THEORY OF STRUCTURES 2

CHAPTER 1 – APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Use of Approximate Methods

When a model is used to represent any structure, the analysis of it must satisfy both the conditions of equilibrium and
compatibility of displacement at the joints. As will be shown in later chapters of this text, the compatibility conditions for a
statically indeterminate structure can be related to the loads provided we know the material’s modulus of elasticity and the
size and shape of the members.

For an initial design, however, we will not know a member’s size, and so a statically indeterminate analysis cannot be
considered. For analysis a simpler model of the structure must be developed, one that is statically determinate. Once this
model is specified, the analysis of it is called an approximate analysis.

By performing an approximate analysis, a preliminary design of the member of structure can be made, and when this is
complete, the more exact indeterminate analysis can then be performed and the design refined. An approximate analysis also
provides insight as to a structure’s behavior under load and is beneficial when checking a more exact analysis or when time,
money, or capability are not available for performing the more exact analysis.

In a general sense, all methods of structural analysis are approximate, simply because the actual conditions of loading,
geometry, material behavior, and joint resistance at the supports are never known in an exact sense. However, the statically
indeterminate analysis of a structure will be referred to as an exact analysis, and the simpler statically determinate analysis
will be referred to as the approximate analysis.

TRUSSES

A common type of truss often used for lateral bracing of a building or for the top and bottom chords of a bridge is shown in
Fig. 7-1a.

Fig. 7-1a
When used for this purpose, this truss is not considered a primary element for the support of the structure, and as a result is
often analyzed by approximate methods. In the case shown, it will be noticed that if a diagonal is removed from each of the
three panels, it will render the truss statically determinate. Hence, the truss is statically determinate to the third degree.

Determinacy

For any problem in truss analysis, it should be realized that the total number of unknowns includes the forces in “b” number
of bars of the truss and the total number of external support reactions “r”. Since the truss members are all straight axial force
members lying in the same plane, the force system acting at each joint is coplanar and concurrent. Consequently, rotational or
moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied at the joint (or pin), and it is only necessary to satisfy ∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0 to
ensure translational or force equilibrium. Therefore, only two equations of equilibrium can be written for each joint, and if
there are “j” number of joints, the total number of equations available for solution is “2j”. By simply comparing the total
number of unknowns “(b+r)” with the total number of available equilibrium equations, it is therefore possible to specify the
determinacy for either a simple, compound, or complex truss. We have:

b+ r=2 j Statically Determinate

b+ r >2 j Statically Indeterminate

In particular, the degree of indeterminacy is specified by the difference in the numbers:

( b+ r )−2 j

Stability

If:

b+r <2 j

Then the truss in unstable, that is, it will collapse, since there will be an insufficient number of bars or reactions to constrain all
the joints. Also, a truss is unstable if it is statically determinate or statically indeterminate. In this case the stability will have to
be determined either by inspection or by a force analysis.

From fig. 7-1a

b=16 , r=3 , j=8

16+3> 8 ( 2 )

19>16

Therefore , statically indeterminate

( 16+3 )−2 ( 8 )=3

Degree of indeterminancy =3

And therefore we must take three assumptions regarding the bar forces in order to reduce the truss to one that is statically
determinate. These assumptions can be made with regard to the cross-diagonals, realizing that when one diagonal in a panel
is in tension the corresponding cross-diagonal will be in compression. This is evident from figure 7-1b

Fig. 7-1b
Where the “panel shear” V is carried by the vertical component of tensile forces in member “a” and the vertical component of
compressive force in member “b”. Two methods of analysis are generally acceptable.

Method 1:

If the diagonals are intentionally designed to be long and slender, it is reasonable to assume that they cannot support a
compressive force; otherwise, they may easily buckle. Hence the panel shear is resisted entirely by the tension diagonal,
whereas the compressive diagonal is assumed to be a zero-force member.

Method 2:

If the diagonal members are intended to be constructed from large rolled sections such as angles or channels, they may be
equally capable of supporting a tensile and compressive force. Here we will assume both tension and compression diagonals
each carry half the panel shear.

Both of these methods of approximate analysis are illustrated numerically in the following examples.

EXAMPLES:

1. Determine (approximately) the forces in the members of the truss shown in fig. 7-2a. The diagonals are to be designed to
support both tensile and compressive forces, and therefore each is assumed to carry half the panel shear.

SOLUTION:

b=11 ,r =3 , j=6

11+3>2 ( 6 )

14> 12

Therefore ,is statically indeterminate

11+3−2 ( 6 )=2

Degree of indeterminancy =2
 ∑ M F=0
20 ( 4 )−Cy ( 8 )=0

Cy=+10 kN

∑ F y=0
−Fy−10−20+Cy=0

−Fy−10−20+10=0

Fy=−20 kN (since negative, the force is upward)

Taking the ¿ side of section a−a

 V =20−10=10 kN (downward )

The two assumptions require the tensile∧compressive diagonals ¿ carry equal forces , that is,

F FB=F AE=F

∑ Fy=0
20−10−2 ( 35 ) F=0
F=8.33 kN

Therefore :

F FB=8.33 kN (T )

F AE=8.33 kN ( C)

∑ M A =0
8.33 ( 45 ) 3−F FE ( 3 )=0

F FE=6.67 kN (C)

∑ M F=0
8.33 ( 45 ) 3−F AB ( 3 )=0

F AB=6.67 kN (T )

¿ Joint A

∑ F y=0
F AF−8.33 ( 35 )−10=0
F AF=15 kN (T )

Taking the ¿ hand side of section b−b

V =10 kN (downward )

F=F DB=F EC

∑ F y =0
10−2 ( 35 ) F=0
F=8.33 kN

F DB =8.33 kN (T )

F EC =8.33 kN (C)

∑ M D=0
−8.33 ( 45 ) 3+ F BC ( 3 )=0

F ED =6.67 kN (C )

∑ M C =0
−8.33 ( 45 ) 3+ F DB ( 3 )=0

F BC =6.67 kN (T )

¿ Joint D

∑ F y =0
 F DC −8.33 ()
3
5
=0

F DC =5.0 kN (C)

¿ Joint E

∑ F y=0
−F EB +2 ( 35 ) 8.33=0
F EB=10 kN (T )

Tabulation of Data :

Member Force (kN) Tension or Compression

FB 8.33 Tension
AE 8.33 Compression
FE 6.67 Compression
AB 6.67 Tension
AF 15 Tension
DB 8.33 Tension
EC 8.33 Compression
ED 6.67 Compression
BC 6.67 Tension
DC 5 Compression
EB 10 Tension

2. Determine (approximately) the forces in the members of the truss shown in figure. Assume the diagonals are slender and
therefore will not support a compressive force.
 b=21 , r=3 , j=10

21+3>2(10)

24> 20

The frame is statically indeterminate

21+3−2 ( 10 ) =4

Degree of indeterminancy =4

Solve for reactions

∑ M A =0
−4 ( 15 )−4 ( 30 )−4 ( 45 )−2 ( 60 ) + Ey ( 60 ) =0

Ey=8 k

∑ F y =0
Ay−2−4−4−4−2+ Ey=0

Ay−2−4−4−4−2+ 8=0

Ay=8 k
 Take ¿ hand side of section a−a

V =8−2=6 k

Since F ai is∈compression , F AI =0

∑ F y=0
8−2−F JB sin 45 ° =0

F JB =8.49 k (T )

∑ M A =0
8.49 sin 45 ° ( 15 )−F JI ( 15 )=0

F JI =6 k (C)

∑ F x=0
F AB−F JI + F JB cos 45° =0

F AB−6+ 8.49cos 45 °=0

 F AB=0

¿ Joint A

∑ F y =0
F JA =8 k (C )

Take ¿ hand side of section b−b

V =8−2−4=2 k

Since J BH is∈compression , J BH =0

∑ F y =0
8−2−4−F IC sin 45 °=0

F IC =2.83 k (T )

∑ M B=0
8 ( 15 )−2 ( 15 ) +2.83 cos 45 °( 15)−F IH ( 15 )=0

F IH =8 k (C)

∑ M I =0
8 ( 15 )−2 ( 15 ) −F BC ( 15 )=0
 F BC =6 k (T )

¿ Joint B

∑ F y =0
−F BI +8.49 sin 45 °=0

F BI =6 k (C)

¿ Joint C

∑ F y =0
2 ( 2.83 sin 45 ° )−FCH =0

F CH =4 k (C )

The forces∈the other members can be determined by symmetry

Tabulation of Data :

Member Force (k) Tension or Compression

AI, GE 0 -
JB, DF 8.49 Tension
JI, GF 6 Compression
AB, DE 0 -
JA, EF 8 Compression
BH, DH 0 -
IC, CG 2.83 Tension
IH, HG 8 Compression
BC, CD 6 Tension
BI, DG 6 Compression
CH 4 Compression