Indeterminacy in Structures
Indeterminacy refers to the property of a structure where its reactions or internal forces cannot be
determined solely using the equilibrium equations. It is categorized into static
indeterminacy and kinematic indeterminacy.
Types of Indeterminacy
1. Static Indeterminacy:
Measures the excess number of unknown forces (reactions and internal member forces)
compared to the number of equilibrium equations available.
Formula:
Ds = Dse + Dsi
Where:
Ds = Total static indeterminacy
Dse = External static indeterminacy
Dsi = Internal static indeterminacy
2. Kinematic Indeterminacy:
Refers to the number of independent displacements (degrees of freedom) that a structure
can undergo.
Formula:
K = Total Degrees of Freedom − Number of Constraints
Static Indeterminacy
1. External Static Indeterminacy (Dse ):
Relates to the support reactions of a structure.
Formula:
Dse = r − n
Where:
r = Total number of support reactions
n = Number of equilibrium equations
(n = 3 for 2D structures, n = 6 for 3D structures).
2. Internal Static Indeterminacy (Dsi ):
Relates to the internal member forces.
Formula for Beams:
Dsi = m − (2j − r)
Where:
m = Number of members
j = Number of joints
r = Reactions at supports
Formula for Frames and Trusses:
Dsi = m − (2j − 3)
(for 2D)
Dsi = m − (3j − 6)
(for 3D)
3. Total Static Indeterminacy (Ds ):
Combines external and internal indeterminacy:
Ds = Dse + Dsi
Kinematic Indeterminacy
Formula:
2D Structures:
K = 2j − c
3D Structures:
K = 3j − c
Where:
j = Number of joints
c = Number of constraints (reactions and rigid connections).
Indeterminacy in Different Structures
1. Beams
External Static Indeterminacy (Dse ):
Dse = r − 3
(for 2D)
Dse = r − 6
(for 3D)
Internal Static Indeterminacy (Dsi ):
For continuous beams:
Dsi = Total number of redundants
2. Trusses
External Static Indeterminacy (Dse ):
Dse = r − 3
(for 2D)
Dse = r − 6
(for 3D)
Internal Static Indeterminacy (Dsi ):
Dsi = m − (2j − 3)
(for 2D)
Dsi = m − (3j − 6)
(for 3D)
3. Frames
External Static Indeterminacy (Dse ):
Dse = r − 3
(for 2D)
Dse = r − 6
(for 3D)
Internal Static Indeterminacy (Dsi ):
Dsi = m − (2j − 3)
(for 2D)
Dsi = m − (3j − 6)
(for 3D)
Quick Summary of Formulas
Type of Indeterminacy Formula
External Static (Dse )
Dse = r − n
Internal Static (Dsi )
Dsi = m − (2j − r) (beams, frames, trusses)
Type of Indeterminacy Formula
Total Static (Ds )
Ds = Dse + Dsi
Kinematic (K ) K = 2j − c (2D), K = 3j − c (3D)
Key Observations
1. Beams are primarily affected by external indeterminacy.
2. Trusses often have significant internal indeterminacy due to member forces.
3. Frames can have both external and internal indeterminacies, depending on their complexity
and support conditions.
