UNIT-1

Statically Determinate & Indeterminate

Structures

Prof. Garima Garg

Assistant Professor, School of Advanced Engineering (SOAE)
UPES - Energy Acres, Bidholi, Dehradun-248007
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Unit 1: Statically Determinate & Indeterminate Structures 08 lecture hours
Plane truss analysis – method of joints – method of sections, principle of super position, Clapeyron’s 3 moment
equation and moment distribution method for Indeterminate beams.

Statically Determinate structure

A structure made up of several bars (or members) riveted or welded

together is, known as frame. If the frame is composed of such members
which are just sufficient to keep the frame in equilibrium, when the
frame is supporting an external load, then the frame is known as perfect
frame. Though in actual practice the members are welded or riveted
together at their joints, yet for calculation purposes the joints are
assumed to be hinged or pin-joined.

If the structure can be analyzed and the reactions at the support can be
determined by using the equations of static equilibrium such ∑Fx = 0
and ∑Fy = 0 and ∑M = 0, then it is called as a statically determine
structure. Example: Simply supported beam, pin jointed truss or frame.

Types of Frames
Frames are classified into two types.
1. Perfect
2. Imperfect
(i) Deficient frame
(ii) Redundant frame

Perfect Frame Imperfect Frame

1 Perfect frames have sufficient or enough Imperfect frames have less or more
members to resist the loads without members to carry the load than that required for
undergoing appreciable deformation in a perfect frame.
shape.
2 It satisfies the formula m = 2j-3 It does not satisfy the formula m = 2j-3
m = 3, j =3 m = 4, j = 4
m = 2j-3 m = 2j-3
3 3 = 2×3 -3, 4 = 2×4 -3
3=3 4≠5

m = 5, j= 4
m = 2j-3
5 = 2×4 -3
5=5
 Deficient Frame Redundant Frame
1 If the number of members are less than If the number of members are more than that
that required for a perfect frame required for a perfect frame m > 2j-3.
m < 2j-3. Such frames cannot be analysed by using the
equations of equilibrium only. Thus a redundant
frame is statically indeterminate frame.
2 m = 4, j =4 m = 11, j = 6
m = 2j-3 m = 2j-3
4 = 2×4 -3 11 = 2×6 -3
4≠5 11 ≠ 9

Where, n = number of members, j = number of joints.

It may be observed that to increase one joint in a perfect frame, two more members are required.

Assumptions for Forces in the members of a Perfect Frame →

The following assumptions are made in the analysis of pin jointed trusses :
(i) The ends of the members are pin connected (hinged).
(ii) The loads act only at the joints.
(iii) Self weight of the members are negligible.
(iv) The frame is a perfect one.
Nature of Force in Members
The members of a pin jointed frames are subjected to either tensile or compressive forces.

Hence, it may be noted that two arrows going away from each other in the figure of frame, show compressive
force in the member and two arrows coming towards each other represent the tensile force in the member.
Methods of Analysis of Frame →
Analysis of frame consists of:
a. Determination of reactions at the supports
b. Determination of the forces in the members
Two strategies to solve trusses will be covered in the following sections: the Method of Joints and the Method
of Sections. Either method may be used, but the Method of Joints is usually easier when finding the forces in
all the members.
1. Method of Joints
The method of joints is a process used to solve for the unknown forces acting on members of a truss.
Perfect frame is only solved by method of joints.
● Determine if the structure is a truss and if it is perfect.
● Represent the joint as a dot.
● To start with a joint is selected where there are only two unknown forces
● Many times such a joint can be identified only after finding the reactions at supports
considering the equilibrium of entire frame
● Then using two equations of equilibrium for the system of forces at joint the two unknown
forces can be found.
● Consider first joint lets say A.
● Draw the FBD of joint joint A representing all the three forces acting on it. Here RA is the
support reaction force and other two forces are FAC and FAB.
● Now suppose the direction of the forces FAB and FAC are acting outwards (or away from A).
This nature of force is tensile.
● Calculate the unknown forces FAC and FAB either using Lami’s theorem or by method of
resolution.
● Solve and get the values of the forces. Now look carefully, if the value of the force is positive
then it means that, the direction chosen (tensile or outwards) is correct. If the answer is
negative, then the direction chosen is wrong and the actual direction of force is compressive
i.e. towards the joint.
● Once the unknown forces acting on a joint are determined, carry these values to the adjacent
joints and repeat above steps until all the joints have been solved. Take care when transferring
forces to adjoining joints to maintain their sense — either tension or compression. (If you take
joint C now, then as we have already calculated force FAC from joint A, also we know the
direction of force say ,compressive, then the force on joint C is also taken as compressive i.e.
towards the joint C. Here you will only use the magnitude of force FAC as we have already
changed the direction of FAC in the FBD of joint C).
The figure below shows a triangular truss supported by a pin at A and a roller at B, and loaded
at joint C.

Example: Analyse the frame shown in fig(a). and find the forces in all the members.
 Step 1: Determine the inclination of all inclined members. In this problem
tan θ = 3/3 = 1
∴ θ = 45°.
Step 2: Look for a joint where there are only two unknowns. If such a joint is not available, determine
the reactions at supports and then the unknowns at one of the support may reduce to only two. In this
case at joint C, there are only two unknown forces. i.e., forces in members CB and CD, say FCB and
FCD.
[Note: Usually in cantilever type trusses, we find such joints without need to find
support reactions.]
Step 3: Now at joint C there are two equations of equilibrium and two unknown forces.
Hence the unknown forces can be found.

At Joint C: Say, FCB and FCD acts as tensile FCB

Now resolving them, ΣFV = 0
FCB sin 45° – 40 = 0
FCD
∴ FCB = 56.57 kN (Since answer is positive, then the chosen nature of
C
force is correct, i.e. tensile)
Now, ΣFH = 0
FCD + FCB cos 45° = 0
∴ FCD = - FCB cos 45° = - 56.57 cos 45° 40kN
∴ FCD = - 40 kN (Since the answer is negative, then the chosen nature of
force is wrong, i.e. force is actually compressive) Now correct the direction and proceed further.

Joint D:
FDB FINAL ANSWER

FDE D
FDC = 40kN

40kN
Zero Force Member →When three members are meeting at an unloaded joint and out of them two are
collinear, then the force in third member will be zero. Such situations are illustrated in below figures.

2. Method Of Section (Method of Moments):

When the forces in a few members of a truss are to be determined then the method of section is mostly
used.
In this method, a section line is passed through the members, in which forces are to be determined as
shown in Fig. The section line should be drawn in such a way that it does not cut more than three
members in which the forces are unknown. The part of the truss, on any one side of the section line, is
treated as a free body in equilibrium under the action of external forces on that part and forces in the
members cut by the section tine. The unknown forces in the members are then determined by using
equations of equilibrium as
ΣFX=0, ΣFY=0 and ΣΜ = 0.

If the magnitude of the forces, in the members cut by a section line, is positive then the assumed
direction is correct. If magnitude of a force is negative, then reverse the direction of that force.

EXAMPLE: Find the forces in members AB and AC of the truss shown in figure using method of
sections.
 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURE

If the forces on the members of a structure cannot be determined by using conditions of equilibrium
(∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0 and ∑M = 0), it is called statically indeterminate
structures.
For solving statically indeterminate problems, the deformation characteristics of the structure are also
taken into account along with the statical equilibrium equations. Such equation, which contain the
deformation characteristics, are called compatibility equations.

Continuous beam:

A beam, which is supported on more than two supports, is called a continuous beam.

It is statically indeterminate, meaning additional methods like Clapeyron’s three-moment equation

or moment distribution method are needed to solve it.

Below figure shows such a beam which is subjected to some external loading (here a UDL). The
deflection curve for the beam is shown in dotted line. The deflection curve is having convexity upwards
(hogging or negative moment) over the intermediate supports, and concavity upwards (sagging or
positive moment) over the mid of the span.
The end supports of a simply supported continuous beam below will not be subjected to any bending
moment (BM), as in above figure MA = ME = 0.

But the end support of fixed continuous beam below will be subjected to fixing moments. Here MA ≠
0 and ME ≠ 0.

If the moments over the intermediate supports are known, then the BM diagram can be drawn.

BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM FOR CONTINUOUS BEAM

The moments over the intermediate supports are determined by using Clapeyron’s theorem of three
moments which states that:
If BC and CD are any two consecutive span of a continuous beam subjected to an external loading,
then the moments MB, MC and MD at the supports B,C and D are given by,
 6𝑎1 𝑥̅1 6𝑎2 𝑥̅2
𝑀𝐵 . 𝐿1 + 2𝑀𝐶 (𝐿1 + 𝐿2 ) + 𝑀𝐷 . 𝐿2 = +
𝐿1 𝐿2
Where 𝐿1 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝐵𝐶
𝐿2 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝐶𝐷
𝑎1 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵. 𝑀. 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝐵𝐶
𝑎2 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵. 𝑀. 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝐶𝐷
𝑥̅1 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶. 𝐺. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵. 𝑀. 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝐵𝐶 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵
𝑥̅2 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶. 𝐺. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵. 𝑀. 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝐷 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐷
The above equation is known as equation of three moments or Clapeyron’s equation.

Application of Clapeyron’s equation of three moments

1. Continuous beam with simply supported ends:
Example: A continuous beam ABC covers two consecutive span AB and BC of lengths 4m and 6m, carrying
UDL of 6kN/m and 10kN/m respectively. If the ends A and C are simply supported, find the support
moments at A, B and C. Draw also B.M. and S.F. diagrams.
2. Continuous Beam with fixed end supports
A we know that in fixed support there will be fixing moments at the fixed ends. To analyze an
imaginary support of zero span is introduced. The fixing moment at this imaginary support is always
equal to zero.
If the beam is fixed at the left end A, than an imaginary zero span is introduced to the left of A as
shown in figure. But if the beam is fixed at right end, then an imaginary zero span is introduced to
the right end support.

Example: A continuous beam ABC of uniform section, with span AB and BC as 4 m each, is fixed
at A and simply supported at B and C. The beam is carrying a uniformly
distributed load of 6 kN/m run throughout its length. Find the support moments and the reactions.
Also draw the bending moment and S.F. diagrams.

Solution:
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. Define and explain the terms: deficient frame and a redundant frame?
2. Differentiate between a perfect and imperfect frame. What are the assumptions made in finding out
the forces in a frame?
3. A truss of span 5m is loaded as shown in figure. Find the reaction and forces in the
members of the truss.

4. A truss shown is in figure. Find the forces in all the members of the truss and indicate it
is in tension or compression?

5. Determine the forces in various members of the truss shown below.

6. Find the forces in the members DE, CE and CB of the truss shown in figure below using
method of sections.
7. A continuous beam ABC of uniform section, with span AB and BC as 6m each is fixed
at A and C and supported at B as shown in fig. Find the support moments and the
reactions. Draw the S.F. and B.M. diagrams of the beam.

8. A continuous beam ABC of uniform section, with span AB and BC as 4m each, is fixed
at A and simply supported at B and C. The beam is carrying a UDL of 6kN/m run
throughout its length. Find the support moments and the reactions. Also draw the
bending moment and S.F. diagrams.