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Consistent Deformations - Force Method

Indeterminate Truss
problem statement
Using the method of consistent deformations, determine the vertical and horizontal reactions at A and E and
the resulting member loads for the truss in the accompanying figure.
The member properties are A = 2 in
2
and E = 29x10
3
ksi.
Figure 1 - Truss structure to analyze
determine the degree of indeterminacy
The structure is indeterminate to the first degree (r=4, e=3, n=r-n=4-3=1).
select redundant and remove restraint
To solve for the single degree of indeterminacy, the structure has to be reduced to a statically determinate and
stable structure. This is done by removing a redundant support.
In this example, the horizontal reaction at support E is selected as a redundant to remove in order to obtain a
primary determinate structure.
Figure 2 - Primary determinate structure
determine reactions and member forces
Calculate the support reactions of the primary structure, then determine the individual member forces by
using either the method of sections, or the method of joints.
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Figure 3 - Support reactions and member forces
calculate deformation at redundant
Use the virtual work method, calculate the horizontal translation of support E that corresponds to the
removed redundant X
E
. Remove all loads and apply a unit force in the direction of the redundant.
Figure 4 - Primary structure with unit load applied
Calculate the member forces due to the unit load.
Figure 5 - Member forces due to unit load
Since the horizontal translation at E is equal to zero in the original structure, the horizontal translation of the
released structure at support E must be countered by a force at E which causes an equal translation in the
opposite direction.
Since the member forces are known in the released structure, and the virtual structure with a unit load applied
at E, the deflection at support E (
E0
) caused by the applied loads on the released structure is determined by
the following equation.
where m is equal to the number of members, n is the force in the member due to the virtual load, N is the
force in the member due to the applied loads, L is the length, A is the area, and E represents Young's Modulus
of Elasticity.
The force required to counter this deflection is found by determining the deflection caused by a unit load in
the positive direction at the removed support, and multiplying this answer by the unknown support reaction.
write consistent deformation equation
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The consistent deformation euqation that correspondes to the redundant X
E
(the horizontal reaction at
support E) is:
E0
+ f
ee
*X
E
= 0 (1)
where
E0
is the deflection at E of the primary structure, f
ee
is the deflection of the released structure at E
caused by the unit load, and X
E
is the value of the unknown redundant at E.
solve consistent deformation equations
The deflection of the released structure under applied loads,
E0
.
note: for trusses, only the members which are subjected to the unit load need to be included
Member n(k) N(k) L(ft)
nNL/AE
(k
2
-ft)/AE
AB 1 -25.83 4 -103.33/AE
BC 1 -25.83 4 -103.33/AE
CD 1 -44.167 4 -176.67/AE
DE 1 -44.167 4 -176.67/AE
Total =
E0
= -560/AE
The deflection of the released structure at E caused by the unit load, f
ee
.
Member n (k) N (k) L(ft)
nNL/AE
(k
2
-ft)/AE
AB 1 1 4 4/AE
BC 1 1 4 4/AE
CD 1 1 4 4/AE
DE 1 1 4 4/AE
Total = f
ee
= 16/AE
Using equation (1), solve for X
E
:
-560 (ft
2
-k)/AE + 16 (ft
2
-k)/AE*X
E
= 0
X
E
= 35
Multiply the unit load by this value to get the final reaction. The positive answer indicates that the reaction is
in the direction of the applied unit load.
determine support reactions
Impose the value of the calculated X
E
along with the other applied loads on the original truss. Calculate the
remaining reactions using the trhee static equilibrium equations, ( F
x
= 0, F
y
= 0 and M = 0).
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Figure 6 - Truss with resultant support reactions
The resulting member forces are now determined by using the method of sections, or method of joints.
However, a much easier method is to use superposition and add the effects caused by the redundant load on
the released structure.
In this example, the 35 k load will cause only the top chord of the truss to experience a 35 k tensile load in
each member. This result can be added to those found in figure 3 above. The final results,
Figure 8 - Truss with final member forces
Contact Dr. Fouad Fanous for more information.
Last Modified: 04/29/2000 01:53:39
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