Statically Indeterminate Structures

Force Method Example

Steven Vukazich
San Jose State University
 Steps in Solving an Indeterminate
Structure using the Force Method
Determine degree of Indeterminacy
Let n =degree of indeterminacy Define Primary Structure
(i.e. the structure is indeterminate to the nth and the n Redundants
degree)
Chapter 3

Solve for the n

Define the Primary Define the n Solve for the n
Relevant
Problem Redundant Relevant Deflections
Deflections in
Problems in each Redundant
Primary Problem
Problem
Chapters 3,4,5 then 7 or 8
Chapters 3,4,5 then 7 or 8
Use the Equations Construct
Write the n Solve the n of Equilibrium to
Compatibility Internal Force
Compatibility solve for the
Equations at Diagrams
Equations to find the remaining
Relevant Points (if necessary)
n Redundants unknowns
Chapters 3,4,5
Chapter 3
 Example Problem

y P
For the indeterminate beam
subject to the point load, P,
x find the support reactions at
C
A EI B A and C. EI is constant.

! !
FBD 2 2
Beam is stable
y P
MA
X=4
x
Ax A EI
B C
3n = 3(1) = 3
Ay Cy
! ! Statically Indeterminate
2 2
to the 1st degree
 Define Primary Structure and Redundant
• Remove all applied loads from the actual structure;
• Remove support reactions or internal forces to define a primary structure;
• Removed reactions or internal forces are called redundants;
• Same number of redundants as degree of indeterminacy
• Primary structure must be stable and statically determinate;
• Primary structure is not unique – there are several choices.

Primary Structure Redundant

Cy
A B C

C
A B MA
 Define and Solve the Primary Problem

• Apply all loads on actual structure to the primary structure;

• Define a reference coordinate system;
• Calculate relevant deflections at points where redundants were
removed.

y P

A
!" EI C
x From
B Tabulated
Solutions
# #
2 2
'#(
+ Counter-clockwise !" = −
rotations positive 16+,
Tabulated
Solutions

# + –

" +
 Define and Solve the Redundant Problem
• There are the same number of redundant problems as degrees of indeterminacy;
• Define a reference coordinate system;
• Apply only one redundant to the primary structure;
• Write the redundant deflection in terms of the flexibility coefficient and the
redundant for each redundant problem.
• Calculate the flexibility coefficient associated with the relevant deflections for
each redundant problem;

MA
y
A !"" B EI Redundant Problem
C
x !"" = $" %""
L From Tabulated
y Solutions
1 A %"" B EI C
x '
%"" =−
L 3)*
Tabulated
Solutions

# + –

" +
 Compatibility Equation at Point A

Compatibility at Point A

!" + !"" = 0
Compatibility Equation in terms of
Redundant and Flexibility Coefficient

!" + &" '"" = 0

)*+ *
− + &" − =0
16./ 3./
Solve for MA
3
)*+ 3./ &" = − )*
&" =
16./
−
*
16
 Free Body Diagram

y P
MA
3
Ax A EI
B C
x
#$ = − *!
16
Ay Cy
! !
2 2
3
*! y P
16 Can now use
equilibrium
x equations to find
Ax A EI
B C
Ay Cy the remaining
!
three unknowns
!
2 2
 Find Remaining Unknowns
3
1, y P
16 Can now use
equilibrium
x equations to find
Ax A EI
B C
Ay Cy the remaining
,
three unknowns
,
2 2
+
! '( = 0
Ax = 0
5
+ ! "# = 0 2) = 1
16
11
+ ! ') = 0 4) = 1
16
 Draw V and M Diagrams of the Beam
y P
3
'"
16 x
C
11
A EI B
' 5
16 ' 11 "
" " 16 *+ − *- =
16
'
2
2 2
11 3 11 5
' *+ = − '" + '" = '"
16 16 32 32
V 5 +
− '
5 16
'"
M 32

0
+

3'"
−
16
 Superposition of Primary and Redundant Problems
Indeterminate Primary Redundant
Problem P = Problem P + 3
16
&! Problem
3 C C C
&! B
16 A B A B A
! ! 5 1 1 3 3
11 & & & & &
& 2 2 16 2 2 16 16
16

11 1 3
& & &
16 2 16

V 5
− &
1
− &
16 2
1
5 &!
&! 4
32

M 0 0 0 0
3 3
3 − &! − &!
− &! 16 32
16