Fortheproblemsinthischapterwehavethe-Physics.PDFVIP

Indeterminate Structures. For the problems in this chapter we have the following three equations at our disposal: F = 0 F = 0 τ = 0 net , x net , y net , z If the problem has more than three unknowns we cannot solve it We can solve a statics problem for a table with three legs but not for one with four legs. Problems like these are called indeterminate An example is given in the figure. A big elephant sits on a wobly table. If the table does not collapse it will deform so that all four legs touch the floor. The upward forces exerted on the legs by the floor assume definite and different values. How can we calculate the values of these forces? To solve such an indeterminate equilibrium problem we must supplement the three equilibrium equations with some knowledge of elasticity, the branch of physics and engineering that describes how real bodies deform when forces are applied to them. (12-13) Elasticity Metallic solids consist of a large number of atoms positioned on a regular three-dimensional lattice as hown in the figure. The lattice is repetition of a pattern (in the figure this pattern is a cube) Each atom of the solid has a well-defined equilibrium distance from its nearest neighbors. The atoms are held together by interatomic forces that can be modeled as tiny springs. If we try to change the interatomic distance the resulting force is proportional to the atom displacement from the equilibrium pos