Module 5 : Force Method - Introduction and applications

Lecture 3 : Analysis of Statically Indeterminate Structure

Objectives
In this course you will learn the following

Energy method for analysis of statically indeterminate structures.

Illustrative examples for analysis of statically indetrminate structures using every method.

5.4 Analysis of Statically Indeterminate Structures by Energy Method

Let a statically indeterminate structure has degree of indeterminacy as n . On the selected basic
determinate structure apply the unknown forces , ..... and . Using the Eq. (4.16) the displacement

in the direction of is expressed by

( j = 1, 2, .. ……n) (5.1)

The equations (5.1) will provide the n linear simultaneous equations with n unknowns , ..... and .

Since the is known, therefore, the solution of simultaneous equations will provide the desired ( j =1,
2,…., n ).

For structures with members subjected to the axial forces only (i.e. pin-jointed structures), the equation
(5.1) is re-written as

(5.2)

where P is the force in the member due to applied loading and unknown ( j =1, 2,…., n ); and L and AE
are length and axial rigidity of the member, respectively.

For structures with members subjected to the bending moments (i.e. beams and rigid-jointed frames), the
equation (5.1) is re-written as

(5.3)

where M is the bending moment due to applied loading and unknown ( j =1, 2,…., n ) at a small
element of length dx ; and EI is the flexural rigidity.

Example 5.14 A beam is suspended by three springs as shown in Figure 5.17(a). The flexibility of the
springs AD , BE and CF are , and respectively. The beam carries a load W at the middle of DE.
Determine the force in the spring BE assuming (i) the beam to be stiff in comparison to the springs and (ii)
flexible with flexural rigidity EI .
Solution: The degree of static indeterminacy = 3–2 = 1. Let the force in the spring BE be R as shown in
Figure 5.17(b). Taking moment about point F , we have

Similarly, taking moment about point D , we have

(i) When beam is rigid

Total energy stored in the system is due to springs only as the beam is rigid. Thus,

Since the displacement of point E is zero in the vertical direction implying that
 or

(ii) When beam is flexible

The total energy stored in the beam

Span DG : ( x measured from D )

Span GE : ( x measured from D )

Span EF : ( x measured from F )

Thus,
Total strain energy in the system

Hence,

Since

Example 5.15 The free ends of two cantilever beams each of length L and flexural rigidity EI are joined
together with a spring as shown in Figure 5.18(a). The stiffness of the spring is . Determine the
force in the spring due to a concentrated load W acting at center of the lower cantilever.

Solution: Let the force in the spring be R as shown in Figure 5.18(b). According to the Castigliano's
theorem

where U is the total strain energy stored in the system.

Consider beam DE : ( x measured from D ),

and

Consider the spring,

Consider the beam AC ,

Since

Example 5.16 Find the expression for the prop reaction in the propped cantilever beam shown in the
Figure 5.19(a).
 Solution: Let reaction at support A be R . According to the Castigliano's theorem

The bending moment at any point X at a distance x from A is given by

Since

Example 5.17 Determine the force in various members of the pin-jointed frame shown in Figure 5.20(a).
Length and AE is constant for all members.
Solution: The static indeterminacy of the pin-jointed frame is =12+3–7×2 = 1. Let the force in the member
BG be R as shown in Figure 5.20(b). According to the Castigliano's theorem

The computation of is made in Table 5.6.

Table 5.6

Member Length, L ( m ) P Final force (kN)

AB 2 -120 +R 1 2 R- 240 -40

AG 2 120 -R -1 2 R- 240 40
AF 2 -60 +R 1 2 R- 120 20
BC 2 -120 +R 1 2 R- 240 -40
BG 2 -R -1 2R -80
CD 2 -120 +R 1 2 R- 240 -40
CG 2 120 -R -1 2 R- 240 40
DE 2 -60 +R -1 2 R- 120 20
DG 2 60 -R -1 2 R- 120 -20
EF 2 -60 +R 1 2 R- 120 20
EG 2 60 -R -1 2 R- 120 -20
FG 2 60 -R -1 2 R- 120 -20

or

R = 80 kN

The final force in various members of the frame is shown in Table 5.6.
Example 5.18 Determine the force in various members of the pin-jointed frame as shown in Figure 5.21(a),
if the member BC is short by an amount of . All members of the frame have same axial rigidity as AE.
Solution: The static indeterminacy of the pin-jointed frame is =5 + 4 - 2×4=1. Since the member BC is
short by an amount of , therefore, apply a force R in the member BC such that displacement in the
direction of R is . Thus, according to the Castigliano's theorem.

The computation of is made in Table 5.7.

Table 5.7

Member Length,L ( m ) F Final force

AB L R 1 RL 1
AC
BC L R 1 RL 1
BD L

CD R 1 RL 1

or

The final force in various members of the frame is shown in Table 5.7.

Example 5.19 Determine the horizontal reaction of the portal frame shown in Figure 5.22(a) by energy
method. Also, calculate the horizontal reaction when the member BC is subjected to distributed load, w over
entire length.
Solution: Static indeterminacy of the frame = 1.

Let the horizontal reaction, H at D be the redundant. The reaction at A and D are

For the span AB ( x measured from A ),

For the span BE ( x measured from B ),

For the span CD ( x measured from D ),

For the span CE ( x measured from C ),

Since
 Horizontal reaction due to udl, w over BC :

The horizontal reaction due to small incremental load wdx is given by

(using the expression derived earlier for concentrated force and putting P = wdx , a = x and b = L – x ).

The horizontal reaction due to entire distributed load

Example 5.20 Analyze the portal frame shown in Figure 5.23 by strain energy method.
Solution: Static indeterminacy of the frame = 2. Horizontal and vertical reactions at A are taken as
redundant.

For the span AB ( x measured from A ),

Since

or 6 V + 4 H = 3 wL (i)

and

or 32 V + 12 H = 15 wL (ii)

Solving Eqs (i) and (ii) for H and V ,

Example 5.21 Determine the support reactions of the continuous beam as shown in Figure 5.24(a) if the
beam is assumed to be subjected to a linear temperature gradient such that the top surface of the beam is at
temperature and lower at . The beam is uniform having flexural rigidity as EI and depth d . The

coefficient of thermal expansion for beam material is .

Solution: The degree of static indeterminacy =2. Remove the supports at B and C and allow the beam to
deflect freely under the temperature variation. The deflection of the points B and C of the beam due to
temperature variation

(i)

(ii)

Apply the forces and at point B and C , respectively. According to Castigliano's theorem

(iii)

(iv)

Consider BC : ( x measured from C )

Consider AB : ( x measured from B )

Thus,

or (v)

Similarly,

or (vi)

Solving eqs. (v) and (vi)

and

The reactions of the beam are shown in Figure 5.24(d).

Recap
In this course you have learnt the following

Energy method for analysis of statically indeterminate structures.

Illustrative examples for analysis of statically indetrminate structures using every method.