STATICS EXAMPLE 1

Determine the reactions at the pins B and C. Neglect the weight 4000 N/m
600 mm
of the members compared to the distributed load. B C
D

50°
300 mm

Solution
Choose BCD as a subsystem because the desired unknowns and the external load
act on it.
Once we have chosen a subsystem and are about to impose equilibrium on it, we can
replace the uniformly distributed force by a statically equivalent concentrated force.
Draw the FBD. In general, the force exerted by a pin has an unknown direction, 1200 N
and hence two unknown components, such as Bx and By. By
150 mm
600 mm
The interaction at C could likewise be represented by Cx and Cy. However, we note that
the attached body AC is a two-force member: its weight is neglected and the only forces Bx PAC
on it are due to pins at A and C. To maintain equilibrium of AC, these forces must act 50⬚
along the line AC joining the two points of force application. The unknown force, PAC,
could act in either sense. It will have the sense that is drawn, if it turns out to be positive.
The summation of moments about point B directly gives the force PAC.
11200 N2 1750 mm2
a M|B = - 11200 N21750 mm2 + PAC 1sin 50°21600 mm2 = 0 Q PAC = sin 50° 1600 mm2 = 1958 N

Note that PAC 7 0, so the assumed sense was correct.

Now, sum forces to find the force components due to the pin at B :

a Fx = Bx + PAC cos 50° = 0 Q Bx = - PAC cos 50° = - 1259 N

a Fy = By + PAC sin 50° - 1200 N = 0 Q By = 1200 N - PAC sin 50° = - 300 N

1200 N

Note that Bx 6 0, so it is opposite to the sense assumed. By 6 0, so it is 1259 N

also opposite to the sense assumed. Here are the forces in the correct
1958 N 50⬚
senses. 300 N

Note that the force components at B are equivalent to a force of magnitude B 1200 N
in the direction u, where
B = 2(1259 N)2 + (300 N)2 = 1294 N 1259 N

u = arctan c d = 13.41°
300 N 300 N 1958 N 50⬚
1259 N

>>End Statics Example 1

| Statics Example 1 13
STATICS EXAMPLE 2

Determine the reactions at the support A, which represents a body to which the
A
structure ABC is rigidly attached. The linearly distributed force has a maximum
force per length of q.
3a

qa
C
q B
a

Solution
Ay Choose the single member ABC as a subsystem. Draw the FBD.
MA
Ax
With a fixed support and loading in the plane, at A there is an unknown couple, and
a force of unknown magnitude and direction.

Since we are about to sum forces and moments, the linearly distributed force can be
3a
replaced by a statically equivalent force q(3a)兾2, acting at the point that is 2兾3 of the
distance from the point of zero distributed force to the point of maximum distributed
qa force: (2兾3)(3a) ⫽ 2a.
C
q B
a Take moments about point A to eliminate the contribution of Ax and Ay and
determine MA.
qa
a M ƒA = a 2 b (2a) - (qa)(a) + MA = 0
2qa2
3qa
Q MA = -2qa2
3 qa
2
Now, sum forces to find the force components Ax and Ay:
2a
3qa 3qa
3qa/2 a Fx = Ax + 2 = 0 Q Ax = -
2

a Fx = Ay - qa = 0 Q Ay = qa
qa

a
Note that Ax 6 0, so it is opposite to the sense assumed. Ay 7 0, so it is in the sense
assumed. MA 6 0, so it is opposite to the sense assumed. The reactions at A are
re-drawn in the correct senses.

1.803qa 2qa2 Note that the force components at A are equivalent to a force of magnitude A in the
33.69⬚ direction u, where
2
a qab + (qa)2 = 1.803qa
3
A =
2a A 2
qa
3qa/2 u = arctan = 33.69°
3
qa J 2 qa K

>>End Statics Example 2

14 CHAPTER 1 | Introduction to Mechanics of Materials

STATICS EXAMPLE 3

Find the reaction at support A. 5

4
50 kN
3 D
A B C

16 m 12 m 8m
6m

Solution
Choose the entire structure as the subsystem. Draw the FBD. The unknown support
reactions are drawn, including the pin at A and rollers at B and D. Notice the pin at C
is internal to the subsystem, so no forces at C are drawn. 50 kN
Ax C
One cannot solve for all the forces from the subsystem ABCD, because
there are four unknowns Ax, Ay, By, and Dy, but only three equilibrium
equations. Ay By Dy

50 kN

Notice ABCD can be separated into two subsystems without Ax Cx Cx

cutting through a part. Here are the FBDs for these two
subsystems. Notice that the forces exerted by the pin C now Ay By Cy Cy Dy
appear, and that they are drawn as equal and opposite on the
two subsystems.

Because it has only three unknowns, use subsystem CD to solve for Cx, Cy, and Dy first.

a M|C = -(50 kN) a 5 b (8 m) + Dy(14 m) = 0 Q Dy = 40 kN (14 m) = 22.9 kN

4 (8 m)

a Fx = Cx + (50 kN) a 5 b = 0
3
Q Cx = - 30 kN

a Fy = Cy - (50 kN) a 5 b + 22.9 kN = 0

4
Q Cy = 17.14 kN

Now use subsystem ABC to solve for the remaining unknowns.

(28 m)
a M|A = By(16 m) - (17.14 kN)(28 m) = 0 Q By = 17.14 kN
(16 m)
= 30 kN

Ax 30 kN

a Fx = Ax + 30 kN = 0 Q Ax = - 30 kN Ay By 17.14 kN

30 kN
a Fy = Ay + (30 kN) - 17.14 kN = 0 Q Ay = - 12.86 kN 30 kN

12.86 kN 30 kN 17.14 kN
Since all components are known, draw all the forces in the correct senses
at each point.

>>End Statics Example 3

| Statics Example 3 15