Review Innovations CE Review for November 2024 – Determinacy and Stability
STABILITY OF STRUCTURES PROBLEMS
In general, structures may be stable or unstable. If a structure For the structures shown below, identify whether the
is stable, it may be determinate or indeterminate. structure is unstable, statically determinate, or statically
indeterminate. If the structure is indeterminate, state the
Internal Stability degree of indeterminacy.
A structure is internally stable if it maintains its shape and
remains a rigid body when all external supports are May 2000
removed. Conversely, a structure is internally unstable if it
cannot maintain its shape and may undergo large
displacements when all external supports are removed.
Figure AN-
Hing
Hinge
Figure AN-
External Stability
Conditions for Stable Structures:
1. Number of unknowns (external + internal) must be greater Figure AN-
than or equal to the number of equilibrium conditions.
2. External reactions must not be parallel to each other.
3. External reactions must not be concurrent. Nov 2002
DETERMINACY OF STRUCTURES
A structure is statically determinate if the number of
equations equals the number of unknowns (external (a)
+ internal). If the number of unknowns exceeds the number
of equilibrium equations, the structure becomes statically Hinge Hinge
indeterminate.
(b)
Degree of Indeterminacy (General Equation)
DI = number of unknowns – number of equations
Hinge
Degree of Indeterminacy (Specific Equations)
Hinge
Structure Planar Case 3D Case
(c)
Beams DI = R – 3 – C DI = R – 6 – C
Frames DI = R+3M–3J–C DI = R+6M–6J–C
Trusses DI = R + M – 2J DI = R + M – 3J Nov 2012
Where:
DI = degree of indeterminacy
R = number of external reactions.
M = number of members
J = number of joints
C = number of releases (or equations of condition/s)
Known
Internal
Type Equations Condition/s
Reaction/s
(C)
Internal Hinge Fx 0
Fy 0 1
M = 0 2
Fx = 0
Internal Roller
Fy 0 2 1
M = 0
Internal Fixed
Fx 0
Fy 0 0 3
M 0
Internal Slider
Fx 0
Fy = 0 1 2
M 0
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Review Innovations CE Review for November 2024 – Determinacy and Stability
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uploading or downloading is strictly prohibited and shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Review Innovations CE Review for November 2024 – Determinacy and Stability
S.I. to 𝟏°
S.I. to 𝟒°
Alternative solution (2D):
Beams & Trusses
frames
S. D. r = 3n m+r = 2j
S. I. r > 3n m+r > 2j
Unstable r < 3n m+r < 2j
where
r = reactive forces (internal + external) S.I. to 9°
n = no. of parts or free bodies
j = no. of joints
m = no. of members
DI = r – 3n (Beams & frames)
= r – 2j (Trusses)
S.I. to 6°
S.D.
S.I. to 𝟏°
S.I. to 𝟐°
PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
Unstable
S.D
S.D.
This review material is exclusively for the personal use of Review Innovations’ reviewees. Unauthorized reproduction, use, or dissemination,
uploading or downloading is strictly prohibited and shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
