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

Trusses
P1

P2

a
F1
Fa

V = R1

Fb
F2
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.

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.

3m
C

A
4m
10 kN

4m

20 kN

20 kN
F

+ MA = 0:

FFE(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0
FFE = 6.67 kN (C)

3m
C

4m
10 kN
F

+ MF = 0:

FAB = 6.67 kN (T)

FFE

FAF
V = 10 kN
A

10 kN
+ Fy = 0:

FAB(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0

= 36.87o

FFB= F
F =F
AE
FAB

10 kN

20 kN

20 kN

3m

4m

8.33

6.67 kN
10 kN

20 - 10 - 2Fsin(36.87o) = 0
F = 8.33 kN
FFB = 8.33 kN (T)
FAE = 8.33 kN (C)

+ Fy = 0:

FAF - 10 - 8.33sin(36.87o) = 0
FAF = 15 kN (T)

 = 36.87o
V = 10 kN

FED

F = FDB
F = FEC
FBC

= 36.87o
6.67 kN
3m

8.33 kN

FDC

10 kN
+ Fy = 0:

10 - 2Fsin(36.87o) = 0

+ Fy = 0:

FDC - 8.33sin(36.87o) = 0

F = 8.33 kN
FDB = 8.33 kN (T)
FEC = 8.33 kN (C)
+ MC = 0:

FED(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0
FED = 6.67 kN (C)

+ MD = 0:

FBC(3) - 8.33cos36.87o(3) = 0
FBC = 6.67 kN (T)

FDC = 5 kN (C)

= 36.87o
6.67 kN

6.67 kN
8.33 kN

8.33 kN
FEB
+ Fy = 0:

FEB = 2(8.33sin36.87o) = 10 kN (T)

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
H

20 kN
G

10 kN
F

4m
A
40 kN

4m B

4m C 4m D 4m

E
40 kN

10 kN

FJA

J
4m

45o

FJB

FJI

FAI = 0
FAB

+ Fy = 0:
10 kN
FAI = 0

FJB = 42.43 kN (T)

FJI(4) - 42.43sin 45o(4) = 0
FJI = 30 kN (C)
+ MJ = 0:

20 kN
I

FAB(4) = 0
FAB = 0

45o

4m
A

+ MA = 0:

FJA = 40 kN (C)

40 - 10 - FJBcos 45o = 0

40 kN

40 kN

+ Fy = 0:

A
V = 30 kN

4m B

FIH

FIC

FBH = 0
FBC

V = 10 kN

40 kN
FBH = 0
+ Fy = 0:

40 - 10 - 20 - FICcos 45o = 0
FIC = 14.14 kN (T)

10 kN

20 kN
I

FIH

45o

4m
4m B

42.3 kN

FIC

FBH = 0
FBC

V = 10 kN

0
+ Fy = 0:

FBI
45o 0
45o

45o

30 kN

FBI = 42.3 sin 45o = 30 kN (T)

40 kN
+ MB = 0:
FIH(4) - 14.14sin

45o(4)

+ 10(4) - 40(4) = 0

FJH = 40 kN (C)
+ MI = 0:

FBC(4) - 40(4) + 10(4) = 0

FBC = 30 kN (T)

14.14 kN
30 kN

FCH

45o

14.14 kN
45o

30 kN

+ Fy = 0:
FBI = 2(14.1442.3 sin 45o) = 20 kN (C)

Vertical Loads on Building Frames

typical building frame

 Assumptions for Approximate Analysis

column

column

girder
A

B
L
(a)
w

Point of
zero A
moment

B
point of zero
0.21L
0.21L moment
L
(b)
w

0.1L

approximate case
(d)
B

L
Simply supported
(c)

assumed
points of
zero moment 0.1L
L

Point of
zero
moment

0.1L

0.8L 0.1L
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
F

1 kN/m
D

A
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

0.6 m
0.6 kN

2.4 kN

2.4 kN 2.4 kN

0.6(0.3) + 2.4(0.6) = 1.62 kNm

3 kN 0.6 m

0.6 kN
1.62 kNm

0.6 m 3 kN

12

Portal Frames and Trusses

Frames: Pin-Supported
P

P
h

assumed
hinge

l
(a)

Ph/2
Ph/2

l
(b)
L/2

Ph/2

L/2

P/2

Ph/2

P/2

Ph/l

Ph/l

P/2
(d)

Ph/l

P/2
(c)

Ph/l

13

Frames : Fixed-Supported

assumed
hinges

l
(a)

l
(b)

L/2
P

P/2
h/2

Ph/4
Ph/4

P/2

Ph/2l

Ph/4

P/2
Ph/2l
Ph/2l

Ph/2l
Ph/2l
P/2

Ph/4
(d)

Ph/4

h/2

Ph/2l

P/2
Ph/4

L/2

P/2

h/2
P/2
Ph/4
Ph/2l

(c)

Ph/2l

P/2
Ph/4

14

 Frames : Partial Fixity

P

P
assumed
hinges

h
h/3

h/3

l
(a)

(b)

Trusses
P

h/2
l
(a)

assumed
hinges
P/2

P/2
l
(b)

15

Example 4
Determine by approximate methods the forces acting in the members of the
Warren portal shown in the figure.
2m
40 kN C

4m
D

2m
E

2m
B

4m
7m

I
8m

16

2m

4m
D

40 kN C

2m
E

2m
H

+ MJ = 0:

N(8) - 40(5.5) = 0

3.5 m
J

40/2 = 20 kN = V

N = 27.5 kN

20 kN = V
N

N
V = 20 kN

V = 20 kN + M = 0:
A

3.5 m
A
V = 20 kN

M
N

M - 20(3.5) = 0

20 kN = V

M = 70 kNm

17

2m

2m

40 kN C FCD D
2m
B

FEF F

FEG

F
45o BD
FBH

FGH

2m

45o

3.5 m

3.5 m
J

K
20 kN = V

20 kN

27.5 kN

27.5 kN
+ Fy = 0:

-27.5 + FBDcos 45o = 0

+ Fy = 0:

FBD = 38.9 kN (T)

+ MB = 0:

FCD(2) - 40(2) - 20(3.5) = 0

FCD = 75 kN (C)

27.5 - FEGcos 45o = 0

FEG = 38.9 kN (C)

+ MG = 0:

FEF(2) - 20(3.5) = 0
FEF = 35 kN (T)

+ MD = 0: FBH(2) + 27.5(2) - 20(5.5) = 0

+ ME = 0: FGH(2) + 27.5(2) - 20(5.5) = 0

FBH = 27.5 kN (T)

FGH = 27.5 kN (C)

18

y
38.9 kN
D

75 kN

45o

45o

38.9 kN
+ Fy = 0:

FDE

45o

45o

27.5 kN

FDH

FDHsin 45o - 38.9sin 45o = 0

FDH = 38.9 kN (C)

+ F = 0:
x

27.5 kN

FHE

+ Fy = 0:

FHEsin 45o - 38.9sin 45o = 0

FHE = 38.9 kN (T)

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

FDE = 20 kN (C)

19

Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Portal Method

P

= inflection point
(a)

(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

3m
A

C
4m

E
4m

H
4m

21

5 kN B

3m

4m

C
4m

5 kN B

4m

1.5 m
I

2V

Iy

Jy
+ F = 0:
x

2V
Ky

L
Ly

5 - 6V = 0
V = 0.833 kN

22

2m

5 kN B
1.5 m

0.625 kN

0.833 kN

2m D

4.167 kN
4.167 kN
M

1.5 m

0.625 kN
1.666 kN

2m N

2.501kN

0.625kN

J
Jy = 0

Iy = 0.625kN
2.501 kN N 2 m F

2m

O0.835 kN

O
0.835 kN

0.625kN

1.5 m
0.625kN
K

1.666 kN

0.625 kN 1.5 m
L

0.625 kN = Ly

0.625 kN

0.625 kN

0.833 kN

Ky = 0

I
1.5 m

2m

0.625 kN
0.833kN

J
1.5 m
A
C
0.833 kN
1.25 kNm

1.666 kN

1.666kN
2.50 kNm

K
1.5 m
E

1.666 kN

1.666kN
2.5 kNm

L
1.5 m
H
0.625 kN

0.833 kN
0.833 kN
1.25 kNm

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.

20 kN

I
5m

30 kN

F
6m

B
8m

C
8m

24

20 kN

O
30 kN

P
M

I
Q

8m

5m

6m

8m

25

20 kN

2.5 m
V

Oy

+ F = 0:
x
G

20 kN

2V

Py

20 - 4V = 0

Py

V = 5 kN

5m
D

30 kN

3m
V

Jy

+ F = 0:
x

2V

Ky

20 + 30 - 4V = 0

Ly

V = 12.5 kN

26

20 kN

Ry = 3.125 kN

4m R

Rx = 15 kN

15 kN

2.5 m
10 kN

2.5 m
5 kN

3.125 kN
4m H

Oy = 3.125

O
2.5 m
30 kN
3m
12.5 kN

My = 12.5 kN

M
4m

Mx = 22.5 kN

4m

4m N
3m
K

12.5 kN
25 kN

Jy = 15.625 kN

A
Ax = 15.625 kN

3m
Ax = 12.5 kN
MA = 37.5 kNm

Ny = 12.5 kN
Nx = 7.5 kN

Ky = 0 kN

15.625kN
12.5 kN

10 kN
2.5 m

22.5 kN M

4m

Sx = 5 kN

Py = 0 kN

3.125 kN
5 kN

Sy = 3.125 kN

K
B
Bx = 0

25 kN
3m
Bx = 25 kN
MB = 75 kNm

27

Lateral Loads on Building Frames: Cantilever Method

P

beam
(a)

building frame
(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.
30 kN

C
D
4m
B
E

15 kN
4m
A

F
6m

29

30 kN

C
I
4m
B

4m

H
J

15 kN

6m

F
6m

~
x A 0( A) + 6( A)

x=
=
=3
A
A
A
+

30

3m

30 kN

3m

2m

Hx

+ MM = 0:
D

Kx

The unknowns can be related by proportional triangles,

that is
Hy

Hy

Ky

-30(2) + 3Hy + 3Ky = 0

Ky
3

or

Hy = Ky

H y = K y = 10 kN

30 kN

I
4m
B

H
J

15 kN
2m

3m

3m
Lx

Gy

-30(6) - 15(2) + 3Gy + 3Ly = 0

The unknowns can be related by proportional triangles,

that is
Gy
3

Gx

+ MN = 0:

Gy
3

or

G y = Ly

G y = L y = 35 kN

Ly

31

30 kN

Iy = 10 kN
3m

Ix = 15 kN

2m
Hx = 15 kN

10 kN
3m D

I
15 kN

Kx = 15 kN
10 kN

10 kN
10 kN

10 kN
15 kN

H
2m

Jy = 25 kN

15 kN

3m

2m

Jx = 7.5 kN

Gx = 22.5 kN
35 kN

Ax = 35 kN

15 kN
2m

3m

2m
L

25 kN
Lx = 22.5 kN

35 kN

35 kN
G

K
7.5 kN J

2m

22.5 kN
2m
Ax = 22.5 kN
MA = 45 kNm

35 kN
L
F
Fy = 35 kN

22.5 kN
2m
Fx = 22.5 kN
MF = 45 kNm

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

35 kN
4 mL

6000 mm2

5000mm2 4000 mm2

M
N

45 kN
6 mE

F
6000 mm2
A
6m

G
5000mm2 4000 mm2
B
C
4m

6000 mm2

H
6000 mm2
D

8m

33

35 kN

4 mL

45 kN

R
O

6 mE

F
A

G
B

6m

H
C

4m

D
8m

5000mm2 4000 mm2

6000 mm2
6m

4m

6000 mm2
8m

~
x A 6000(0) + 5000(6) + 4000(10) + 6000(18)

=
x=
= 8.48 m
A
6000
+
5000
+
4000
+
6000

34

35 kN
2m

Q
Mx

Lx

R
Nx

My

Ly

Ox
Ny

Oy

2.48 m 1.52 m
8.48 m
+ MNA = 0:

9.52 m

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

-----(1)

Since any column stress is proportional to its distance from the neutral axis

M
2.48

N
1.52

O
9.52

=
=

L
8.48

L
8.48

L
8.48

M =

2.48
L ;
8.48

N =

1.52
L ;
8.48

O =

9.52
L ;
8.48

Solving Eqs. (1) - (4) yields

My
6

Ly
2.48
(
)
6
8.48 6000(10 )

( 2)

Ly
1.52
(
)
6
8.48 6000(10 )

(3)

Ly
9.52
(
)
8.48 6000(10 6 )

( 4)

5000(10 )
Ny
4000(10 )

Oy
6000(10 6 )

Ly = 3.508 kN
Ny = 0.419 kN

My = 0.855 kN
Oy = 3.938 kN

35

35 kN
4m L

M
I

45 kN
3m

Ey

K
Gx

Fy
8.48 m

+ MNA = 0:

J
Fx

Ex

Hx
Gy

2.48 m 1.52 m

Hy
9.52 m

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

Since any column stress is proportional to its distance from the neutral axis ;
Fy
Ey
F

2.48
2.48
= E ; F =
E ;
=
(
)
(6)
6
6
2.48 8.48
8.48
5000(10 ) 8.48 6000(10 )

G
1.52

H
9.52

=
=

E
8.48

E
8.48

1.52
E ;
8.48

G =

9.52
H =
E ;
8.48

Gy

Ey
1.52
(
)
8.48 6000(10 6 )

(7)

Ey
9.52
=
(
)
6000(10 6 ) 8.48 6000(10 6 )

(8)

4000(10 6 )
Hy

Solving Eqs. (1) - (4) yields Ey = 19.044 kN Fy = 4.641 kN Gy = 2.276 kN Hy = 21.38 kN

36

3m

35 kN
2m
Lx= 5.262 kN

Py= 3.508 kN
Px= 29.738 kN

3.508 kN
3.508 kN

45 kN

2m

3m
Ex= 64.44 kN

5.262 kN
Iy= 15.536 kN
I
Ix= 114.702 kN
3m
19.044 kN
19.044 kN

64.44 kN

3m
Ax = 19.044 kN

Ax = 64.44 kN
MA = 193.32 kNm

One can continue to analyze the

other segments in sequence, i.e.,
PQM, then MJFI, then FB, and so on.

37