SUS3B: Structural Engineering 3B

Module 2: The Force Method

Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Presenter: Dr Matongo Kabani

 Course content

Overview of module
Module 2: The Force Method:
V Unit 1a: Static and kinematic indeterminacy
V Unit 1b: Review of virtual work method
V Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate beams
V Unit 3: Analysis of indeterminate frames
V Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

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 Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

V LO1: Determine degrees of static and kinematic indeterminacy

V LO2: Analyse elastic structures using The Force Method.

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 Unit 3: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Introduction
The force method is one of the methods used for the matrix analysis
of structures. Its is also known as the flexibility or compatibility
method. In the Force Method the primary unknowns are the redun-
dant forces, which are calculated by solving the structures compati-
bility equations. Once the redundant forces are known, the structure
becomes determinate and can be analysed by applying the equations
of equilibrium and the appropriate member force displacement rela-
tions.
The procedure for force method is outlined.

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 Unit 3: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Procedure for Force Method

V Determine the degree of indeterminacy of the structure
V Chose redundant reactions from the indeterminate structure.
V Remove the redundants to obtain the primary structure.
V Formulate compatibility equations for each redundancy.
V Compute flexibility coefficients.
V Substitute flexibility coefficients into compatibility equations
and solve for forces or moments.
V Apply redundant forces to primary structure and determine the
force response

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

The force method is easily applied trusses. Since the procedure is

identical to what has been seen so far, we shall proceed straight to
examples.
X When P a redundant element is removed, the joints move by dis-
F 0 µL
tance AE .
P µ2 L
X When a unit is applied, the joints move by AE .
P µ2 L
X If actual force in member is X, the joints will move by X AE .
Compatibility equation and solution are written:
P F 0 µL
X µ2 L X F 0 µL
X + = 0, X = − AE
AE AE P µ2 L
AE

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

Determine member forces of the externally redundant truss shown

in figure below given that E = 200GP a and truss elements have
cross section area A = 2.39 × 10−3 m2 .

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

Solution: Refer to LT on static redundancy. We remove supportB

to obtain primary structure and apply the loads. Note that we could
have removed support C.

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

Solution: We apply a unit load at B:

We compile the solution on Table below!!

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

F 0 µL µ2 L
Element L(m) F’(kN ) µ
AE AE
L1 L2 2 7.5 0.5 7.5 0.5
L2 L3 2 7.5 0.5 7.5 0.5
L3 L4 2 2.5 0.5 2.5 0.5
L4 L5 2 2.5 0.5 2.5 0.5
U1 U2 2 -5.0 -1 10 2
U2 U3 2 -5.0 -1 10 2
L1 U1 2.83 -10.6 -0.71 21.3 1.41
L2 U1 2 10 0 0 0
L3 U1 2.83 -3.55 0.71 -7.1 1.41
L3 U2 2 0 0 0 0
L3 U3 2.83 3.55 0.71 7.1 1.41
L4 U3 2 0 0 0 0
L5 U3 2.83 -3.55 -0.71 7.1 1.41
P
68.3 11.6

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

P F 0 µL
68.3
X = − P µAE
2L = − = −5.88kN
11.6
AE
The updated member forces are shown on next slide. Trusses can
be statically indeterminate both internally and externally. Students
are encouraged to read up on this.

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

Element F’(kN ) µ F 0 + Xµ
L1 L2 7.5 0.5 4.56
L2 L3 7.5 0.5 4.56
L3 L4 2.5 0.5 -0.44
L4 L5 2.5 0.5 -0.44
U1 U2 -5.0 -1 0.88
U2 U3 -5.0 -1 0.88
L1 U1 -10.6 -0.71 -6.43
L2 U1 10 0 10
L3 U1 -3.55 0.71 -7.72
L3 U2 0 0 0
L3 U3 3.55 0.71 -0.61
L4 U3 0 0 0
L5 U3 -3.55 -0.71 0.6

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

Determine member forces of the internally redundant truss shown in

figure below given that E = 200GP a and truss elements have cross
section area A = 2.39 × 10−3 m2 .

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

Solution: Refer to LT in static redundancy and virtual work. We

remove element L2 L3 to obtain primary structure. Note that we
could have removed L1 L4 .

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

Solution: We apply a unit load in L2 L3 and obtain the following:

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

We compile the solution on Table below. Note that L2 L3 has zero

force in primary structure!!

F µL µ2 L
Element L(m) F’(kN ) µ(kN )
AE AE
L1 L2 3.0 240 0.55 396 0.908
L1 L3 4.5 -180 0.83 -672.3 3.1
L2 L3 5.4 0 -1 0 5.4
L1 L4 5.4 -432 -1 2332.8 5.4
L2 L4 4.5 540 0.83 2016.9 3.1
L3 L4 3.0 120 0.55 198 0.908
L3 L5 5.4 -216 0 0 0
L4 L5 3.0 180 0 0 0
P
4271.4 18.82

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

P F 0 µL
4271.4
X = − P µAE
2L = − = −227kN
18.82
AE
The updated member forces are shown below:

Element F’(kN ) µ (F 0 + Xµ)kN

L1 L2 240 0.55 115
L1 L3 -180 0.83 -369
L2 L3 0 -1 227
L1 L4 -432 -1 -205
L2 L4 540 0.83 351
L3 L4 120 0.55 -4.96
L3 L5 -216 0 -216
L4 L5 180 0 180

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an internal redundancy

For truss with 2 internal redundant members with member forces

XA and XB , we proceed as before. The redundant members
are removed to form a primary structure. The 0
P F0 forces in pri-
mary
P 0 structure will pull the joints apart by (F µA L/AE) and
(F µB L/AE) respectively.
P 2 Replacing a unit P in member A,
load
the joints will move by (µA L/AE) at A and (µA µB L/AE) at
B.
P Replacing a unit load
P in member B, the joints will move by
2
(µB L/AE) at B and (µB µA L/AE) at A. Compatibility equa-
tions can be written:
X F 0 µA L X µ2 L X µA µB L
A
+ XA + XB =0
AE AE AE
X F 0 µB L X µ B µA L X µ2 L
B
+ XA + XB =0
AE AE AE

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external redundancy

Figure 1: Kaalbalskraal Bridge

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate trusses

Force Method: Truss with an external and internal

redundancy

Trusses can be statically indeterminate both internally and exter-

nally. Students are encouraged to read up on this. (Will not exam-
ine this!!))

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 Unit 4: Analysis of indeterminate frames

The main key points from this lecture:

V From the indeterminate structure, identify the primary structure

which is determinate.
V Formulate compatibility equations for each redundancy and com-
pute flexibility equations.
V Solve equations to obtain redundant forces or moments, apply
the redundants to structure and determine SFD, BMD or axial
forces.

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