The theory of structures can be associated with structural analysis.

The first of the engineering sciences to be taken is the Statics of Rigid Bodies, and it
deals with forces with the principles of physics and the geometrical patterns in which it
is applied in body being considered.
The first of a series of courses where physics and engineering will merge and math is
the language.
Second in the series of courses is the Strength of Materials, where material failure is
its foremost concern. It focuses on the elastic properties of various materials, the stress
and strain diagram.
Stress is associated with the strength of materials, while strain is the measure of
deformation of that material due to stress. When dealing with mathematical language
we should also consider the units because it is the measurement that validates all the
calculations leading to hypothetical conclusions.

These are all the product of engineering experiments that has evolved in decades in the
construction industry in studying the behavior of materials.
In this course, the Theory of Structures deals with the determinacy of structures.
Determinate structures are the structures that the number of reactions is equal to the
number of equations.

Reactions in 2D have the Three Equilibrium Equations

when the number of reactions exceeds the number of equations, there is a need to
divert to other methods of calculations. If the number of reactions is less than the
number of equations, then the structure is unstable.
M + R = 2J
At the cantilever beam as shown in figure 1a and 1b, point A have 3 reactions 1. fY
(Ray), 2. fX (Rax), and Ma at the junction A
The member being considered is the beam = 1
M + R = 2J 1 + 3 = (2)(1) 4>2
This Structure is statically indeterminate to the second degree. And it is stable
At the simple beam as shown in figure 2a and 2b, point A have 2 reactions 1. fY (Ray),
2. fX (Rax),
Point B have 1 reaction, fY (Rby)
The junctions are the point of connectivity at Points A and B and the member is 1 beam.
Hence:
M + R = 2J 1 + 3 = (2) (2) 4=4
This is a statically determinate structure. And it is stable
At the beam as shown in figure 3a and 3b, point A have 1 reaction 1. fY (Ray),
Point B have 1 reaction, fY (Rby)
The junctions are the point of connectivity at Points A and B and the member is 1 beam.
Hence:
M + R = 2J 1 + 2 = (2) (2) 3<4
This is a statically indeterminate structure. And it is unstable
Figure A is the structure and figure b represent the Free Body Diagram showing all the
forces known and unknown.
In summary;

1. If the sum of the member plus the number of equilibrium equations (reactions) is
equal to two times the number of connectivity, then the structure is said to be
statically determinate. And it is stable.
2. If the sum of the member plus the number of equilibrium equations (reactions) is
greater than twice the number of connectivity, then the structure is said to be
statically determinate. And it is stable.
3. If the sum of the member plus the number of equilibrium equations (reactions) is
less than twice the number of connectivity, then the structure is said to be statically
determinate. And it is unstable.
4. Theory of Structures deals with the determinacy of structures. Determinate
structures are the structures that the number of reactions is equal to the number of
equations. When the number of reactions exceeds the number of equations, there is
a need to divert to other methods of calculations. If the number of reactions is less
than the number of equations, then the structure is unstable. To attain these we
have to understand the elements of structure and the method of its connectivity,
types of loads acting on a structure, and the types of structure.