Force Method
Force Method
Displacement method
1. Displacement v is imposed to the structure at section a, as shown in the rightmost diagram of Sketch 2.
2. The forces in both parts are expressed in terms of v with the aid of elasticity relations
v
N1 = EA1 = EA1
l1
N2 =
v
EA2
l2
EA1
l1
1
+
EA2
l2
The basic equation in this method is the equilibrium equation and the primary unknown is displacement v.
The remaining unknown variables (N1 and N2 in this case) are computed from elasticity equations.
The reader is encouraged to check on his own that the solutions obtained by both methods are identical.
It is sufcient to evaluate the secondary unknowns for this purpose.
The displacement method is algorithmically simpler but offers less exibility. Section a could have
been selected somewhere else but not entirely arbitrarily (not at the ends). Besides, the expressions for the
end forces N1 and N2 would be complicated in that case.
Force method
More descriptive names are also used for this method, the deection superposition method or the method
of consistent displacements. Basic steps and terminology are introduced rst on simple structures with a
single redundant or, in other words, on structures statically indeterminate to the rst degree.
F2
B
F1
A
F2
C
redundant
A constraint is selected and removed, here it is the support B. The structure becomes statically determinate. This modied structure is called the
primary structure. The removed constraint is called the redundant constraint or redundant. The term redundant also is used for the force acting
in the actual structure in the constraint.
It is yet unknown and symbol X is thus introduced for it. In this actual example the symbol B could be
used as well but in order to have the notation sufciently general, X is preferred.
Step 2 - deection o of the primary structure is computed in the direction of the redundant due to
the actual loading.
F1
A
F2
o
Sketch 5 Deection o ,
note
that positive sense agrees with
the positive sense if the redundant.
The principle of virtual forces (PVf) is almost exclusively used for the
purpose for obvious reasons but potentially any another method could
be applied. Note that positive senses of X and o coincide. It is not
an absolute necessity but highly recommendable since it helps to keep
consistent signs.
Step 3 - deection of the primary structure is computed due to the unit redundant force X = 1 in
the direction of the redundant. The term compliance is also used for .
When PVf is used, the virtual and actual load cases to be considered in
this computation apparently are the same and the same virtual load case
is used in step 2, either. The total of only two load cases is to be solved
for the primary structure in this task. It is more apparent in the next
commented example.
Force load
The algorithm is applied to the structure in Sketch 7. The quantities in step 2, load case 0 (actual load on
the primary structure) get index o in order to distinguish them from the values in other load cases and from
the nal values in particular. Steps 1, 2 and 3 are self-explaining in Sketch 7. It remains to complete the
steps by evaluations of o and :
o =
1
M dx =
EJ
EJ
Z l
Mo
0
Z l
M1
0
EJ
1F lll 1F lll
+
2 2 2 2
3222
M dx =
1 1
l3
l1l1l =
EJ 3
3EJ
5 F l3
48 EJ
STEP 1:
F
A l/2
l/2
PRIMARY STRUCTURE:
X
L.C.1 virtual
M:
STEP 2:
l/2
l
L.C. 1 real
M1:
STEP 3:
The virtual L.C. is the same
as in STEP 1.
1
l
3/16 Fl
o + X = 0
5
F =B
16
l
5
3
+
F l= F l
2 16
16
F
5/16 F
X=
Step 5:
L.C. 0 and 1 are superimposed, the second one with factor X. For the bending
moment at the clamped end the superposition yields
MA = F
FINAL RESULTS:
M diagram by superposition:
Step 4:
The redundant follows from the compatibility equation:
Mc = 0 +
5
l
5
F =
Fl
16 2
32
5/32 Fl
Note that the reaction and internal forces do not depend on the material stiffness (Young modulus) and
cross-section dimensions as far as those are constant in the whole beam. The displacements do, of course.
For later reference, reasonable dimensions, material properties and loading force are introduced:
1 l = 10 m
2 the cross-section 0.5 m (depth) 0.2 m (width), J =0.00808 m4
3 material concrete, E = 30GPa
4 the loading force F = 100kN.
5
F = 31.2 kN.
Then X = 16
3.2.2
The same structure is analyzed as in the previous section. The structure is specic in the sense that a
homogeneous temperature change does not induce any reactions and internal forces. Indeed, this thermal
effect implies simple extension of the beam which is not restricted by supports. This condition is rather
exceptional in practice. If the roller had not vertical axis, for instance, the homogeneous temperature would
induce reaction. Another thermal effect is equally frequent in practice uneven temperature change when
temperature varies across the depth of the beam. This happens with roof girders and bridge decks for
instance, when the upper face is exposed to sunrays whereas the lower is not. It is usually sufcient to
assume a linear variation of the temperature across the depth. For brevity, this thermal effect is called the
temperature gradient forthwith (although it is not quite correct) and is dened by the temperature difference
t = tupperf ace tlowerf ace