M8-L01: Analysis of Statically Indeterminate

Structures by the Force Method

 Chapter 9

Analysis of Statically Indeterminate

Structures by the Force Method
Objectives:

 Force or Flexibility Method

to analyze statically indeterminate

trusses, beams, and frames.

 Influence Line
a method for drawing the influence line for a statically indeterminate
beam or frame.
Contents
- Statically Indeterminate Structures
- Force Method of Analysis: General Procedure
- Maxwell's Theorem of Reciprocal Displacements;
- Betti's Law
- Force Method of Analysis: Beams
- Force Method of Analysis: Frames
- Force Method of Analysis: Trusses
- Composite Structures
- Additional Remarks on the Force Method of Analysis
- Influence Lines for Statically Indeterminate Beams
- Qualitative Influence Lines for Frames
Statically Indeterminate Structures

Statically Indeterminate?
A structure of any type is classified as statically indeterminate when the
number of unknown reactions or internal forces exceeds the number of
equilibrium equations available for its analysis.
- the merits of using indeterminate structures and
- two fundamental ways in which they may be analyzed.

How the indeterminacy may arise?

- added supports or members, or
- by the general form of the structure.
Example:
Reinforced concrete buildings are almost always statically indeterminate
since the columns and beams are poured as continuous members
- through the joints and
- over supports.

The members of this

concrete building are all
fixed connected, so the
framework is statically
indeterminate.
 The welded joints of the beams and columns of this building
framework make this a statically indeterminate structure.
 Advantages :

1. For a given loading

the maximum stress and deflection
of an indeterminate structure are generally smaller than those of
its statically determinate counterpart.

Example:
- The fixed‑supported beam will be M max = PL/8
subjected to a
maximum moment of M max = PL/8,
- The simply supported, will be
subjected to
M max = PL/4
twice the moment, M max = PL/4 .
- The fixed‑supported beam has
- one fourth the deflection and
- one half the stress
at its center of the one that is simply supported.
Advantages :

2. a statically indeterminate structure has a tendency to redistribute its

load to its redundant supports in cases where
- faulty design or
- overloading occurs.
- The structure maintains its stability and collapse is prevented.
- This is particularly important when sudden lateral loads, such as
- wind or
- earthquake,
are imposed on the structure.
Example:

Fixed‑end Beam

 As P is increased, the beam's material

- at the walls and
- at the center of the beam
begins to yield and forms localized
"plastic hinges."

 the beam to deflect as if it were hinged

or pin connected at these points.

 The deflection becomes large, the walls will develop

- horizontal force and
- moment reactions
that will hold the beam and thus prevent it from totally collapsing.
Example:

Simply Supported Beam

 the "plastic hinge" forms only at the center of the beam,

 due to the large vertical deflection, the supports will not develop
- the horizontal force and
- moment reactions
that may be necessary to prevent total collapse.
Disadvantages :

Statically indeterminate structures can support a loading

- with thinner members and
- with increased stability
compared to their statically determinate counterparts,

1. The cost savings in material must be compared with the added

cost necessary to fabricate the structure,
it becomes more costly to construct the supports and joints of an
indeterminate structure compared to one that is determinate.
2. Differential displacement of the supports, will introduce internal
stress in the structure.
Example:

 Statically Indeterminate Beam

If the wall at one end of the fixed‑end
beam were to settle, stress would be
developed in the beam because of this
"forced" deformation.
 Simply Supported Beam
any settlement of its end would not cause
the beam to deform, and therefore no
stress would be developed in the beam.

Designing Indeterminate Structures

any deformation caused by
relative support displacement, or
changes in member lengths caused by
- temperature or
- fabrication errors,
will introduce additional stresses in the structure.
It must be considered in the design.
Methods of Analysis
 When analyzing any indeterminate structure, it is necessary to satisfy
1. equilibrium,
2. compatibility, and
3. force ‑displacement requirements for the structure.
Equilibrium:
Equilibrium is satisfied when the reactive forces hold the structure at rest.
Compatibility:
Compatibility is satisfied when the various segments of the structure fit together
without intentional breaks or overlaps.
Force‑Displacement:
This requirements depend upon the way the material responds.
Assume: linear-elastic response.
 Two different ways to satisfy these requirements when analyzing a statically
indeterminate structure:
1. the force or flexibility method, and
2. the stiffness or displacement method.
1. Force or Flexibility Method:

 originally developed by James Clerk Maxwell in 1864

later refined by Otto Mohr and Heinrich Muller Breslau.
 The force method was one of the first available for the analysis of statically
indeterminate structures.
 Since compatibility forms the basis for this method, it has sometimes been
referred to as
- the compatibility method or
- the method of consistent displacements.

 Redundant Forces
determined by satisfying the compatibility and force‑displacement
requirements for the structure.

 Remaining Reactive Forces

determined by satisfying the equilibrium requirements.
 2. Stiffness or Displacement Method

 Based on
- first writing force‑displacement relations for the members and
- then satisfying the equilibrium requirements for the structure.
In this case the unknowns in the equations are displacements.
 Once the displacements are obtained, the forces are determined from the
- compatibility and
- force‑displacement equations.

Note:
The classical techniques used to apply the displacement method
(Chapters 10 and 11)
A matrix formulation of the method (Chapters 14, 15 and 16).
Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Force or Flexibility Method

2. Stiffness or Displacement Method

depending upon
- the geometry of the structure and
- its degree of indeterminacy.
Questions ?
M8-L02: Force Method of Analysis: General
Procedure
Force Method of Analysis: General Procedure
Example:
- Draw free‑body diagram
- four unknown support reactions
- three equilibrium equations for solution
- the beam is indeterminate to the first degree.

One additional equation for solution

- the principle of superposition

- the compatibility of displacement at
one of the supports.

Primary Structure:
statically determinate & stable.
1. Choose one of the support reactions as "redundant“.
2. Temporarily remove its effect on the beam.
Example-1:
- Remove the restraining action of the
rocker at B.
- the load P will cause B to be displaced
downward by an amount ΔB.

Superposition
the unknown reaction at B, i.e., By,
causes the beam at B to be displaced
Δ’BB upward.
- Here the first letter in this
double‑subscript notation refers to
the point (B) where the deflection
is specified, and
- the second letter refers to the point
(B) where the unknown reaction
acts.
Assume: positive displacements act upward.
Compatibility Equation at the Rocker

0   B   BB
Linear Flexibility Coefficient fBB

Denote the displacement at B caused by a

unit load acting in the direction of By as the
linear flexibility coefficient fBB.

fBB = the deflection at B caused by a unit

load at B . m/N, ft/lb
Material: linear‑elastic manner
a force of By acting at B, instead of the unit
load, will cause a proportionate increase in fBB.

 BB By fBB

Compatibility Equation

- Write the compatibility equation in terms of the

unknown By,

0   B  By fBB

- Use the previous methods, or

the deflection table,
- Determine the deflection ΔB , and
the flexibility coefficient fBB,
- Determine By,
B
By 
fBB
- Determine the three reactions at the wall A from the equations of equilibrium.
Example-2:
- Determine the
t moment at A,
directly by removing the capacity of the
beam to support a moment at A.
- Replace the fixed support by a pin.

θA = the rotation at A caused by the load P

θ’AA = the rotation at A caused by the
redundant MA at A.
Angular Flexibility Coefficient αAA

The angular displacement at A caused by a

unit couple moment applied to A.
rad/ N.m or rad/ lb.ft

 M A AA
 AA
Example-2:

The compatibility equation for rotation at  M A AA

 AA
A therefore requires

0  A  M A AA

A
M A 
 AA

a negative value, means that MA acts in the

opposite direction to the unit couple
moment.
Example-3:

- The beam is indeterminate to the second degree

solution requires two compatibility equations.
- Choose the vertical forces at the
roller supports, B and C, as redundants.
- Remove the redundants.
- Sketch the deflection of the resultant statically
determinate beam
- Sketch the deflection of beam for each
redundant force.
Example-3:

- Obtain the flexibility coefficients fBB and fCB

from a unit load acting at B, and
- Obtain the fCC and fBC
from a unit load acting at C.

Superposition
Write the compatibility equations for the
deflection at B and C
(  ) 0  B  By fBB  Cy fBC
(  ) 0 C  By fCB  Cy fCC

Solve for the two unknown forces By & Cy.

Note:
fBB is the deflection at B caused by a unit load at B.
fCB is the deflection at C caused by a unit load at B.
Questions ?
M8-L03: Application of the Force
Method of Analysis
Application of the Force Method of Analysis

for solving problems involving

- trusses,
- beams, and
- frames.
Note:
- since the method depends on superposition of displacements,
- it is necessary that the material remain linear elastic when loaded.
- any external reaction or internal loading at a point in the structure can be
directly determined by
1. releasing the capacity of the structure to support the loading and
2. writing a compatibility equation at the point.
Procedure for Analysis

Determining
- the reactions or
- internal loadings
of statically indeterminate structures using
the force or flexibility method of analysis
requires the following procedures:

(a) Principle of Superposition

(b) Compatibility Equations
(c) Equilibrium Equations
(a) Principle of Superposition

1. Determine the number of degrees n to

which the structure is indeterminate.
2. Specify the n unknown redundant forces
or moments that must be removed from
the structure in order to make it
- statically determinate and
- stable.
3. Using the principle of superposition,
- draw the statically indeterminate
structure and
- show it to be equal to a sequence of
corresponding statically determinate
structures.
4. The primary structure supports the same external
loads as the statically indeterminate
structure, and
5. Each of the other structures added to the
primary structure shows the structure loaded
with a separate redundant force or moment.
6. Sketch the elastic curve on each structure
7. Indicate symbolically the
- displacement or
- rotation
at the point of each
- redundant force or
- moment.
(b) Compatibility Equations

8. Write a compatibility equation for the

- displacement or
- rotation
at each point where there is a redundant
- force or (   ) 0  B  By fBB  Cy fBC
- moment. (   ) 0 C  By fCB  Cy fCC
These equations should be expressed in terms of
- the unknown redundants and
- their corresponding flexibility
coefficients obtained from
- unit loads or
- unit couple moments
that are collinear with the redundant
forces or moments.
 9. Determine all the
- deflections and
- flexibility coefficients using
- the table on the inside front cover or
- the methods of Chapter 8 & 9.
10. Substitute these load‑displacement relations
into the compatibility equations and
11. Solve for the unknown redundants.

(  ) 0  B  By fBB  Cy fBC
(  ) 0 C  By fCB  Cy fCC
Note:
If a numerical value for a redundant is negative,
it indicates the redundant acts opposite to its
corresponding unit force or unit couple moment.
Deflections and Flexibility Coefficients

(  ) 0  B  By fBB  Cy fBC
(  ) 0 C  By fCB  Cy fCC

Note:
i. It is suggested that if the M/EI diagram
for a beam consists of simple segments,
- the moment‑area theorems or
- the conjugate‑beam method be used.
ii. Beams with complicated M/EI diagram, that is, those
with many curved segments (parabolic, cubic, etc.), can
be readily analyzed using
- the method of virtual work or
- by Castigliano's second theorem.
(c) Equilibrium Equations

12. Draw a free‑body diagram of the structure.

Since the redundant forces and/or moments have been
calculated, the remaining unknown reactions can be
determined from the equations of equilibrium.
Note:
Once all the support reactions have been obtained,
- the shear and
- moment diagrams
can then be drawn, and
- the deflection at any point on the structure can be
determined using the same methods outlined
previously for statically determinate structures.
10-3 Maxwell's Theorem of Reciprocal Displacements

- When Maxwell developed the force method of analysis, he also

published a theorem that relates the flexibility coefficients of any
two points on an elastic structure‑be it a truss, a beam, or a frame.
- This theorem may be stated as follows:

The displacement of a point B

on a structure due to a unit
load acting at point A is equal
to the displacement of point A
when the unit load is acting at
point B, that is,

fBA fAB
Proof
Proof of this theorem is easily
demonstrated using the principle of
virtual work.
Example:
f
BA fAB
- Consider the beam in Fig. (a).
When a real unit load acts at A, assume
that the internal moments in the beam - If the flexibility coefficient fAB is to
are represented by mA. be determined when a real unit load
- To determine the flexibility coefficient at acts at B, Fig. (b), then mB represents
B, fBA, a virtual unit load is placed at B, the internal moments in the beam
Fig. (b), and due to a real unit load.
the internal moments mB are computed. - mA represents the internal moments
due to a virtual unit load at A, Fig.
- Then applying Eq. 9‑18 yields
(a).
mB mA mA mB
fBA  dx fAB  dx
EI EI
The Maxwell’s theorem also applies for reciprocal rotations, and
may be stated as follows:
The rotation at point B on a structure due
to a unit couple moment acting at point A
is equal to
the rotation at point A when the unit
couple moment is acting at point B.

Using a unit force and unit couple moment, applied at separate points
on the structure, we may also state:

The rotation in radians at point B on a

structure due to a unit load acting at point A
is equal to
the displacement at point A when a unit
couple moment is acting at point B.
Note:
- As a consequence of this theorem, some work can be saved when
applying the force method to problems that are statically
indeterminate to
- the second degree or
- higher.
Example:
Only one of the two flexibility coefficients fBC or fCB has to be
calculated in the following Equation (Eqs. 9‑ 1),
(  ) 0  B  By fBB  Cy fBC
since fBC fCB
(  ) 0 C  By fCB  Cy fCC

- The theorem of reciprocal displacements has applications in

structural model analysis and for constructing influence lines
using the Muller‑Breslau principle
(we will discuss later in Sec. 9.10).
Betti's Law

When the theorem of reciprocal displacements is formalized in a more

general sense, it is referred to as Betti's law.

Briefly stated:

The virtual work δUAB done by a system of forces ΣPB that

undergo a displacement caused by a system of forces ΣPA
is equal to
the virtual work δUBA caused by the forces ΣPA when the
structure deforms due to the system of forces ΣPB .
In other words,

δUAB = δUBA
Note:
The proof of this statement is similar to that given above for the
Questions ?
M8-L04: Force Method of Analysis: Beams
10-4 Force Method of Analysis: Beams
we will now present several examples that illustrate the
application of this technique.

These bridge girders

are statically
indeterminate since
they are continuous
over their piers.
Example 9-1.
Determine the reaction at the
roller support B of the beam
shown in Fig. 9-9a.
EI is constant.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-9
 Example 9-1.
SOLUTION

Fig. 9-9b

9-9b,

9-9c..

Fig. 9-9d.

Figure 9-9
Example 9-2.
Determine the moment at the
fixed wall for the beam shown in
Fig. 9-10a.
EI is constant.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-10
 Example 9-2.

SOLUTION

Fig. 9-10b.

Fig. 9-10b,

9-10b.
Fig. 9-10c.
Fig. 9-10d.

Figure 9-10
Example 9-2.
SOLUTION
Determine the shear and
moment diagrams for
the beam shown in Fig.
9-10a.
The support at B settles
1.5 in. Take E=29(103)
ksi, and I=750 in4.

Figure 9-10
Example 9-2

SOLUTION

Figure 9-10

Fig. 9-10b.

Fig. 9-10b,

Fig. 9-10c.
Example 9-2

SOLUTION Figure 9-10

Fig. 9-10d

Fig. 9-10e.

Fig. 9-10f.
Questions ?
 M8-L05: Example Problems
(Force Method of Analysis: Beams)
Example 9-3.
Determine the shear and moment
diagrams for the beam shown in Fig. 9-
11a. EI is constant. Neglect the effects of
axial load.
SOLUTION

Figure 9-11
Example 9-3.

SOLUTION

Fig. 9-11b.

Fig. 9-11b,

Figure 9-11
Example 9-3.
SOLUTION

Figure 9-11
Example 9-3.
SOLUTION

Figure 9-11
Example 9-3.

Figure 9-11
Figure 10-11
Example 9-4.
Determine the reactions at the
supports for the beam shown
in Fig. 9-12a. EI is constant.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-12

Figure 9-12
Example 9-4
SOLUTION

Figure 9-12
Example 9-4
SOLUTION

Figure 9-12
Example 9-4
SOLUTION Figure 9-12

Figure 9-12
Questions ?
M8-L06: Force Method of Analysis: Frames
Force Method of Analysis: Frames
 Useful for solving problems
involving statically indeterminate frames that have
- a single story and
- unusual geometry,
such as gabled frames.

 Problems involving
- multistory frames, or
- those with a high degree of indeterminacy,
are best solved using the
- slope‑deflection,
- moment distribution, or
- the stiffness method
which will be discussed later.
Example 9-5
Determine the support
reactions on the frame shown
in Fig. 9-13a. EI is constant.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-13
Example 10-6

SOLUTION

B

Figure 9-13 Bx fBB

Example 9-5
Example 9-5
SOLUTION

Figure 10-13
Example 9-5

SOLUTION

Figure 9-13
Example 9-6.
Determine the
moment at the fixed
support A for the
frame shown in Fig.
9-14a. EI is
constant.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-14
Example 9-6.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-14

Fig. 9-14b.

Fig. 9-14b
Example 9-6
SOLUTION
Example 9-6
SOLUTION
Fig. 9-14c
Fig. 9-14d.

Fig. 9-14d.

Fig. 9-14b.
Figure 9-14
Questions ?
M8-L07: Force Method of Analysis: Trusses
Force Method of Analysis: Trusses
- The degree of indeterminacy of a truss The force method is quite
suitable for analyzing trusses
can usually be determined by
that are statically indeterminate
inspection; however, to the first or second degree.
- If this becomes difficult, use Eq. 3‑1,

b + r > 2j
- Here the unknowns are represented by
- the number of bar forces (b) plus
- the support reactions (r), and
the number of available equilibrium
equations is 2j
- Since two equations can be written for
each of the (j) joints.
Example 9-7
Determine the force in member AC of the truss
shown in Fig. 9-15a.
AE is the same for all the members.
SOLUTION
Figure 9-15
Example 9-7
SOLUTION

Fig. 9-15b.

Fig. 9-15b,

Figure 9-15
Example 9-7
SOLUTION

Fig. 9-15c 9-15d.

Fig. 10-15c
Fig. 10-15d.

Figure 9-15
Example 9-7
SOLUTION

Figure 9-7

Fig. 9-15b.
Example 9-8
Determine the force in each member of the truss shown in Fig. 9-16a if the
turnbuckle on member AC is used to shorten the member by 0.5 in. Each bar
has a cross-sectional area of 0.2 in2, and E=29(106) psi.
SOLUTION

Figure 9-16
Example 10-9
SOLUTION

Figure 9-16

10-8, So

Fig. 10-16c
Questions ?
M8-L08: Composite Structures
Composite Structures

- Composite structures are composed of

- some members subjected only to axial force,
- while other members are subjected to bending.
- Apply the force method for analysis of statically
indeterminate
composite structures.
Example 9-9
The beam shown in Fig. 9-17a is
supported by a pin at A and two pin-
connected bars at B. Determine the
force in member BD. Take E=29(106)
psi, I=800 in4 for the beam, and A=3
in2 for each bar.
SOLUTION

Fig. 9-17b.

Fig. 9-17b,

Fig. 9-17c 9-17d.

Figure 9-17
Example 9-7
SOLUTION
Example 970
SOLUTION

Figure 9-17
Example 9-7 E=29(106) psi,
SOLUTION I=800 in4 ,A=3 in2
Fig. 9-17c,
Fig. 9-17d,

(d)
Fig. 9-17d,

Figure 9-17
Example 9-7
SOLUTION
Additional Remarks on the Force Method of Analysis

- Generalize its application and

- Discuss its usefulness.
- The flexibility coefficients, fij (or αij), depend only on the
- material and
- geometrical properties of the members and
- not on the loading of the primary structure.
- fij (or αij) values can be used to compute the reactions
for any loading.
Structure having n redundant reactions, Rn
n compatibility equations

1  f11R1  f12R2   f1n Rn 0

 2  f21R1  f22R2   f2n Rn 0

 n  fn1R1  fn 2R2   fnn Rn 0

Δ1, …., Δn, are caused by both
- the real loads on the primary structure and
- by support settlement or
- dimensional changes due to
- temperature differences or
- fabrication errors in the members.
Matrix form
 f11 f12  f1n   R1   1 
     
 f21 f22  f2 n   R2     2  (9  2)
    
     
 fn1 fn 2  fnn   Rn    n 
Flexibility Matrix Unknown Displacements
Forces

fR = - 
fij f ji (f12 f21, etc . )
Maxwell's theorem of reciprocal displacements (or Betti's law)

The flexibility matrix will be symmetric, and this feature is beneficial

when solving large sets of linear equations, as in the case of a highly
indeterminate structure.
Note: How to determine flexibility coefficients?

 using the method of virtual work as it applies to the entire structure.

 for
- each member of the structure, and then,
- using transformation equations,
to obtain their values for the entire structure.

Covered: Matrix analysis of structures

Some General Observations and Comments

Using the
computer methods to solve problems that are
- highly indeterminate and thus A matrix's main
- involve large sets of equations. diagonal consists of
the terms fii.
Numerical Accuracy
- In this regard, numerical accuracy for the
solution is improved if the flexibility  f11 f12  f1n 
coefficients located near the main diagonal of  
the flexibility matrix are larger than those  f21 f22  f2 n 
located off the diagonal.   
 
 fn1 fn 2  fnn 
Flexibility Matrix
Questions ?
M8-L09: Influence Lines for Statically
Indeterminate Beams
9-9 Influence Lines for Statically Indeterminate Beams
- Statically Determinate Beam
Muller‑Breslau principle for drawing the influence line for the
- reaction,
- shear, and
- moment
at a point.

- Statically Indeterminate Beams

Muller‑Breslau principle

the influence line for a function (reaction, shear, or

moment) is to the same scale as the deflected shape of
the beam when the beam is acted upon by the function.
How to draw the deflected shape properly?

- the capacity of the beam to resist the applied function must be

removed so the beam can deflect when the function is applied.
- For statically determinate beams, the deflected shapes (or the
influence lines) will be a series of straight line segments.
- For statically indeterminate beams, curves will result.

 Statically Indeterminate Beam

Construction of each of the three types of influence lines
- reaction,
- shear, and
- moment.
 Illustrate the validity of the Muller‑Breslau principle using
Maxwell's theorem of reciprocal displacements.
Reaction at A
To determine the influence line for
the reaction at A:
- Place a unit load on the
beam at successive points, and
- Compute at each point the
reaction at A .
- A plot of these results yields
the influence line.

Example:
When the load is at point D, the reaction at A, which represents
the ordinate of the influence line at D, can be determined by the
force method.
To do this apply the principle of superposition.
Reaction at A
The compatibility equation for point
A
0 fAD  Ay fAA
fAD
Ay 
fAA
By Maxwell's theorem of reciprocal
displacements
fAD  fDA

Compute Ay (or the ordinate of the

influence line at D) using the
equation
1
Ay ( )fDA
fAA
Reaction at A 0 fAD  Ay fAA
fAD
Ay 
fAA
fAD  fDA
1
Ay ( )fDA
fAA

1
Scale Factor 
fAA

- By comparison, the
Muller‑Breslau principle
Fig. 9‑21
requires removal of the support at A and application of a vertical unit load.
- The resulting deflection curve, Fig. 9‑21d,
is to some scale the shape of the influence line for Ay,
- From the equation above, it is seen that the scale factor is 1/ fAA
Shear at E
Determine the Influence line for the shear at
point E of the beam
By the Muller‑Breslau principle
- the beam is imagined cut open at
this point and
- a sliding device is inserted at E, Fig. (b).
- This device will transmit a moment and
normal force but no shear.
Fig. 9‑22

- When the beam deflects due to positive unit shear loads acting at E,
the slope on each side of the guide remains the same, and
- the deflection curve represents to some scale the influence line for the
shear at E, Fig. (c).
Basic Method
- apply a unit load at point D and
- compute the internal shear at E, Fig. (a).
This value, VE , would represent the
ordinate of the influence line at D.

Using
- the force method and
- Maxwell's theorem of reciprocal
Fig. 9‑22
displacements,
as in the previous case, it can be shown that 1
VE ( )fDE
fEE
Validity of the Muller‑Breslau principle:

- a positive unit shear load applied to the

beam at E , Fig. (c ),
- will cause the beam to deflect into the
shape of the influence line for the shear
at E .
1
- Here the scale factor is
fEE
Fig. 9‑22

1
VE ( )fDE
fEE
Moment at E
- Determine
D the influence line for the moment
at E
- place a pin or hinge at E,
- since this connection transmits
- normal and shear forces but
- cannot resist a moment,Fig. (b).
- Applying a positive unit couple moment, the
beam then deflects to the dashed position in
Fig. 9‑23
Fig. (c),
- which yields to some scale the influence
1
line, again a consequence of the
ME ( )fDE
Muller‑Breslau principle.
 EE
- Using the force method and
Maxwell's reciprocal theorem, 1
Scale Factor 
 EE
we can show that:
Procedure for Analysis

The following procedure provides

a method for establishing the influence line for the
- reaction,
- shear, or
- moment
at a point on a beam using the Muller-Breslau technique.

(a) Qualitative Influence Line

(b) Quantitative Influence Line
(a) Qualitative Influence Line
1. At the point on the beam for which the influence line is to be
determined, place a connection that
- will remove the capacity of the beam to support the
function of the influence line.
2. - If the function is a vertical reaction, use a vertical roller guide;
- if the function is shear, use a sliding device; or
- if the function is moment, use a pin or hinge.
3. Place a unit load at the connection acting on the beam in the
"positive direction" of the function.
4. Draw the deflection curve for the beam.
- This curve represents to some scale the shape of the influence
line for the beam.
(b) Quantitative Influence Line

5. If numerical values of the influence line are to be determined,

compute the displacement of successive points along the beam
when the beam is subjected to the unit load placed at the
connection mentioned above.
6. Divide each value of displacement by the displacement
determined at the point where the unit load acts.
7. By applying this scalar factor, the resulting values are the
ordinates of the influence line.
9-10 Qualitative Influence Lines for Frames

Building Frames
The Muller‑Breslau principle provides a quick method and is of
great value for establishing the general shape of the influence line
for building frames.
- Once the influence‑line shape is known,
- one can immediately specify the location of the live loads
- so as to create the greatest influence of the function
- reaction,
- shear, or
- moment
in the frame.
Example:
- The shape of the influence line for the
positive moment at the center I of
girder FG of the frame in Figure (a) is
shown by the dashed lines.
- Thus, uniform loads would be placed
only on girders AB, CD, and FG in
order to create the largest positive
moment at I.
- With the frame loaded in this manner,
Fig. (b), an indeterminate analysis of
the frame could then be performed to
determine the critical moment at I.
Questions ?
M8-L10: Example Problems
(Influence Lines for Statically
Indeterminate Beams)
Example 9-10
Determine the influence line
for the vertical reaction at A
for the beam in Fig. 9-25a.
EI is constant. Plot numerical
values every 6 ft.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-25
Example 9-10
SOLUTION

Fig. 9‑25b.
Fig. 9‑25c.

Fig. 9‑25b.
Fig. 9‑25d.
Fig. 9‑25b.

Fig. 9‑25c.

Fig. 9‑25d.
Fig. 9‑25b,

Fig. 9‑25g.

Figure 9-25
Example 9-10 Fig. 9‑25d

Figure 9-25
Fig. 9‑25b

Fig. 9‑25g.
Example 9-11
SOLUTION

Determine the influence line for the shear at D for the beam in
Fig. 9-26a. EI is constant. Plot numerical values every 9 ft.

Figure 9-26
Example 9-11

SOLUTION

Fig. 9‑26b.
Figure 9-26
Fig. 9‑26c.

Fig. 9‑26b.
Fig. 9‑26d.

Fig. 9‑26c.

Fig. 9‑26e.
 Example 9-11
SOLUTION

9‑26f,

Fig. 10‑26b.

Fig. 9‑26i.

Figure 9-26
Example 9-12
Determine the influence line for the
moment at D for the beam in Fig. 9-27a.
EI is constant. Plot numerical values every
9 ft.

SOLUTION

Figure 9-27
Example 9-12
SOLUTION

Fig. 9‑27b.
Fig. 9‑27c.

Fig. 9‑27b.
Fig. 9‑27d.
Fig. 9‑27d.

Fig. 9‑27e

Figure 9-27

Fig. 9‑27c

Fig. 9‑276g.