Theory of Structures Reviewer  Uniformly Distributed Load: Evenly spread over

1. Structural Engineering a distance.

 Definition: A specialty within civil engineering  Non-Uniform Load: Varies along the length
focusing on the framework of structures to (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal).
ensure they are safe, stable, and secure.
 Role of Structural Engineers: Design structures 6. Supports and Connections
to withstand stresses (e.g., gravity, wind,  Roller Support: Allows horizontal movement;
earthquakes) and prevent collapse. resists vertical forces.
 Pinned Support: Resists horizontal and vertical
2. Structural Analysis vs. Design forces but allows rotation.
 Structural Analysis: Calculates loads and  Fixed Support: Resists horizontal, vertical
stresses on structures. forces, and moments (no movement or
 Structural Design: Determines dimensions of rotation).
structural members based on analysis results.
7. Types of Stresses
3. Types of Structures  Tension: Stretching force.
 Buildings: Composed of columns, beams, slabs,  Compression: Crushing force.
and foundations.  Shear: Sliding force along a plane.
 Bridges: Types include truss, arch, girder,  Bending: Combination of tension and
suspension, cable-stayed, and cantilever compression.
bridges.  Torsion: Twisting force.
 Towers: Vertical structures used for support or
communication. 8. Structural Design Methods
 American Concrete Institute (ACI): Standards
4. Structural Elements for concrete design.
 Beams: Horizontal members carrying vertical  American Institute of Steel Construction
loads (e.g., simply supported, cantilevered, (AISC): Standards for steel design.
fixed-ended).  National Structural Code of the Philippines
 Columns: Vertical members resisting axial (NSCP): Primary design code in the Philippines.
compressive loads.
 Tie Rods: Slender members under tensile Key Terms to Remember
force (e.g., rods, bars, angles, channels).  Dead Load: Permanent, unchanging.
 Live Load: Temporary, movable.
5. Types of Loads  Cantilever Beam: Fixed at one end, free at the
A) According to Nature other.
 Dead Load: Permanent, unchanging loads (e.g.,  Truss: Triangular arrangement of slender
self-weight of structure). elements.
 Live Load: Temporary, movable loads (e.g.,  Fixed Support: Resists all forces and moments.
people, furniture). Stability and Determinacy of Structures
 Wind Load: Pressure exerted by wind on 1. Types of Forces
structures.  External Forces: Applied forces (e.g., loads) and
 Snow Load: Downward force from accumulated reaction forces (e.g., supports).
snow.  Internal Forces: Forces within the structure
 Earthquake/Seismic Load: Dynamic loads (e.g., tension, compression, shear).
causing vibrations.
 Temperature Load: Stresses from thermal 2. Internal Stability
expansion/contraction.  Stable Structure: Maintains its shape and
 Dynamic Load: Forces from moving loads or rigidity when detached from supports.
vibrations.  Unstable Structure: Cannot maintain its shape
B) According to Application and may undergo large displacements without
 Point/Concentrated Load: Acts on a small area external support.
(e.g., roller support).
3. Constraints o ∑Fx=0∑Fx=0 (Sum of horizontal forces =
 Partial Constraints: Fewer reactive forces than 0).
equilibrium equations. o ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0 (Sum of vertical forces = 0).
 Improper Constraints: Enough reactive forces, o ∑M=0∑M=0 (Sum of moments = 0).
but instability occurs due to improper support 3. Solve for Unknowns: Calculate reactions and
(e.g., concurrent or parallel forces). internal forces.

4. Determinacy Key Terms to Remember

 Statically Determinate: Number of unknowns  Statically Determinate: U=EU=E.
equals the number of equilibrium equations  Statically Indeterminate: U>EU>E.
(U=EU=E).  Partial Constraints: Fewer reactions than
 Statically Indeterminate: Number of unknowns equilibrium equations.
exceeds the number of equilibrium equations  Improper Constraints: Concurrent or parallel
(U>EU>E). forces causing instability.
 Truss: Triangular arrangement of slender
5. Rules for Determinacy members.
 Beams & Pin-Connected  Frame: Beams and columns connected rigidly or
Structures: ER+IR=3(M)ER+IR=3(M). pinned.
 Frames: ER+IR=3(J)ER+IR=3(J).
 Trusses: ER+IR=2(J)ER+IR=2(J). Quick Tips for Memorization
Where: 1. Mnemonics: Use "U = E" for statically
 ERER: External reactions. determinate structures.
 IRIR: Internal reactions. 2. Visualization: Picture common structures like
 MM: Number of members. bridges (trusses) and buildings (frames).
 JJ: Number of joints. 3. Practice Problems: Solve simple beam and truss
problems to reinforce concepts.
Analysis of Statically Determinate Structures
1. Beams Example Problem
 Simply Supported: Supported at two ends (pin Problem: Determine the reactions at supports A and B
and roller). for a simply supported beam with a point load of 20 kN
 Cantilever: Fixed at one end, free at the other. at the center.
 Fixed Beam: Fixed at both ends. Solution:
1. Draw FBD: Show the beam with a 20 kN load at
2. Pin-Connected Structures the center and reactions at A and B.
 Trusses: Composed of slender members 2. Apply Equilibrium Equations:
arranged in triangular patterns. o ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0: RA+RB=20 kNRA+RB
 Frames: Composed of beams and columns, =20kN.
often rigidly connected. o ∑MA=0∑MA=0: 20×3=RB×620×3=RB×6
→ RB=10 kNRB=10kN.
3. Reactions at Supports o RA=10 kNRA=10kN.
 Roller Support: Allows horizontal movement; Analysis of Trusses
resists vertical forces. 1. What is a Truss?
 Pinned Support: Resists horizontal and vertical  A truss is a structure composed of slender
forces but allows rotation. members joined together at their endpoints,
 Fixed Support: Resists horizontal, vertical usually forming a series of triangles.
forces, and moments (no movement or  Common materials: Wooden struts, metal bars,
rotation). angles, or channels.
 Joints are typically connected
4. Steps for Analysis by bolting or welding to a gusset plate.
1. Draw Free-Body Diagram (FBD): Isolate the
structure and show all external forces. 2. Types of Trusses
2. Apply Equilibrium Equations:  Roof Trusses: Used in industrial buildings (e.g.,
ridge purlins, top cord, bottom cord).
  Bridge Trusses: Main structural elements in  Equilibrium Equations: Use ∑Fx=0∑Fx
bridges (e.g., top lateral bracing, deck, floor =0, ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0, and ∑M=0∑M=0.
beams).  Tension vs. Compression: Positive results
indicate tension; negative results
3. Design Assumptions indicate compression.
1. All loads are applied at the joints.
2. Members are joined by smooth pins.
3. Members are subjected only to axial Key Terms to Remember
loads (tension or compression).  Truss: A structure of slender members forming
triangles.
4. Zero-Force Members  Zero-Force Members: Members with no axial
 Zero-force members carry no axial load and are load.
used to prevent buckling or vibration.  Method of Joints: Analyzes forces at each joint.
 Rules for Identifying Zero-Force Members:  Method of Sections: Analyzes forces by cutting
1. Two non-collinear members meeting at the truss.
a joint with no external force → both  Tension: Member is being pulled.
are zero-force members.  Compression: Member is being pushed.
2. Three members meet at a joint with no
external force, and two are collinear → Quick Tips for Memorization
the third member is zero-force. 1. Mnemonics: Use "T for Tension" and "C for
3. Two members meet at a joint, and an Compression".
applied force is collinear with one 2. Visualization: Picture common truss structures
member → the other member is zero- like bridges and roofs.
force. 3. Practice Problems: Solve simple truss problems
to reinforce concepts.
5. Method of Joints
 Principle: If the truss is in equilibrium, each Example Problem
joint is also in equilibrium. Problem: Determine the force in each member of the
 Steps: truss using the Method of Joints.
1. Solve for support reactions. Solution:
2. Select a joint with ≤ 2 unknown forces 1. Draw FBD: Show the truss with all external
and draw its Free-Body Diagram (FBD). forces and reactions.
3. Apply equilibrium equations: ∑Fx=0∑Fx 2. Solve for Reactions: Use equilibrium equations
=0 and ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0. to find support reactions.
4. Move to the next joint and repeat. 3. Analyze Joints: Start with a joint with ≤ 2
unknowns and solve for member forces.
6. Method of Sections 4. Repeat: Move to adjacent joints until all
 Principle: If the truss is in equilibrium, any member forces are determined.
segment of the truss is also in equilibrium.
 Steps:
1. Solve for support reactions.
2. Cut through the truss to isolate a
section with ≤ 3 unknown forces.
3. Apply equilibrium equations: ∑Fx=0∑Fx
=0, ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0, and ∑M=0∑M=0.
4. Assume unknown forces
are tensile (positive if correct, negative
if compressive).

7. Key Points for Analysis

 Support Reactions: Always solve for reactions
first.