THEORY OF STRUCTURES

STATIC DETERMINACY AND STABILTY OF PLANE TRUSSES

We consider a truss to be statically determinate if the forces in all its members, as well as
all the external reactions, can be determined by using the equations of equilibrium. Since
the members of a truss are all straight axial force members lying in the same plane, the
force system acting at each joint is coplanar and concurrent. Consequently, rotational
or moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied at the joint, and it is only necessary to
satisfy and to ensure translational or force equilibrium. Therefore, only two equations of
equilibrium can be applied for each joint.
If the truss has “j” number of joints, “b” number of bars and “R” number of external support
reactions, then it is said to be determinate if,

𝒃 + 𝒓 = 𝟐𝒋

The truss is said to be indeterminate when,

𝒃 + 𝒓 > 𝟐𝒋

and the degree of indeterminacy is “I”,

𝑰 = (𝒃 + 𝒓) − 𝟐𝒋

A truss will be unstable when,

𝒃 + 𝒓 < 𝟐𝒋

that is, it will collapse, since there will be an insufficient number of bars or reactions to
constrain all the joints.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

External Stability

In some cases, there may be as many unknown forces as there are equations of equilibrium;
however, instability or movement of a structure or its members can develop because of
improper constraining by the supports. This can occur if;
1. All the support reactions are concurrent at a point. An example of this is
shown in Figure 5-1. From the free-body diagram of the beam it is seen that the
summation of moments about point A will not be equal to zero thus rotational
movement about point A will take place.
2. All reactive forces are parallel. An example of this case is shown in Figure 5-
2. When a horizontal force P is applied, the summation of forces in the
horizontal direction will not equal to zero, and then the structure will have a
horizontal translation.

D E P D E

C A B C
A
B
P

D E P E
D

B B C
A C A

P
figure 5-1 figure 5-2

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THEORY OF STRUCTURES

EXAMPLE: Classify each of the trusses shown in Figure below as statically unstable,
statically determinate, or statically indeterminate. If the truss is statically indeterminate,
then determine the degree of static indeterminacy.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6 Figure 7

Figure 9
Figure 8
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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

Figure 1: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 17, j = 10 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R = 2j, it is statically determinate.

Figure 2:.The truss contains b = 17, j = 10 and R = 3. Thus, b + R = 2j. Since the reactions
are concurrent, it is unstable.

Figure 3: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 21, j = 10 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R > 2j, it is statically indeterminate. The degree
of indeterminacy is I = (b + R) – 2j = 24 – 20 = 4 (4th degree)

Figure 4:.The truss contains b = 21, j = 10 and R = 2, thus, b + R > 2j. Since the reactions
are parallel, it is unstable.

Figure 5: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 26, j = 15 and R = 4. Thus, with b + R = 2j, it is statically determinate.

Figure 6: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 19, j = 11 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R = 2j, it is statically determinate.

Figure 7: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 11, j = 7 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R = 2j, it is statically determinate.

Figure 8: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 12, j = 8 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R < 2j, it is statically unstable.

Figure 9: The reactions of the truss are neither parallel nor concurrent. The truss contains
b = 10, j = 7 and R = 3. Thus, with b + R < 2j, it is statically unstable.

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THEORY OF STRUCTURES

STATIC DETERMINACY AND STABILTY OF PLANE FRAMES

Frames are composed of straight members connected either by rigid (moment-resisting)

connections or by hinged connections to form stable configurations. The members of
frames are usually connected by rigid joints, although hinged connections are sometimes
used. A rigid joint prevents relative translations and rotations of the member ends
connected to it, so the joint is capable of transmitting two rectangular force components
and a couple between the connected members. Under the action of external loads, the
members of a frame may be, in general, subjected to bending moment, shear, and axial
tension or compression. A frame is considered to be statically determinate if the bending
moments, shears, and axial forces in all its members, as well as all the external reactions,
can be determined by using the equations of equilibrium and condition.

The conditions for static instability, determinacy, and indeterminacy of plane frames can
be summarized as follows:

3m + r = 3 j + ec → Statically Determinate
3m + r  3 j + ec → Statically Indeterminate
3m + r  3 j + ec → Statically Unstable
Where:
m = number of members
r = number of external support reactions
j = number of end joints
ec = internal connections

Values of ec:

𝑒𝑐 = 1

𝑒𝑐 = 𝑏 − 1 𝑒𝑐 = 1
𝑒𝑐 = 3

Where: b = number of connecting members

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

EXAMPLE: Verify that each of the plane frames shown is statically indeterminate and
determine its degree of static indeterminacy.

Figure a Figure b

Figure d
Figure c

Figure e Figure f