Determinacy and

Stability of Structures
Theory of Structure - I

Lecture Outlines
Introduction
Equations
Types

of Equilibrium

of Supports and Restraints

Stability

and Determinacy

Idealized

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Structure

Introduction
Free

Body Diagram

Simplified picture of the structure, isolated from its

supports, on which are shown all the external
forces that act on the structure.
These forces include the applied loads and the
reactions that the supports exert on structure.

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FREE BODY DIAGRAM

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Equations of Equilibrium
For

complete static equilibrium in 2D, three

requirements must be met:
1. External Horizontal forces balance
(translation).
2. External Vertical forces balance
(translation).
3. External Moments balance about any point
(rotational).
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 The

above requirements may be stated

mathematically as:
1. Fx = 0

Positive

2. Fy = 0

Positive

3. z = 0

Positive

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Sign Conventions

Types of Supports and

Restraints

Roller Support

Fixed Support

Hinge Support

Simple Support

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Hinge
Support

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Roller
Support

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Stability and Determinacy

Determinate

Structure

A structure for which all the unknown reactions

can be determined using the equations of
equilibrium is referred to as a determinate
structure.

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Determinate
Structure

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 Indeterminate

Structure

The structure possesses more unknown reactions

than equations of equilibrium, is referred to as an
indeterminate structure.

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Indeterminate
Structure

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 Unstable

Structure

A structure in which there are an insufficient

number of reactions to prevent motion from taking
place, is called an unstable structure.

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Unstable
Structure

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Idealized Structure
The

structure is made in a line form and the

supports are replaced with the reactions.

This

new line shape of a structure along with

the symbolic reactions and applied loadings
(similar to free body diagram), is called the
IDEALIZED STRUCTURE.

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