Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

METHOD OF ANALYSIS FOR INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

FORCE METHODS

ENERGY METHOD (LEAST WORK METHOD)

Example-1 (Two-span continuous beam)

Determine the reactions for the two-span continuous beam shown in Figure below by the method
of least work.

Solution

Step-1: Determining the degree of static indeterminacy (𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼) of the beam.

𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼 = 𝑅 − 𝐸 = 4 − 3 = 1

Step-2: Select the support reactions and/or moments or internal member forces to be considered
as a redundant.

Let us select the reaction 𝑩𝒚 to be the redundant. Now, the indeterminate beam become converted
to the primary beam.

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 1

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-3: By treating the redundant as an unknown load applied to the primary beam in addition to
the prescribed loadings, write an expression for the strain energy in terms of the known loads and
the unknown redundant 𝑩𝒚 .

→ + ∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑥 = 0

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑦 + 𝑩𝒚 + 𝐷𝑦 − 30 ∗ 10 − 80 = 0

𝐴𝑦 + 𝐷𝑦 = 380 − 𝑩𝒚 …………………………………………………………………………1.1

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝐷𝑦 ∗ 20 + 𝑩𝒚 ∗ 10 − 80 ∗ 15 − 30 ∗ 10 ∗ 5 = 0

⇒ 𝐷𝑦 = 135 − 0.5𝑩𝒚 and 𝐴𝑦 = 245 − 0.5𝑩𝒚

The magnitude of the redundant will be determined by minimizing the strain energy of the beam
with respect to 𝑩𝒚 . The strain energy of a beam subjected only to bending is expressed as;

𝑳
𝑴𝟐
𝑼=∫ 𝒅𝒙
𝟐𝑬𝑰
𝟎

To determine the equations for bending moments 𝑴, the beam is divided into three segments AB,
BC, and CD. The 𝑥 −coordinates used for determining the bending moment equations in terms of
𝑩𝒚 are:

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝑀 + 15𝑥 2 − (245 − 0.5𝐵𝑦 )𝑥 = 0

𝑀 = (245 − 0.5𝐵𝑦 )𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 10𝑚

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝑀 + 300(𝑥 − 5) − (245 − 0.5𝑩𝒚 )𝑥

− 𝑩𝒚 (𝑥 − 10) = 0

𝑀 = 0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 55𝑥 + 1500 for 10 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 15𝑚

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝑀 + 300(𝑥 − 5) − (245 − 0.5𝑩𝒚 )𝑥 − 𝑩𝒚 (𝑥 − 10) + 80(𝑥 − 15) = 0

𝑀 = 0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 135𝑥 + 2700 for 15 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20𝑚

Summary of the equations for bending moments 𝑴 of segments AB, BC, and CD

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 3

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝑥 −coordinate
𝜕𝑀⁄
𝑀 𝜕𝐵𝑦
Segment

Origin Limits (𝑚)

AB A 0 − 10 (245 − 0.5𝐵𝑦 )𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 −0.5𝑥

BC A 10 − 15 0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 55𝑥 + 1500 0.5𝑥 + 10

CD A 15 − 20 0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 135𝑥 + 2700 0.5𝑥 + 10

Step-4: Solve for the redundants

According to the principle of least work,

𝐿
𝜕𝑈 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
=∫ ( ) ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝐵𝑦 0 𝜕𝐵𝑦 𝐸𝐼

By substituting the expressions for 𝑀 and 𝜕𝑀⁄𝜕𝐵 in to the above equation, we get
𝑦

1 10 15
[∫0 (−0.5𝑥 )(245𝑥 − 0.5𝐵𝑦 𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥 + ∫10 (0.5𝑥 + 10)(0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 55𝑥 +
𝐸𝐼
20
1500 )𝑑𝑥 + ∫15 (0.5𝑥 + 10)(0.5𝑩𝒚 𝑥 + 10𝑩𝒚 − 55𝑥 + 1500 )𝑑𝑥] = 0

By integrating, we obtain

−40,416.667 + 166.667𝑩𝒚 = 0 ⇒ 𝑩𝒚 = 𝟐𝟒𝟐. 𝟓𝟎𝒌𝑵(↑)

Step-5: Solve for the remaining unknown reaction forces

𝐴𝑦 = 245 − 0.5𝑩𝒚 = 245 − 0.5 ∗ 𝟐𝟒𝟐. 𝟓𝟎 = 123.75𝑘𝑁(↑)

𝐷𝑦 = 135 − 0.5𝑩𝒚 = 135 − 0.5 ∗ 𝟐𝟒𝟐. 𝟓𝟎 = 13.75𝑘𝑁(↑)

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 4

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-6: Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams

Example-2 (Propped cantilever beam)

Determine the reactions for the beam shown in Figure below by the method of least work and
construct the shear force and bending moment diagrams. 𝐸𝐼 = Constant

Solution

Step-1: Determining the degree of static indeterminacy (𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼) of the beam.

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 5

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼 = 𝑅 − 𝐸 = 4 − 3 = 1

Step-2: Select the support reactions and/or moments or internal member forces to be considered
as a redundant.

Let us select the reaction 𝑴𝑨 to be the redundant. Now, the indeterminate beam become
converted to the primary beam.

Step-3: By treating the redundant as an unknown load applied to the primary beam in addition to
the prescribed loadings, write an expression for the strain energy in terms of the known loads and
the unknown redundant 𝑴𝑨 .

→ + ∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 ⇒ 𝐻𝐴 = 0

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 − 24 ∗ 10 = 0

𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 = 240…………………………………………………………………………………2.1

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵 ∗ 10 + 𝑴𝑨 − 24 ∗ 10 ∗ 5 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = 120 − 0. 𝟏𝑴𝑨

And 𝑅𝐴 = 120 + 0. 𝟏𝑴𝑨

The magnitude of the redundant will be determined by minimizing the strain energy of the beam
with respect to 𝑴𝑨 . The strain energy of a beam subjected only to bending is expressed as;

𝑳
𝑴𝟐
𝑼=∫ 𝒅𝒙
𝟐𝑬𝑰
𝟎

To determine the equations for bending moments 𝑴. The 𝑥 −coordinates used for determining the
bending moment equations in terms of 𝑴𝑨 is:

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ − 𝑀 + 12𝑥 2 − (120 − 0.1𝑀𝐴 )𝑥 = 0

𝑀 = 120𝑥 + 0.1𝑥𝑀𝐴 − 12𝑥 2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 10𝑚

𝜕𝑀
= 0.1𝑥
𝜕𝑀𝐴

Step-4: Solve for the redundants

According to the principle of least work,

𝐿
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
=∫ ( ) ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑀𝐴 0 𝜕𝑀𝐴 𝐸𝐼

By substituting the expressions for 𝑀 and 𝜕𝑀⁄𝜕𝑀 in to the above equation, we get
𝐴

10
1
[∫ (0.1𝑥)(120𝑥 + 0.1𝑥𝑀𝐴 − 12𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥] = 0
𝐸𝐼
0

 By integrating, we obtain

3.33𝑴𝑨 − 1000 = 0 ⇒ 𝑴𝑨 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎(↺)

Step-5: Solve for the remaining unknown reaction forces

𝑅𝐴 = 120 + 0. 𝟏𝑴𝑨 = 120 + 0. 𝟏 ∗ 𝟑𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝒌𝑵(↑)

𝑅𝐵 = 120 − 0. 𝟏𝑴𝑨 = 120 − 0. 𝟏 ∗ 𝟑𝟎𝟎 = 𝟗𝟎𝒌𝑵(↑)

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-6: Construct shear force and bending moment diagrams

Example-3 (Frames)

Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the frame shown in
Figure below using the method of least work.

𝑬𝑰 =Constant

Solution

Step-1: Determining the degree of static indeterminacy (𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼) of the frame.

𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼 = 𝑅 − 𝐸 = 5 − 3 = 2

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 8

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-2: Select the support reactions and/or moments or internal member forces to be considered
as a redundant.

Let us select the reaction 𝑯𝑫 and 𝑴𝑨 to be the redundant. Now, the indeterminate frame become
converted to the primary frame.

Step-3: By treating the redundant as an unknown load applied to the primary beam in addition to
the prescribed loadings, write an expression for the strain energy in terms of the known loads and
the unknown redundants.

𝑴𝑨

← + ∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 ⇒ 𝐻𝐴 + 𝐻𝐷 − 75 = 0 ⇒ 𝑯𝑨 = 𝟕𝟓 − 𝑯𝑫
↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐷 − 25 ∗ 9 = 0
𝑹𝑨 + 𝑹𝑫 = 𝟐𝟐𝟓………………………………………………………………………………3.1
𝑴𝑨
↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐷 ∗ 9 − 25 ∗ 9 ∗ 4.5 − 75 ∗ 3 + 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝑹𝑫 = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟓 − 𝟗
𝑴𝑨
And 𝑹𝑨 = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟓 + 𝟗

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

The magnitude of the redundant will be determined by minimizing the strain energy of the frame
with respect to 𝑯𝑫 and 𝑴𝑨 . The strain energy of a frame subjected only to bending is expressed
as;

𝑳
𝑴𝟐
𝑼=∫ 𝒅𝒙
𝟐𝑬𝑰
𝟎

To determine the equations for bending moments 𝑴, the frame is divided into three segments AC,
and CD. The 𝑥 −coordinates used for determining the bending moment equations in terms of 𝑯𝑫
and 𝑴𝑨 are:

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ − 𝑀 − (75 − 𝐻𝐷 )𝑥 + 𝑀𝐴 = 0
𝑀
𝑀 = 𝑀𝐴 − 75𝑥 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3𝑚

𝑀
↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ − 𝑀 − (75 − 𝐻𝐷 )𝑥 + 75(𝑥 − 3) + 𝑀𝐴 = 0

𝑀 = 𝑀𝐴 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 − 225 for 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6𝑚

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𝑀𝐴
↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝑀 + (137.5 − ) 𝑥 − 12.5𝑥 2 = 0
9
𝑀𝐴
𝑀 = 12.5𝑥 2 − (137.5 − ) 𝑥 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 9𝑚
9

Summary of the equations for bending moments 𝑴 of segments AB, BC, and CD

𝑥 −coordinate
𝑀 𝜕𝑀⁄ 𝜕𝑀⁄
Segment

Ori Limits 𝜕𝑀𝐴 𝜕𝐻𝐷

gin (𝑚)

AB A 0−3 𝑀𝐴 − 75𝑥 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 1 𝑥

BC A 3−6 𝑀𝐴 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 − 225 1 𝑥

𝑀𝐴 −𝑥
CD D 0−9 12.5𝑥 2 − (137.5 − )𝑥 0
9 9

Step-4: Solve for the redundants

According to the principle of least work,
𝐿
𝜕𝑈 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
=∫ ( ) ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝐻𝐷 0 𝜕𝐻𝐷 𝐸𝐼
𝐿
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
=∫ ( ) ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑀𝐴 0 𝜕𝑀𝐴 𝐸𝐼

By substituting the expressions for 𝑀, 𝜕𝑀⁄𝜕𝑀 and 𝜕𝑀⁄𝜕𝐻 into the above equation, we get
𝐴 𝐷
𝐿
𝜕𝑈 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
=∫ ( ) ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝐻𝐷 0 𝜕𝐻𝐷 𝐸𝐼
1 3 6 9
[∫0 (𝑥)(𝑀𝐴 − 75𝑥 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 )𝑑𝑥 + ∫3 (𝑥)(𝑀𝐴 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 − 225 )𝑑𝑥 + ∫0 (0) (12.5𝑥 2 − 137.5𝑥 −
𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐴
𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥] = 0
9

By integrating, we obtain
18𝑀𝐴 + 72𝐻𝐷 − 3712.5 = 0 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .3.2

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𝜕𝜃 𝐿 𝜕𝑀 𝑀
= ∫0 (𝜕𝑀 ) (𝐸𝐼) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑀𝐴 𝐴

1 3 6 9 −𝑥
[∫ (1)(𝑀𝐴 − 75𝑥 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 )𝑑𝑥 + ∫3 (1)(𝑀𝐴 + 𝐻𝐷 𝑥 − 225)𝑑𝑥 + ∫0 ( 9 ) (12.5𝑥 2 − 137.5𝑥 −
𝐸𝐼 0
𝑀𝐴
𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥] = 0
9

By integrating, we obtain
9𝑀𝐴 + 18𝐻𝐷 + 850.5 = 0 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.3
By solving equation 3.2 and 3.3 simultaneously
𝑴𝑨 = −𝟑𝟗𝟓. 𝟐𝟓𝒌𝑵𝒎 = 𝟑𝟗𝟓. 𝟐𝟓𝒌𝑵𝒎(↻) and 𝑯𝑫 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟓𝒌𝑵(←)
Step-5: Solve for the remaining unknown reaction forces
𝑀𝐴 (−395.25)
𝑅𝐷 = 137.5 − = 137.5 − = 181.167𝑘𝑁(↑)
9 9

𝑀𝐴 (−395.25)
𝑅𝐴 = 87.5 + = 87.5 + = 43.583𝑘𝑁(↑)
9 9

𝐻𝐴 = 75 − 𝐻𝐷 = 75 − 150.375 = −75.375𝑘𝑁 = 75.375𝑘𝑁(→)

Example-4 (Truss)

Find the reaction at the supports and force in each the members using the method of least work.
The cross sectional of the members in 𝑐𝑚2 are shown parentheses.

Solution

Step-1: Determining the degree of static indeterminacy (𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼) of the truss.

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼𝑒 = 𝑅 − 𝐸 = 4 − 3 = 1 and 𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼𝑖 = 𝑏 + 𝑟 − 2𝑗 = 10 + 3 − 2 ∗ 6 = 1

𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼 = 𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼𝑒 + 𝐷𝑜𝑆𝐼𝑖 = 1 + 1 = 2

∴The truss is indeterminate to the second degree with one redundant member (internal
indeterminacy) and one redundant reaction (external indeterminacy)

Step-2: Select the support reactions or internal member forces to be considered as a redundant.

Let us select the reaction 𝑩𝒚 and member BF as redundant. Now, the indeterminate truss become
converted to the primary truss.

Step-3: By treating the redundants as an unknown load applied to the primary truss in addition to
the prescribed loadings, write an expression for the strain energy in terms of the known loads and
the unknown redundant 𝑩𝒚 and 𝑭𝑩𝑭 .

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 13

Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

The magnitude of the redundant will be determined by minimizing the strain energy of the truss
with respect to 𝑩𝒚 and 𝑭𝑩𝑭 . The strain energy of a truss subjected to axial load is expressed as;

𝑭𝟐 𝑳
𝑼=∑
𝟐𝑨𝑬

Step-4: Solve for the redundants

According to the principle of least work, the partial derivative of strain energy with respect to 𝑩𝒚
and 𝑭𝑩𝑭 must be zero; that is,

𝜕𝑈 𝝏𝑭 𝑭𝑳
= ∑( ) =0
𝜕𝐵𝑦 𝜕𝐵𝑦 𝑨𝑬

𝜕𝑈 𝝏𝑭 𝑭𝑳
= ∑( ) =0
𝜕𝑭𝑩𝑭 𝜕𝑭𝑩𝑭 𝑨𝑬

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 Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

L A 𝝏𝑭 𝑭𝑳 𝝏𝑭 𝑭𝑳
Member 𝐿⁄𝐴 𝐹 𝑅𝐵 𝐹𝐵𝐹 𝜕𝐹 ⁄𝜕𝑅𝐵 𝜕𝐹 ⁄𝜕𝐹𝐵𝐹 ( ) ( )
(𝑐𝑚) (𝑐𝑚2 ) 𝝏𝑩𝒚 𝑨 𝝏𝑭𝑩𝑭 𝑨

−497.84
𝐴𝐸 500 20 25 −17.78 +1.12𝑅𝐵 0.0 1.12 0.0 0
+ 31.36𝑅𝐵

−111.96 199.04
𝐸𝐹 400 20 20 −12.44 +0.45𝑅𝐵 −0.8𝐹𝐵𝐹 0.45 −0.8 + 4.05𝑅𝐵 − 7.2𝑅𝐵
− 7.2𝐹𝐵𝐹 + 12.8𝐹𝐵𝐹

−213.81
𝐷𝐹 500 20 25 −15.55 +0.55𝑅𝐵 0.0 0.55 0.0 0
+ 7.56𝑅𝐵

30𝑅𝐵 18𝑅𝐵
𝐵𝐸 300 10 30 0.00 −1.00𝑅𝐵 −0.6𝐹𝐵𝐹 −1.00 −0.6
+ 18𝐹𝐵𝐹 + 10.8𝐹𝐵𝐹

−41.44 −73.99
𝐶𝐸 500 15 33.33 +2.22 +0.56𝑅𝐵 +1.0𝐹𝐵𝐹 0.56 1.0 + 10.45𝑅𝐵 + 18.66𝑅𝐵
+ 18.67𝐹𝐵𝐹 + 33.3𝐹𝐵𝐹

𝐵𝐹 500 15 33.33 0.00 0.00 +1.0𝐹𝐵𝐹 0.00 1.0 0 33.3𝐹𝐵𝐹

13.17
−23.94𝑅𝐵
𝐶𝐹 300 10 30 −1.33 −0.33𝑅𝐵 −0.6𝐹𝐵𝐹 −0.33 −0.6 + 3.27𝑅𝐵
+ 10.8𝐹𝐵𝐹
+ 5.94𝐹𝐵𝐹

−339.81
𝐴𝐵 400 15 26.67 +14.22 −0.90𝑅𝐵 0.0 −0.90 0.0 0
+ 21.41𝑅𝐵

341.32 −303.40
𝐵𝐶 400 15 26.67 −14.22 −0.90𝑅𝐵 +0.8𝐹𝐵𝐹 −0.90 0.8 + 21.60𝑅𝐵 + 19.12𝑅𝐵
− 19.20𝐹𝐵𝐹 + 17.10𝐹𝐵𝐹

−149.3
𝐶𝐷 400 15 26.67 −12.44 −0.45𝑅𝐵 0.0 −0.45 0.0 0
+ 5.4𝑅𝐵

−1680.8 −202.3
𝛴 + 135.09𝑅𝐵 + 54.52𝑅𝐵
+ 54.53𝐹𝐵𝐹 + 118.2𝐹𝐵𝐹

The required equations of least work are:

135.09𝑅𝐵 + 54.53𝐹𝐵𝐹 − 1680.8 = 0

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54.52𝑅𝐵 + 118.2𝐹𝐵𝐹 − 202.3 = 0

The solution of the simultaneous equations is

𝑹𝑩 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟒𝟒𝒌𝑵(↑) and 𝑭𝑩𝑭 = −𝟒. 𝟗𝟓𝒌𝑵 = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟓𝒌𝑵(𝑪)

Analysis of indeterminate structures by Energy Method Page 16