Structural Analysis I Force Method (Beam) Exercise Problem Solutions

Using the Force Method, calculate the support reactions for the following statically indeterminate beam.

EI=constant 500 N/m

10 m
A B

Solution:

1) Draw the beam’s free-body diagram.

Ay 500 N/m

Ax
10 m
M
By

Choose B y as the redundant force. A y or M also could be used as the redundant force.

2) Remove the redundant force from the free-body diagram. The removal of the redundant force

( By ) from the beam makes it statically determinate.

500 N/m

B
10 m
A

The cantilever beam is going to deflect downward, as shown below.

500 N/m

B
b
A

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Structural Analysis I Force Method (Beam) Exercise Problem Solutions

3) Let’s calculate  b (the downward displacement of the beam at B) using the virtual work method.

10
M(x)m*(x)
b =  dx
EI
0

500 N/m
M(x)
M(x) = −250x 2
B
x
0  x  10

m*(x)

m*(x) = −x B
x
1*
0  x  10

*This is a unit virtual load.

10
25  105
1
( )
b =  −250x 2 ( −x ) dx =
EI 4EI
0

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Structural Analysis I Force Method (Beam) Exercise Problem Solutions

4) Now, let’s calculate  b (upward deflection at B due to a virtual unit load).

b
B
10 m
A 1

10
M(x)m*(x)
b =  dx
EI
0

M(x)

M(x) = x B
x
1
0  x  10

m*(x)
B
m * (x) = x
x
1*
0  x  10

*This is a virtual unit load.

10
1 1000
b =  ( x )( x ) dx =
EI 3EI
0


By = b = 1875 N
b

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Structural Analysis I Force Method (Beam) Exercise Problem Solutions

Since we computed the reaction force at B, the beam becomes statically determinate.

Ay 500 N/m

Ax
10 m
M
1875 N

The remaining unknown reaction forces can be determined by writing and solving the static equilibrium
equations, as shown below.

Fx = 0  Ax = 0  Ax = 0

 Fy = 0  Ay + 1875 − 500 (10 ) = 0  Ay = 3125 N

 Ma = 0  M + (1875 ) (10) − (500) (10) (5 ) = 0  M = 6250 N.m

500 N/m

6250 N.m
10 m

3125 N 1875 N

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