Statics

79

Example Problems: Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies

2.27 A beam loaded with a 500# force has one end pin
supported and the other resting on a smooth surface.
Determine the support reactions at A and B.

Solution:
The first step in solving any of these equilibrium problems
is the construction of an FBD. Directions of Ax, Ay, and B
are arbitrarily assumed.
a. The pin support at A develops two reaction constraints: Ax and Ay. Both forces are independent
of each other and constitute two separate
unknowns.
b. Reaction B from the smooth surface develops
perpendicular to the incline of the surface.
c. Because the force equations of equilibrium
( Fx = 0 and Fy = 0) are in the x and y
reference coordinate system, forces that are
inclined should be resolved into x and y
components.
Bx =

4
3
B and By = B
5
5

Note: The slope of reaction force B (4:3) is the reverse of the

surface slope (3:4).
Bx and By are components of the reaction force B and are
not independent of each other as Ax and Ay were. By writing
Bx and By as functions of B, the FBD still involves only
three unknowns, which correspond to the three equations
of equilibrium necessary for a rigid body.
3Fx = 04 + Ax - Bx = 0
But since Bx =
Ax -

then, Ax =

(1)

3
B,
5

3
B = 0
5
+3B
5

3Fy = 04 + Ay - 500# + By = 0
Ay = 500# -

(2)

4
B
5

3MA = 04 = 500#(6) + By(10) = 0

(3)

Note: The moment equation can be written about any point.

Normally, the point chosen is where at least one of the unknowns
is concurrent. Thus, the intersecting unknown can be excluded
in the moment equation, because it has no moment arm.