Lecture Module no.

4
Kinetic Indeterminacy and Degrees of Freedom
Sources:
Structural Analysis Fourth Edition – Kassimali
www.learnaboutstructures.com

Prepared By:

AdU Civil Engineering Faculty

 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Kinetic Indeterminacy
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

When the structure is loaded, the joints undergo displacements in the form of translations
and rotations. In the displacement based analysis, these joint displacements are treated as
unknown or indeterminate quantities.

The joint displacements in a structure is treated as independent if each displacement

(translation and rotation) can be varied arbitrarily and independently of all other
displacements.
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Degree of Kinematic Indeterminacy
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

it is defined as the number of non-zero joint displacement of the structure. It is also Called
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

as Degree of Freedom

The degrees-of-freedom in a structure can be regarded as the possible components of

displacements of the nodes including those at which some support conditions are provided.
In pin-jointed, plane-frames each node, unless restrained, can displace a small amount δ
which can be resolved in to horizontal and vertical components δH and δV as shown.
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Degree of Kinematic Indeterminacy
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

it is defined as the number of non-zero joint displacement of the structure. It is also Called
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

as Degree of Freedom

Formula for Degree of Kinematic Indeterminacy is:

Dk = 3j – r (for Beams)
Dk = 3j – r (for Frames)
Dk = 2j – r (for Trusses)

If Dk = 0 then the structure is kinematically determinate

 KINETIC INDETERMINACY

A Fixed Beam
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

is kinematically determinate because fixed supports don’t allow any translation and
rotation on the system. Also it is statically indeterminate to 3rd degree because.
No. of Joint = 2 No. of Reaction = 6
No. of Reaction = 6 r > ec + 3

Dk = 3(2) – 6 = 0 6>0+3
Therefore, kinematically determinate Therefore, Statically indeterminate to the 3rd
Degree
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
A simply supported beam No. of Joint = 2
No. of Reaction = 3
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Dk = 3(2) – 3 = 3
Is Kinematically indeterminate to 3rd Degree because Therefore, kinematically indeterminate
to 3rd Degree
the hinge support is allowed to rotate and the roller
support is allowed to rotate and translate along X-
axis

A Cantilever beam No. of Joint = 2

No. of Reaction = 3

Dk = 3(2) – 3 = 3
Is Kinematically indeterminate to 3rd Degree Therefore, kinematically indeterminate
because fixed support at A don’t allow any to 3rd Degree
translation while free end at point B allow
translation along x and y and rotation.
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Consider Propped Beam
No. of Joint = 2
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

No. of Reaction = 4
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

This beam is kinematically indeterminate to 2nd Degree Dk = 3(2) – 4 = 2

Therefore, kinematically indeterminate
because roller support at point B allows horizontal to 3rd Degree
translation and rotation.

Consider this system No. of Joint = 3

No. of Reaction = 7

Dk = 3(3) – 7 = 2
This beam is kinematically indeterminate to 2nd Therefore, kinematically indeterminate
Degree because roller support at point B allows to 2rd Degree
rotation, one for the left and one to right
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Consider the truss shown
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

At point B, there are 2 translation, along x and y. At

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

point C, because of the vertical reaction of roller

support, there will be only 1 translation (along x).
And, there will be no translation in point A since it is
supported by hinge.

With this, the degrees of freedom of this truss is 3.

No. of Joint = 3
No. of Reaction = 3 Note: Truss analysis considers only forces and do not include
rotations(moments).
Dk = 2j – 3
Dk (Degrees of Freedom) = 2(3) – 3 = 3
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Consider the truss shown
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

At point A, B and C, there are translation for both and

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

x and y direction. No translation at point D because of

hinge support and 1 translation for point E due to
roller support.

With this, the degrees of freedom of this truss is 7.

No. of Joint = 5
No. of Reaction = 3 Note: Truss analysis considers only forces and do not include
rotations(moments).
Dk = 2j – 3
Dk (Degrees of Freedom) = 2(5) – 3 = 7
 KINETIC INDETERMINACY
Consider the truss shown
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

No. of Joint = 7
No. of Reaction = 3

Dk = 2j – 3
Dk (Degrees of Freedom) = 2(7) – 3 = 11