REVIEW OF STATICALLY

INDETERMINATE BEAMS
BY: RUTCHEE E. CARUPO
Determinacy & Stability

• Determinacy: when all the forces in structure

can be determined from equilibrium equation ,
the structure is referred to as statically determinate.
Structure having more unknown forces than
available equilibrium equations called statically
indeterminate
In the beam construction on the right, the four unknown reactions are VA, VB, VC and
HA. The equilibrium equations are:

5
r 5
n 1
5  3(1) Statically indeterminate
2 nd degree

r  10
n2
10  3(2) Statically indetermin ate
4 th degree
Indeterminate Structure
Why we study indeterminate structure
– Most of the structures designed today are statically
indeterminate
– Reinforced concrete buildings are considered in most cases as
a statically indeterminate structures since the columns &
beams are poured as continuous member through the joints
& over the supports
– More stable compare to determinate structure or in another
word safer.
– In many cases more economical than determinate.
 Contrast
Determinate Structure Indeterminate Structure
Considerable compared to Generally smaller than determinate
indeterminate structure structure

Deflection
P P
4

PL3 1 PL3
48EI 192EI

High moment caused thicker Less moment, smaller cross section

member & more material needed & less material needed
P P
2
Stress

1
PL PL
4 8
 Contrast
Determinate Structure
Support will not develop the
horizontal force & moments that
necessary to prevent total collapse
No load redistribution
Stability in case of over load
When the plastic hinge formed
certain collapse for the system
P P
Plastic Hinge
Indeterminate Structure
Will develop horizontal force &
moment reactions that will hold
the beam
Has the tendency to redistribute
its load to its redundant supports
When the plastic hinge formed
the system would be a
determinate structure
Plastic Hinge
 Contrast
Determinate Structure Indeterminate Structure
No effect & no stress would be Serious effect and stress would be
developed in the beam developed in the beam

Temperature
P P

No effect & no stress would be Serious effect and stress would be

developed developed
Displacement
Differential

P P