MECHANICS OF STRUCTURES (ECS228)

Learning Outcome: At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: Identify types of structure, internal forces and forms of structure Identify types of joints in framed structure Understand Equation of equilibrium Identify conditions for determinacy

1.1 Introduction
Structures can be defined as forms or shapes such as buildings,

bridges, dams and walls and are designed to resist any applied load without losing their own strength capacities and any appreciable deformation. The fundamental purpose of the structure is to transmit all applied loads to the support systems and ultimately through the foundations and to the earth.

1.2 Types of structures

The most commonly structural elements:a) Beams b) Columns c) Arch d) Walls e) Trusses f) Foundations

1.3 Equation of equilibrium

A body will move when subjected to a force or moment applied

to it. If many forces and moments are applied to such a body, the resultant of all forces and moments will cause body to move. The body remain in equilibrium when the sum of all forces and the moments are equal to zero. FX = 0 FH = 0 M = 0

 In general, the structural mechanics involves determination of

unknown forces on the structures.

Statically determinate structure - The structure which requires the number of independent reaction components to be equal or not exceeding the number of applicable independent equations of equilibrium Statically indeterminate structure - The structure which have the extra or redundant reaction components. The number of independent reaction is greater that the number of equilibrium equations available.

1.4 Types of joint in framed structure

All the structural members in frames building or trusses must be

adequately connected together so that the applied loads are transferred safely to the ground/foundation. The type of connection or joints are basically divided into two:-

1.
2.

Stiff joint
Pinned joint

1.4.1 Stiff joint

A stiff joint is considered to have fixity at the point of connection

and is rigid.
Rigid joint Angle remain unaltered rotation Figure 1.1

The feature is that the flexure of one member meeting at the

joint has an effect on the other members as shown in Figure 1.1 If it is perfectly stiff, then the angle between the members remained unaltered while rotation takes place. Examples of stiff joints are steel portal frame and reinforced concrete frame

1.4.2 Pinned joint

Pinned joint also known as Hinge Joint Roof trusses and bridges are constructed using pinned joints These joint allow relative movement of the members and they

cannot resist bending moments, unlike in stiff joint The joint connections are usually formed by bolting or welding the ends of the members to common plate, called a gusset plate, as shown in Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2
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1.5 Conditions for determinacy

To be in a state of static equilibrium, a structure must meet the

requirement of stability. Structural stability is accomplished through the geometry of the members and the support conditions present The structures that are statically indeterminate can be classified either as externally or internally determinate depending upon the unknown forces. An internally statically indeterminate structure is the one that has redundent or extra members within the structures (trusses or frames). If a truss is constructed so that it does not hold its joint in a fixed position, it will unstable or have a critical form. An externally statically indeterminate structure is the one that have extra support reaction components Only beams and trusses will be mentioned here.
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 A simple truss will always be internally stable, since by the

nature of its construction it requires starting from a basic triangular element and adding succesive rigid elements, each containing 2 additional members and a joint as shown in Figure 1.3. If a truss is constructed so that it does not hold its joints in a fixed position, it will be unstable or have a critical form as shown in Figure 1.4.

Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4
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1.5.1 Beams
In the simple beam, the condition for determinancy is that the

support must be such that there are not more than three reactive forces. Examples are shown in Figure 1.5 for statically determinate beams

Simply supported

Cantilever beam

Figure 1.5: Statically determinate beams

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 The beam is called as a statically indeterminate if a beam is

built-in at one end and simply supported (or propped) at the other. There will be four reactions and these cannot be obtained from the three equations of equilibrium.

Continuous beam

End-supported or propped cantilever beam

Built-in beam Figure 1.6: Statically indeterminate beams

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1.5.2 Trusses
If an entire truss lies in a single plane, it is called a plane truss The most simple and stable truss consists of three straight

members connected together at their ends (Figure 1.7(a)). If two members are added to the truss to form another triangle (Figure 1.7(b)), then one more joint has been added. The trusses will remain perfect or stable if this relationship is satisfied or according to equation 1.

Figure 1.7(a)

Figure 1.7(b)
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 All trusses are determinate with respect to the external reaction

components. However trusses can be determinate or indeterminate with respect to internal forces in the members Trusses with redundant (extra) members are internally statically indeterminate and the member forces cannot be resolve using static alone. These forces can be calculated by using method of section, method of joints and graphical method.

Figure 1.8: Statically determinate truss Figure 1.9: Statically indeterminate truss
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1.6 Determinacy criteria for structure

There are three categories of determinacy for structure:1. Under stiff If there are more equilibrium equations than unknowns forces or reactions, the system is not a structure and is unstable. (Forms a mechanism) 2. Just stiff This is the statically determinate case where there exist the same number of equilibrium equations and the unknown reactions. If any member is removed the part of the whole structure will collapse. 3. Over stiff This is the statically indeterminate case where more unknown forces than the equilibrium equations available.
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1.6.1 Redundancy
Equation 1:1. For a fixed-joint or rigid (frame) n = (3m + r) (3j + c) 2. For a pinned-joint frame (truss) n = (m + r) (2j + c) Where: n = number of redundant r = number of reactions m = number of members j = number of joints c = number of additional (such as hinged) Note: n = 0 for statically determinate (just stiff) n > 0 for statically indeterminate (over stiff) n < 0 for unstable (under stiff)
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Case 1: Trusses
a)

Show that either the truss as shown in below is statically determinate, statically indeterminate or forms of mechanism.

Figure 1.10
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Case 2: simply supported beam

a) b)

Show that either the structure as shown in Figure 1.11 is statically determinate, statically indeterminate or forms of mechanism. If the structure is statically determinate, determine the reaction components.
10kN UDL = 2.5kN/m

4m Figure 1.11

2m

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Case 3: Frame structure

Determine the number of redundancy of the portal frame as

shown in Figure 1.12.

hinged

Figure 1.12

Roller support Fixed support

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