Subject CSE30301:

Structural Analysis
Prof. Y.Q. Ni (Prof. Ngai)
Office: ZS930 (CEE)
Phone: 2766 6004
E-mail: ceyqni@polyu.edu.hk

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Week 2:
Determinacy and Basic Analysis Methods

Shear and moment diagrams for beams

Elastic-beam theory
Determinacy and stability

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2.1 Shear and moment diagrams for beams

Consider a beam subjected to an arbitrary distributed
loading w = w(x) and a series of concentrated forces and
couples as shown. In the following discussion, the
distributed load will be considered positive when the
loading acts upward. There are the following relationships:

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Sign convention for internal forces (stress):

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1. The slope of the shear diagram at a point (dV/dx) is

equal to the intensity of the distributed load w(x) at
the point.

2. The slope of the moment diagram at a point (dM/dx)

is equal to the intensity of the shear at the point.
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Simply supported beams:

P

P/2
P/2

PL/4

qL2/8

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Cantilevered beams:
P

P
(b)

(b)

-PL

M0
(c)

-0.5qL2

M0

(c)

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2.2 Elastic-beam theory

Two important differential equations can be derived from
the elastic-beam theory, which relate the internal moment
in a beam to the displacement and slope of its elastic
curve. The first equation is

EI

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where is the radius of curvature at a specific point on the

elastic curve (1/ is referred to as the curvature); M is the
internal moment in the beam at the point where is to be
determined; E is the materials modulus of elasticity; and I
is the beams moment of inertia computed about the neutral
axis.
The second equation is

d 2v

2
EI
dx

where v = v(x) is the beam deflection (positive upward)

at a point with its coordinate x. With the above equation,
we can obtain the expression of beam deflections.
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Example 1: The cantilever beam shown is subjected to a

couple moment M0 at its end. Determine the equation of
elastic curve and the maximum slope and deflection. EI
is constant.
x

Solution:
The load (applied moment) tends to deflect the beam as
shown in Figure (a). From the free-body diagram shown
in Figure (b), with M acting in positive direction, we
have
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M M0
Applying the second equation of elastic-beam theory and
integrating twice yield

EI

d 2v
dx

M0

dv
EI
M 0 x C1
dx
M 0 x2
EIv
C1 x C2
2
Using the boundary conditions dv/dx = 0 at x = 0 and
v = 0 at x = 0, we obtain C1 = C2 = 0. Thus the slope
and deflection of the beam are
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dv M 0 x

dx
EI
M 0 x2
v
2 EI
The maximum slope and deflection occur at the point A,

M 0L
A
EI
M 0 L2
vA
2 EI
The positive result for A indicates counterclockwise
rotation and the positive result for vA indicates that
vA is upward.
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Example 2: The beam shown is subjected to a load P

at its free end. Determine the deflection at the point C.
EI is constant.

Solution:
The beam deflects into the shape shown in Figure (a).
In this case, two x coordinates should be used.
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Using the free-body diagrams shown in Figure (b), we have

Applying the second equation of elastic-beam theory for x1,

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Applying the second equation of elastic-beam theory for x2,

The four constants are determined using three boundary

conditions, namely, v1 = 0 at x1 =0, v1 = 0 at x1 =2a, and
v2 = 0 at x2 = 2a, and one continuity equation dv1/dx1 =
dv2/dx2 at x1 = x2 = 2a. Applying these four conditions
yields
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The solution of the above equations is

So the deflection function for x2 and the deflection at C are

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2.3 Determinacy and stability

2.3.1 Determinacy
The equilibrium equations provide both the necessary
and sufficient conditions for equilibrium. When all the
forces (reactions) in a structure can be determined
strictly from these equations, the structure is referred
to as statically determinate. Structures having more
unknown forces than available equilibrium equations
are called statically indeterminate.
If a structure is statically indeterminate, the additional
equations needed to solve for the unknown reactions are
obtained by relating the applied loads and reactions to
the displacements or slopes of the structure. These
equations are called compatibility equations.
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Degree of indeterminacy
Degree of indeterminacy is the number of releases to
render the structure determinate.
Degree of indeterminacy (ID) = number of unknowns (r)
number of equilibrium equations (N)
For statically determinate structures, the number of
equilibrium equations equals the number of unknowns
(internal forces and reactions), so the degree of
indeterminacy is equal to zero for statically determinate
structures.
When degree of indeterminacy is larger than zero, the
structure is statically indeterminate.
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2.3.2 Stability
To ensure the equilibrium of a structure or its members,
it is not only necessary to satisfy the equations of
equilibrium, but the members must also be properly held
or constrained by their supports.

Stable and Statically Indeterminate

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(1) Case 1. When the number of reactions is less than the

number of equilibrium equations (degree of indeterminacy
is negative), the reactions are not sufficient to prevent all
possible movements of the structure. Such a structure
cannot remain in equilibrium under a general system of
loads, and is therefore unstable (or referred to as statically
unstable externally).
Number of reactions: r = 2
Number of equilibrium
equations: N =3
Degree of indeterminacy:
ID = r N = 1

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(2) Case 2. Even ID 0, but all the reactions are concurrent

at a point as shown below (the lines of action of all the
reaction forces intersect at a common point). Because the
moment equilibrium equation cannot be satisfied in this
case, the structure is therefore unstable (or referred to as
geometrically unstable externally).

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(3) Case 3. Even ID 0, but the reaction forces are all

parallel. For the example shown below, all the three
reaction forces are in the vertical direction. When an
inclined loading P is applied, the summation of forces in
the horizontal direction will not equal to zero. Therefore,
the structure is unstable (or referred to as geometrically
unstable externally).

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Three cases resulting in unstable structures

In conclusion, a structure will be unstable that is, it will
move slightly or collapse if there are fewer reaction
forces than equations of equilibrium; or if there are
enough reactions, instability will occur if the lines of
actions of all the reaction forces intersect at a common
point or are parallel to one another.
For a 2D coplanar structure with n components (free
bodies) with r unknown reactions, we have

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Example 3: Classify each of the structures shown in

Figures (a) to (e) as stable or unstable. The structures

are subjected to arbitrary external loads in the plane.

Solution:
a) The structure (a) is stable since the reaction forces are
non-concurrent and non-parallel. As r = N = 3, the

degree of indeterminacy ID = r N = 0. Therefore

it is a stable and statically determinate structure.

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b) The structure (b) is also stable. As r = 8, and N = 3n = 6,

the degree of indeterminacy ID = r N = 2. It is a

stable and statically indeterminate structure.

c) The structure (c) is unstable since the three reactions are

concurrent at the point B.

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d) The structure (d) is unstable again since all the three

reactions are parallel.

e) The structure (e) is unstable since r < 3n. In this case,

r = 7, n = 3, and N = 3n = 9. Thus ID = r N = 2.

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2.3.3 Formula for plane trusses

For a plane truss with n members, j pinned joints
(including supports) and r reactions, the degree of
indeterminacy is

ID = n + r 2j
For the structure shown:
Number of members: n = 9
Number of reactions: r = 3
Number of pin joints: j = 6

ID = 9 + 3 26 = 0
Conclusion:
It is statically determinate.

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n = 21, r = 4, j =10;
ID = 21 + 4 210 = 5
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

n = 10, r = 3, j =7;
ID = 10 + 3 27 = 1
Conclusion:
It is unstable.

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2.3.4 Formula for space trusses

For a space truss with n members, j pinned joints
(including supports) and r reactions, the degree of
indeterminacy is

ID = n + r 3j
For the structure shown:
Number of members: n = 13
Number of reactions: r = 43
Number of pin joints: j = 8

ID = 13 + 12 38 = 1
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

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n = 6, j = 4,
r = 13+12+11 = 6;
ID = 6 + 6 34 = 0
Conclusion:
It is statically determinate.

n = 11, j = 6,
r = 13+12+21 = 7;
ID = 11 + 7 36 = 0
Conclusion:

It is statically determinate.

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2.3.5 Formula for plane frames

For a plane frame with n members, j rigid joints
(including supports) and r reactions, the degree of
indeterminacy is

ID = 3n + r 3j
For the structure shown:
Number of members: n = 3
Number of reactions: r = 23
Number of rigid joints: j = 4

ID = 33 + 6 34 = 3
Conclusion: It is statically indeterminate.

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n = 7, j = 6,
r = 12+21 = 4;
ID = 37 + 4 36 = 7
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

n = 10, j = 9,
r = 33 = 9;
ID = 310 + 9 39 = 12
Conclusion:

It is statically indeterminate.

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2.3.6 Formula for space frames

For a space frame with n members, j rigid joints
(including supports) and r reactions, the degree of
indeterminacy is

ID = 6n + r 6j
For the structure shown:
Number of members: n = 8
Number of reactions: r = 46
Number of rigid joints: j = 8

ID = 68 + 24 68 = 24
Conclusion: It is statically indeterminate.

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2.3.7 Formula for plane frames with mixed joints

Consider a plane frame with n members, j joints and r
reactions. If there are ec equations of condition due to
internal hinges and/or internal rollers, the degree of
indeterminacy is

ID = 3n + r 3j ec
1. For an internal hinge connecting two members ec = 1,
and for an internal roller connecting two members ec
= 2. When m members of a frame are connected at a
hinged joint, ec = m 1. When m members of a frame
are connected at a roller, ec = 2(m 1).
2. When using the above formula, the number of joints,
j, should be counted including the ends of the
frame attached to supports and any free ends.
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n = 3, j = 4, ec = 1,
r = 23 = 6;
ID = 33 + 6 34 1 = 2
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

The following two cases are different in ec:

ec = 1

ec = 2
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n = 5, j = 4, ec = 0,
r = 12+ 11 = 3;
ID = 35 + 3 34 0 = 6
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

n = 5, j = 4, ec = 1,
r = 12+ 11 = 3;
ID = 35 + 3 34 1 = 5
Conclusion:

It is statically indeterminate.

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n = 5, j = 4, ec = 2,
r = 12+ 11 = 3;
ID = 35 + 3 34 2 = 4
Conclusion:
It is statically indeterminate.

n = 5, j = 4, ec = 6,
r = 12+ 11 = 3;
ID = 35 + 3 34 6 = 0
Conclusion:

It is statically determinate.

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n = 2, j = 3, ec = 2,
r = 13+ 12 = 5;
ID = 32 + 5 33 2 = 0
Conclusion:
It is statically determinate.

n = 6, j = 6, ec = 0,
r = 22 = 4;
ID = 36 + 4 36 0 = 4
Conclusion:

It is statically indeterminate.

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n = 10, j = 10, ec = 0,
r = 23+ 41 = 10;
ID = 310 + 10 310 0 = 10
Conclusion:
It is statically determinate.

n = 8, j = 9, ec = 6,
r = 43 = 12;
ID = 38 + 12 39 6 = 3
Conclusion:

It is statically indeterminate.

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n = 2, j = 3, ec = 0,
r = 13 = 3;
ID = 32 + 3 33 0 = 0
Conclusion:
It is statically determinate.

n = 3, j = 4, ec = 2, r = 6;
ID = 33 + 6 34 2 = 1
Conclusion: It is statically indeterminate.

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2.3.8 Formula based on free bodies of components

For any structure, we can obtain the free-body diagrams
of its structural parts, and determine the total number of
the reaction forces (including unknown external support
forces and unknown internal forces between connecting
parts). A free-body may consist of several members
continuously connected.
If a space structure can be decomposed into L free bodies
and the total number of the reaction forces is R, we have

ID = R 6L
If a plane structure can be decomposed into L free bodies
and the total number of the reaction forces is R, we have

ID = R 3L
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a)

L = 1, R = 3, ID = R 3L = 0
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)

b)

L = 1, R = 5, ID = R 3L = 2
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)

c)

L = 2, R = 6, ID = R 3L = 0
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)
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d)

L = 3, R = 10, ID = R 3L = 1
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)

e)

L = 2, R = 7, ID = R 3L = 1
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)
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f)

L = 3, R = 9, ID = R 3L = 0
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)

g)

L = 2, R = 10, ID = R 3L = 4
(compare with ID = 3n + r 3j ec)

End of Lecture 2

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