Chapter 2:

Statically Indeterminate
Definition
Approach

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Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Statically Indeterminate
Problems

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Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Rules to Solve Problems

Method of Superposition
Decompose the statically indeterminate
problem into two (or more statically
determinate problems.
Assumptions
The loading must be linearly related to the
stress or displacement that is to be
determined
The loading must not significantly change
the original geometry of the configuration or
configuration of the member
Union College
Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Superposition Method
Procedure
Relieve the redundant constraint in the
structure
Determine this structures static
reaction
Remove all external applied loads on
the original structure and apply the
redundant constraint as a pseudo-force.
The solution of the original problem is
arrived at by superimposing the solution
from the preceding two parts through a
constraint Equation
Union College
Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Relieve Redundant Constraint

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Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Determine Static Reaction

Union College
Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Introduction of Pseudo-Force

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ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Combine Solutions with

Constraint Equation

Union College
Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Example 1
Consider a steel rod
that has a diameter
of 5mm. It is
attached to a fixed
wall at A, and before
it is loaded there is a
gap between the
wall at B and the rod
of 1mm. Determine
the reaction at A and
B if the rod is
subject to an axial
force of P=20kN as
shown. Neglect the
size of the collar at
C. E=200 GPa
Union College
Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

Example 2
The ends of the 15mm
diameter steel rods BE
and CD are single
threaded with a pitch of
2.25mm. Knowing that
after being snugly fitted,
the nut at C is tightened
one full turn, determine (a)
the tension in rod CD, (b)
the deflection of point C
of the rigid member
ABC. The elastic
modulus of steel is
200GPa.
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Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

10

Kinematic Constraint

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ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

11

Implication of tightening the nut

one more turn.

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Mechanical Engineering

ESC023: Mechanics of Materials

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