The theory of structures deals with the principles and

methods by which direct stress, the shear and bending

moment, and the deflection at any section of each
constituent member in the structure may calculated
under given conditions of loading.

The Theory of Structures is concerned with

establishing an understanding of the behaviour of
structures such as beams, trusses, columns, frames,
plates and shells, when subjected to applied loads or
other actions which have the effect of changing the
state of stress and deformation of the structure.
Structure
A stable assembly of structural elements designed and
constructed to function as a whole in supporting and
transmitting applied loads safely to the ground without
exceeding the allowable stresses in the members.
A combination of units constructed and so integrated in
an organized way, as to provide rigidity between its
elements.
Linear structure
A structural member having a length that
dominates its other two dimensions.
Surface structure
A structural element having a length and width
that dominates its thickness
Rigid
Structure member having a shape that does not
change appreciably under the action of an applied load
or changing loads.

Bulk-active structure
A structure or structural member that redirects
external forces primarily through the and continuity of
its materials, as beam or column.
Vector-active structure
A structure that redirects external forces primarily
through the composition of tension and compression
member, as a truss.
Surface-active structure
A structure that redirects external forces primarily
along the continuity of a surface as a plate or shell.
Flexible
Structure or structural member characterized
by lack of stiffness and having a shape that
responds to changes in loading.
Form- active structure
A structure or structural member that
redirects external forces primarily through
the form of its material, as an arch or cable
Structural member
One of the constituent parts into which a structure may be
resolved by analysis, having a unitary character and exhibiting a
unique behaviour under an applied load.
Compression member
A structural member subjects primarily to compressive
forces.
Strut
A structural member designed primarily to resist
longitudinal compression.
Tension member
A structural member subject primarily to tensile forces.
Tie
A tension member designed to keep two structural
members from spreading or separating.
Bending member
A structural member subject primarily to transverse forces.
One-way
Structure or structural member having a load
carrying mechanism that acts in one direction
only.
Two-way
Structure or structural member having a load
carrying mechanism that acts into or more
directions.
Beam
A rigid structural member designed to carry and
transfer transverse loads across space to
supporting elements
span
The extent of space between two supports of a
structure. Also, the structure so supported.
clear span
The distance between the inner faces of the supports
of a span.
effective span
The center-to-center between the supports of a
span.
Dead loads- the weight of the structure itself,
including the weight of fixtures and
equipment permanently attached to it.
Live loads- the moving or movable external
load on a structure, includes the weight
of furnishings of a building, of people, of
equipment , etc, but does not include
wind load.
Shear- a deformation in a member or flexural
member in which parallel planes slide
relative to each other so as to remain
parallel.
Bending moment-the property by which a
force tends to cause a body to which it is
applied to rotate about a point or line, it
is equal in magnitude to the product of
the force and the perpendicular distance
of the point from the line of action of the
force.
Determinacy of Beams and Trusses
Criterion established for stability and determinacy of
beams.
1. If r < c + 3 the beam is unstable
2. If r = c + 3 the beam is statically determinate
provided that no geometric instability
( internal or external ) is involved
3. If r > c + 3 the is statically indeterminate
Where:
r = the number of reaction elements
c = the number of equations of conditions
c = 1.0 for hinged
c=2 for roller
c=0 for beam without internal connection
There are beams where the number of reaction
elements is greater than the total number of
independent equations of statics available. The excess
number of unknown elements indicates the degree of
indeterminacy.

From the beam shown:

c=0 r>c+3
r=6 6>0+3
6 > 3 ( indeterminate 3rd degree)
 Criterion established for stability and
determinacy of trusses
1. If b + r < 2j the system is unstable
2. If b + r = 2j the system is statically determinate
provided that it is stable
3. If b + r > 2j the system is statically
indeterminate
Where:
b =the number of bars
r = the number of reaction components
b + r =the number of unknown element elements
of the entire system
j = the number of joints
From the given truss shown:
b = 13
r= 3
j=8

◦ b + r =16
◦ 2j = 16
◦ b + r = 2j ( statically determinate)