Statically
Determinate Axial Members
|
In a Nut Shell: An axial member for which
its forces of support and internal forces can be evaluated by the equations of
equilibrium is said to be statically determinate. If the axial member is overconstrained (more supports than necessary), then it
is statically indeterminate and more information is
needed to determine the support and internal forces in it. This same concept also applies to torsion
and bending members. Consider the two examples
shown below. In the figure on the left
the shaft is supported at end A only. Then the force at support A can be
determined from equilibrium by summing forces along the shaft. On the other hand in the figure on the
right the shaft is restrained at both ends of the shaft. So there are two unknown forces – one at
each end. i.e. The force at A and the force at
C. But there is only one equation of
equilibrium – sum of forces along the shaft. So there is insufficient information
provided by equilibrium to determine these forces and more
information is required to analyze this application. Click here to jump to
statically indeterminate axial applications. Click here for examples of
statically determinate axial applications. |
| Return to Notes on Solid Mechanics |
|---|
All rights reserved.