CE 331, Spring 2009 Stability & Determinacy 1/5

Every structure can be classified into one of three categories:

1. Unstable,
2. Stable and Determinate, or
3. Indeterminate

We classify a structure based on the support conditions and the member-to-member connections.
Two sets of criteria exist for classifying structures. The first set is harder to apply, but always
works.

Criteria 1a: A structure is unstable if a joint in the structure can be displaced without causing
any member deformation in the structure.

Example of unstable structure:

no bending deformation
(therefore no resitance)

An unstable structure can be made stable by adding either one or more supports or by adding
connection fixity at a member-to-member connection. A release is the opposite of member-to-
member connection fixity.

Adding a support
bending deformation
(therefore resistance)

Removing a release bending deformation

(therefore resistance)

The two structures above are said to be stable and determinate. Removal of one support or of one
connection fixity will make a stable and determinate structure unstable.
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A determinate structure (short for statically determinate structure) is one whose support reactions
and member forces (axial, bending moment and shear) can be calculated using the equations of
static equilibrium. The section below on Criteria 2 has more on this.

Criteria 1b: Adding a support constraint or a connection fixity to a stable and determinate
structure makes the structure statically indeterminate.

Example of statically indeterminate structure.

We have four unknown reactions but only three equilibrium equations so the structure above
is indeterminate to the first degree (has one redundant support reaction or member force).

Criteria 2:

If The structure is
No. of Equilibrium Equations > No. of Reactions + No. of Releases Unstable
No. of Equilibrium Equations = No. of Reactions + No. of Releases Stable & Indeterminate
No. of Equilibrium Equations < No. of Reactions + No. of Releases Indeterminate

Example: 2-span continuous beam

(3 Reactions, 2 Eqns + 2 Releases)

3 < 4
therefore unstable (under-restrained)

(3 Reactions, 2 Eqns + 1 Release)

3 = 3
therefore stable & determinate

(3 Reactions, 2 Eqns)

3 < 2
therefore indeterminate
(over-restrained)
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Example: 3-span continuous beam

(4 Reactions, 2 Eqns + 3 Releases)

4 < 5
therefore unstable (under-restrained)

(4 Reactions, 2 Eqns + 2 Releases)

4 = 4
therefore stable & determinate

(4 Reactions, 2 Eqns + 1 Release)

4 > 3
therefore indeterminate
(over-restrained)
CE 331, Spring 2009 Stability & Determinacy 4/5

Example: simple frame

(4 Reactions, 3 Eqns + 2 Releases)

4 < 5
therefore unstable (under-restrained)

(4 Reactions, 3 Eqns + 1 Release)

4 = 4
therefore stable & determinate

(6 Reactions, 3 Eqns)

6 > 3
therefore indeterminate
(over-restrained)
CE 331, Spring 2009 Stability & Determinacy 5/5

Advantages and Disadvantages of Indeterminate Structures

Indeterminate structures are often more structurally efficient.

Example: 3 simple spans vs. 3-span continuous beam

3 simply-supported spans 3 continuous spans

1 k/ft 1 k/ft

L L L L L L
2
Mmax = w L / 8

Mmax = -w L2 / 10

Disadvantages of statically indeterminate structures include settlement (and other applied

displacements such as fabrication error, temperature change) can cause large internal forces in
indeterminate structures.

Example:

3 simple spans 3 continuous spans