Continuous Beam

Sample Problem #1

30kN 20kN
10kN 40kN

10kN/m 1m
A B C D

5m 1m 4m
RA RB RD

Determine the values of the reactions RA, RB and RD.

Solution:
Consider segment CD: Consider segment A-B-C:

30kN 27.5kN
20kN 10kN 40kN 20kN

1m 3m
C D 10kN/m
A C
5m B 1m
RC RD
RA RB
ΣMC = 0
4RD = 10(1) + 40(4) ΣMA = 0
RD = 42.500kN 5RB = 27.5(6) + 10(6)(6/2)
RB = 69kN
ΣMD = 0 ΣMC = 0
4RC = 10(3) + 20(4) 6RA = 30(6) + 10(6)(6/2) – 69(1)
RC = 27.500kN RA = 48.500kN
Checking:
ΣFv = 0
48.500 + 69.000 + 42.500 = 30 + 20 + 10 + 40 + 10(6)
160kN = 160kN
Sample Problem #2
10kN
15kN
20kN
1m 3m
4m 5m 1m
5kN/m 10kN/m

A B C D E F

2m 3m 5m 2m 2m

RA RC RD RF
Determine the values of the reactions RA, RC, RD and RF.

Solution:

Consider segment AB: Consider segment EF:

5kN/m 10kN/m
A B
E F
2m 2m
RA RB RE RF

ΣMA = 0 ΣME = 0
2RB = 5(2)1 2RF = 10(2)1
RB = 5kN RF = 10kN

ΣMB =0 ΣMF = 0
2RA = 5(2)1 2RE = 10(2)1
RA = 5kN RE = 10kN

Segment B-C-D-E:
10kN
10kN
5kN 15kN 20kN
1m
2m 1m
10kN/m
5kN/m

B C D E
3m 5m 2m
RC RD
Solutions:

ΣMC = 0

5RD = 20(4) + 10(6) + 10(7) + 10(2)6 + 5(8)1 – 15(1) – 5(3)

RD = 68kN

ΣMB = 0

3RC = 15(2) + 20(7) + 10(9) + 10(10) + 10(2)9 + 5(8)4 – 68(8)

RC = 52kN

Checking:

ΣFv = 0

5 + 52 + 68 + 10 = 15 + 20 + 10 + 5(10) + 10(4)

135k = 135kN