Alejo, Janssen Paul T.

13 October 2015

CE/3 2012103567

CE132P/B3

Homework 1 Determinate and Indeterminate Structures

I. Differences Between Determinate and Indeterminate Structures
Determinate Structures

Indeterminate Structures

Equilibrium conditions are fully adequate to

Conditions of equilibrium are not adequate to

analyze the structure.

fully analyze the structure.

Bending moment or shear force at any section

Bending moment or shear force at any section

is independent of the material property of the

depends upon the material property.

structure.
The bending moment or shear force at any

The bending moment or shear force at any

section is independent of the cross-section or

section depends upon the cross-section or

moment of inertia.
Temperature variations do not cause stresses.

moment of inertia.
Temperature variations cause stresses.

No stresses are caused due to lack of fit.

Stresses are caused due to lack of fit.

Extra conditions like compatibility of

Extra conditions like compatibility of

displacements are not required to analyze the

displacements are required to analyze the

structure.

structure along with the equilibrium

equations.

II. Advantages of Indeterminate Beam

1. Smaller Stresses in statically indeterminate structures, the maximum stress is greatly lower
compared with statically determinate structures.
2. Greater Stiffness statically indeterminate structures have higher stiffness than determinate
structures. Stiffness means the capacity of a structure to bend hence, statically indeterminate
structures have lower deflection.

3. Redundancies statically indeterminate structures have the capacity to redistribute loads in

case of sudden structural failures caused by accidents such as tornadoes, earthquakes, typhoons,
etc. This is due to its more number of members and/or support compared with statically
determinate structures.

III. Disadvantages of Indeterminate Beam

1. Stresses Due to Support Settlements support settlements have negligible impact in
determinate structures however, when support settlements are subjected to indeterminate
structures, bending of the structure is inevitable and therefore bending moments are present in
the beam.

2. Stresses Due to Temperature Change and Fabrication Errors temperature change and
fabrication errors does not significantly affect determinate structures but in terms of
indeterminate structures, its effects are more noticeable and must be accounted and designed
with care.

IV. Examples of Determinate and Indeterminate Structures

1. Determinate Structures
a. Simply Supported Beam

b. Cantilever

2. Indeterminate Beam
a. Continuous Beam

b. Propped Beam

c. Restrained Beam

V. References
1. Kassimali, A. (2011). Structural Analysis 4e. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
2. Mishra, G. (n.d.). Determinate and Indeterminate Structure. Retrieved from The Constructor:
http://theconstructor.org/structural-engg/analysis/determinate-and-indeterminatestructures/3483/