Introduction

Beam and Strut Problems are classic introductory problems in

Mechanics of Materials. These simple structures allow consideration of
several different aspects of stress and deformation.
Equilibrium Calculations
Sum of moments about point A
Write a moment equilibrium equation to find the force in the strut. Take
moments about point A, the pinned connection between the beam and
the wall. We will consider a free-body diagram that assumes the
internal force in the strut is tension. For the specified configuration, the
moment equation is:
MA = -10.0 in P + (6.0 in)FBC sin(53.130)
= -10.0 in(1.325 kip) + (6.0 in)FBC(0.8000) = 0
We can solve this equation to find the axial force in the strut:
FBC = 2.760 kip
The strut force is tension, as we initially assumed.
Sum of forces in the horizontal direction

Write a force equilibrium equation for the sum of forces in the horizontal
direction. For the specified configuration, the force equilibrium equation
is:
Fx

= -FBC cos(53.130) + Ax = 0

Therefore, the horizontal reaction force of the pin at A is:

Ax = 1.656 kip
Sum of forces in the vertical direction
Write a force equilibrium equation for the sum of forces in the vertical
direction. For the specified configuration, the force equilibrium equation
is:
Fy

= -P + FBC sin(53.130) + Ay = 0
= -(1.325 kip) + FBC(0.8000) + Ay = 0

The vertical reaction force acting on the pin at A is:

Ay = -0.8833 kip
Strut Pin Calculations
The force acting on the pin at C (FC) is equal to the internal force in the
strut (FBC). In other words, FC = FBC = 2.760 kip. The diameter of the
pin connecting the strut to the support is specified as d C = 0.3750 in.
Using dC = 0.3750 in, the cross-sectional area for the pin can be
calculated as:
Apin

= d2 / 4
= (0.3750 in)2 / 4
= 0.1104 in

The connection at C is single shear; therefore, the area subjected to

shear stress is simply equal to the cross-sectional area of the pin. For
the 0.3750 in diameter pin, the shear area is AC = 0.1104 in. The
shear stress in the pin at C is:
C

= |FC| / AC
= 2.760 kip 0.1104 in
= 24.993 ksi

Strut Normal Stress Calculation

The internal force in the strut is FBC = 2.760 kip (tension). The normal
stress in the strut is:
BC

= FBC / ABC
= 2.760 kip 0.1250 in
= 22.083 ksi (tension)

Beam Pin Calculations

The resultant force acting on the pin at A is: