La Salle University

Ozamiz City

COLLEGE OF COMPUTER STUDIES, ENGINEERING AND

ARCHITECTURE

COURSE Structural Theory

MODULE/PERIOD Module 4: Week 7 - 8

TITLE External reactions and Internal stress developed in Structures; Analysis of

Cables and Arches

OVERVIEW
Structural theory is the course that gives the student insights, general
overview and basic principles involved in Structural Analysis.

This module aims to discuss reaction and stresses within structures including
cables and arches.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ● Read and follow instructions

● Follow the guidelines on submitting reports provided on Canvas
● You, the student, should perform the activities stated in this module
● For any questions or clarification, please contact me through Canvas

LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the module, you must be able to:

1. Solve problems involving external reactions.

2. Solve problems involving internal stresses.
3. Solve cabled and arched problems.

EXPLORE A. External Reactions

Structures or structural members are held in position by supports. In real

life, these supports are the connections within our structures while in
solving, they are represented by different figures.

There are multiple support types but we will just limit ours discussion with
the most commonly used which are:
To design structures, one of the first things we need to do is solve its
support reactions. To solve support reactions we use the 3 equations of
equilibrium:
Summation of Vertical Forces = 0
Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0
Summation of Moments = 0

Note: We will limit our solving for statically determinate structures for
now.

Examples:

1. We have a simply supported beam, where there is a pin support at

the left and roller support at the right.

Solution:
The pin support will have two reactions (vertical and horizontal) and the
roller support will have one (vertical). Note that the roller reaction will be
perpendicular to the flat surface where the circle is rested on.

To solve, first you need to remove the supports and replace them with
forces and you have to assume their respective directions. In the figure
below, the P denotes reactions for the pin while R for the roller.
Next we do is we use the equations of equilibrium:

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
-Ph = 0
Ph = 0; we have solve our first support reaction

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
Pv – Rv – 20kN = 0; we do not have either value of each so let us move
on to next equation of equilibrium

Summation of Moments = 0 (When summing up moment, we need to

choose a point of reference)
Sum of Moments at point P = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)
+20kN(5m) + Rv(10m) = 0
Rv = -10 kN; negative answer means our assumed direction is opposite
of the correct direction
Rv = 10 kN going up

To solve Pv, we use the equation we obtained from summing vertical

forces.
Pv – Rv – 20kN = 0
Pv – (-10) – 20kN = 0
Pv + 10 – 20kN = 0
Pv = 10 kN; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct

2. We have a fixed support beam which carries a uniformly distributed

load.

Solution:
Replace supports with forces.
Next we do is we use the equations of equilibrium:

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
-Fh = 0
Fh = 0; we have solve our first support reaction

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
Fv – 7kN/m(12m)= 0
Fv = 84 kN; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct
Note summing up force with uniform load, use the area of the uniform
load which is: Area = rectangle = (7kN/m)(12m)

Sum of Moments at point F = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

Before summing up moments you need to change the uniform load to its
corresponding concentrated load. This conversion if only applicable
within the sum of moments solution.

In the figure above, the uniform load is replaced with a single

concentrated load. The location of this load will be at the centroid of the
shape (rectangle) of the uniform load. The magnitude of this load is equal
to its area (Area = rectangle = (7kN/m)(12m) = 84 kN) .
Sum of Moments at point F = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)
–Fm + 84kN(6m) = 0
Fm = 504 kN-m; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct

3. In this example, we have a fixed support on the left, a roller support

on the right and an internal hinge in the middle to make this figure
statically determinate.
Note that the hinge is not a support in this setup and therefore will not
affect our solution unless we cut it open.
Tip: If we solve this without cutting the hinge open, we will be unable to
solve all support reactions. To solve this problem we need to think of the
problem as two sets of figure divided from the hinge. To start you
solution, you need to choose which side has fewer supports, in this setup
the left one has 1 reaction compared to the 3 reactions on the right.

Solution:
Choosing to cut the hinge and picking the left side. Note that cutting the
hinge, two reactions will come out.

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
-Hh = 0
Hh = 0

Sum of Moments at point H = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

20kN(4m) – Rv(8) = 0
Rv = 10 kN; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
Hv + Rv – 20 = 0
Hv + 10 – 20 = 0
Hv = 10 kN

To solve the remaining support reactions, you need to use the other side
of the figure which is the left side. Note that when creating your figure,
you can no longer assume the direction of the forces for the hinge
reactions since you started with the right. Your directions for the hinge
reactions must be opposite of the directions from the right figure you
previously made.
 Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is
positive)
-Fh + Hh = 0
-Fh + 0 = 0
Fh = 0

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
Fv – Hv = 0
Fv – 10kN = 0
Fv = 10 kN; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct

Sum of Moments at point F = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

–Fm + Hv(4m) = 0
–Fm + (10kN)(4m) = 0
Fm = 40 kN-m; positive answer means our assumed direction is correct

B. Internal Stresses

Internal stresses are the stresses developed within the structure or

structural members due to the loads applied to them. Consider the beam
below, if we cut it somewhere along its length, the internal reactions will
come out which produces the internal stresses.

The three internal reactions are axial, shear and moment. Note that axial
is always parallel to the length while shear is perpendicular to the length
of the beam in this setup.
Solving Internal Reactions by method of Section
Example:
1. We have a simply supported beam, where there is a pin support at
the left and roller support at the right. Solve for the internal reactions
in the beam at a point 3 meters from the pin support

Solution:
To solve internal reactions, the first step must be to solve the external
reactions. This example is solved previously with external reactions as
follows:
Pin Horizontal Reaction = 0
Pin Vertical Reaction = 10 kN going up
Roller Vertical Reaction = 10 kN going up

Next step is to cut at the point where we are asked to solve. Note that
cutting the figure will create two figures; it is now up to you to choose
which side you will use.
Tip: Choose the side with lesser loads, supports or reactions.

In the figure below, 3 meters from the pin support is cut and the left side
is chosen.

To solve the internal reaction, it’s the same with solving external
reactions. The figure below shows the support being replaced with
forces.

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
-Ph + Axial = 0
0 + Axial = 0
Axial = 0

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
Pv + Shear = 0
10kN + Shear = 0
Shear = -10 kN; negative answer means our assumed direction is
opposite of the correct direction
Shear = 10 kN going down for this figure

Sum of Moments at point P = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

–Shear(3m) – Moment = 0
–(-10)(3m) – Moment = 0
Moment = 30kN-m; positive answer means our assumed direction is
correct

Solving Internal Reactions through Shear and Moment Diagrams

Example:
1. We have a simply supported beam, where there is a pin support at
the left and roller support at the right. Solve for the internal reactions
in the beam at a point 3 meters from the pin support

Solution:
To solve internal reactions, the first step must be to solve the external
reactions. This example is solved previously with external reactions as
follows:
Pin Horizontal Reaction = 0
Pin Vertical Reaction = 10 kN going up
Roller Vertical Reaction = 10 kN going up

Since no horizontal forces act on the beam and the beam is straight in
form, then Axial forces within the beam is equal to zero.
Axial = 0
Next step is to create the shear and moment diagrams.
The pink line represents the shear and moment in their respective
diagrams. The yellow line represents the 3 meter distance from the pin
support. The shear and moment diagram allows us to determine the
values of the shear and moment at any point in the beam.

Think of the shear and moment diagrams as X-Y coordinate system

where the X is the length of the beam and Y is the value of the shear or
moment.

To solve the problem, we see the diagrams what are the Y values in the
point where the pink and yellow line intersect (this is the 3 meters from
the pin support).

For the shear, the Y value or the shear value at 3 meters from the pin is
equal to 10 kN.
Shear = 10 kN

For the moment, we don’t see any values in the diagram but we know the
shape form a triangle so we apply solving through ratio and proportion.

(50kN-m) / (5m) = (Moment) / (3m)

Moment = 30 kN-m

Note: If ever for example you need to solve the shear at midspan for this
example. Notice the yellow line will hit the pink line in the shear diagram
at two values. What you do is simply add the two values; +10 kN plus –
10kN equal to zero. This means there is zero shear at midspan.
C. Solving Cabled Problems

In solving problems that uses wires, cables, ropes or any object of the
like, take note of these key concepts:
 Their sag will always form a parabola or if the wires, cables or
ropes carries a uniform load
 If along their sag there are concentrated loads, it will form straight
lines between those forces and supports
 They will not resist moment or cannot support moment therefore
their ends will always be pin supported; and if you cut them there
are only two reactions, axial and shear.
 Their support reactions or internal reactions can be represented
as one force namely “T” or which is always tension and is T 2 = X2
+ Y2 where X and Y are the vertical and horizontal reactions.
 T will always be the same direction as its wire, cable or rope

 If the wire, cable or rope forms a parabola or sag, then its lowest
point along the wire, cable or rope will have zero vertical internal
reaction
 For problems with wires, cables or ropes under concentrated
load, you use method of joints in solving where the support points
and load points act as your joints in the solution.
 For problems with uniform load or with wires, cables or ropes
forming sag, cut the figure at point of lowest wires, cables or
ropes. Choose a side where to start solving.

Example:

1. In the figure below, solve all support reactions and the tension in
Cable BC.

Solution:
Let us start at joint A, in the figure below, Ah and Av are support
reactions while AB is the tension for the Cable between points A and B.
(Cables are always in tension or moving away from a point)
Using sum of forces along vertical and horizontal, we can say:
Ah = Horizontal component of AB = ABh
Av = Vertical component of AB = ABv

Recreating the first figure but replacing the supports with reactions.

Sum of Moments at point D = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

ABv(2+2.5+1.5) – ABh(3.3) – 250N(2.5+1.5) – 500N(1.5) = 0
ABv(6) – ABh(3.3) – 1750 = 0
From the figure, we see that Cable AB has horizontal and vertical
distances therefore the length of Cable AB = squareroot(4.3 2 + 22) =
4.742m.
Applying ratio and proportion to the components of AB and its lengths:
ABh / AB = 2 / 4.742 ; ABh = 0.422 AB
ABv / AB = 4.3 / 4.742 ; ABv = 0.907 AB
Substituting these values to the equation we got previously:
ABv(6) – ABh(3.3) – 1750 = 0
(0.907 AB)(6) – (0.422 AB)(3.3) – 1750 = 0
AB = 432.163N
ABh = Ah = 0.422 AB
Ah = 182.373N going to the left
ABv = Av = 0.907 AB
Av = 391.972N going up

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
–ABh + Dh = 0
Dh = 182.373N going to the right

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
ABv + Dv – 250N – 500N = 0
391.972N + Dv – 250N – 500N = 0
Dv = 358.028N going up

To solve the last question in the problem, we move to joint B.

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
–ABh + BCh = 0
BCh = 182.373N

Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is

positive)
ABv – 250N – BCv = 0
391.972N – 250N – BCv = 0
BCv = 141.972N

BC = squareroot(BCh2 + BCv2)
BC = 231.119N

2. In the cable (pink) carries a uniform load over its span. Solve all
support reactions and solve the maximum tension developed in the
cable.

Solution:
First we need to determine the location of B. To solve this we use this
formula: yo = ( w / (2To) ) xo2
Where y corresponds to cable vertical height, x for the horizontal
distance, w is uniform load carried and To is the tension of the cable at
lowest point.
Using y1 = 20, x1 = x
Using y2 = 10, x2 = 45 – x
y1 = ( w / (2To) ) x12 ; 20 = ( 150 / (2To) ) (x)2
To = 3.75x2 ; equation 1
y2 = ( w / (2To) ) x22 ; 10 = ( 150 / (2To) ) (45 – x)2
To = (7.5)(45 – x)2 ; equation 2
Equating equation 1 and 2:
3.75x2 = (7.5)(45 – x)2
3.75x2 = (7.5)(2025 – 90x + x2)
3.75x2 = 7.5x2 – 675x + 15187.5
x2 – 180x + 4050 = 0
x = 26.36 m
45 – x = 18.64 m

Next thing we do is cut at lowest point which is B and solve one side at a
time.

Note that there is no vertical reaction at B since it is at lowest point and

that the reaction at B is actually To.
To = 3.75x2 ; To = 3.75(26.36)2 = 2605.686 kN
(w)(x) = (150kN/m)(26.36m) = 3954 kN
Summing up vertical and horizontal forces:
Ah = 2605.686 kN going to the left
Av = 3954 kN going up

Next we do the other side.

 To = 2605.686 kN
(w)(45 - x) = (150kN/m)(18.64m) = 2796 kN
Summing up vertical and horizontal forces:
Ch = 2605.686 kN going to the left
Cv = 2796 kN going up

Solving maximum tension in the cable is simply solving the tension with
highest point.
Tmax = Tension at A since point A is located highest
Tmax = TA = squareroot (TAh2 + TAv2 )
Tmax = squareroot (Ah2 + Av2 )
Tmax = 4735.369 kN

D. Solving Arched Problems

Arch structures are very good in supporting compressive loads which is

contrary to cables which are very good in supporting tensile loads. Just
like cables, arches must form a parabolic shape to attain be at maximum
efficiency in supporting loads.

Example:

1. We have an arch in the figure below. Solve for the tension in the
cable.

Solution:
First we need to solve the support reactions. Note that the cable will not
affect our solution unless we cut it. Simply applying the equations of
equilibrium we obtain:
Pin vertical support = 33.75 kN going up
Pin horizontal support = 0
Roller vertical support = 26.25 kN going up

To solve the tension in the cable, we cut at the internal hinge:

 Summation of Vertical Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to up is
positive)
Av – 20 – 15 – Bv = 0
33.75 – 35 – Bv = 0
Bv = –1.25 kN

Sum of Moments at point A = 0 (Assuming clockwise direction is positive)

20(3) + 15(6) + Bv(10) – Bh(7.5) = 0
60 + 90 + (-1.25)(10) – Bh(7.5) = 0
Bh = 18.33 kN

Summation of Horizontal Forces = 0 (Assuming forces moving to right is

positive)
Cable – Bh + Ah = 0
Cable – 18.33 + 0 = 0
Cable Tension = 18.33 kN

Note: When an arch is in a parabolic shape and it carries a uniformly

distributed load all over its arch then all points along the arch will have
zero internal shear and zero internal moment.

ENGAGE Do this at home:

Here is what you do, try and find if you still have notes from you previous
engineering subjects like statics and mechanics. Read through them and find
some of the concepts, figures and structures used in the examples were
already there. Try and resolve those figures and structures used in the
examples within you’re the notes of your previous subjects.
EVALUATE Quiz
Answer the following questions:

For questions 1 through 5, underline True if the statement is correct or

underline False if the statement is wrong.

1. True or False; Structures or structural members are held in position by

supports.

2. True or False; Fixed support contains three reactions.

3. True or False; Cables always support in tension.

4. True or False; Arches always support in compression.

5. True or False; Shear diagrams help determine the location of shear

values within a structural member.

For questions 6 through 11, encircle the letter that best answer the question.

6. What is the vertical reaction for pin support for the figure below?

a. 35 kN
b. 70 kN
c. 3.5 kN
d. 7 kN

7. What is the reaction for roller support for the figure below?

a. 35 kN
b. 70 kN
c. 3.5 kN
 d. 7 kN

8. What is the shear 3 meters from the pin support for the figure below?

a. 8 kN
b. 12 kN
c. 20 kN
d. 3 kN

9. What is the moment 3 meters from the pin support for the figure below?

a. 24 kN-m
b. 8 kN-m
c. 12 kN-m
d. 20 kN-m

10. What is the tension for cable AB for the figure below?

a. 306 kN
b. 231 kN
c. 125 kN
d. 507 kN

11. What is the tension for cable BC for the figure below?
 a. 151 kN
b. 271 kN
c. 325 kN
d. 707 kN

ENRICH Visit this link for additional content:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx-1CkSdbqA

REFLECT Sit down and answer to the following question below on the space provided:

1. What specific information in this module do you like most or has

captured your interest?

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REFERENCES Hibbeler R.C. 2012, Structural Analysis 8th Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall,
New Jersey

Leet K. et. al. 2018, Fundamentals of Structural Analysis 5th Edition, Mc-
Graw Hill Education, New York