CE3155 Structural Analysis

Force (Flexibility) Method

A/Prof. Pang Sze Dai

Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

1 Statically Indeterminate Structures

P
 Advantages L/2 L/2

For a given loading, the max stress

and deflection of an indeterminate PL PL3
M max   max 
structure are generally smaller than 4 48 EI

those of its statically determinate PL

M  P
8
counterpart.
PL PL3
M  max 
8 192EI
Statically indeterminate structure has
redundancy (allows for multiple
failures before the structure collapse).

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 2

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

1 Statically Indeterminate Structures

 Disadvantages
The cost savings in material must
be compared with the added cost
to fabricate the structure since it
is more costly to construct the
supports & joints of an
indeterminate structure.

Differential displacement of the

supports can cause additional
forces.

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 3

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 Method of Analysis
When analyzing indeterminate structure, it is necessary to satisfy
equilibrium, compatibility & force-displacement requirements.

Force Method
This method consists of writing equations that satisfy the
compatibility and force-displacement requirements for the
structure in order to determine the redundant forces.

Displacement Method
This method consists of writing force-displacement equations for
the members and then satisfying the equilibrium requirements
for the structure to determine displacements.

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 4

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

2 Governing Conditions of
Structural Behaviour
1. Equilibrium
 relations among forces F

2. Compatibility (or kinematics)

 relations among displacements ∆

3. Constitutive relations
 Force-Displacement relations
You can use Virtual Work Method, Moment Area Method, Double Integration Method, Tables
in Slides 6&7 or any other methods to determine the relation between force & displacement.

For Force Method, you need 1 & 3.

For Slope Deflection Method, you need 2 & 3.
If only the equilibrium equations are needed to solve for F,
then the structure is statically determinate.
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 5
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 Force-Displacement Relations for Cantilevers

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 6

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 Force-Displacement Relations for Simply Supported Beams

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 7

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

3 Force Method of Analysis:

General Procedure
 Determine the degree of
indeterminacy (doi = 1).
 Beam is indeterminate to 1st degree.
 Choose 1 of the support reactions as redundant &
temporarily remove its effect on the beam.

 Here, we will remove the rocker at B.

 This will allow the beam to be
statically determinate & stable.
 As a result, the load P will cause B
to be displaced downward by B.
5 PL3
 Force-displacement relation:  B 
48 EI
Try to use Virtual Work method to get this force displacement relation.
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 8
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 However, support B cannot displace in the actual system.

 We have to move point B back to
its original position by applying an
unknown force By. This unknown
force By will displace point B upwards by 'BB.
 Use principle of superposition,

= +
 The displacement due to external load at point B (B) and the
displacement due to By at point B (−'BB) will sum up to 0 since
support B in the actual beam cannot move. We can write the
compatibility equation at point B as:
0   B  ' BB
Note: We have considered linear elastic behaviour which allow us to superimpose the individual effects
of loads. In plastic analysis of structures taught in other courses, you cannot simply superimpose.
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 9
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 How do we determine By??

 We can determine 'BB from the compatibility equation
but how do you use 'BB to determine By? This is the same
as finding the force(By)−displacement('BB) relation.
 If fBB is the displacement at point B due to a unit load at B,
acting in the direction of By, we can express 'BB as: 'BB  B y f BB

= By x
 fBB can be easily found using the virtual work method.
 The unknown force By can be determined: 0   B  By f BB

+ =
 The forces along the beam can be determined by considering the
two determinate systems and then superimpose the effects.
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 10
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

 The choice of redundant force is arbitrary.

 Earlier, we have removed the support at B which allows us to
determine By directly.
 If we are interested in the moment at A, we can determine
directly by removing the capacity of the beam to support
moment at A, i.e. replacing fixed support by pin support.

= +
0   A   AA
 The rotation at A The rotation at A caused by
caused by P is A. the redundant MA at A is ’AA.
 0   A  M A AA

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 11

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Example
Determine the degree of indeterminacy and draw the bending
moment diagram for the beam.
P
r = 4, n = 1, r – 3n = 1 A
B
Degree of indeterminacy = 1
L/2 L/2
How many redundant forces are there?
What do you want to choose as the
redundant force?

Step 1
Select MA as redundant force MA=?
P
A B

L/2 L/2
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 12
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 2
Consider structure with the applied loads P
and compute A A A C
B
L/2 m M L m M
A   dx   
dx L/2 L/2
0 EI L / 2 EI
M PL/4

m1 m2 m x
L L
m m 1
L
A B
L
1 1
m(2m1  m2 ) L mmL L
6 3
virtual system
1  PL  1  L  1  PL  1  L  m
A    2   1       1
6 EI  4  2  2  3EI  4  2  2  x

PL2
 A 
16 EI

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 13

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 3
Consider 1 unit moment acting on the 1 AA
A B
structure and compute AA
L
Using virtual work eqn to find slope AA M real system
x
L m M
1   AA    dx -1
0 EI
L 1
m m  0
m m dx  mmL
3
1
A B
L L
1 1 L L
 AA  (1)(1)L  virtual system
EI 3 3EI m x

What other methods can we use to -1

determine AA?
Note that the virtual system is the
same as the real system in this case

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 14

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 4
P
Using superposition to enforce compatibility A
B
 A  M A AA  0
=
PL2  L  3PL P
 M A   0 MA  A B
16 EI  3EI  16 A

MA +
MAAA
A B
Step 5
Superimpose the moment diagrams of statically determinate
structure with the external load and structure with redundant force
5PL
M
32
PL
4 x + M x
=
M

3PL
x
3PL 
 16
16
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 15
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Exercise
Determine the degree of indeterminacy
for the continuous beam.
Write the compatibility equations.
Writing compatibility equations,
= 0   B  B y f BB  C y f BC
0   C  B y f CB  C y f CC
+ 0    f
     B    BB
f BC   B y 
 
0  C   f CB f CC  C y 

fBB – displacement at B fCB – displacement at C

caused by a unit load at B
+ caused by a unit load at B

fBC – displacement at B fCC – displacement at C

caused by a unit load at C caused by a unit load at C

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 16

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Example – Portal Frame

Determine the degree of indeterminacy of the 20
10 B C
frame and determine the redundant forces.
EI=2
Consider only flexural deformation, i.e. axial
deformation can be ignored.
10 EI=5 EI=4
r – 3n = 2. Degree of indeterminacy = 2
A D
Step 1
Choose Dx & Dy as redundant forces. 5 5

20 20
10 B C 10 B C B C B C

Primary
= structure + +
A D A D A D A D
Dx Dx

Dy Dy
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 17
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

20 20
10 B C 10 B C B C B C

Primary
= structure + Dx x + Dy x
A D A
D D A D fxx A D
fxy
x
Dx 1
D fyx fyy
y
Dy 1
To ensure compatibility of displacement at pt D,
 Dx  f xx Dx  f xy D y  0
 D y  f yx Dx  f yy D y  0

fxx = x-displacement at pt D due to unit force applied in x-direction at pt D;

fyx = y-displacement at pt D due to unit force applied in x-direction at pt D;
fxy = x-displacement at pt D due to unit force applied in y-direction at pt D;
fyx = y-displacement at pt D due to unit force applied in y-direction at pt D;

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 18

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 2
20
Consider primary structure with the 10 B C B –100 C
applied loads and compute D and D EI=2
x y –100
Primary
mM real structure M
  1 dx system EI=5 EI=4
 Dx
EI D
A D x A –200 D
1 1  D
    10  [2  (100)  200] 10  y
5 6  B C 10
10 10
10
1 1 
    (  100)  10  5  B C
2 2  virtual sys
  2583 to find Dx m1

A D A D
mM 1
 Dy   2 dx
EI B C 10
10
1 1  B C
    10  [100  200] 10 
5 2  virtual sys
1 1  to find Dy m2
    (100)  [5  2  (10)] 5 
2 6  A D A D
 4042 10
1
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 19
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

L
Table for Evaluating  0
m m dx
L parabola
 0
m m dx m m m1 m2 m
L L L L

m 1 1 2
mmL mmL m(m1  m2 ) L mmL
2 2 3
L

m 1 1 1 5
mmL mmL m(m1  2m2 ) L mmL
2 3 6 12
L
1
1 1 [m1 (2m1  m2 ) 1
m1 m2 m(m1  m2 ) L m(m1  2m2 ) L 6 [m(3m1  5m2 )]L
2 6  m2 (m1  2m2 )]L 12
L

m 1
1 1 m[m1 ( L  b) 1  3a a 2 
mmL mm( L  a ) 6 mm 3   2  L
a b 2 6 12  L L 
L  m2 ( L  a)]

m 1 1 1 1
mmL mmL m(2m1  m2 ) L mmL
2 6 6 4
L
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 20
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 3
10 10
Consider 1 unit load acting at D in B C 10 10
the direction of x and compute fxx EI=2 B C

m1 m1 1 1  real EI=5
f xx   dx     10  10  10  system
EI=4 m1
EI 5 3 
fxx
1 1 1  A D A D
  10  10  10     10  10  10  1
2 4 3  fyx 10 10
B C 10 10
 650
B C

Consider 1 unit load acting at D in virtual sys

to find fxx m1
the direction of y and compute fyx
m2 m1
f yx  
A D A D
dx 1
EI
10
1 1  1 1  B C
    10  10  10      10  10  10  10
B C
5 2  2 2 
virtual sys
 350 to find fyx m2

A D A D
10
1
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4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 3
Consider 1 unit load acting at D in B C 10
10
the direction of y and compute fxy EI=2 B C
real
m1 m2 system
f xy   dx  f yx EI=5 EI=4 m2
EI
 350 A D fxy A D
10
fyy 1
10 10
B C 10 10
B C
Consider 1 unit load acting at D in virtual sys
to find fxy m1
the direction of y and compute fyy
m2 m2
f yy   dx A
1
D A D
EI
10
1 1 1 
  10  10  10      10  10 10 
B C
10
2 3 B C
5 
 367 virtual sys
to find fyy m2

A D A D
10
1
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4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 4
Using superposition to enforce compatibility
20 20
10 B C 10 B C B C B C

Primary
= structure + Dx x + Dy x
A D A
D D A D fxx A D
fxy
x
Dx 1
D fyx fyy
y 1
Dy
 Dx  f xx Dx  f xy D y  0  2583  650 Dx  350 D y  0
 D y  f yx Dx  f yy D y  0  4042  350 Dx  367D y  0
Solving the simultaneous equations, we get Dx  4.035, D y  14.874
20 20 10 10 10
10 B C 10 –100 C 10 10
10
B B C B C
–100
= M + Dx x m1 + Dy x m2

A D A –200 D A D A D
Dx 1 10

Dy Try to plot the moment diagram for the frame? 1

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 23
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Example – Truss with Redundant Member

Determine the reaction and member forces of 4m
the truss assuming the EA = 2 for diagonal D
C
members and EA = 1 for other members.
Ignore self-weight and note that the two 3m
diagonal braces are not connected. no
connection
10
b + r – 2j = 6 + 3 – 2(4) = 1.
A B
Degree of indeterminacy = 1
6
Step 1
Choose BC as the redundant member D
C

cut
member
Can we choose reaction force as the BC 10
redundancy for this truss? A B
6
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 24
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

4m
D D D
C C C

3m = + NBC x 1
1
10 BC 10 fBC
A B A B A B
6 6

To ensure compatibility of cut ends of member BC,

 BC  f BC N BC  0
BC = relative displacement at the cut ends of member BC due to unit force
applied in along member BC
fBC = relative displacement at the cut ends of member BC due to unit force
applied in along member BC

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 25

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 2
Consider primary structure with the 8 (T)
applied loads and compute BC D
C
10 (C)
Using Principle of Virtual Work, real
system 6 (T) 6 (T)
'N'
nN L
1   BC   BC 10
EA A B
10 (T)
Member n N L EA nNL/EA 6
AB 10 –0.8 4 1 –32.0 0.8 (C)
D
AC 6 –0.6 3 1 –10.8 C
1 (T)
CD 8 –0.8 4 1 –25.6 virtual
system 0.6 (C) 0.6 (C)
BD 6 –0.6 3 1 –10.8 'n'
AD -10 1 5 2 –25.0 1
A 0.8 (C) B
BC 0 1 5 2 0
 = 104.2
  BC  104.2

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 26

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 3
Consider 1 unit load acting on member 0.8 (C)
BC and compute fBC D
C 1 (T)
Using Principle of Virtual Work, real
system 0.6 (C) 0.6 (C)
nN L 'N' 1
1  f BC   fBC
1
EA
A 0.8 (C) B
Member n N L EA nNL/EA
AB –0.8 –0.8 4 1 2.56 0.8 (C)
D
AC –0.6 –0.6 3 1 1.08 C
1 (T)
CD –0.8 –0.8 4 1 2.56 virtual
system 0.6 (C) 0.6 (C)
BD –0.6 –0.6 3 1 1.08 'n'
AD 1 1 5 2 2.50 1
A 0.8 (C) B
BC 1 1 5 2 2.50
 = 12.28
 f BC  12.28

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 27

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 4
Using superposition to enforce compatibility
4m
D D D
C C C

3m = + NBC x 1
1
10 BC 10 fBC
A B A B A B
6 6
 BC  f BC N BC  0  104.2  12.28 N BC  0  N BC  8.49
Step 5
Using superposition get the axial force in the truss members
8 (T) 0.8 (C)
D D
C C 1 (T)
10 (C)
6 (T) 6 (T) + 8.49 x 0.6 (C)
1
0.6 (C)
1
BC 10 fBC
A 10 (T) B A 0.8 (C) B
6
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 28
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Reaction and member forces:

6

C 1.212 (T) D

8 –1.133 (C)

0.909 (T) 0.909 (T)

8.485 (T)

10
A 3.212 (T) B
2
6

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 29

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Example – Truss with Redundant Support

(for self-reading)
Determine the reaction and member forces of
the truss assuming the same EA for all members P
D E P
and ignore self weight.
We have to consider axial deformation
as there is no flexural deformation. L
b + r – 2j = 7 + 4 – 2(5) = 1. A B C
Degree of indeterminacy = 1
L L
Step 1
Choose Cy as redundant force.
P P
D E P D E P D E

L = L + L
A B C A B C A B C

L L Cy L L L L Cy

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4 Force (Flexibility) Method

P P
D E P D E P D E

L = L + Cy x L
A B C A B C A B C

L L Cy L L C L L fCC
1

To ensure compatibility of displacement at pt C,

 C  f CC C y  0

fCC = displacement at pt C due to unit force applied in same direction at pt C

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 31

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 2
Consider primary structure with the P
applied loads and compute C D P (T) E P

Using Principle of Virtual Work, real 2P (T) 0

system L 2P (C) 0
nN L 'N'
1 c   A B C
EA 0 0

L L C
( 2 P)( 2 )( 2 L)
 c 
EA
D 1 (T) E
( 2 P)(1)(L) (P)(1)(L)
 
EA EA virtual 2 (C)
system L 2 (T) 1 (T)
1 (C)
5.83PL 'n'
 c  A 1 (C) B 0 C
EA
L L
1

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 32

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 3
Consider 1 unit load acting at C in the
direction of y and compute fCC D 1 (T) E

Using Principle of Virtual Work, real 2 (C)

system L 2 (T) 1 (T)
1 (C)
nN L 'N'
1  f CC 
EA A 1 (C) B 0 C

L L fCC
( 2 )( 2 )( 2 L) (1)(1)(L) 1
 f CC  
EA EA
1 (T)
(1)(1)(L) (1)(1)(L) D E
 
EA EA virtual 2 (C)
system L 2 (T) 1 (T)
( 2 )( 2 )(L) (1)(1)(L) 1 (C)
  'n'
EA EA A 1 (C) B 0 C

9.66 L L L
 f CC  1
EA

Pang Sze Dai, NUS 33

4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Step 4
Using superposition to enforce compatibility
P P
D E P D E P D E

L =L + Cy x L
A B C A B C A B C

L L Cy L L C L L fCC
1
5.83PL 9.66 L
 C  f CC C y  0   C y  0  C y  0.604 P
EA EA
Step 5
Using superposition get the axial force in the truss members
P P
D P (T) E D 1 (T) E

2P (T) 2 (C)
L 2P (C)
0 0 – 0.604P x L 2 (T)
1 (C) 1 (T)

A 0 B 0 C A 1 (C) B 0 C

L L L L
1
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 34
4 Force (Flexibility) Method

Reaction and member forces: P

D 0.396P (T) E P

0.561P (T) 0.834P (T)

L 1.396P (C) 0.604P (C)

A 0.604P (C) B 0 C

L L
0.396P 0.793P 0.604P

Note P
D E P
Do not choose redundant force(s) that
leads to unstable structure
L Unstable Structure!
A B C
L L
Pang Sze Dai, NUS 35