Subject CSE30301:

Structural Analysis
Prof. Y.Q. Ni (Prof. Ngai)
Office: ZS930 (CEE)
Phone: 2766 6004
E-mail: ceyqni@polyu.edu.hk

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Week 6:
Analysis of Statically Indeterminate
Structures by the Force Method (2)
Analysis by force method: frames
Analysis by force method: trusses
Analysis by force method: composite
structures

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6.1 Analysis by force method: frames

The force method is very useful for solving problems
involving statically indeterminate frames that have a
single storey and unusual geometry, such as gabled
frames. Problems involving multi-storey frames, or those
with a high degree of indeterminacy, are best solved
using the slope-deflection, moment-distribution, or the
stiffness method discussed in the later lectures.
The force method involves removing enough restraints
from the indeterminate structure to render it statically
determinate. Then the redundants are treated as
unknown loads applied to the primary structure, and
their magnitudes are determined by solving the
compatibility equations.
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Example 1: Determine the support reactions on the frame

shown in Figure (a). EI is constant.

Solution:
a) Principle of superposition. By inspection the frame is
statically indeterminate to the first degree. The redundant
is taken as the horizontal reaction Bx at B.

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Consequently, the pin at B is replaced by a roller, since

a roller will not constrain B in the horizontal direction.
The principle of superposition is as shown in Figure (b).
b) Compatibility equation. Reference to point B in Figure
(b) requires

The terms B and fBB are computed using the method

of virtual work. The frames x coordinates and internal
moments are shown in Figures (c) and (d). It is
important that in each case the selected coordinate x1
or x2 be the same for both the real and virtual
loadings. Also, the positive directions for M and m
must be the same.
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For B we require application of real loads, Figure (c), and a

virtual unit load at B, Figure (d). Thus,

For fBB we require application of a real unit load and a virtual

unit load at B, Figure (d). Thus,

Substituting the above into the compatibility equation yields

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c) Equilibrium equation. Showing Bx on the free-body

diagram of the frame in the correct direction, Figure
(e), and applying the equations of equilibrium, we have

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Example 2: Determine the moment at the fixed support A

for the frame shown in Figure (a). EI is constant.

Solution:
a) Principle of superposition. By inspection the frame is
statically indeterminate to the first degree. The redundant
is taken as MA by replacing the fixed support A by a pin
as shown in Figure (b).

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b) Compatibility equation. Reference to point A in Figure (b)

requires
The terms A and AA are computed using the method of
virtual work. The frames x coordinates and internal
moments are shown in Figure (c) and (d).

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For A we require application of real loads, Figure (c), and a

virtual unit couple moment at A, Figure (d). Thus,

For AA we require application of a real unit couple moment

and a virtual unit couple moment at A, Figure (d). Thus,

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Substituting these results into the compatibility equation yields

The negative sign indicates MA acts in the opposite direction

to that shown in Figure (b).

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6.2 Analysis by force method: trusses

The degree of indeterminacy of a truss can usually be
determined by inspection; however, if this becomes
different, use the formulae given in Lecture 2, for
example, ID = n + r - 2j for plane trusses. Here n is
the number of members; r is the number of reactions;
and j is the number of pin joints. For space trusses, we
have ID = n + r - 3j .
The force method is quite suitable for analyzing trusses
that are statically indeterminate to the first or second
degree.

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Example 3: Determine the force in member AC of the

truss shown in Figure (a). EA is constant.

Solution:
a) Principle of superposition. By inspection the truss is
statically indeterminate to the first degree. Since the force
in member AC is to be determined, member AC is chosen
as the redundant.

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This requires cutting this member so that it cannot sustain a

force, thereby making the truss statically determinate and
stable. The principle of superposition applied to this truss is
shown in Figure (b).

b) Compatibility equation. With reference to member AC in

Figure (b), we require the relative displacement AC , which
occurs at the ends of the cut member AC due to the real
loading, plus the relative displacement FAC fAC AC caused
by the redundant force acting alone, to be equal to zero,
that is

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Here the flexibility coefficient fAC AC represents the

relative displacement of the cut ends of member AC
caused by a real unit load acting at the cut ends of
member AC. This term, fAC AC , and AC are computed
using the method of virtual work. The force analysis,
using the method of joints, is summarized in Figures
(c) and (d).
For AC we require application of real load of 2 kN, Figure
(c), and a virtual unit force acting at the cut ends of
member AC, Figure (d). Thus,

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For fAC AC we require application of real

unit force couple and virtual unit force
couple acting on the cut ends of member
AC, Figure (d). Thus,

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Substituting the above into the compatibility equation yields

Since the result is positive, member AC is subjected to tension

as assumed, Figure (b). Using this result, the forces in the
other members can be found using the method of joints.

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Example 4: Determine the force in each member of the

truss shown in Figure (a) if the turnbuckle on member AC
is used to shorten the member by 12.5 mm. Each bar has a
cross-sectional area of 125 mm2, and E = 200 GPa.

Solution:
a) Principle of superposition. This truss has the same
geometry as that in Example 3. Since member AC
has been shortened, we choose it as the redundant.
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b) Compatibility equation. Since no external loads act on

the primary structure (truss), there will be no relative
displacement between the ends of the sectioned
member caused by load; that is AC = 0. The flexibility
coefficient fAC AC has been computed in Example 3 as

Assuming the amount by which the bar is shortened is

positive, the compatibility equation for the bar becomes

Substituting for A and E yields

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Thus

Since no external forces act on the truss, the external

reactions are zero, Therefore, using FAC and analyzing
the truss by the method of joints yields the results
shown in the following figure.

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6.3 Analysis by force method: composite

structures
Composite structures are composed of some members
subjected only to axial force, while other members are
subjected to bending. If the structure is statically
indeterminate, the force method can conveniently be
used for its analysis.
Example 5: The beam shown in Figure (a) is supported
by a pin at A and two pin-connected bars at B.
Determine the force in member BD. Take E = 200 GPa,
I = 300106 mm4 for the beam. Each bar has a crosssectional area of 1800 mm2.

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Solution:
a) Principle of superposition. By inspection the structure
is statically indeterminate to the first degree. Since the
force in member BD is to be determined, member BD
is chosen as the redundant.

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This member is therefore sectioned to eliminate

its capacity to sustain a force. The principle of
superposition applied to this structure is shown in
Figure (b).
b) Compatibility equation. With reference to the relative
displacement of the cut ends of member BD, Figure (b),
we require

The method of virtual work is used to compute

displacement BD and fBD BD . The necessary force
analysis is shown in Figures (c) and (d).
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For BD we require application of real loads, Figure (c),

and a virtual unit load couple applied to the cut ends of
member BD, Figure (d). Here we only consider the
bending strain energy in the beam and, of course, the
axial strain energy in the bars. Thus,

For fBD BD we require application of real unit force

couple and virtual unit force couple acting on the cut
ends of member BD, Figure (d). Thus,

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Substituting the above into the compatibility equation yields

Using this result, draw the free-body diagram of the

structure and show that FBC = 44.9 kN (C), Ax = 1.31 kN,
and Ay = 30.0 kN.

End of Lecture 6

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