MODULE 2

ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module, students are expected to:
1. Outline the concept of force method for analysis of statically indeterminate beam
structure
2. Determine the beam’s degree of static indeterminacy .
3. Choose the appropriate redundant to be temporarily removed so that the beam
becomes statically determinate and stable.
4. Compute beam deformations by conjugate beam method.
5. Write compatibility equations.
6. Solve reactions at supports and displacements at points in a beam.
7. Draw Shear and Moment Diagrams and Deflection Curves.

Introduction:
Recall from Module 1 that a structure of any type is classified as statically indeterminate when
the number of unknown reactions or internal forces exceeds the number of equilibrium equations
available for its analysis. Most of the structures designed today are statically indeterminate. This
indeterminacy may arise as a result of added supports or members, or by the general form of the
structure. For example, reinforced concrete buildings are almost always statically indeterminate
since the columns and beams are poured as continuous members through the joints and over
supports. In this module, two fundamental ways in which they may be analyzed will be
discussed.

Methods of Analysis.
When analyzing any indeterminate structure, it is necessary to satisfy equilibrium, compatibility,
and force-displacement requirements for the structure. Equilibrium is satisfied when the reactive
forces hold the structure at rest, and compatibility is satisfied when the various segments of the
structure fit together without intentional breaks or overlaps. The force-displacement
requirements depend upon the way the material responds. In general there are two different ways
to satisfy these requirements when analyzing a statically indeterminate structure: the force or
flexibility method, and the displacement or stiffness method.

Force Method. This method was one of the first available for the analysis of statically
indeterminate structures. Since compatibility forms the basis for this method, it has sometimes
been referred to as the compatibility method or the method of consistent displacements. This
method consists of writing equations that satisfy the compatibility and force-displacement
requirements for the structure in order to determine the redundant forces. Once these forces have
been determined, the remaining reactive forces on the structure are determined by satisfying the
equilibrium requirements.

Displacement Method. The displacement method of analysis is based on first writing force-
displacement relations for the members and then satisfying the equilibrium requirements for the
structure. In this case the unknowns in the equations are displacements. Once the displacements
are obtained, the forces are determined from the compatibility and force displacement equations.
Force Method of Analysis: General Procedure
To illustrate the principles involved in the force method of analysis is best to consider the beam
shown in Fig (a)

If its free-body diagram were drawn, there would be four unknown support reactions; and since
three equilibrium equations are available for solution, the beam is indeterminate to the first
degree. Consequently, one additional equation is necessary for solution. To obtain this equation,
we will use the principle of superposition and consider the compatibility of displacement at one
of the supports. This is done by choosing one of the support reactions as “redundant” and
temporarily removing its effect on the beam so that the beam then becomes statically determinate
and stable. This beam is referred to as the primary structure. Here we will remove the restraining
action of the rocker at B. As a result, the load P will cause B to be displaced downward by an
amount B as shown in Fig. (b).

By superposition, however, the unknown reaction at B, i.e. By, causes the beam at B to be
displaced ’BB upward, Fig. ( c ).

Here the first letter in this double-subscript notation refers to the point (B) where the deflection is
specified, and the second letter refers to the point (B) where the unknown reaction acts.
Assuming positive displacements act upward, then from Figs. (a) through (c) we can write the
necessary compatibility equation at the rocker as

Let us now denote the displacement at B caused by a unit load acting in the direction of By as the
linear flexibility coefficient fBB ,Fig. (d).

Using the same scheme for this double-subscript notation as above, fBB is the deflection at B
caused by a unit load at B. Since the material behaves in a linear-elastic manner, a force of By
acting at B, instead of the unit load, will cause a proportionate increase in fBB.Thus we can write
When written in this format, it can be seen that the linear flexibility coefficient fBB is a measure
of the deflection per unit force, and so its units are m/N , ft/lb, etc. The compatibility equation
above can therefore be written in terms of the unknown By as

The choice of the redundant is arbitrary. For example, the moment at A, Fig. (a), can be
determined directly by removing the capacity of the beam to support a moment at A, that is, by
replacing the fixed support by a pin.

As shown in Fig. (b), the rotation at A caused by the load P is A,

and the rotation at A caused by the redundant MA

If we denote an angular flexibility coefficient AA as the angular displacement at A caused by a

then

Thus, the angular flexibility coefficient measures the angular displacement per unit couple
moment, and therefore it has units of rad/N.m or rad/lb.ft, etc. The compatibility equation for
rotation at A therefore requires

In this case, MA = -A/AA, a negative value, which simply means that MA acts in the opposite
direction to the unit couple moment.
EXAMPLES: FORCE METHOD applied to Indeterminate Beams (aka METHOD OF CONSISTENT
DEFORMATION or METHOD OF CONSISTENT DISPLACEMENT)

Note: B = ’B
Reference:

Hibbeler, R.C. (2012). Structural Analysis 8th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall. USA