUTCOMES
-Review statics, prepare idealized structures, and identify appropriate free-body diagrams. Utilize the principle of
transmissibility, equations of static equilibrium, and equations of condition in the analysis of structures.

-Study support conditions and their restraints, which include the prevention or allowance of translational and
rotational movements.

-Calculate reactions for beams, bent frames, multi-storey frames, and trusses.
-Classify determinate and indeterminate structures, and determine the degree of indeterminacy for the latter.
Understand and compare determinate and indeterminate structures in terms of safety through redundancy and proper
locations of support conditions.

-Determine if a structure is stable or unstable. Understand instability caused by concurrent and parallel force systems.
The objective of this chapter is to review the basic concept of equilibrium of structures under the action of forces and
to develop the analysis of reactions exerted by supports on plane (two-dimensional) structures subjected to coplanar
force systems.

EQUILIBRIUM
A structure is considered to be in equilibrium if, initially at rest, it remains at rest when subjected to a system of
forces and couples. If a structure is in equilibrium, then all its members and parts are also in equilibrium.
Recall from statics that for a space (three-dimensional) structure subjected to three-dimensional systems of forces
and couples (see figure), the conditions of zero resultant force and zero resultant couple can be expressed in a
Cartesian (xyz) coordinate system as

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Figure 1
∑𝐹 = 0 ∑𝐹 = 0 ∑𝐹 = 0 ∑𝑀 = 0 ∑𝑀 = 0 ∑𝑀 = 0

These six equations are called the equations of equilibrium of space structures and are the necessary and sufficient
conditions for equilibrium.
For a plane structure lying in the xy plane and subjected to a coplanar system of forces and couples (Figure 2), the
necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium can be expressed as

Figure 2
∑𝐹 = 0 ∑𝐹 = 0 ∑𝑀 = 0

These three equations are referred to as the equations of equilibrium of plane structures.
EXTERNAL FORCES
External forces are the actions of other bodies on the structure under consideration. Applied forces, or loads (e.g.,
live loads and wind loads), have a tendency to move the structure and are known in the analysis. Reaction forces are
the forces exerted by supports on the structure that keep it in equilibrium. The state of equilibrium or motion of the
structure as a whole is governed solely by the external forces acting on it.
INTERNAL FORCES

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Internal forces are the forces exerted on a structure by the rest of the structure. They always occur in equal but
opposite pairs, according to Newton's third law. Internal forces do not appear in the equations of equilibrium of the
entire structure. The internal forces are also among the unknowns in the analysis and are determined by applying
the equations of equilibrium to the individual members or portions of the structure.
TYPES OF SUPPORTS FOR PLANE STRUCTURES
Supports are used to attach structures to the ground or other bodies, thereby restricting their movements under the
action of applied loads. The loads tend to move the structures, but supports prevent the movements by exerting
opposing forces, or reactions, to neutralize the effects of loads, thereby keeping the structures in equilibrium.
The types of supports commonly used for plane structures are depicted in Figure 3. These supports are grouped into
three categories, depending on the number of reactions (1, 2, or 3) they exert on the structures. The figure also gives
the types of reactions that these supports exert, as well as the number of unknowns that the various supports
introduce in the analysis.
STATIC DETERMINACY, INDETERMINACY, AND INSTABILITY
INTERNAL STABILITY
A structure is considered to be internally stable, or rigid, if it maintains its shape and remains a rigid body when
detached from the supports.
Conversely, a structure is termed internally unstable (or nonrigid) if it cannot maintain its shape and may undergo
large displacements under small disturbances when not supported externally.
STATIC DETERMINACY OF INTERNALLY STABLE STRUCTURES
An internally stable structure is considered to be statically determinate externally if all its support reactions can be
determined by solving the equations of equilibrium
Since a plane internally stable structure can be treated as a plane rigid body, in order for it to be in equilibrium under
a general system of coplanar loads, it must be supported by at least three reactions that satisfy the three equations of
equilibrium.
Also, since there are only three equilibrium equations, they cannot be used to determine more than the reactions.
Some examples of externally statically determinate plane structures are shown below.

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If a structure is supported by more than three reactions, then all the reactions cannot be determined from the three
equations of equilibrium, such structures are termed statically indeterminate externally.
The reactions in excess of those necessary for equilibrium are called external redundants, and the number of
external redundants is referred to as the degree of external indeterminacy. Thus, if a structure has r reactions ( r >3
), then the degree of external indeterminacy can be written as

𝑖 =𝑟−3
See Examples
If a structure is supported by fewer than three support reactions, the reactions are not sufficient to prevent all
possible movements of the structure in its plane. Such a structure cannot remain in equilibrium under a general
system of loads and is, therefore, referred to as statically unstable externally.
The conditions of static instability, determinacy, and indeterminacy of plane internally stable structures can be
summarized as follows:
𝑟 < 3 the structure is statically unstable externally
𝑟 = 3 the structure is statically determinate externally
𝑟 > 3 the structure is statically indeterminate externally
Where
r = number of reactions
Take note, r = 3 and r > 3, although necessary, are not sufficient for static determinacy and indeterminacy,
respectively. A structure may be supported by a sufficient number of reactions but may still be unstable due to
improper arrangement of supports.
Structures with such setting are referred to as geometrically unstable externally.
Sample 1. Classify each of the beams shown. Statically determinate or statically indeterminate. If statically
indeterminate, report the number of degrees of indeterminacy.

𝑟 = 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 3 ⇒ 𝑖 = 3 − 3 = 0 ∴ Statically Determinate

𝑟 = 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 5 ⇒ 𝑖 = 5 − 3 = 3 ∴ Statically indeterminate to the 2nd degree

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Figure 3 Types of Supports

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Figure 4 Hinge Support

Figure 5 Rocker Support.

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Figure 6 Roller Support

Figure 7 Roller Support

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Figure 8 Hinge Support

Figure 9 Internal Hinge Support

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Figure 10 Elastomeric Pad

REVIEW: COMPUTATION OF REACTIONS

Sample 1: Compute the reactions for the truss in figure shown below.

Solution:
Assume the whole system of truss is a rigid body.
⟳ + 𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 0 8(12) − 𝐴𝑦(14) = 0 ⇒ 𝐴 = 6.86 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔 ↓ 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
→+ 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 18 − 𝐶𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝐶 = 18 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔 ← 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
+
𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 −𝐴𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 = 0 = −(6.86) + 𝐶 ⇒ 𝐶 = 6.86 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔 ↑ 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
↑

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Sample 2: the frame shown below carries a distributed load that varies from 4 to 10 kN/m. Compute the reactions.

Solution:
Divide the varying distributed load into a triangular and a rectangular distributed load. Replace the distributed loads
as resultants.

𝑅 = 10 ∗ 4 = 40 𝒌𝑵
1
𝑅 = ∗ 10 ∗ 6 = 30 𝒌𝑵
2
Compute for 𝑨𝒚 :
(⟳ + )𝛴𝑀@𝐶 = 0
20
𝐴𝑦 (4) − 𝑅 (5) − 𝑅 = 0 ⟹ 𝐴 = 100 𝒌𝑵
3
Compute for 𝑪𝒚 :
(+ ↑)𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0
100 − 𝑅 − 𝑅 + 𝐶 = 0 ⟹ 𝐶 = −30 𝒌𝑵 = 30 𝒌𝑵 ↓
Note: Negative sign indicates initial direction incorrectly assumed
Compute for 𝐶 :
(→ + )𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝐶 =0

Sample 3: Compute the reactions for the beam in figure shown below, treating member AB as a link(refer figure
below)

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(a) Beam BC supported by link AB; (b) free body of link AB; (c) free body of beam BC.
First compute the forces in the link. Since link AB is pinned at A and B, no moments exist at these points. Assume
initially that both shear V and axial force F are transmitted through the pins. Using a coordinate system with an x
axis along the longitudinal axis of the member, we write the following equilibrium equations:

Member AB:

(+→ )𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 0 = 𝐹 – 𝐹 ⇒𝐹 =𝐹
(⟳ +) 𝑀𝐴 = 0 0 = 𝑉 (5) ⇒ 𝑉 = 0
(+↑)𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 0 = 𝑉 − 𝑉 ⇒𝑉 =𝑉 =0

These computations show that a member pinned at both ends and not loaded between its ends carries only axial
load, that is, is a two-force member.

Now compute FAB. Consider beam BC as a free body (Figure 3.21c). Resolve FAB into components at B and sum
moments about C.

(⟳ +)𝛴𝑀𝑐 = 0 0 = 0.8𝐹 (10) + 20 − 36(2) ⇒ 𝐹 = 6.5 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔

(→ +) 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 0 = 0.6𝐹 − 𝐶 ⇒ 𝐶 = 3.9 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔
(+ ↑)𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 0 = 0.8𝐹 − 36 + 𝐶 ⇒ 𝐶 = 30.8 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔

Sample 4: Determine the reactions of each structure in the figure shown below.

First resolve the horizontal and vertical component of the force 10 kips. And compute

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Compute for 𝐴 :
(+⟶) ∑ 𝐹 = 0 𝐴 = 10 ∗ = 6 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
Compute for 𝐵 :
(+↻) ∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = 0 0 = 8 ∗ 4 + 20 ∗ 4 + 5 + − 𝐵 ∗ (4 + 5 + 4) ⟹ 𝐵 = 19.38 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔
Compute for 𝐴 :
(+↑) ∑ 𝐹 = 0 0 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 − 8 − 20 ⟹ 𝐴 = 8.62 𝒌𝑵

Sample :Determine the reactions at the supports for the frame shown below.

Determine if the structure is Statically Determinate;

Support reactions:
Compute for Ax:
(+⟶) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
0 = 𝐴 + 99.9 − 67 ⟹ 𝐴 = −32.9 𝒌𝑵 = 32.9 𝒌𝑵 ⟵
Compute for By
(+↻) ∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = 0
5.4
0 = − 99.9 ∗ − [118.8 ∗ 2.7] + [67 ∗ 3.6] + 𝐵 ∗ 3.6
3
𝐵 = 72.05 𝒌𝑵 ↑
Compute for Ay:
(+↑) ∑ 𝐹 = 0

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0 = 𝐴 − 118.8 + 72.05 ⇒ 𝐴 = 46.75 𝒌𝑵 ↑

Sample 5: Determine the reactions at the supports for the structure shown.

Solution:
Compute for Ax:
(+⟶) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
𝐴 =0
(+↻) ∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = 0
0 = (98 ∗ 5.5) + 9(8 ∗ 11) + (98 ∗ 16.5) − 22𝐵 ⇒ 𝐵 = 147 𝒌𝑵
(+↑) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
0 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 − (98 ∗ 3) ⇒ 𝐴 = 147 𝒌𝑵

Sample 6: The side of the building shown below. Is subjected to a wind loading that creates a uniform normal
pressure of 15 kpa on the windward side and a suction pressure of 5 kpa on the leeward side. Determine the
horizontal and vertical components of reaction at the pin connections A, B, and C of the supporting gable arch.

Solution:
The loading is evenly distributed, the central gable arch supports a loading action on the walls and roof of the dark-
shaded tributaty area. This represents a uniform distributed load of (15*4) = 60 kN/m on the windward side and
(5*4)=20kN/m on the leeward side.

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Free body Diagram

Simplifying the distributed loadings, the free body diagrams of the entire frame and each of its parts are shown.
First solve the reaction considering the whole frame:
(+↻) ∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = 0
−(180 + 60)(1.5) − (254.6 + 84.9) cos 45° ∗ 4.5 − (254.6 sin 45°)(1.5) + (84.9 sin 45°)(4.5) + 𝐶 (6) = 0
𝑪𝒚 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎. 𝟎 𝒌𝑵
(+↑) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
−𝐴 − 254.6 sin 45° + 84.9 sin 45° + 240.0 = 0
𝑨𝒚 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎. 𝟎 𝒌𝑵
We now consider Member AB only to solve other reactions.
(+↻) ∑ 𝑀@𝐵 = 0
𝐴 (6) + (120)3 + 180(4.5) − 254.6(2.12) = 0
𝑨𝒙 = 𝟐𝟖𝟓. 𝟎 𝒌𝑵
(+⟶) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
−280 + 180 + 254.6 cos 45° − 𝐵 = 0
𝐵 = 75.0 𝑘𝑁
(+↑) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
−120 − 254.6 sin 45° + 𝐵 = 0
𝑩𝒚 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝑵
Lastly consider Member CB:
(+⟶) ∑ 𝐹 = 0
−𝐶 + 60 + 84.9 cos 45° + 75 = 0
𝑪𝒙 = 𝟏𝟗𝟓 𝒌𝑵

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SUMMARY:
In this module we learned that:
-how equilibrium plays a part on structures.
-the different types of supports that you will encounter in structural analysis
-And reviewed computing for Reactions.

ASSESSMENT:
Instructions: write your solution on a clean sheet of paper(Preferably 8.5”x11” paper white bond paper.).
Note:Solution paper will be submitted. To make sure that the solution paper is made on the date indicated a photo
must be taken on that day and will be check during submittion.
Rubrics: Maximum of 5 points per Item.
5 points – for an item completely answered with complete solution w/ proof.
3 points – for an item completely answered with complete solution w/out proof.
1 point – fail to answer
Correct answers will be shown during submittion.

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