APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY

INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES
! Trusses
! Vertical Loads on Building Frames
! Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Portal
Method
! Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Cantilever
Method Problems

1
Trusses

P1 P2
a a
F1
Fa
Fb V = R1

F2
a a
R1 (a) R2 R1 (b)

Method 1 : If the diagonals are intentionally designed to be long and slender,

it is reasonable to assume that the panel shear is resisted entirely by the tension diagonal,
whereas the compressive diagonal is assumed to be a zero-force member.

Method 2 : If the diagonal members are intended to be constructed from large

rolled sections such as angles or channels, we will assume that the tension and compression
diagonals each carry half the panel shear.

2
Example 1

Determine (approximately) the forces in the members of the truss shown in

Figure. The diagonals are to be designed to support both tensile and compressive
forces, and therefore each is assumed to carry half the panel shear. The support
reactions have been computed.

F E D

3m
C
A B
4m 4m
10 kN 20 kN

3
 20 kN
F E D
+ ΣMA = 0: FFE(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0

3m FFE = 6.67 kN (C)

C
A B
4m 4m 10 kN + ΣMF = 0: FAB(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0
10 kN 20 kN
FAB = 6.67 kN (T)
20 kN
F θ = 36.87o
FFE
θ FAF
3m FFB= F V = 10 kN 8.33
F =F
θ AE θ
FAB A 6.67 kN
A
10 kN 10 kN
+ ΣFy = 0: 20 - 10 - 2Fsin(36.87o) = 0

F = 8.33 kN
+ ΣFy = 0: FAF - 10 - 8.33sin(36.87o) = 0
FFB = 8.33 kN (T)
FAF = 15 kN (T)
FAE = 8.33 kN (C)
4
 θ = 36.87o
FED D θ = 36.87o
θ D
F = FDB 6.67 kN
θ
V = 10 kN F = FEC 3m 8.33 kN
θ C
FBC FDC

10 kN

+ ΣFy = 0: 10 - 2Fsin(36.87o) = 0 + ΣFy = 0: FDC - 8.33sin(36.87o) = 0

F = 8.33 kN FDC = 5 kN (C)

FDB = 8.33 kN (T)
θ = 36.87o
FEC = 8.33 kN (C) E
6.67 kN 6.67 kN
θ θ
8.33 kN 8.33 kN
+ ΣMC = 0: FED(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0
FEB
FED = 6.67 kN (C)
+ ΣFy = 0:
+ ΣMD = 0: FBC(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0 FEB = 2(8.33sin36.87o) = 10 kN (T)
FBC = 6.67 kN (T)
5
Example 2

Determine (approximately) the forces in the members of the truss shown in

Figure. The diagonals are slender and therefore will not support a compressive
force. The support reactions have been computed.

10 kN 20 kN 20 kN 20 kN 10 kN

J I H G F

4m

A 4m B 4m C 4m D 4m E

40 kN 40 kN

6
 10 kN FJA
0
J
FJI θ
A 0
FJB
45o V = 30 kN
4m FAI = 0 40 kN
FAB
A
+ ΣFy = 0: FJA = 40 kN (C)
40 kN
10 kN 20 kN
FAI = 0
J I
FIH
+ ΣFy = 0: 40 - 10 - FJBcos 45o = 0 FIC
45o V = 10 kN
4m
FJB = 42.43 kN (T) FBH = 0
FBC
A 4m B
+ ΣMA = 0: FJI(4) - 42.43sin 45o(4) = 0
40 kN
FJI = 30 kN (C) FBH = 0

+ ΣMJ = 0: FAB(4) = 0 + ΣFy = 0: 40 - 10 - 20 - FICcos 45o = 0

FAB = 0 FIC = 14.14 kN (T)

7
 10 kN 20 kN
FBI
42.3 kN
J I
FIH 45o 0
45o 45o
FIC 0 30 kN
45o V = 10 kN
4m B
FBH = 0
FBC
A 4m B + ΣFy = 0: FBI = 42.3 sin 45o = 30 kN (T)
40 kN

+ ΣMB = 0: FCH
14.14 kN 14.14 kN
FIH(4) - 14.14sin 45o(4) + 10(4) - 40(4) = 0
45o 45o
FJH = 40 kN (C) 30 kN 30 kN
C

+ ΣMI = 0: FBC(4) - 40(4) + 10(4) = 0

+ ΣFy = 0:
FBC = 30 kN (T)
FBI = 2(14.1442.3 sin 45o) = 20 kN (C)

8
Vertical Loads on Building Frames

typical building frame

9
• Assumptions for Approximate Analysis

column w column

girder
A B
L
(a) w
w
assumed
A B points of
point of zero
0.1L zero moment 0.1L
0.21L moment 0.21L L
L
(b) approximate case
w (d)
Point of Point of
zero A B zero w
moment moment
L
0.1L 0.8L 0.1L
Simply supported
(c) model (e) 10
Example 3

Determine (approximately) the moment at the joints E and C caused by members

EF and CD of the building bent in the figure.

1 kN/m

E F

1 kN/m

C D

A B

6m

11
 1 kN/m

4.8 kN
1 kN/m

4.8 m 4.8 m

0.1L=0.6 m 2.4 kN 2.4 kN

0.6 m

0.6 kN 2.4 kN 2.4 kN 0.6 kN

0.6(0.3) + 2.4(0.6) = 1.62 kN•m 1.62 kN•m

3 kN 0.6 m 0.6 m 3 kN

12
Portal Frames and Trusses
∆ ∆
• Frames: Pin-Supported
P P
assumed
h h hinge

l l
(a) (b)
Ph/2
Ph/2 L/2 L/2
Ph/2
P P/2 P/2
Ph/2
Ph/l Ph/l
h h

P/2 P/2
(d)
Ph/l (c) Ph/l
13
• Frames : Fixed-Supported ∆ ∆
P P

assumed
h hinges
h

l l
(a) L/2 (b) L/2
P P/2 P/2
h/2 Ph/2l Ph/2l h/2
Ph/4
Ph/4 Ph/4 P/2 P/2
Ph/4 Ph/2l Ph/2l
Ph/2l Ph/2l
P/2 P/2
h/2
Ph/4 Ph/4
P/2 P/2
(d) Ph/4 Ph/4
Ph/2l (c) Ph/2l
14
• Frames : Partial Fixity
P P

θ assumed θ
h hinges

h/3 h/3

l
(a) (b)
• Trusses

P P

∆ ∆
assumed
h hinges
h/2
P/2 P/2

l l
(a) (b)
15
Example 4

Determine by approximate methods the forces acting in the members of the

Warren portal shown in the figure.

2m 4m 2m

40 kN C D E F

2m

B H G
4m
7m

A I

8m

16
 2m 4m 2m

40 kN C D E F

2m
+ ΣMJ = 0:
B H G
N(8) - 40(5.5) = 0
3.5 m
J K N = 27.5 kN
40/2 = 20 kN = V 20 kN = V

N N
N N

V = 20 kN V = 20 kN + ΣM = 0:
A

3.5 m M - 20(3.5) = 0
A I
20 kN = V M = 70 kN•m
V = 20 kN M M
N N

17
 2m 2m
FEF F
40 kN C FCD D E
2m F FEG 2m
45o BD FGH 45o
FBH
B G
3.5 m 3.5 m
J K
20 kN 20 kN = V

27.5 kN 27.5 kN

+ ΣFy = 0: -27.5 + FBDcos 45o = 0 + ΣFy = 0: 27.5 - FEGcos 45o = 0

FBD = 38.9 kN (T) FEG = 38.9 kN (C)

+ ΣMB = 0: FCD(2) - 40(2) - 20(3.5) = 0 + ΣMG = 0: FEF(2) - 20(3.5) = 0

FCD = 75 kN (C) FEF = 35 kN (T)

+ ΣMD = 0: FBH(2) + 27.5(2) - 20(5.5) = 0 + ΣME = 0: FGH(2) + 27.5(2) - 20(5.5) = 0

FBH = 27.5 kN (T) FGH = 27.5 kN (C)
18
 y
y
38.9 kN FHE
D FDE 45o 45o
75 kN x 27.5 kN x
45o 45o 27.5 kN
H
38.9 kN FDH

+ ΣFy = 0: FDHsin 45o - 38.9sin 45o = 0 + ΣFy = 0: FHEsin 45o - 38.9sin 45o = 0

FDH = 38.9 kN (C) FHE = 38.9 kN (T)

+ ΣF = 0: 75 - 2(38.9 cos 45o) - FDE = 0

x

FDE = 20 kN (C)

19
Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Portal Method

= inflection point
(a)

V V V V
(b)
20
Example 5

Determine by approximate methods the forces acting in the members of the

Warren portal shown in the figure.

5 kN B D F G

3m

A C E H

4m 4m 4m

21
 5 kN B M D N F O G

3m I J K L

A C E H

4m 4m 4m

5 kN B M D N F O G

1.5 m
V I 2V J 2V K V L

Iy Jy Ky Ly

+ ΣF = 0: 5 - 6V = 0
x

V = 0.833 kN

22
 2m
5 kN B 4.167 kN 2m D 2m N
2.501kN
M 4.167 kN
1.5 m 1.5 m
0.625 kN 0.625 kN 0.625kN
0.833 kN I 1.666 kN J

Iy = 0.625kN Jy = 0

2.501 kN N 2 m F 2m O0.835 kN O 2m G
0.835 kN
0.625kN 1.5 m 0.625 kN 1.5 m
0.625kN
1.666 kN K 0.833 kN L

Ky = 0 0.625 kN = Ly

0.625 kN 0.625 kN
1.666 kN 1.666 kN
I 0.833kN J 0.833 kN
K L
1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m
A C E H
0.833 kN 1.666kN 1.666kN 0.833 kN
0.625 kN 1.25 kN•m 2.50 kN•m 2.5 kN•m 0.625 kN 1.25 kN•m
23
Example 6

Determine (approximately) the reactions at the base of the columns of the frame
shown in Fig. 7-14a. Use the portal method of analysis.

G H I
20 kN

5m
D E F
30 kN

6m

A B C

8m 8m

24
 G R H S I
20 kN

O P Q 5m
D M E N F
30 kN

J K L 6m

A B C

8m 8m

25
 G I
20 kN
2.5 m
V 2V V
Oy Py Py

+ ΣF = 0: 20 - 4V = 0 V = 5 kN
x

G H I
20 kN

5m
D E F
30 kN
3m

V´ 2V´ V´
Jy Ky Ly

+ ΣF = 0: 20 + 30 - 4V´ = 0 V´ = 12.5 kN
x

26
 Ry = 3.125 kN 3.125 kN Sy = 3.125 kN
G 4m R R 4m H S
20 kN Rx = 15 kN Sx = 5 kN
15 kN 2.5 m 4m
2.5 m
10 kN
5 kN
Oy = 3.125
Py = 0 kN
3.125 kN

5 kN 10 kN
O My = 12.5 kN P Ny = 12.5 kN
2.5 m 2.5 m
M 22.5 kN M
30 kN Nx = 7.5 kN
4m Mx = 22.5 kN 4m 4m N
3m 3m
12.5 kN
12.5 kN J K
25 kN

Jy = 15.625 kN Ky = 0 kN
15.625kN
25 kN
J 12.5 kN K
3m 3m
A B
Ax = 12.5 kN Bx = 25 kN
Ax = 15.625 kN MA = 37.5 kN•m Bx = 0 MB = 75 kN•m
27
Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Cantilever Method
P

beam building frame

(a) (b)
In summary, using the cantilever method, the following assumptions apply to
a fixed-supported frame.
1. A hinge is place at the center of each girder, since this is assumed to be point
of zero moment.
2. A hinge is placed at the center of each column, since this is assumed to be
a point of zero moment.
3. The axial stress in a column is proportional to its distance from the centroid
of the cross-sectional areas of the columns at a given floor level. Since stress equals force
per area, then in the special case of the columns having equal cross-sectional areas,
the force in a column is also proportional to its distance from the centroid of the column areas.
28
Example 7

Determine (approximately) the reactions at the base of the columns of the frame
shown. The columns are assumed to have equal crossectional areas. Use the
cantilever method of analysis.

C
30 kN
D

4m
B
15 kN E

4m
A F

6m

29
 C x
30 kN
D
I
4m H K
B J
15 kN E 6m

4m G L
A F ~
x=
∑ x A 0( A) + 6( A)
= =3
6m ∑ A A + A

30
 3m 3m
C + ΣMM = 0: -30(2) + 3Hy + 3Ky = 0
30 kN D
2m I The unknowns can be related by proportional triangles,
Kx that is
Hx M
Hy Ky
= or Hy = Ky
Hy Ky 3 3

H y = K y = 10 kN

C
30 kN D + ΣMN = 0: -30(6) - 15(2) + 3Gy + 3Ly = 0
I
4m H K The unknowns can be related by proportional triangles,
B that is
J
15 kN E Gy Gy
2m 3m 3m = or G y = Ly
Lx 3 3
Gx N G y = L y = 35 kN
Gy Ly

31
 Iy = 10 kN 10 kN
C 3m I 3m D
30 kN Ix = 15 kN
15 kN 2m
2m
Kx = 15 kN
Hx = 15 kN
10 kN
10 kN
10 kN 10 kN
15 kN 15 kN
H Jy = 25 kN K
2m 2m
J 7.5 kN J 3m
15 kN
2m 3m Jx = 7.5 kN 2m
25 kN
G L
Gx = 22.5 kN Lx = 22.5 kN

35 kN 35 kN
35 kN 35 kN
22.5 kN
G 22.5 kN L
2m 2m
A F
Ax = 22.5 kN Fx = 22.5 kN
Ax = 35 kN MA = 45 kN•m Fy = 35 kN MF = 45 kN•m
32
Example 8

Show how to determine (approximately) the reactions at the base of the columns
of the frame shown. The columns have the crossectional areas show. Use the
cantilever of analysis.

P Q R
35 kN
6000 mm2 5000mm2 4000 mm2 6000 mm2
4 mL M N O
I J K
45 kN

6 mE F G H
6000 mm2 5000mm2 4000 mm2 6000 mm2
A B C D

6m 4m 8m

33
 P Q R
35 kN

4 mL M N O
I J K
45 kN

6 mE F G H

A B C D

6m 4m 8m

6000 mm2 5000mm2 4000 mm2 6000 mm2

6m 4m 8m
x

~
x=
∑ x A 6000(0) + 5000(6) + 4000(10) + 6000(18)
= = 8.48 m
∑ A 6000 + 5000 + 4000 + 6000
34
 P Q R
35 kN
2m Mx Nx Ox

Lx
My
Ly Ny Oy

2.48 m 1.52 m
8.48 m 9.52 m

+ ΣMNA = 0: -35(2) + Ly(8.48) + My(2.48) + Ny(1.52) + Oy(9.52) = 0 -----(1)

Since any column stress σ is proportional to its distance from the neutral axis
σM σL 2.48 My 2.48 Ly
= ; σM = σL ; −6
= ( −6
) − − − − − ( 2)
2.48 8.48 8.48 5000(10 ) 8.48 6000(10 )
σN σL 1.52 Ny 1.52 Ly
= ; σN = σL ; −6
= ( −6
) − − − − − (3)
1.52 8.48 8.48 4000(10 ) 8.48 6000(10 )
σO σL 9.52 Oy 9.52 Ly
= ; σO = σL ; = ( ) − − − − − ( 4)
9.52 8.48 8.48 6000(10 −6 ) 8.48 6000(10 −6 )

Solving Eqs. (1) - (4) yields Ly = 3.508 kN My = 0.855 kN

Ny = 0.419 kN Oy = 3.938 kN
35
 35 kN

4m L M N O
I J K
45 kN
3m Fx Gx Hx
Ex Fy Gy
Ey Hy
2.48 m 1.52 m
8.48 m 9.52 m

+ ΣMNA = 0: -45(3) - 35(7) + Ey(8.48) + Fy(2.48) + Gy(1.52) + Hy(9.52) = 0 -----(5)

Since any column stress σ is proportional to its distance from the neutral axis ;
σF σ 2.48 Fy 2.48 Ey
= E ; σF = σE ; −6
= ( −6
) − − − − − (6)
2.48 8.48 8.48 5000(10 ) 8.48 6000(10 )
σG σE 1.52 Gy 1.52 Ey
= ; σG = σE ; = ( ) − − − − − (7)
1.52 8.48 8.48 4000(10 −6 ) 8.48 6000(10 −6 )
σH σE 9.52 Hy 9.52 Ey
= ; σH = σE ; = ( ) − − − − − (8)
9.52 8.48 8.48 6000(10 −6 ) 8.48 6000(10 −6 )
Solving Eqs. (1) - (4) yields Ey = 19.044 kN Fy = 4.641 kN Gy = 2.276 kN Hy = 21.38 kN
36
 Py= 3.508 kN
3m
35 kN Px= 29.738 kN
2m
Lx= 5.262 kN

3.508 kN

3.508 kN
5.262 kN
Iy= 15.536 kN
2m I
45 kN Ix= 114.702 kN
3m 3m

Ex= 64.44 kN 19.044 kN

19.044 kN
E 64.44 kN
3m One can continue to analyze the
Ax = 64.44 kN other segments in sequence, i.e.,
Ax = 19.044 kN MA = 193.32 kN•m PQM, then MJFI, then FB, and so on.
37