3.

Basic Concepts of Structural Analysis

The structures that we will be dealing with are:
S Beam
S Plane and space truss
S Plane and space frame
S Grid structure
The sign conventions of section forces and moments are:

My

Vy

N
Vz
T

Mz
z x

N N M M
V V

In studying structural analysis, we deal with the following:

13
 S Actions: are generalized forces (concentrated force, distributed force, cou-
ples)

S Displacements: small translations or rotations

S Equilibrium: In general we consider the following

 Fx = 0 ;  F y = 0 ;  Fz = 0
 Mx = 0 ;  M y = 0 ;  Mz = 0
(moments are taken around a selected point)

S Compatibility: The compatibility conditions refer to the continuity of dis-

placements throughout the structure. Points often checked supports and
joints.

3.1 Static Indeterminacy

The degree of static indeterminacy (DSI) is often related to how many unknown ac-
tions more than equations. Degree of indeterminacy is also called static redundants.
The number of redundants = number of unknown actions - number of joint equations

Unknown actions equilibrium equa- displacements per

per member tions per joint joint (i.e. DOF)
Beam 2 2 2
Plane Truss 1 2 2
Space Truss 1 3 3
Plane Frame 3 3 3
Grid Structure 3 3 3
Space frame 6 6 6

3.2 Kinematic Indeterminacy

Kinematic indeterminacy becomes very important in the stiffness method. The un-
known displacements at the nodes are the degree of kinematic indeterminacy (DKI).

14
3.3 Examples

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a) DSI = 1; DKI=1

(b) DSI= 72- 8*6=24; DKI=24
(c) DSI= 4 reactions + 6*3 - 18 = 4; DKI= 14 (8 if we neglect the axial deformations)

15
4. Fundamentals of the Flexibility Method

This method is also known as the Force Method. The flexibility method is a general-
ization of the Maxwell-Mohr Method. The main idea for solving indeterminate struc-
tures is by writing the compatibility equations in terms of flexibility coefficients and
selected redundants.
We will present the method in matrix notations just to organize the solution. Even
though we will be using matrix notations, the method is not conducive to program-
ming because the solution is dependent on the user’s choice of redundants.
To start illustrating the method, let’s consider the following example:

A C
EI B EI
L∕ 2 L∕ 2

Obviously DSI=1 (i.e. one redundant). We choose the reaction at B as the redundant.
So if we release the structure at B, we get

B
A C
EI D QL EI
B

F BB

1.0
3
F BB = L
48EI

qL 4
D QL = 5
B 384 EI

16
If we apply compatibility at B, we get

D QL + RB F BB = 0
B

5 qL 4 + R L3 = 0
384 EI B 48EI

5qL
∴ RB =
8

In the previous example, we have a simple structure with one redundant. Now consid-
er the following example.

A C
EI B EI
L∕ 2 L∕ 2

Some of the possible choices of redundants are shown in the next figure.

17
 MA
(i) A B C
EI
RB

MB
MA
(ii)
A B C
EI

MB
(iii)
A B C

RB

(iv)
A B C
RB RC

18
4.1 Beam Example

P
M
EI EI
A B

L∕ 2 L∕ 2

Solution: In this example, we choose the redundants at B to release the structure.

Thus, the released structure is

P
Q2
M
A B

Q1

L∕ 2 L∕ 2

P
M
A B
D QL
1

D QL
2

Now lets apply a unit load in the direction of the first redundant.

F 21

F 11
A B

1.0
F ij : the deflection at i due to a unit load at j

Similarly,

19
 1.0
A B
F 12

F 22

For a cantilever beam, it is easy to evaluate deflections.

− 5PL2 − 18ML⎫


D QL =

6PL + 24M ⎬⎭

L3 − L2
3EI) 2EI
F=
− L2 L
2EI EI

Applying the compatibility at 1 and 2, we get

D s1 = D QL + F 11 Q 1 + F 12 Q 2
1

D s2 = D QL + F 21 Q 1 + F 22 Q 2
2

In matrix form: F Q + D QL = D s

F 11 F 12 Q1 D QL D s1
1
+ =
F 21 F 22 Q2 D QL D s2
2

For this specific example, notice D s1 = D s2 = 0 (i.e. no prescribed displacements at

the redundant locations.) Therefore, the solution in matrix form is

20
 L3 − L2 − 5PL 2 − 18ML
3EI Q1 0
2EI L
+ =
− L2 L 48EI
2EI EI Q2 6PL + 24M 0

∴ Q1 = P + 3 M ; Q 2 = PL + M
2 2L 8 4

Check equilibrium!

21
4.2 Frame Example
The following frame has a constant EI. Evaluate the reactions.
The structure has 3 redundants. Therefore, we choose to release the structure at B

A B

L∕ 2 L∕ 2

Solution:
The structure has 3 redundants. Therefore, we choose to release the structure at B
as shown

Q3
A Q1

Q2 Q2

Q1
Q3

22
 P
D QL
3

A D QL
1

D QL
2
D QL
Member AB 2

D QL = 0 D QL
1 1
3
D QL = − 5 PL D QL
2 48 EI 3

2
D QL = − PL
3 8EI

Member BC

D QL = D QL = D QL = 0
1 2 3
C

Now we establish the vector D QL by summing the displacement contributions from

both members. Thus,

0
2
D QL = PL − 5L
48EI

−6

Now we establish the flexibility matrix F.

23
 F 31
A F 11 1.0

F 21 F 21

1.0
F 11 F 31

Case (i)

F 32
A F 12 1.0

F 22
F 22

1.0 F 12
F 32

Case (ii)

24
 1.0
F 33
A
F 13
F 23

1.0

F 23

F 13
Case (iii) F 33

Let’s take case (i) and evaluate F ij for both members:

Member AB Member BC

(F 11) AB = L
3
(F 11) BC = H
EA 3EI
(F 21) AB = 0 (F 21) BC = 0
2
(F 31) AB = 0 (F 31) BC = − H
2EI

Now we sum the flexibilities contributions from both members to essentially get the
first column of F

25
 3
F 11 = H + L
3EI EA

F 21 = 0
2
F 31 = − H
2EI

Let’s take case (ii) and evaluate F ij for both members:

Member AB Member BC

(F 22) BC = H
3
(F 22) AB = L
3EI EA
(F 12) AB = 0 (F 12) BC = 0
2
(F 32) AB = L (F 32) BC = 0
2EI

Adding the contributions from both members we get the second column of F

F 12 = 0
3
F 22 = L + H
3EI EA
2
F 32 = L
2EI

Similarly for case (iii) we get the third column of F

2
F 13 = − H
2EI
2
F 23 = L
2EI

F 33 = L + H
EI EI

26
 H3 + L 0 − H
2
Q1 0 0
3EI EA 2EI

L3 + H L2 Q2 PL2 − 5L =
0 + 0
3EI EA 2EI 48EI

− H
2 L2 L +H Q3 −6 0
2EI 2EI EI EI

Solving for the unknown redundants, we get

3α 4
Q1 = − P
32α 1α 2
α5
Q2 = P
32α 1α2

2α 1α 4
Q3 = − PL
32α 1α 2

If we let γ = 1 2, we can define α i as

AL
α 1 = 1 + 3γ

α 2 = 1 + 12γ

α 3 = 5 + 24γ

α 4 = 1 − 12γ

α 5 = 13 + 84γ

Neglecting axial deformations, i.e., A is very large, then γ → 0. Hence, the redun-
dants become

Q1 = − 3 P ; Q 2 = 13 P ; Q 3 = − 1 PL
32 32 16

Check equilibrium!

27
4.3 Truss Example
The truss shown below is indeterminate. All members have constant EA.

2P

P A B

C D

Solution:
6*1 + 4 reactions = 10 unknowns. The number of equations = 8. Thus DSI = 2.
There are several choices of redundants. For this particular structure, we choose one
reaction and one member as the redundants. Thus, the released structure is

Q1

Q2

Notice that the cut bar has to remain part of the structure in some cases since its de-
formations need to be taken into account. The displacement due to Q 2 consists of rela-
tive translation of the cut ends. We will consider when the two ends come close to each
other as positive and vice versa.
The first step is to evaluate D QL

28
 2P
D QL = ?
1
P

D QL = ?
2

Since the truss is a statically determinate structure, we can evaluate the member
forces due to the loads and due to a unit force applied as shown below.

29
 2P 2P
D QL = ? D QL =
1 1
P P

3P P
Length NL N uL N L N uL L

AB L P 0 0

AC L -2P 0 0
1.0
BD L P -1 -PL

CD L 0 0 0

CB 2 L − 2 P 2 − 2 2 PL

1.0

N N L 1.0
=  L uL = − 3.828 PL
1.0
∴ D QL
1 EA EA

30
 2P 2P

P P

D QL = ?
2

3P
P
Length NL N uL N L N uL L

AB L P − 1 − PL
2 2
2PL 1.0
AC L -2P − 1 2
2
BD L P − 1 − PL
2 2
CD L 0 − 1 0 1.0
2
CB 2 L − 2 P − 2PL
1

∴ D QL =
2
 NLEA
N uLL
= − 2PL
EA

Now we need to evaluate F

31
 F 11 = ?
1.0

F 21 = ?

1.0

1.0
1.0

Length NL N uL N L N uL L

AB L 0 0 0

AC L 0 0 0 ∴ F 11 =  NLEA
N uLL
= 3.828 L
EA
BD L -1 -1 L

CD L 0 0 0

CB 2 L 2 2 2 2 L

32
 1.0

1
F 21 = ?

1.0 1

1.0
1.0

Length NL N uL N L N uL L

AB L 0 − 1 0
2

AC L 0 − 1 0
2

BD L -1 − 1
2
L
2
∴ F 21 =  NLEA
N uLL
= 2.707 L
EA
CD L 0 − 1 0
2
CB 2 L 2 1 2L

33
 1
1
F 22 = ?

1 1
1.0

1.0
1.0

Length NL N uL N L N uL L

AB L − 1 − 1 L
2 2 2
AC L − 1 − 1 L
2 2 2
∴ F 21 =  NLEA
N uLL
= 4.8284 L
EA
BD L − 1 − 1 L
2 2 2
CD L − 1 − 1 L
2 2 2
CB 2 L 1 1 2 L

AD 2 L 1 1 2 L

Notice that when we evaluated F 22 the contribution from AD is included since we

know the force in it is equal to 1.0.
Finally, apply the compatibility conditions to obtain the following equations.

34
 3.828 PL
3.828 2.707 Q1 − 0
EA
L
EA + =

− 2 PL
2.707 4.828 Q2 0
EA

Q 1 = 1.172 P

Q 2 = − 0.243 P

Check equilibrium!

35