Lecture 2 Forces and Loads

Definition of Force: A force is simply a push or a pull acting on a body. It

has units of lb., kip, tons, newtons, kN, etc. A 1 lb. force = 4.45 N. A force is a
vector (i.e., having magnitude and direction) and is usually designated by an
arrow as indicated by the figure below of a block subjected by a single lateral
force:

125 kips

125 kips resisting force

All forces must be resisted by an equal and opposite force as shown above.
Forces may act in any direction, but it is often convenient to resolve the force into
vertical and horizontal components as shown below on the roof truss:
Original force = 4000 lbs.

Vert. force component

Horz. force component

13

12

If, for example, the original force on the truss as shown is 4000 lbs., it would
correspond to the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle. The vertical and
horizontal components can be determined by corresponding the diagonal load
and its hypotenuse with the length of the side of the equivalent triangle.

12
Vertical force = 4000 lbs
13
= 3692 lbs.

5
12
13

5
Horizontal force = 4000 lbs
13
= 1538 lbs.

Lecture 2 - Page 1 of 8

Resolve forces
into right
triangle

Most forces on inclined surfaces, or inclined forces are resolved by solving

triangles. Another example of a force acting on an anchor is as follows:

Vertical force
1000 lbs.

350

Horizontal force

Vertical force = 1000 lbs(sin(350))

= 574 lbs.
Horizontal force = 1000 lbs(cos(350))
= 819 lbs.
Another example of a hanging load supported by two inclined cables as follows:

350

500

Cable A

Cable B

2000 lbs.

Resolve it into a triangle as shown below:

Cable B

500
400
850

2000 lbs.

Cable A

Using the Law of Sines, the force in Cable A is determined as:

sin 850 = sin 400
2000 lbs cable A
Force in Cable A = 1290 lbs.
Force in Cable B =

??? _

Lecture 2 - Page 2 of 8

Loads on Framing Plan:

Usually, beam analysis on a framing plan is performed by determining equivalent
loads on filler beams and applying those loads as point loads to Girder
beams. A typical example of a steel-framed floor system is shown below:

Lecture 2 - Page 3 of 8

Example 1
Column
(typ.)

3@7-0 = 21-0

Girder B

32-0

Beam A

Floor DL = 82 PSF
Floor LL = 100 PSF
Beam A = W18x35
Girder B = W24x94

FRAMING PLAN

3@7-0 = 21-0

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

Tributary width (TW)

32-0

Shaded area = floor area supported

by Beam A.

Lecture 2 - Page 4 of 8

Uniform load on Beam A = TW(PSF) + Beam Wt.

= 7(82 PSF + 100 PSF)+35 PLF
= 1309 PLF

1309 PLF

End
reaction

End
reaction

32-0

End Reaction on Beam A = (span)Unif. Load

= (32)(1309 PLF)
= 20,904 lbs.

Loading on Girder B:
20,904 lbs.

20,904 lbs.

94 PLF (Beam wt.)

End
reaction

21-0

End
reaction

End reaction of Girder B = (Sum of all vertical loads)

= (20,904 lbs. + 20,904 lbs. + 94 PLF(21))
= 21,891 lbs.

Lecture 2 - Page 5 of 8

Example 2
Determine the rafter end reactions R1 and R2.

Rafter span = 11-0

Snow load = 37 PSF

Microllam Ridge
Beam

Dead load = 14 PSF

to rafter

R2

7
12

Nom. 2x10 rafter @

16 o.c. wood unit
weight = 45 PCF

R1

Step 1 Determine the length of the rafter:

Using Pythagoreans Theorem, and similar triangles,
hyp

hyp (7) 2 (12) 2 13.89

12

13.89
Rafter length = 11'0"

12
= 12.73

Lecture 2 - Page 6 of 8

Step 2 Determine dead load weight of rafter:

Rafter weight = wood _ unit _ wt ( Length)( X Sect _ Area)
(1.5" )(9.25" )

= 45 PCF (12.73' )
2
2
144in / ft

= 55.2 lbs.
Step 3 Determine uniform dead load along rafter in PLF:
Rafter _ weight

Uniform dead load = (Trib. Width)(PSF) +

Rafter _ length
55.2lbs.
= (1.33)(14 PSF) +

12.73'
= 18.62 PLF + 4.34 PLF
= 22.96 PLF
Step 4 Determine uniform dead load on rafter in along horizontal projection:

22.96 PLF
12.73'
Horz. PLF = 22.96 PLF

11'0"
Horz. PLF = ?

= 26.6 PLF

11-0

Lecture 2 - Page 7 of 8

Step 5 Determine total uniform dead load + snow load on horz. projection:

Snow load = 37 PSF(1.33 trib. width)

= 49.2 PLF
Dead load = 26.6 PLF

Total unif. load = 49.2 PLF + 26.6 PLF

= 75.8 PLF
11-0

Step 6 Determine rafter end reactions R1 and R2:

75.8 PLF

R2

R1

11-0

R1 R2

1
(75.8PLF )(11'0" )
2

R1 = R2 = 416.9 Lbs.

Lecture 2 - Page 8 of 8