What is Kinematic Indeterminacy?

Kinematic Indeterminacy is the term associated with

Indeterminate structures. It can be defined as the
Minimum number of dimensions in which movement is
allowed for the structure. These structure movements are
also called the Degree of Freedom of structure. And
these movements of the structure are independent of each
other.

Kinematic Indeterminacy can also be determined with

the help of kinematic unknowns, and these unknowns are
the joint movements and movement of the end member
of the structure. These kinematic unknowns can be found
with the help of the structure's compatibility conditions
and equilibrium equations.
Kinematic Indeterminacy

Kinematic Indeterminacy Formula

As we know, kinematic Indeterminacy is the number of

degrees of freedom associated with the structure
members. So, we can calculate its value by calculating
the Degree of freedom of all the members and joints of a
structure. The Degree of freedom of a member depends
upon whether the member is axially extensible or not
because if the member is axially rigid, it means it can not
move in the axial direction and hence reduces the one
Degree of freedom of that particular member.

To establish the kinematic indeterminacy formula for a

member or a structure, calculate the Degree of freedom
of all the associated members and subtract the Degree of
freedom that is prevented by constraints like supports,
internal hinges, etc. While for the calculation of the
Degree of static Indeterminacy, support reactions are
used. The indeterminate kinematic structure shows the
kinematical rigidness of the structure.
Degree of Kinematic Indeterminacy

The Degree of kinematic Indeterminacy is the total

number of independent degrees of freedom available in
the structure. It also can be determined by the number of
unrestrained directions in which structural movements
are allowed. And we can determine the Degree of static
Indeterminacy only by deducting the number of
equilibrium equations from the support reactions.

The Degree of kinematic Indeterminacy for a rigid

framed structure can be calculated as DK=3J-Re. Where
J is the number of joints in the rigid frame and Re is the
number of total external reactions in the structure. At the
same time, the Degree of static Indeterminacy for a
planar structure can be calculated as Ds=R-3 where R is
the total number of support reactions present in the
structure.
Difference Between Static and Kinematic Indeterminacy

Static and kinematic Indeterminacy are both types of

Indeterminacy and tells about the redundant reactions
and Degree of freedom of structure and hence can be
used to estimate the stability of the structure. Though the
stability of the structure is a different thing, somehow,
we can relate it with the Indeterminacy of the structure.
Static Indeterminacy is the number of support reactions
over the equilibrium equations available, or we can say
that it equals the number of redundant reactions. There
are only three numbers of equilibrium equations
available for a 2D structure and 3D analysis; there are six
numbers available that are used to find the Degree of
static Indeterminacy of the structure. But if we talk about
kinematic Indeterminacy, it is equal to the number of
degrees of freedom available in the structure. And
degrees of freedom are the number of directions in which
structures can move freely without restrictions.
Kinematic Indeterminacy For Propped Cantilever Beam

As we know, kinematic Indeterminacy is the number of

degrees of freedom available in the whole structure
where a structure can move. So, Before finding the
Indeterminacy, we need to know how many directions a
propped cantilever beam can move freely. Hence it is
important to know whether the member of a propped
cantilever beam is axially extensible or not because it
restricts the axial movement of the beam, and the Degree
of freedom will be affected.

So, it is now considered that the member of the propped

cantilever beam is not axially-extensible, which means
the member can not move axially. Now, we need to
understand the support conditions of the propped
cantilever beam. So propped cantilever beam has fixed
support at one end and roller support at the other. As we
know, fixed support does not allow movement in any
direction, and roller support only restricts movement in
the vertical direction of the beam, but as we consider
beam is inextensible. Hence, movement in the axial
direction of the beam is also not possible, and only
rotation is allowed about its point. So, the Degree of
freedom of fixed support is zero, and for roller support, it
is only one in this beam condition. Hence, the overall
Degree of freedom for this condition of the propped
cantilever beam is only one.
Kinematic Indeterminacy For Propped Cantilever with
Axial Deformation

As we know, kinematic Indeterminacy is the number of

degrees of freedom in the structure. So, Before
calculating the Indeterminacy, we need to know how
many directions a propped cantilever beam can move
freely. So, if the member of the propped cantilever beam
is axially deformable, the beam can move axially if
allowed.

So, As in this case, the propped cantilever beam is

axially deformable, which means the member can move
axially. Now, we need to understand the support
conditions of the propped cantilever beam. So propped
cantilever beam has fixed support at one end and roller
support at the other. As we know, fixed support does not
allow movement in any direction, and roller support only
restricts movement in the vertical direction of the beam.
So we can say that the roller support of the beam can
provide movement in the axial direction and rotation and
only constraint in the vertical direction of the beam. So,
the Degree of freedom of fixed support is zero; for roller
support, it is only two in this beam condition. Hence, the
overall Degree of freedom for this condition of the
propped cantilever beam is only two.
Degree of Kinematic Indeterminacy for Truss
Each plane truss joint has two independent displacement
components that will translate along the x-y direction.
So, we can often write the Degree of kinematic
Indeterminacy (or Degree of freedom) for a plane truss
can as 2j - R, where R is the number of compatibility
conditions known.

As all the members of a truss system are considered to be

extensible (or axial deformation is taken into account for
every truss), the boundary conditions( value of R) are
going to be obtained only from support conditions are
going to be equal to the number of reaction forces(r).
Hence, a plane truss's Degree of kinematic Indeterminacy
is adequate to 2j - r.
Kinematic Indeterminacy Examples

Kinematic Indeterminacy can be calculated by knowing

the total Degree of freedom associated with the structure.
And we also know the formula for solving the kinematic
Indeterminacy. Here some examples are given below to
find out the kinematic Indeterminacy of the structure,
which helps to understand the whole concept.

1. Find the Kinematic Indeterminacy of the bridge

structure given below.

Kinematic Indeterminacy example 1

The degree of kinematic indeterminacy for above

structure = 2j - R = 2*8 - 3 = 13 Ans.
2. Find the Kinematic Indeterminacy of the extensible
structure given below.

Kinematic Indeterminacy example 2

For calculating the kinematic Indeterminacy, it is

assumed that all members of this frame are extensible,

Hence, the degree of kinematic indeterminacy = 3j - R =

3*9 - 6 = 21.

********* What is the degree of freedom ?

Degree of freedom is the number of directions in which a
structure can move freely. It may be rotational movement
or translational movement of the structure.
*******What is static indeterminacy ?
Static indeterminacy is also a type of indeterminacy
which can be defined as the extra number of support
reactions associated to the structure in excess to the
equilibrium equations of the structure.
#####What is the kinematic indeterminacy of a fixed
beam ?
In a fixed beam, there is a fixed support at the both ends
of the beam and as we know that fixed support does not
allow any translational movement or rotational
movement in any direction hence kinematic
indeterminacy of fixed beam is zero.