28/03/2019

Determinacy
of Trusses

DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES
•Total number of unknowns includes the forces in the bar
elements ( b ) of the truss. Including the reaction forces @
each support.
•Since truss members are all straight axial force members (
forces acting @ each joint is coplanar and concurrent ) ,
Moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied. Therefore ∑Fx
and ∑Fy are the only necessary to satisfy.

b + r = 2j , Statically determinate
b + r > 2j , Statically indeterminate
b + r < 2j , Unstable

•Degree of indeterminacy is specified by the difference in ( b + r ) – 2j.

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DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES
STABILITY
For trusses having ( b + r ) < 2j , the truss is
unstable, that is it will collapse during
application of external loadings. This so
because of insufficient number of bars or
reactions to constrain all the joints.

Note: A truss may still be unstable even if it is

classified as statically determinate or statically
indeterminate.

DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES
External Stability
Adequacy of supports to hold the structure
without having a reaction which are concurrent or
parallel.

Unstable – parallel reactions

Unstable – concurrent reactions

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DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES
Internal Stability

Ability of the truss members to hold its joints in a fixed or

“ rigid body “ sense with respect to the other joints.

Internally Stable – all joints are fixed

A C

B D

Internally unstable – @ joint A and D , or B and C , no

fixity or restraint provided.

DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES
SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

Classify each of the trusses shown as stable, unstable,

statically determinate, or statically indeterminate. Also give
the degree of indeterminacy for statically indeterminate
trusses.

Nos. of members (b) = 19 Nos. of joints (j) = 11

Nos. of reaction elements (r) = 3
( b + r ) ? 2j
(19 + 3 ) ? 2(11)
22 = 22
Statically determinate truss
Truss is stable

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DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES

Nos. of members (b) = 12 Nos. of joints (j) = 8

Nos. of reaction elements (r) = 3
( b + r ) ? 2j
( 12 + 3 ) ? 2(8)
15 < 16
Truss is unstable

DETERMINACY OF TRUSSES

Nos. of members (b) = 15 Nos. of joints (j) = 9

Nos. of reaction elements (r) = 4
( b + r ) ? 2j
( 15 + 4 ) ? 2(9)
19 > 18
Statically indeterminate to the first degree
Truss is stable ( externally and internally )

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Engineers and Architects

There was once an engineer who found a magic lamp. When he

rubbed it, a genie jumped out and said to him,
"You have three wishes. But there is a catch - this wish system of mine
was designed by an architect, so whatever you wish for every architect
in the world will get double of!"
The engineer replied, "That's no problem, I can live with that."
He then said, "For my first wish, I wish I to have a Ferarri."
"OK", said the genie, and a Ferarri appeared in front of the engineer.
"But remember, every architect in the world now has 2 Ferarris," the
genie told the engineer.
The engineer remained calm and said, "For my second wish, I wish for 10
million bucks."
So a million bucks appeared in front of the engineer and the genie said,
"remember, every architect in the world now has 2 million bucks.“
“And what’s your final wish?” Asked the genie.
The engineer was excited and shouted:
"I always wished I could donate one of my kidneys!"