Force method
The force (flexibility) method is also called the method of consistent
deformations for the analysis of statically indeterminate structures.
The method, essentially involves removing enough restraints from the
indeterminate structure to render it statically determinate.
This determinate structure, which must be statically stable, is referred
to as the primary structure.
The excess reactions or internal forces removed from the given
indeterminate structure to convert it into the determinate primary
structure are called redundant.
Force method (cont.…)
The redundants are then applied as unknown loads on the primary
structure, and their values are determined by solving the compatibility
equations based on the condition that the deformations of the primary
structure due to the combined effect of the redundant and the given
external loading must be the same as the deformations of the original
indeterminate structure.
Why called Force method?
• The unknowns which are determined first or before the other response
characteristics (e.g., displacements) be evaluated are the redundant forces
(and/or moments).
Description of the Force Method
Procedure
• Determine the degree of static indeterminacy.
• Select redundant forces and/or moments. Number of releases equal
to the degree of static indeterminacy. Released structure is referred to
as the primary structure.
• Primary structure must be chosen such that it is geometrically stable
and statically determinate.
• Redundant forces should be carefully chosen so that the primary
structure is easy to analyze
• Draw a diagram (BMD) of the primary structure with only the external
loading applied to it.
• Next, for each redundant, draw a diagram of the primary structure
with only the unit value of the redundant applied to it.
• The unit force (or moment) must be applied in the positive direction
of the redundant.
• Write a compatibility equation for the location of each redundant by
setting the algebraic sum of the deflections (or slopes) of the primary
structure due to the external loading and each of the redundant equal
to the known displacement (or rotation) at the corresponding location
on the actual indeterminate structure.
• The total number of compatibility equations thus obtained must be
equal to the number of redundants.
• Compute the deflections (and the flexibility coefficients) involved in
the compatibility equations
• Substitute the values of deflections computed in into the
compatibility equations, and solve them for the unknown redundants.
Force method examples
Using the method of consistent deformation, find support reactions of
the frame shown in figure below. EI = constant.
Solution
• Step 1: Check degree of indeterminacy,
n=4-3 =1
SIS degree 1
• Step 2; Formation of the PS
Let Ay be redundant.
• Primary Structure
• Step 3; Load the PS with an external load only and draw BMD – M0
• Step 4: Load the primary system with unit load of redundancy and
draw the BMD
• Step 5: Compatibility eqns
+ =
+ =
• Ay = 13.5 kN
• MC = 22.5.6 kN. m
Example 2: By using force method, determine support reactions and draw BMD.
• Step 1: Check degree of indeterminacy,
n=4-3 =1
SIS degree 1
• Step 2; Formation of the PS
Let Cy be redundant.
• Primary Structure
• Step 3; Load the PS with an external load only and draw BMD – M0
• Step 4; Load the PS with a Unit load applied at the point where you
introduced redundancy and draw BMD – M1
+ =
Cy=10kN
Ay = 22kN
MA = 120kNm
• Example 3: By using force method, determine support reactions and
draw BMD. Release moment at A as a redundant.
Support settlement
Example
Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending moment
diagrams for the loading shown and a settlement of 20 mm at support B
using the method of consistent deformations. Select the reaction at the
roller support B to be the redundant. E=200,000MPa, I=500x106
mm4
• Step 1: Check degree of indeterminacy,
n=4-3 =1
SIS degree 1
• Step 2; Formation of the PS
Let By be redundant.
Primary Structure
• Step 3; Load the PS with an external load only and draw BMD – M0
M0 = 0 as there is no load acting on beam
Step 4; Load the PS with a unit load applied at point B draw BMD – M1
Step 5: Compatibility eqns
= 0;
=
Multiple degree of Indeterminacy
Consider, for example, the four-span continuous beam subjected to a
uniformly distributed load w, as shown below;
Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for
the three-span continuous beam shown in Fig. below using the force method.
• Step 1: Check degree of indeterminacy,
n=5-3 =2
SIS degree 2
• Step 2; Formation of the PS
Let By, Cy be redundant.
Primary Structure
Step 3: Load PS with Given load and draw BMD
Step 4: Load PS with Unit load at point B(1) and draw BMD
Step 5: Load PS with Unit load at point C(2) and draw BMD