Determinacy and Stability

Determinate Structure
- when all the forces in a structure can be
determined strictly from the equilibrium
equations

Statically Indeterminate Structure

- structures having more unknown forces
than the available equilibrium equations
 If : r = 3n, statically determinate
r > 3n, statically indeterminate

where: r = reaction force and moment

n = the no. of parts or members
Classify each of the beam shown as Statically
Determinate or Statically Indeterminate

3 = 3(1)
r = 3, n = 1
Statically Determinate

5 > 3(1)
Statically Indeterminate
to the 2nd degree
r = 5, n = 1
6 = 3(2)
Statically Determinate

r = 6, n = 2
 10 > 3(3)
Statically indeterminate
r = 10, n = 3 to the 1st degree

Exercises: Classify each of the structures shown as statically

determinate or statically indeterminate

FIXED FIXED
(b)

(a)
 (c) (d)

Indeterminate Indeterminate
3rd degree 6th degree

FRAMES
Indeterminate
63rd degree

(e)
 STABILITY

A structure or a member is
STABLE if it satisfy the equations
of equilibrium and the members
are properly held or constrained
by the support.
Two situations where the conditions for proper
constraints have not been met:
Partial Constraints
- A case when a structure or one of its
members may have fewer reactive forces than
the equations of equilibrium. P

Example:

ΣFx ≠ 0
Improper Constraints
- A case where there may be as many
unknown forces as there are equations,
however, instability or movement of a structure
or its members can develop due to improper
constraining by the supports.

Σ Mo ≠ 0 O
P

d
P Parallel Reactions
Concurrent Reactions
 Equations of Equilibrium Application

Example 1 : Determine the horizontal and

vertical components of reaction at the supports
A and B. The joints at C and D are fixed
connections. 40 kN
20 kN 30 kN
12 kN/m
Answer:
C D Ay = 102kN
4m
7m By = 11.75 kN
A Bx = 84 kN
6m B

8m
Example 2: Determine the horizontal and
vertical components at A, B and C. Assume the
frame is pin connected at these points. The
joints at D and E are fixed connected.

Answer: B 50kN/m
Bx = 124kN
1.8m
By = 111kN
Ax = 124 kN E
Ay = 111kN D 25kN/m 3.0m
Cx = 41 kN C
A
Cy = 159 kN
5.4m 5.4m
Seatwork 1: Determine the reactions on the
beam.

30kN/m
B

75kN/m 3.0 m

A
Answer: 7.2 m
FB = 175.5kN
Ay = 216.0kN
Ax = 90.0kN
Example 2: Determine the reactions at the
smooth support A and pin support B. The
connection at C is fixed.
2kN/m

C
B
1.5m
3.0m
A
Answer: 60O
FA = 44.8kN
By = 16.4kN
Bx = 38.8kN
Example 3
Determine the horizontal and vertical
components of reaction at the supports A and B.
20kN/m

D C

4m
8kN/m 6m
B

Answer:
A
Ax = 24kN
Ay = 30.8
5m By = 69.2kN
Bx = 24kN
Assignment
Determine the reactions at the supports A
and C. The frame is pin connected at A, B and C
and the two joints are fixed connected.
8 kN
10kN/m 6 kN

4m 2kN/m

A C
3m 2m 1m

6m