STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

A beam is statically indeterminate if the number of support reactions exceeds the number of
independent equilibrium equations. In general, two equilibrium equations are available for a beam
supporting lateral loads (∑Fy = 0 and ∑MA = 0, A being an arbitrary point).1 Hence, a statically
determinate beam has two support reactions, which is the minimum number needed to keep the beam
in equilibrium. Additional reactions, being nonessential for equilibrium, are known as redundant
reactions. The number of redundant reactions is called the degree of indeterminacy of the beam.
1We assume that the axial force in the beam is zero, so that ∑Fx is automatically satisfied.

Method 1: Double Integration Method

The differential equation for the elastic curve derived to calculate the deflection at any point is given
Recall that in the method of double integration, we derived the equation for the elastic curve of the beam by
integrating the differential equation EIv’’ = M two times, resulting in

Eq. (1)

In a statically indeterminate beam, each redundant reaction represents an additional unknown.

However, there is also an additional constraint associated with each redundancy, which, when
substituted into Eq. (1), provides an extra equation.

Sample Problem #1:

The beam in Fig. (a) has three supports. Calculate all the support reactions due to the 6000-lb force.
Sample Problem #2: Method 2: Moment Area Method
Find the reactive couple acting on the propped The moment-area method is well suited for deriving the compatibility equations for statically
cantilever beam at B. indeterminate beams. If the total number of support reactions is n, the degree of static indeterminacy
of the beam is n-2. A total of n equations are available for computing the support reactions: two
equilibrium equations and n-2 compatibility equations to be obtained from the moment-area theorems.

Sample Problem #3:

The beam in Fig. (a) has three supports. Calculate all the support reactions due to the 6000-lb force.
Sample Problem #4:
Find the reactive couple acting on the propped cantilever beam at B.
Method 3: Superposition Method
The application of this method to statically indeterminate beams requires the following steps:
• Determine the degree of static indeterminacy and choose the redundant reactions. This choice
is not unique—any support reaction can be deemed to be redundant provided the remaining
reactions can support the loading.
• Release the constraints associated with the redundant reactions so that the beam becomes
statically determinate. Consider the redundant reactions as applied loads.
• Using superposition, compute the deflections or rotations associated with the released
constraints.
• Write the compatibility equations by equating the deflections or rotations found in the previous
step to those imposed by the supports on the original beam.
• Solve the compatibility equations for the redundant reactions.
For the beam shown, if its free-body diagram were
drawn, there would be four unknown support
reactions; and since three equilibrium equations
are available for solution, the beam is
indeterminate to the first degree. Consequently,
one additional equation is necessary for solution.
To obtain this equation, we will use the principle of
superposition and consider the compatibility of
displacement at one of the supports. This is done
by choosing one of the support reactions as
“redundant” and temporarily removing its effect on
the beam so that the beam then becomes statically
determinate and stable. This beam is referred to as
the primary structure. Here we will remove the
restraining action of the rocker at B. As a result, the
load P will cause B to be displaced downward by
an amount B as shown.
By superposition, however, the unknown reaction at B, i.e., By, causes the beam at B to be displaced
’BB upward. Here the first letter in this double-subscript notation refers to the point (B) where the
deflection is specified, and the second letter refers to the point (B) where the unknown reaction acts.
Compatibility Equation:
Sample Problem #5: Sample Problem #6:
The beam in Fig. (a) has three supports. Calculate all the support reactions due to the 6000-lb force. Find the reactive couple acting on the propped cantilever beam at B.
Deflection Formulas for Cantilever Beams

Sample Problem #7:

The beam in Fig. (a) has three supports. Calculate all the support reactions due to the 6000-lb force.

Deflection Formulas for Simply Supported Beams