Solving for redundant reactions and forces in beams and

trusses
Wednesday, August 27, 2014

11:46 PM

In this lecture we will calculate redundant forces and reactions using

The method of least work
Redundant reaction in beam
Redundant force in truss
Redundant force in composite structure
Beam on springs
The Method of Consistent Deformations
Reaction in beams
Support settlement

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Method of Least Work to find redundant forces

Monday, September 15, 2014

8:01 PM

Castigliano's theorem states that the displacement at point k is equal to the first derivative of the strain energy in
the structure with respect to a force acting at point k (in the direction of the displacement

At a support, the displacement is zero. For example,

So, to solve for the reaction VB in the beam

Remove the redundant support at B
Replace the support by an unknown force V
Find the energy U in the beam in terms of the unknown V
Apply Castigliano's Theorem and solve for V

You can also think of this expression as the minimization of the energyie, find the force V that
minimizes the energy U. In a structure, all members meeting at a point (for example, columns, beams,
girders meeting at a joint) will deflect the same amount. That amount will be the smallest possible value
required to maintain equilibrium. Each member does no more work than necessary. The TOTAL work
performed by the SUM of all members is the LEAST possible. Thus, the name "Least Work."

FOR BEAMS

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FOR TRUSSES

Remove the redundant member

Replace by an unknown force T
Solve for all internal forces in terms of T
Minimize the energy wrt T and solve for T

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Method of Least Work to determine redundant reaction

in beam
Monday, September 15, 2014

8:59 PM

(Example 21.5 McCormack)

Remove redundant at A
Replace by force V
Solve for moments M(V)

Apply Castigliano's (minimize Energy)

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Method of Least Work to determine forces redundant

truss
Monday, September 15, 2014

9:37 PM

Determine the force in member CD

Constant E

Areas as shown

SOLUTION
Member CD is assumed to be the redundant member and is assigned the unknown internal force T.
Calculate all other forces in terms of T
Find the energy of the system, solve for the force T that minimizes the energy

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Method of Least Work used to solve composite structures

Monday, September 15, 2014

10:11 PM

The Method of Least Work is particularly useful in analyzing composite structures such as the one considered here.
EXAMPLE
Calculate the force in the steel rod of the composite structure.

SOLUTION
Assume the rod to be the redundant with force T.

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Method of Consistent Deformation (a force-method)

Monday, September 15, 2014

11:46 PM

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Definition of "Linear Flexibility Coefficient"

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

12:16 AM

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Find indeterminate reaction in a beam using the Method

of Consistent Deformations
Tuesday, September 16, 2014

12:08 AM

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Method of Consistent Deformations to calculate reactions

when a support settles
Tuesday, September 16, 2014

12:51 AM

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Least work to solve beam on springs

Saturday, September 20, 2014

3:34 PM

(from Boresi and Schmidt)

Determine
the load carried by each spring,
the deflection of the spring under the load,
the maximum bending moment, and
the maximum bending stress in the beam

SOLUTION
Assume that the springs are attached to the beam and can develop tensile as well as compressive forces.
(Note: different from beam on elastic foundation where the soil can only develop compressive forces)

Assume Rb, Rc, and Rd are REDUNDANT reactions

The moments of the three segments of the beam are:

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The moments of the three segments of the beam are:

Substitute , integrate and simplify

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