CE 3222 2015-2016

Frames
 A structure is called a frame if at least one of its individual members is a multiforce
member. A multiforce member is defined as one with three or more forces acting on
it, or one with two or more forces and one or more couples acting on it.
 Two-dimensional rigid frames consist of members all of which lie in a single plane.
The term rigid is used here to mean noncollapsible and also to mean that deformation
of the members due to induced internal strains is negligible.
 Because frames contain multiforce members, the forces in these members in general
will not be in the directions of the members.

Strategies for Analysing Frames

 Frames can often be solved by dismembering the structure and analyzing several of its
subsystems

 If two members joined by a connection are both part of the subsystem, then the
interactions at that connection are “internal to the subsystem” and are not included on
the FBD of the subsystem

 When drawing forces and couples representing interactions between two connected
bodies strictly obey Newton’s 3rd law

 We do not need to use all the available subsystems and associated equations of
equilibrium

 We need a strategy for problem solving which includes choosing subsystems, and
choosing a sequence of equations to solve

If the frame or machine constitutes a rigid unit by itself when removed from its supports (i.e.
internally rigid), like the A-frame in the figure shown below the analysis is best begun by
establishing all the forces external to the structure treated as a single rigid body. We then
dismember the structure and consider the equilibrium of each part separately to determine
internal forces.

If the structure is not a rigid unit by itself (i.e. internally non-rigid) but depends on its
external supports for rigidity, as illustrated in the figure below, then the calculation of the

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external support reactions is not usually completed until the structure is dismembered and the
individual parts are analyzed.

Examples:
Examples 2.12 and 2.13 on pages 65 to 67 of hibbeler.

Review Exercise
1. Determine the horizontal and vertical reactions at the connections A and C of the gable
frame. Assume that A, B, and C are pin connections. The purlin loads such as D and E
are applied perpendicular to the centre line of each girder.

2. Determine all reactions for the frame shown below

3. Determine all reactions. The uniform loads on all the girders extend to the centre line
of the columns

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4. The frame is pin connected at points A, B and C. Determine the reaction forces at
points A, B and D.

5. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction at the pin connections A,
B, and C of the supporting gable arch.

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