Koya University

Faculty of Engineering
Civil department
High Diploma

ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY INDETERMINATE

TRUSSES BY FORCE METHOD

BY Rawaz Kanabie Mohammed Ameen

Introduction

The force method of analysis, also known as the method of consistent

deformation, uses equilibrium equations and compatibility conditions to
determine the unknowns in statically indeterminate structures. In this method,
the unknowns are the redundant forces. A redundant force can be an external
support reaction force or an internal member force, which if removed from
the structure, will not cause any instability. This method entails formulating a
set of compatibility equations, depending on the number of the redundant
forces in the structure, and solving these equations simultaneously to
determine the magnitude of the redundant forces. Once the redundant forces
are known, the structure becomes determinate and can be analyzed completely
using the conditions of equilibrium. (1)
Statically indeterminate structures are the ones where the independent
reaction components, and/or internal forces cannot be obtained by using the
equations of equilibrium only. To solve indeterminate systems, we must
combine the concept of equilibrium with compatibility. (2)
In this report, we delve into the analysis of statically indeterminate trusses
using the force method, a powerful technique for solving complex structural
systems. By applying principles of equilibrium and compatibility, we aim to
unravel the intricacies of these indeterminate structures, providing a
comprehensive understanding of how forces are distributed within the truss
members. Through a systematic exploration of the force method, this report
aims to shed light on the key concepts and methodologies employed in the
analysis of statically indeterminate trusses, offering valuable insights into
their structural behavior.
Advantages of statically indeterminate structures(5)

1- For a given loading the maximum stress and deflection of an

indeterminate structure are generally smaller than those of its statically
determinate counterpart.
2- 2- Statically indeterminate structures can redistribute its load to its
redundant supports in cases where faulty design or overloading occurs.

Although from these advantages of selecting statically indeterminate

structures, also; there are some disadvantages such as deformations caused by
relative support displacement, or changes in member length caused by
temperature or fabrication errors will introduce additional stresses in the
structure, which must be considered when designing indeterminate structures.
Force Method for Trusses

- A truss is a structural system that satisfies the following requirements:

(a) The members are straight, slender, and prismatic
(b)The joints are frictionless pins (internal hinges)
(c) The loads are applied only at the joints

- Check for indeterminacy: # of unknowns > # of equations. (m + r) > 2j

- Trusses can be statically indeterminate due to a variety of reasons –

redundant support reactions (externally indeterminate), redundant members
(internally indeterminate), or a combination of both.(2)
Analysis of Indeterminate Trusses

The procedure for the analysis of indeterminate trusses is similar to that

followed in the analysis of beams. For trusses with external redundant
restraints, the procedure entails determining the degree of indeterminacy of
the structure, selecting the redundant reactions, writing the compatibility
equations, determining the deflection due to the applied load and the one due
to a unit redundant reaction force applied to the primary structure, and solving
the compatibility equation(s) to determine the redundant reactions. For trusses
with internal redundant members, the procedure involves selecting the
redundant members, cutting the redundant members and depicting each of
them as a pair of forces in the primary structure, and then applying the
condition of compatibility to determine the axial forces in the redundant
members. Consider the truss below for an example. This truss is indeterminate
to the first degree. Members AC and BD of the truss are two separate
overlapping members. Either of these members can be considered redundant,
since the primary structure obtained after the removal of either of them will
remain stable. Selecting BD as the redundant member, cutting through it and
applying a pair of forces on the cut surface, and then indicating that the
displacement of the truss at the cut surface is zero suggests the following
compatibility expression:(1)
The flexibility coefficients for the compatibility equation for the
indeterminate truss analysis is computed as follows:
General procedures for internally indeterminate trusses.

Step 1:
Identify the redundant member (ij). If the member is removed from the
original structure, the resulting truss must be stable and determinate. Now
create the two trusses whose superposition results in the original
indeterminate truss.
• Remove the redundant from the original truss but leave the external loads.
This is truss DTRL.
• Remove the redundant and all loads from the original truss. Assume that the
redundant member is in tension. Now apply unit tensile forces along the
redundant member. This is truss DTUL.
• Write the single compatibility equation in the symbolic form. This equation
should contain the redundant member force Fij.
Step 2:
Compute the displacement along ij for the truss DTRL.
Step 3:
Compute the displacement along ij for the truss DTUL.
Step 4:
Now substitute the displacement from Steps 2 and 3 into the compatibility
equation. Solve the compatibility equation for the redundant. If the answer is
positive, the redundant is in tension. Otherwise, the member is in
compression.
Step5:
The other member forces can be computed through superposition of the two
determinate trusses.(2)
Example 1
Using the method of consistent deformation, determine the axial force in
member AD of the truss shown in Figure below . EA = constant.

Solution

Determination of axial forces in members due to applied external loads.

The determination of the member-axial forces can be conveniently performed
in a tabular form, as shown in Table below
Example 2
Analyze the truss shown below by the method of Consistent Deformation.
EA is constant.(3)
Solution

The truss is indeterminate to the first degree So, there is one redundant. It
can be solved by removing the reaction at C.
The remaining reactions can be found by applying the equilibrium equations
Conclusion:

The force method for truss analysis serves as a powerful tool in understanding
and optimizing structural designs. By applying equilibrium equations and
compatibility conditions, this method enables engineers to discern internal
forces within truss members accurately. The insights gained contribute to
designing efficient and stable structures. As we continue to advance in
structural engineering, the force method remains a relevant and applicable
technique for ensuring the integrity and safety of various architectural and
engineering projects.4)
References

1. Felix F. Udoeyo Structural Analysis .

2. J.S. Arora/Q. Wang Structural Design II Chapter5-ForceMethod.
3. Prof. Dr. Ali Hameed Aziz Theory of Structures, Analysis of
Indeterminate Structures, Method of Consistent Deforma on (Force or
flexible method).
4. R. Sedaghati, A. Suleman1, S. Dost and B. Tabarrok , Optimum
Design of Adaptive Truss Structures Using the Integrated Force Method.
5. BY THAAR AL-GASHAM Theory of structures , WASSIT
University – Engineering college – civil engineering department.