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Study Note - Statically Indeterminate Beams

This document discusses two methods for analyzing statically indeterminate beams: 1) The unit force method, which uses a unit load applied at points of interest to determine displacements like deflection and slope. 2) The superposition method, which makes a statically indeterminate beam determinate by releasing constraints, then applies redundant reactions as loads to determine compatibility equations. Solving the equations gives the redundant reactions.

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82 views6 pages

Study Note - Statically Indeterminate Beams

This document discusses two methods for analyzing statically indeterminate beams: 1) The unit force method, which uses a unit load applied at points of interest to determine displacements like deflection and slope. 2) The superposition method, which makes a statically indeterminate beam determinate by releasing constraints, then applies redundant reactions as loads to determine compatibility equations. Solving the equations gives the redundant reactions.

Uploaded by

Sboniso Khethukuthula
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STUDY NOTE: STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS – USING THE

SUPERPOSITION AND THE UNIT FORCE METHODS


Please note that this study note is a combination of Prof Tabakov’s notes and sections
taken from the prescribed book: Mechanics of Engineering Materials by PP Benham &
RJ Crawford.

Displacements using the unit force method


You will remember from Castigliano’s method that the modified theorem is:

We can see that

where 𝑀𝑀� is the bending moment due to the unit load P = 1. Thus, the modified theorem can
be written as

Where Mp is the bending moment due to the given external load. By using this method there
is no need to use dummy loads.
To determine a linear displacement at a particular point, a unit load (P = l)
is applied at this point in the required direction of the displacement
(vertical, horizontal or at an angle). To determine a slope, a unit
bending moment (M = l) is applied at the point of interest.

Example:
Determine the deflection and slope at the free end of the following cantilever

Solution:
For the original loading, the bending moment MP at the distance x from the
free-end is

For the unit load (P = 1) placed at the position where the deflection is required (the free-end) the
bending moment 𝑀𝑀 � 𝑝𝑝 is
Thus,

This method is useful for solving indeterminate beam problems.

STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES


A structure is statically determinate if its reactions can be computed from the equations
of static equilibrium. In two-dimensional structures, there are three equations of
equilibrium:

A structure is statically indeterminate if its reactions cannot be computed from the


equations of static equilibrium alone (the number of support reactions exceeds the
number of independent equilibrium equations), and the deformation conditions must be
considered. The superfluous reactions, those which are not necessary for static
equilibrium, are called redundant and the degree of statical indeterminacy is defined by
the number of re­dundant support reactions.

Statically indeterminate structures are more common than statically determinate.


However, the analysis is more complex and internal forces and stresses also depend on
the stiffnesses (eg. flexural) of their members.

Consider this simple beam:

To determine the two horizontal support reactions we can write only one equation, which
cannot be solved.

Here are some other examples of statically indeterminate systems:


In the case of beams, the degree of statical indeterminacy (number of redundants) can
be calculated as

n=R–E-C

where n is the number of redundants, R is the number of reactions, N is the number of


equations of external static equilibrium (3 for a two-dimensional system); C is number of
special conditions.

A special condition can be anything that reduces the statical indeterminacy, for example,
a hinge. In the above figure:

a): n = 4 - 3 - 0 = 1; b): n = 6 - 3 - 0 = 3; d): n = 6 - 3 - 1 = 2

A structure is geometrically stable if for any incipient movement a resistance to this


movement is developed. This requires the presence of at least three nonconcurrent,
nonparallel forces.

A structure that has a sufficient number of reactions but incorrectly placed for stability is
geometrically unstable. (It is obvious also that any structure with insufficient number of
reactions is unstable.)

Method of Superposition
Earlier on we spent much time and effort learning how to determine various
displacements in beams. We used the powerful Castigliano theorem for this purpose.
This knowledge will be required now for the analysis in statically indeterminate beams
and frames.

Using simple statically indeterminate beams we first consider the method of


superposition. The superposition method can be also used for a system of statically
determinate beams which together form a statically indeterminate system. The modified
technique is usually called the force or flexibility method.

In the following example the method is described in steps 1 through 6.

Example 1:
Consider a propped cantilever beam with a uniformly distributed load over its entire
length L. Determine the reaction VA at the prop and the moment at B.
Solution:

1. Determine the degree of static indeterminacy and chose the redundant reactions. This
choice is not unique - any support reactions can be deemed to be redundant provided
the remaining reactions can support the loading. In other words, the beam must
remain a geometrically stable structure.

There are three unknown support reactions: VA, VB and MB. Thus, n=4-3-0=1 and so the
beam is statically indeterminate of degree one.

2. Release the constraints associated with the redundant reactions so that the beam
becomes statically determinate. This beam is called a primary beam. Then consider
the redundant reactions as applied loads.

Let us remove the support A and choose the reaction VA as an unknown. The results is a
cantilever beam loaded as shown below. The problem is now to find VA for which the
deflection of the elastic curve at A is zero.

3. Compute the deflections associated with the released constraints. These


deflections will be due to all the loads applied (including the redundant reactions).
The redundant reactions will be unknown quantities in these equations.

Now determine displacements due to the applied external load q and due to the
applied support reaction VA. They must be equal, which means they sum must be
equal to zero. Using this condition the unknown support reaction VA can be
calculated.
The displacement at A due to the uniformly distributed load q using the Modified
Castigliano’s theorem (unit force method).

The displacement at A due to the support reaction VA (must be of opposite sign)

4. Write the compatibility equations by equating the deflections found in the


previous step to those imposed by the supports on the original beam (usually they
are equal to zero).

The displacement at A in the original beam is zero, thus

5. Solve the compatibility equations for the redundant reactions

Which gives us

6. After the redundant reactions have been found, the remaining reactions can be
computed from the equilibrium equations (if necessary).
Thus:

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