ECS 448

DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Topic 1
Structural System

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
1. Identify the types of structures
2. Calculate the degrees of static indeterminacy for
beam, frame and truss.
3. Classify the structure to unstable, statically
determinate and statically indeterminate.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Structural Engineering

A structure may be defined as an
assemblage of materials capable of
supporting loads.

Structural engineering is the process of
applying the engineering method to the
creation of structures.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Structural Engineering
The sequence of Structural Engineering process involves
involves::

Planning It is defined as the selection of the gross physical system. It is

involves a consideration of function/functions of structure (building, bridges,
etc), materials to be used (steel, concrete timber), structural system (arches,
trusses, etc) and arrangement. Probably most difficult and important phase
of structural engineering.
Analysis Its involves determination of the reaction and displacement
occurring in the structure.
Design a selection and proportioning of the individual members of the
structure, so that with an appropriate factor of safety (or load factor) and
limited displacements, They resist the forces and moments indicated by the
analysis.
Detailing it is considers the necessary clearance and fits to determine
exact dimensions for actual fabrication.
Construction it is involves the fabrication and erection of the parts of the
structure.
Inspection it is to ensure that construction is in accordance with the
design and detail drawings, usually takes place simultaneously with the
construction process.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Type of Structures
Building consist of different type of structures as illustrated in the
diagram..
diagram

COLUMN
BEAM
SLAB

FOUNDATION

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Idealized Structure

To develop the ability to model or idealize a structure so that the
structural engineer can perform a practical force analysis of the
members

Generally actual structure in 3-D can be idealized to 2-D.

2-D

3-D

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Idealized Structure
Support reactions are idealized as follow;
Rx

Rx
M
Ry

Ry
(a) Fixed

Ry

(b) Hinge or Pin

(c) Roller

M = -k

R = -k
(d) Helical Spring

(e) Spiral Spring

Forces exerted by supports are referred to external reactions

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Idealized Structure
Internal reactions are idealized as follow;
F
M
N
(a) Rigid

(b) Cable

(c) Hinge

Forces exerted by one part of a member upon adjacent parts are referred to
internal reactions
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Typical Support Connections

Different type of support conditions are as follow;
Idealized models used in
structural analysis

Actual support connections

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Static Equations of Equilibrium

Static equations of equilibrium have 2 types;
1. For 3-D Structures
Structures;;

Fx = 0
M x =0

Fy = 0
M y =0

Fz = 0
M z =0

2. For 2-D Structures

Structures;;

Fx = 0
Fy = 0
M o =0
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Topic 1 Structural System

Structure Flow Chart

STRUCTURE

STABLE

STATICALLY
DETERMINATE

UNSTABLE

STATICALLY
INDETERMINATE

EXTERNAL

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

STATICALLY

GEOMETRICALLY

INTERNAL

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Topic 1 Structural System

Static Indeterminacy
Static indeterminacy can be categorised into two;

Statically Determinate Structures

When the static equilibrium equations
are sufficient to determine the unknown
support reactions.

Statically Indeterminate Structures

When the static equilibrium equations
are not sufficient to determine the
unknown support reactions.
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Degree of Static Indeterminacy

Degree of static indeterminacy, d, is defined as an excess of
unknown reactions as compared to the static equations (known as
redundant).
Beam & Frame
d=rnc
or
d = 3m + r 3j c

d = Degree of static indeterminacy

r = Number of support reactions
n = Number of static equilibrium equations
(n = 3 for 2D structures)
c = Number of internal hinge

Plane Truss

m = Number of members
j = Number of joints

d = m + r 2j
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Topic 1 Structural System

Degree of Static Indeterminacy

Structures can be classified base on their Degree of static
indeterminacy, d. It can be summarised as follows;

Degree of Static
Indeterminacy (d)

Classification of
Structures

if d is < 0 (-ve)

Statically unstable

if d is = 0

Statically determinate

if d is > 0 (+ve)

Statically indeterminate

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Example 1
Show that the beams below are either unstable, statically determinate or statically
indeterminate. For those that are statically determinate, determine their reactions.

5 kN

5 kN

5 kN

300

300

300

C
3m

3m
(a)

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

C
3m

3m
(b)

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C
3m

3m
(c)

Topic 1 Structural System

Example 1
General equation for beam and frame.
d = 3m + r 3j - c or d = r n - c
5 kN

5 kN

5 kN

300

300

300

C
3m

3m

3m

(a)

C
3m
(b)

C
3m

3m
(c)

r = 3, n = 3, c = 0

r = 4, n = 3, c = 0

r = 2, n = 3, c = 0

d = 3 3 0 = 0.
The beam is statically
determinate.

d = 4 3 0 = 1.
The beam is statically
indeterminate to the 1st degree

d = 2 3 0 = -1.
The beam is unstable.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Example 2
Show that the frames below are either unstable, statically determinate or statically
indeterminate. For those that are statically determinate, determine their reactions.
B

2m

2m

hinge

C
2m

hinge

5 kN

5 kN

5 kN

2m

2m

2m

3m
(a)

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

3m
(b)

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3m
(c)

Topic 1 Structural System

Example 2
General equation for beam and frame.
d = 3m + r 3j - c or d = r n - c
B

C
5 kN

5 kN

5 kN

hinge

hinge

D
3m

3m

D
3m

r = 3, n = 3, c = 1

r = 4, n = 3, c = 1

r = 4, n = 3, c = 0

d = 3 3 1 = -1.
The frame is unstable.

d = 4 3 1 = 0.
The frame is statically
determinate.

d = 4 3 0 = 1.
The frame is statically
indeterminate to the 1st degree

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Example 3
Show that the trusses below are either unstable, statically determinate or statically
indeterminate. For those that are statically determinate, determine their reactions.
5 kN

5 kN

3m

3m

(a)

(b)

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Example 3
General equation for truss.
d = m + r 2j
5 kN
5 kN

A
A

D
3m
3m

m = 5, r = 3, j = 4

m = 6, r = 4, j = 4

d = 5 + 3 2(4) = 0.
The truss is statically determinate.

d = 6 + 4 2(4) = 2.
The truss is statically indeterminate to the 2nd degree
Need to check for external redundancy.
d=rn=43=1
external =1
therefore internal = 2 1 = 1

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Structural Stability
To ensure the equilibrium of a structure or its member, it is not
only necessary to satisfy the equations of equilibrium, but the
members must also be properly held or constrained by their
supports.
Two (2) situations may occur where the conditions for proper
constraints has not been met;
i) Partial Constraints
ii) Improper Constraints

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Partial Constraints
Fewer reactive forces than equations of equilibrium.
If Fx 0 or Fy 0 or M 0 the structure will be unstable.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Improper Constraints
In some cases, unknown forces may equal to the equilibrium.
However, instability or movement of structure could still occur if
support reactions are concurrent at a point

Concurrent reactions

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Improper Constraints
In some cases, unknown forces may equal to the equilibrium.
However, instability or movement of structure could still occur if
support reactions are concurrent at a point

Parallel reactions

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Review
Problems
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 1 Structural System

Problem 1
Show that the structures below are either unstable, statically
determinate or statically indeterminate. For those that are statically
determinate, determine their reactions.
10 kN/m

20 kN/m
15 kN/m

10 m

5m
B

10 m
10 m
A
A

9m

10 m

6m
(a)

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

(b)

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(c)

Topic 1 Structural System

Problem 2
Show that the structures below are either unstable, statically
determinate or statically indeterminate. For those that are statically
determinate, determine their reactions.
15 kN

30 kN

10 kN/m

5m

B
C

D
C

5m

4m

2m

5m

6m

(b)

(a)

15 kN/m

10
kN/m

A
B
4m

10 kN/m

C
6m

5m

4m

6m

4m

(c)
(d)

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Topic 1 Structural System

References
Hibbeler R.C, (2012), Structural Analysis, 8th Edition in S.I. Units,
Pearson, Singapore
Hibbeler R.C, (2009), Structural Analysis, 7th Edition in S.I. Units,
Pearson, Singapore
Hibbeler R.C, (2006), Structural Analysis, 6th Edition in S.I. Units,
Pearson, Singapore
UiTM Structural Division (2003), Basic Structural Analysis, Cerdik
Publications Sdn. Bhd.
UiTM Structural Division (2003), Basic Structural Mechanics, Cerdik
Publications Sdn. Bhd.
Mc Cormac N., (1999), Structural Analysis, 2nd Edition, John Wiley
and Sons.
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Topic 1 Structural System