Static Indeterminacy - GATE (Civil)

Study Notes in PDF

If you are preparing for GATE Civil 2018 Exam. it is crucial to study about Static
Indeterminacy as it is a commonly asked topic. Before beginning to analyse a structure,
it is important to know what kind of structure it is. Different types of structures may
need to be analysed using different methods. For example, structures that are
determinate may be completely analysed using only static equilibrium, whereas
indeterminate structures require the use of both static equilibrium and compatibility
relationships to find the internal forces. In addition, real structures must be stable. This
means that the structure can recover static equilibrium after a disturbance. There is no
point analysing a structure that is not stable.

This section will explain the concepts of determinacy, indeterminacy and stability and
show how to identify determinate, indeterminate and stable structures. Also, you can
take Online GATE Civil Mock Tests, to begin your preparations!

How to Find Static Indeterminacy

Structure: A system is subjected to elastic deformation on applying loads. The

deflected profile is non-Linear because of the internal resistance and if after removal of
load it can come back to its original position it is a structure.

Mechanism: Unstable structures are called mechanism.

1|Page
If on the removal of load the deformation does not disappear, the system is called
mechanism.

Classification of structure based on Dimensions

1. a) Plane Frame (2D system)

2. b) Space frame (3D system)

N.B: A triangular shape is a stable shape in pin-jointed 2D structure & tetrahedral is the
stable shape of pin-joined space structure.

Classification based on Type of Joint:

1. a) Pin jointed structure: Subjected to axial force only

2. b) Rigid jointed structure: Subjected to axial force and moment also

Equilibrium Equations:

Equilibrium equations are the balancing forces so that the structure doesn’t undergo
rigid body motion.

Equilibrium
Types of Structures
Equations
3 equilibrium equations.
i) Plane frame ΣH = 0, ΣV = 0,
ΣM = 0
ii) Space frame

(Fx , Fy – Shear force, 6 equilibrium equations.

ΣFX = ΣFy = ΣFz = 0
Fz – longitudinal force
ΣMX = ΣMy = ΣMz = 0
Mx, My – Bending moment,
Mz – Torsional moment)
2|Page
 iii) Pin – jointed

2 equilibrium equations.
ΣFX = ΣFy = 0
No moment is considered.

plane frame
3 equilibrium
iv) Pin jointed
equations.
space frame
ΣFX = ΣFy = ΣFz = 0
3 equilibrium
v) Rigid joint of
equations.
a plane frame
ΣFX = ΣFy = ΣM= 0

vi) Rigid joint of 6 equilibrium

a space frame equations.
ΣFX = ΣFy = ΣFz = 0
ΣMX = ΣMy = ΣMz = 0

Types of Support Reaction Component

i) Free End
No Reaction

ii) Roller Support

Only one reaction.
(Vertical reaction)

3|Page
 iii) Hinged Support
2 independent
reactions
(Horizontal, vertical)

iv) Fixed Support

3 independent
reaction

v) Vertical Guided Roller

2 independent
reaction

Calculating Static Indeterminacy:

Determinate Structure: if equilibrium equations are sufficient to analyse for

unknown forces, Structure is said to be statically determinate.

If the equilibrium equations are not sufficient to analyse the structure for the unknown
forces, the structure is said to be statically indeterminate.

4|Page
Calculation of Static Indeterminacy:

Ds = Total static indeterminacy

Dse = External indeterminacy (Related to support)

Dsi = Internal indeterminacy (Related to type of joint and configuration of member)

External Static Indeterminacy (Dse):-

Now, Dse = r - equilibrium equations

Where, r = Total no of reactions

This relation is valid for both pin-jointed & rigid jointed structure

Internal Static Indeterminacy (Dsi):-

1. i) For pin – jointed structure:-

Dsi = m – (2 j – 3)

Where, m = no of members

J = no of pin joints

If, m = (2j – 3) → perfect frame

m > (2j – 3) → Redundant / hyper-static frame

m < (2j - m) → Deficient frame (Internally unstable)

5|Page
Example:

N.B: A triangle is a stable shape in pin jointed plane structure.

N.B: Additional no of members beyond triangular shape represent internal

indeterminacy of pin-jointed plane structure.

Example:

In the given truss, internal indeterminacy

6|Page
Dsi = m – (2j – 3) = 19 – (2 × 10 – 3) = 2

Shortcut: In the given truss, the member 1 – 2 & 1 – 3 are excess after framing all
triangles. So there are two extra member beyond triangular shape. So the internal
indeterminacy will be = 2

Example:

Internal indeterminacy,

Dsi = m – (2j – 3)

= 2 – (2 × 3 – 3)

=-1

Shortcut: Here the bottom chord member is not present, so one extra member is
required to make the stable triangular shape. So the internal in determinacy will be = - 1

The given frame is internally unstable.

7|Page
Dsi for rigid jointed plane frames:-

Dsi = 3c: for rigid jointed plane frame

= 6c: for rigid jointed pace frame

Where C represents the no of cuts required to make a closed loop to an open tree
configuration.

Here in this structure, 2-3-4-5-2 is a closed loop but 1-2-5-6-1 is not a closed loop

So the internal static indeterminacy will be,

Dsi = 3c = 3 × 1 = 3

8|Page
Force Release:-

1.a) Moment hinge:-

The additional moment equilibrium equation due to a moment hinge is

= m’ – 1 – for rigid jointed plane frame

= 3 (m’ – 1) – for rigid jointed space frame

Where m’ = no of members connected to that hinge.

Example:-

The addition rotation at B due to moment hinge = m’ – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3

1.b) Horizontal Shear Release:-

Due to the introduction of horizontal shear release, horizontal force from one side to the
other side cannot be transferred. Therefore no of force release = 1

1.c) Vertical Shear Release:-

9|Page
Due to vertical shear release, vertical load cannot be transferred from one side to
another. So the force release is equal to one.

1.d) Link:-

A link cannot transfer moment & horizontal forces from one side to another. So the no
of force release is equal to two.

Example:-

For this frame,

Ds = Dse + Dsi – R

Now, Dse = r – 3 = (3 + 3 + 3) – 3 = 6

10 | P a g e
[Reaction at all the supports are 3]

Dsi = 3c – as rigid jointed plane frame

= 3 × 4 [Closed loops are DGHED, EHIFE, GJHG, HKIH]

= 12

R = Release

Now, Release due to moment hinge at E = m’ – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3

Release due to moment hinge at F = m’ – 1 = 3 – 1 = 2

Release due to moment hinge near D = m’ – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1

Release due to horizontal shear release = 1

Release due to vertical shear release = 1

Total Release R = 8

So, static indeterminacy, Ds = Dse + Dsi – R

= 6 + 12 – 8

= 10

Static Indeterminacy for Beams:-

Beams are open tree configuration, so no closed loop concept. No internal

indeterminacy.

11 | P a g e
Example:

Ds = Dse – R

Dse = r – 3 = 5 – 3 = 2 [2 reaction at A, 2 reaction at B & 1 vertical reaction at C]

R = 2 (due to link present)

So, Ds = Dse – R = 2 – 2 = 0

Official GATE Notification for 2018 is out! Click on the link below to read the Official
Notification, Eligibility Criteria, Application Fee and more!

Official GATE 2018 Notification!

Now that you know about Static Indeterminacy, you can begin with your preparation for
GATE 2018 by clicking on the link for Testbook's Practice Page!

Take me to Testbook Practice Page!

If you have more queries about Static Indeterminacy or Kinematic Indeterminacy, you
can share them on Testbook Discuss and get the solutions from our experts and your
fellow aspirants!

Take me to Testbook Discuss

12 | P a g e