MODULE 5 FORCE ANALYSIS OF

STATICALLY DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Knowledge Point: Calculation of the reaction force

and internal force of three hinged arch.

Internal hinge can provide transmitting load and shear

transfer. Hinged supports receive transfered load and
resist with reactions as pins.
5.1 THREE HINGED ARCH
To provide some insight as to how
arches transmit loads, we will now
consider the analysis of a three-hinged
arch such as the one shown in Fig. 3–
10a. In this case, the third hinge is
located at the crown and the supports
are located at different elevations. In
order to determine the reactions at the
supports, the arch is disassembled and
the free-body diagram of each member
is shown in Fig. 3–10b. Here there are
six unknowns for which six equations of
equilibrium are available. One method
of solving this problem is to apply the
moment equilibrium equations about
points A and B. Simultaneous solution
will yield the reactions and Cx and Cy
 The three-hinged open-spandrel arch bridge like the one shown in the
photo has a parabolic shape. If this arch were to support a uniform load
and have the dimensions shown in Fig. 5–10a, show that the arch is
subjected only to axial compression at any intermediate point such as
point D. Assume the load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

SOLUTION
Here the supports are at the same elevation. The free-body diagrams
of the entire arch and part BC are shown in Fig. 5–10b and Fig. 5–
10c. Applying the equations of equilibrium, we have:
SOLUTION
Here the supports are at the same elevation. The free-body diagrams of
the entire arch and part BC are shown in Fig. 5–10b and Fig. 5–10c.
Applying the equations of equilibrium, we have:
SOLUTION
For a symmetric loading, the funicular
shape for the arch must be parabolic as
indicated by the dashed line (Fig. 5–
12b). Here we must find the equation
which fits this shape.With the x, y axes
having an origin at C, the equation is
of the form y = – c x2. To obtain the
constant c, we require

Therefore, yD = –(0.0375/ft) (10 ft)2 = – 3.75 ft

 11.25 ft 11.25 ft

12.5 k
12.5 k
 MODULE 5.2
INFLUENCE LINE

Knowledge Point: The concept of the influence line,

draw the influence line of the reaction force and the
internal force of statically determinate beam and truss
with the static method.
If a structure is subjected to a live or moving load, however, the variation of
the shear and bending moment in the member is best described using the
influence line. An influence line represents the variation of either the reaction,
shear, moment, or deflection at a specific point in a member as a
concentrated force moves over the member. Once this line is constructed,
one can tell at a glance where the moving load should be placed on the
structure so that it creates the greatest influence at the specified point.
Furthermore, the magnitude of the associated reaction, shear, moment, or
deflection at the point can then be calculated from the ordinates of the
influence-line diagram.

For these reasons, influence lines

play an important part in the design
of bridges, industrial crane rails,
conveyors, and other structures
where loads move across their span.
 Moving crane loads
along the bridge

Moving traffic loads

along the bridge
Influence Lines
1. Tabulate Values
 All statically determinate beams will have influence lines that
consist of straight line segments. After some practice one should
be able to minimize computations and locate the unit load only at
points representing the end points of each line segment.
 To avoid errors, it is recommended that one first constructatable,
listing―unit load at x” versus the corresponding value of the
function calculated at the specific point; that is, ”reaction R,”
“shear V, “ or “moment M.” Once the load has been placed at
various points along the span of the member, the tabulated values
can be plotted and the influence-line segments constructed.
Influence Lines
2. Influence Line Equation
 The influence line can also be constructed by placing the unit
load at avariable position x on the member and then computing
the value of R, V, or M at the point as a function of x. In this
manner, the equations of the various line segments composing
the influence line can be determined and plotted.

x P=1

RA = (L ― x)/L RB = x/L
L

Vx = (L ― x)/L Mx = x(L ― x)/L

THE CONCEPT OF THE INFLUENCE LINE

Figure 4.1: Influence lines for reactions

at A and B; (a) beam; (b), (c), (d), and (e)
Influence Line show successive positions of unit load;
of Live Load (f) influence line for RA; (g) influence
line for RB.
 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦
෍ 𝑀𝐵 = 0

𝐴𝑦 = 1(5 − 𝑥)/5 = 1 − ⅕ 𝑥

RA → Ay
RB → By
RA RB
RA (kN) 1
15
x (m)
5 10 -½
RC (kN) 1 1½

x (m)
5 10 15
 x

C
Ay By
 L/3 W W

L/6

RA RB
L

x P=1 x RA
0 1
C L/3 ⅔
RA = (L ― x)/L RB = x/L
L L/2 ½
2L/3 ⅓
RA = 1
⅔ L 0
½

RA = ⅔ W + ½ W = 7W/6
W W Vc = + 7W/6
 L/3 W W

L/6

RA RB
L

x P=1
x RB
0 1
D
L/3 ⅓
RA = (L ― x)/L RB = x/L
L L/2 ½
RB = 1 2L/3 ⅔
⅓ ½ L 0

RB = ⅓ W + ½ W = 5W/6

W W
VD = − 5W/6
 Sketch the influence lines for the vertical reaction at A, the shear at C. Determine
RA and VC subjected to double point loads.
1m
10 KN 20 kN

Sketch the influence lines for the vertical reaction at A, the shear at B & C.
Determine RD and VC subjected to double point loads.
4’
10 kips 20 kips
3’
4.2 Influence Lines for Beams
Concentrated Force. A function for an influence line are
determined using a dimensionless unit load, then for any
concentrated force F acting on the beam at any position x, the
value of the function can be found by multiplying the ordinate
of the influence line at the position x by the magnitude of F.
For example, consider the influence line for the reaction at A
for the beam AB, Fig. 4–2/1. If the unit load is at x = ½L the
reaction at A is Ay = ½ as indicated from the influence line.
Hence, if the force F (lb) is at this same point, the reaction
is Ay = ½ F (lb).
Uniform Load. Consider a portion of a beam ubjected to a
uniform load Fig. 4-2/2. As shown, each dx segment of this
load creates a concentrated force of dF = w0 dx on the beam.
If dF is located at x, where the beam’s influence-line ordinate
for some function (reaction, shear, moment) is y, then the
value of the function is (dF)(y) = (w0 dx) y
The effect of all the concentrated forces dF is determined by
integrating over the entire length of the beam, that is,
∫ wo y dx = w0 ∫ y dx
 RA

1 0.75
x (ft)
0 2.5 5 7.5 10

0 ≤ x ≤ 2.5 ft
VC = RA − P

2.5 ft ≤ x ≤ 10 ft
VC = RA
2000 lb/ft

2.5 10
Engineering Mechanics 2 – Dr. Syahril Taufik 35
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Example 12

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Example 8
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Example 13

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Example 14

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Example 15

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 Problems

Engineering Mechanics 2 – Dr. Syahril Taufik 91

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