5 Simply supported beams At the end of this chapter you should be able to: © define a ‘moment’ of a force and state its unit ‘© calculate the moment of a force from M=Fxd ‘© understand the conditions for equilibrium of a beam ‘* state the principle of moments ‘© perform calculations involving the prinei- ple of moments, ‘© recognise typical practical applications of simply supported beams with point load- ings ‘* perform calculations on simply supported ‘beams having point loads ‘* perform calculations on simply supported beams with couples 5.1 The moment of a force When using a spanner to tighten a nut, a force tends to turn the nut in a clockwise direction, This turning effect of a force is called the moment of a force or ‘more briefly, just a moment, The size of the moment acting on the nut depends on two factors: (a) the size of the force acting at right angles to the shank of the spanner, and (b) the perpendicular distance between the point of application of the force and the centre of the nut In general, with reference to Figure 5.1, the moment M of a force acting about a point P is force x perpendicular distance between the line of action Of the force and P, ie. M=Fxd Moc Be fan F oe g —— “Turning radius, d Figure S.1 ‘The unit of a moment is the newton metre (N m). ‘Thus, if force F in Figure 5.1 is 7 N and distance dis 3 m, then the moment M is 7 N x 3m, ie. 21N'm. Problem 1. A force of 15 Nis applied to a spanner at an effective length of 140 mm, from the centre of a nut. Calculate (a) the ‘moment of the force applied to the nut, (b) the magnitude of the force required to produce the same moment if the effective length is reduced to 100 mm. 100% aC w F a ee ‘oom (a) (b) From above, M = F x d, where M is the tuning ‘moment, F is the force applied at right angles to the spanner and d is the effective length between the force and the centre of the nut, Thus, with reference to Figure 5.2(a) (@) Turing moment, M = 15 N x 140 mm = 2100 N mm Im 1000 mam 100 N mm x =21NmS58 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES (b) Turning moment, M is 2100 N mm and the effective length’ d becomes 100 mm. (see Figure 5.2(b)) Applying M=Fxd ives: 2100 N' mm = F x 100 mm from which, fore, F = Problem 2. A moment of 25 N mis required to operate a lifting jack. Determine the effective length of the handle of the jack if the force applied to itis: (a) 125.N_ (b) 0.4 KN From above, moment M = F x d, where F is the force applied at right angles to the handle and d is the effective length of the handle, Thus: (a) 25. N m= 125 N x d, from which ‘effective length, 25Nm_1 a 1 $ * 1000 mim = 200 mm (©) Turing moment Mis 25 N m and the force F becomes 0.4 KN, ie. 400 N. Since M= P xd, then 25Nm = 400N xd. Thus, effective length, 25Nm_ 1 400N ~ 16™ 1 = 7g * 1000 mm 25 mm Now try the following exercise Exercise 25 Further problems on the moment of a force 1. Determine the moment of a force of 25 N applied to a spanner at an effective length ‘of 180 mm from the centre of a nut. [45 Nm] 2. A moment of 7.5 N mis required to tum a wheel. If a force of 37.5 N applied to the rim of the wheel can just turn the wheel, calculate the effective distance from the rim to the hub of the wheel. [200 mm] 3. Calculate the force required to produce a moment of 27 Nm on a shaft, when the effective distance from the centre of the shaft to the point of application of the [150 N] force is 180 mm. 5.2 Equilibrium and the principle of moments If more than one force is acting on an object and the forces do not act at a single point, then the tuning effect of the forces, that is, the moment of the forces, ust be considered. Figure 5.3 shows a beam with its support (known. as its pivot or fulcrum) at P, acting vertically upwards, and forces F\ and F; acting vertically downwards at distances a and b, respectively, from the fulerum, Figure 5.3 A beam is said to be in equilibrium when there is. no tendency for it to move. There are two conditions for equilibrium: (i) The sum of the forces acting vertically down- wards must be equal to the sum of the forces acting vertically upwards, ie. for Figure 5.3, R= hi +h Gi) The total moment of the forces acting on a beam must be zero; for the total moment to be zero: the sum of the clockwise moments about any point must be equal to the sum of the antielock- Wise, oF counter-clockwise, moments about that point This statement is known as the principle of moments.SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS 59 Hence, taking moments about P in Figure 5 Fy xb = the clockwise moment, and Fy xa =the anticlockwise, or counter-clockwise, moment ‘Thus for equilibrium: | F Problem 3, in Figure 54 ‘A system of forces is as shown Fy) BN 140mm | "200 mm 7 P Figure 5.4 (a)_ If the system is in equilibrium find the distance d. (b) If the point of application of the 5 N force is moved to point P, distance 200 mm from the support, and the SN force is replaced by an unknown force F, find the value of F for the system to be in equilibrium, @ From above, the clockwise moment My is due to a force of 7 N acting at a distance d from the support; the support is called the fulerum, ie, M=7Nxd ‘The anticlockwise moment My is due to a force ‘of 5 N acting at a distance of 140 mm from the fulerum, ie. Mz = 5 N x 140 mm Applying the principle of moments, for the system to be in equilibrium about the fulcrum: clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment ie, INxd=5x ON mm 5x 140 N mm Hence, distamee, d = = = 100 mm ) When the SN force is replaced by force F at a distance of 200 mm from the fulerum, the new value of the anticlockwise moment is F x 200. For the system to be in equilibrium: clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment ice. (7 x 100) N mm = F x 200 mm Hence, new value of force, Problem 4. A beam is supported on its fulcrum at the point A, which is at mid-span, and forces act as shown in Figure 5.5. Calculate (a) force F for the beam to be in ‘equilibrium, (b) the new position of the 23 N force when F is decreased to 21 N, if ‘equilibrium is to be maintained. wN oF Somnyt 100mm Figure 5.5 (a) ‘The clockwise moment, My, is due to the 23 N force acting at a distance of 100 mm from the fulerum, i. My = 23 x 100 = 2300 N mm ‘There are two forces giving the anticlockw ‘moment Mz. One is the force F acting at distance of 20 mm from the fulerum and the other a foree of 12 N acting at a distance of 80 mm, Thus Mz = (F x 20) + (12 x 80) N mm Applying the principle of moments about the fulerum: clockwise moment 2300 = (F x 20) + (12 x 80) F x 20 = 2300 — 960 anticlockwise moments Hence(MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES ie. force, F= = 67N 20 (b) The clockwise moment is now due (0 a force of 23 N acting at a distance of, say, d from the fulcrum. Since the value of F is decreased 10 21N, the anticlockwise moment is (21 x 20) + (12 x 80) N mm, Applying the principle of moments, 23 x d = (21 x 20) + (12 x 80) 420+960 _ 1380 ie. distance, d = "= SE = 60 mm Problem 5. For the centrally supported uniform beam shown in Figure 5.6, determine the values of forces F; and Fa ‘when the beam is in equilibrium. Figure 5.6 At equilibrium: @ R=A+h ic. Ath W and ) Ax3=hx7 2 From equation (1), F in equation (2) gives: = 5~—F). Substituting for Fy Fy x3=6-F)x7 35-78 from which, ‘Thus at equilibrium, force Fy = Fy = 15 kN .5 KN and force Now try the following exercise Exercise 26 Further problems on equilib- rium and the principle of ‘moments 1, Determine distance d and the force acting at the support A for the force system shown in Figure 5.7, when the system is in equilibrium, [50 mm, 3.8 KN] 28kN tay | 140 mm o Figure 5.7 2. If the I KN forve shown in Figure 5.7 is replaced by a force F at a distance of 250 mm to the left of Ra, find the value Of F for the system to be in equilibrium. [560 N] 3. Determine the values of the forces acting at A and B for the force system shown in Figure 5.8. [Ry = Ry = 25 N] 20N /30N ay Ye Pak ARs te—~leomm 50mm 76 mim Figure 5.8 4, The forees acting on a beam are as shown in Figure 5.9. Neglecting the mass of the beam, find the value of Ry and distance when the beam is in equilibrium (5. N, 25 mm)SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS 61 ‘35mm Figure 5.9 5.3. Simply supported beams having point loads A simply supported beam is said t0 be one that rests on two knife-edge supports and is free to move horizontally. ‘Two typical simply supported beams having loads, at given points on the beam, called point loading, are shown in Figure 5.10. A man whose mass exerts a force F vertically downwards, standing on a wooden plank which is simply supported at its ends, may, for example, be represented by the beam diagram of Figure 5.10(a) if the mass of the plank is neglected. ‘The forces exerted by the supports on the plank, Ry and Ry, act vertically upwards, and are called reaetions, ‘When the forces acting are all in one plane, the algebraic sum of the moments can be taken about any point For the beam in Figure 5.10(a) at equilibrium: (Ra + Rp =F, and Gi) taking moments about A, F x a = Ry(a +b) (Alternatively, taking moments about C, Rya = Rab) For the beam in Figure 5.10(b), at equilibrium () Ry + Ry = Fy +P, and Gi) taking moments about B, Ryla+b) + Fre = Fb ‘Typical practical applications of simply supported ‘beams with point loadings include bridges, beams in buildings, and beds of machine tools. Problem 6. A beam is loaded as shown in Figure 5.11. Determine (a) the force acting. fon the beam support at B, (b) the force acting on the beam support at A, neglecting the mass of the beam, kN kN Figure 5.11 ‘A beam supported as shown in Figure $.11 is called ‘a simply supported beam, (a) Taking moments about point A and applying the principle of moments gives: clockwise moments = anticlockwise moments (2x 0.2) +(7 x 0.5) +G x 0.8) KN m = Rp x 1.0m, where Ry is the force supporting the beam at B, as shown in Figure 5.11(b).. Thus (0.4+3.5+24) KN m=Ry x LOm 6.3 KN m ie, moe =63KNMECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES o) For the beam to be in equilibrium, the forces acting upwards must be equal to the forces acting downwards, thus Rat Re 24743) KN =I2kN Rea thus Problem 7, For the beam shown in Figure 5.12 calculate (a) the force acting on support A, (b) distance d, neglecting any forces arising from the mass of the beam. 10N iON yon Figure $.12 @ ) From Section 5.2, (the forees acting in an up- ward direction) = (the forces acting in a downward direction) Hence (Ry +40) N = (10-+ 15 +30) N ‘Taking moments about the left-hand end of the beam and applying the principle of moments gives: clockwise moment (10 x 0.5) + (15 x 2.0) Nm4+30N xd = (15 1.0) + (40 x 2.5) Nm 35Nm+30Nxd=115Nm anticlockwise moments from which, distance, (115 = 35) Nm R= 267m Problem 8 A metal bar AB is 4.0 m long and is supported at each end in a horizontal position. It carries loads of 2.5 kN and 5.5 KN at distances of 2.0 m and 3.0 m, respectively, from A. Neglecting the mass of the beam, determine the reactions of the supports when the beam is in equilibrium. ‘The beam and its loads are shown in Figure 5. At equilibrium, Ry + Ry = 2545.5 = 8.0 KN a 25KN SKN 20m om, a i Ay Fe Figure 5.13 ‘Taking moments about A, clockwise moments = anticlockwise moment, ie. 2.5 x 2.0) + (5.5 x 3.0) = 40 Ry or 5.04165 =4.0 Ry 21 from which, = 2 5.375 kN from which, Rp = Fe = 5375 ki From equation (1), Ry = 8.0 ~ 5.375 = 2.625 kN ‘Thus the reactions at the supports at equilibrium are 2.625 kN at A and 5.375 kN at B Problem 9. A beam P@ is 5.0 m long and is supported at its ends in a horizontal Position as shown in Figure 5.14. Its mass is ‘equivalent to a force of 400 N acting at its ‘centre as shown, Point loads of 12 KN and 20 KN act on the beam in the positions shown, When the beam is in equilibrium, determine (a) the reactions of the supports, Rp and Ro, and (b) the position to which the 12 kN load must be moved for the force on the supports to be equal.SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS 63 400 204N Figure 5.14 (@) At equilibrium, Rp + Ro = 12404420 = 324 kN w ‘Taking moments about P: clockwise mo- ments = anticlockwise moments i.e. (12% 1.2) + 4x25) + (20x3.5) f= Ro x50) 144+ 1.0+70.0 = 5.0Rg 854 Ro =F = 17.08 KN From equation (1), Rp = 324 — Ry = 32.4~ 17.08 = 1532 KN (b) For the reactions of the supports to be equal, =24 Rp = Ro= 16.2 kN Let the 12 kN load be at a distance d metres from P (instead of at 1.2 m from P). Taking moments about point P gives: (12 x d) + (04 x 2.5) + 20 x 3.5) = 5.0 Ro ie, 12d +1.0+700=50x 16.2 and 12d =81.0-71.0 srom whieh, 108 = oss m Hence the 12 KN Toad needs to be moved to a position 833 mm from P for the reactions of the ‘Supports to be equal (i.e. 367 mm to the left ofits ‘original position). Problem 10. A uniform steel girder AB is 6.0 m long and has a mass equivalent to 4.0 KN acting at its centre. The girder rests fon two supports at C and B as shown in Figure 5.15. A point load of 20.0 kN is attached to the beam as shown, Determine the value of the force F that causes the beam to just liftoff the support B. F 4oxn 2004 eon a] ¥ fom z 8 ze 4 Figure 8.18 At equilibrium, Re + Ry = F-+4.0 +2000. ‘When the beam is just lifting off of the support B, then Ry =0, hence Ro = (F + 24.0) KN. Taking moments about A Clockwise moments = anticlockwise moments ie, (4.0 x 3.0) + (5.0 x 20.0) = (Re x 2.5) + (Ry x 6.0) ice 12.0 + 100.0 = (F + 24.0) x 2.5 +0) ice. from which, F =448-240 i.e. the value of force F which causes the beam to just lift off the support B is 20.8 KN. Now try the following exercise Exercise 27 Further problems on simply supported beams having point loads 1, Calculate the force Ry and distance d for the beam shown in Figure 5.16. The ‘mass of the beam should be neglected and ‘equilibrium conditions assumed. [2 KN, 24 mm}o MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES yore pein yous Pe Faw enm Onm 7 15mm Figure 5.16 2. For the force system shown in Figure 5.17, find the values of F and d for the system to be in equilibrium. [1.0 kN, 64 mm| aK o7 KN 29KN samm Figure 5.17 3. Forthe force system shown in Figure 5.18, determine distance d for the forces Ry and Rp to be equal, assuming equilibrium conditions. {80 m] eae o Pa ‘6 4. A simply supported beam AB is loaded as shown in Figure 5.19. Determine the load F in order that the reaction at A is zero. [36 kN] 1OKN 16KN F form wooden beam, 4.8 m long, is supported at its left-hand end and also at 3.2 m from the left-hand end. The mass Of the beam is equivalent to 200 N acting vertically downwards at its centre. Deter- ine the reactions at the supports, [50.N, 150 N] 6. Forthe simply supported beam PQ shown in Figure 5.20, determine (a) the reaction at each support, (b) the maximum force which can be applied at Q without losing equilibrium. [(a) Ry =3 KN, Ry = 12 KN (b) 15.5 KN] aan KN kN 15m] 40m [mJ 20m ° a ia Figure 5.20 7. A.uniform beam AB is 12 m long and is supported at distances of 2.0 m and 9.0 m from A. Loads of 60 KN, 104 kN, 50 kN and 40 KN act vertically downwards. at A, 5.0m from A, 7.0m from A and at B. Neglecting the mass of the beam, determine the reactions at the supports, [133.7 KN, 120.3 KN] 8. A uniform girder carrying point loads is shown in Figure 5.21. Determine the value of load F which causes the beam to just lif off the support B. [3.25 KN] F10KN 4KN SKN aml 4m Figure 5.21 5.4 Simply supported beams with couples ‘The procedure adopted here is a simple extension to Section 5.3, but it must be remembered that the unitsSIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS «5 ‘of a couple are in: Nm, N mm, kN m, etc, unlike that of a force. The method of calculating reactions ‘on beams due to couples will now be explained with the aid of worked problems. Problem 11. Determine the end reactions for the simply supported beam of Figure 5.22, which is subjected to an anti-clockwise couple of 5 Nm applied at ‘mid-span, “km Al 8 c prism |e Fal 4.5m Figure $.22 ‘Taking moments about B: Now the reaction Rq exerts a clockwise moment about B given by: Ry x 3m. Additionally, the ‘couple of 5 KN mis anti-clockwise and its moment is 5 kN m regardless of where it is placed, Clockwise moments, anti-clockwise | ss] = omen kt in RxdmesIm GD fom vt, = SAN : heaton 62 Resting fe ely ges dowd oes 0 oo It should be noted that in equation (5.3) the 5 kN m couple does not appear this is because itis a couple and not a force. From equations (5.2) and (5.3), Ry = —Ry = 1.667 kN ie. Ry acts in the opposite direction to Ry, so that Rp and Ry also form a couple that resists the SKN m couple, Problem 12. Determine the end reactions for the simply supported beam of Figure 5.23, which is subjected to an anti-clockwise couple of 5 KN m at the point C my Re 2m—rlet mo] Figure 5.23 Taking moments about B gives: Ryx3m=SkNm 64) 5 from which, Ra => kN . 3 or Ry = 1.667 KN Resolving forces vertically gives: ive Ry + Rp =O from which, Ry = —Ry = —1.667 KN It should be noted that the answers for the reactions are the same for Problems 11 and 12, thereby proving by induction that the position of a couple ‘on a beam, simply supported at its ends, does not affect the Values of the reactions Problem 13, Determine the reactions for the simply supported beam of Figure 5.24. a Laat im im |, im wre 524 ‘Taking moments about B gives: Ry x 4m+8 KN m= 10 KN m+6 kN m 4Ry = 1046-8=8 8 4 from which, Ry = 7 =2KN(MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES Resolving forces vertically gives: Rat Re from which, Ry = Ry = -2KN Problem 14. Determine the reactions for the simply supported beam of Figure 5.25. 1OKNm —BKNm GAN ‘Taking moments about B gives: Ry x 4m+8KN m+ 6KN x 1m = 10kKNm ie, 4Ry = 10-8 -6 = 4 Ry =—Z=-1kN (acting downwards) Resolving forces vertically gives: Rat Re +6 from which, Ry ie. Ry =1-6=~-5KN (acting downwards) Exercise 28. Further problems on simply supported beams with cou- ples For each of the fallawing problems, determine the reactions acting on the simply supported beams: 1. Figure 5.26 [Ry =-1KN, Ry = 1 KN] Figure 5.26 2. Figure 5.27 [Ry =—1KN, Ry = 1 KN] Sitymm A pl 25S 25m CO) Figure 5.27 3. Figure 5.28 [Ra 10KNm 6kNm TEN, R, Fe 1 KN] 12kNm 2m |, 2m © el Figure 5.28 4. Figure 5.29 [Ry oO > 10KNm 10 Ken a 5m ‘am © Figure 5.29SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS 67 Figure 5.30 [Ry =0, Re = je 10KN OK a ly Fe i tol am 4m © Figure 5.30 6. Figure $31 [Rs Ry =1kN] exN TOkN Figure $31 7. Figure $.32 [Ry =-333N, Ry = 333 NI 10k 12KNm @ Figure 5.32 2, When a beam has no tendeney to move it 3. State the two conditions for equilibrium of a beam, State the principle of moments. 5. What is meant by a simply supported beam? 6. State two practical applications of simply supported beams. 7. Why does a couple not have a vertical ‘component of Force? Exercise 29 Short answer questions on. simply supported beams 1. The moment of a force is the product of and... Exercise 30 Multi-choice questions on simply supported beams (Answers on page 284) L.A force of 10 N is applied at right angles to the handle of a spanner, 0.5 m from the centre of @ nut. The moment on the nut is (SNm — ()2Nim (05 m/N ()15Nm 2. The distance a in Figure 5,33 when the beam is in equilibrium is: (05m (1.0m (40m (4) 15m os 3. With reference to Figure 5.34, the clock- wise moment about A is: (a) 70N mm (b)10N-m (©) 60Nm (5x Ry NmMECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES pow aon Be 5m Figure 5.34 The force acting at B (ie. Figure 5.34 is: @16N (0) 20N (5N @I4N Rp) in The force acting at A (ic Figure 5.34 is: @16N ()10N (ISN @IsN Ry) in Which of the following statements is false for the beam shown in Figure 5.35 if the beam is in equilibrium? e oN ang F for ate 82m | >? a Figure $35 (a) The anticlockwise moment is 27 N (b) The force F is 9N (©) The reaction at the support R is 18N (@) The beam cannot be in equilibrium for the given conditions With reference to Figure 5.36, the reac- tion Ry is @ ION @)30N (©@20N @40N ton 20N ton [-o5m,1,05m,|_05m,t o5m,| A fy Figure 5.36 With reference to Figure 5.36, when moments are taken about R4, the sum of the anticlockwise moments is: @25Nm_ ()20Nm (©35Nm @30Nm With reference to Figure 5.36, when moments. are taken about the right hhand end, the sum of the clockwise moments i @10Nm_ )20Nm (©30Nm @40Nm With reference to Figure 5.36, which of the following statements is false? (a) (6+Rs)=25Nm ©) R= Ro (c) (10 x 0.5) = (10 x 1) + (10 x 1.5) +Ra (d) Rat Rx =40N ‘A beam simply supported at its ends is subjected to two intermediate couples of 4 KN m clockwise and 4 kN m anti clockwise. The values of the end reac- tions are: (a) 4kN (©) ze10 (b) 8 KN (@) unknown