Ar.

Arthur Cutinho

TOS 1: UNIT 5
SUPPORTS AND LOADS
Objectives
Beams and
1. To Understand Different Supports and the Support
Reactions they Offer Reactions
2. To Understand Different Types of Beams
and Statically Determinate Structures
3. To List the different Loads or Forces acting
on a Building
4. To Compute Support Reactions w.r.t to
Simply Supported Beams and Cantilever
Beams
5. To Compute Dead Load Reactions
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TOS 1: Unit 5: Supports and Loads

5.1 Support and Support Reactions:
a. Introduction: It is very difficult to define a support but the best definition I can come with is as given after
this discussion. When we walk on hard ground, it is easy as it offers us a reaction to our feet. The same
cannot be said about sand, which slips from under our feet, but it still offers some reaction. Water does
not offer any reaction when we try to walk on it and gets totally displaced. So I am offering this Definition
for Supports
b. Definition: Support is a Physical Entity that offers Reactions to the loads acting on it.
 Every support has its own field of application.
 Supports are used in structures to provide it stability and strength.
 Supports are further classified as the following depending on the Reactions they offer
•Simple Support • Fixed Support • Roller Support • Pinned Support

5.1.1 Simple Support: A simple support offers only one kind of reaction i.e. a Vertical Reaction.
 Horizontal Loads are not supported by this support.
 This support also does not offer any reaction to Moments.
 There are no simple supports in a building but for sake of simplicity of calculation, we assume
that single beams (though we are yet to define beams) are simply supported on both sides.

5.1.2 Fixed Support: A Fixed Support offers all the three Reactions i.e. Horizontal Reaction, Vertical
Reaction and Moment Reaction. The fixed support does not allow the rotation and translation motion to
the structural members. It is also called a Built In Support
 The fixed support is also called as rigid support.
 It provides the greater stability to the structure as compared to all other supports.
 A flagpole fixed in the concrete base is the best example of fixed support.
 The reactions acting in the fixed support is shown in the figure given below

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5.1.3 Roller Support: The Roller Support has only one reaction, this reaction acts perpendicular to the
surface and away from it. The surfaces on which the roller supports are installed may be horizontal,
vertical and inclined to any angle.
 The roller supports are unable to resists the lateral loads. They resist only vertical loads.
 The best example of roller support is the roller skates. The roller skates resist the vertical loads of the
persons standing on it. When the lateral loads are applied by the persons, then it starts translating. The
translation is due to its inability to resists the lateral loads. E.g. End Supports of Bridges
 The reactions of the Roller support are shown in the figure given below

5.1.4 Pinned or Hinged Support: The Pinned Support resists the horizontal and vertical loads but are
unable to resists the moment.
 It allows the structural member to rotate but does not allow translating in any direction. The pinned
support allows the rotation only in one direction and resists the rotation in any other direction.
 The pinned support is also known as hinge support.
 The best example where we can see the pinned support is the doors and windows of our houses and our
knee joint. Here the rotation happens in one direction but the translation motion is restricted
 The reactions of the Pinned Support are shown in the figure given below

5.2 Types of Beams and Statically Determinate Structures

5.2.1 Beams: A Beam is a Horizontal or inclined structural member spanning a distance between one or
more supports, and carrying vertical loads across (transverse to) its longitudinal axis i.e. it’s Length. (and
sometimes even inclined loads) Different types of Beams are Girders, Joist, Purlin, or Rafter.
5.2.2 Statically Determinate Structures:
 Beam as a System of Non-concurrent Forces: When loads are applied on beams these may be in the form
of Point Loads, U.D.L or even Uniformly Varying Loads. These loads and the Reactions offered by the
supports make the Beam a System of Non-Concurrent Forces in Equilibrium.
 Number of Equations: Any system of non-concurrent forces is equilibrium is governed by the 3 equations
of Statics namely ΣFv= 0, ΣFH= 0 and ΣFM= 0

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 Reactions: The Loads are known Quantities but the Reactions are to be computed.
 Statical Determinacy: Any structure with 3 or lesser than 3 unknowns can be resolved using these 3
equations. Such Structures are called Statically Determinate Structures. Any structure with more than 3
unknowns cannot be resolved for the Unknowns using these 3 equations. Such Structures are called
Statically In-Determinate Structures.
 Degree of Indeterminacy: The difference between the number of Unknowns and 3(Number of equations)
is called Degree of Indeterminacy

5.2.3 Types of Beams:

Type of Beam Picture No of Statical Degree of
Reactions Determinacy In-
determinacy
Simply Supported 2 Statically N.A
Beam Determinate
(Sketch shows one Structure
side hinge support
and the other side
roller support)

Cantilever Beam 3 Statically N.A

Determinate
Structure

Overhanging Beam 2 Statically N.A

(Sketch shows Determinate
beam over hang on Structure
one side, It could be
on both sides)

Propped Cantilever 4 Statically In - 4–3=1

Beam Determinate
Structure

Fixed Beam 6 Statically In - 6–3=3

Determinate
Structure

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Statically In - 5–3=2
Determinate
Structure
As number of
reactions in
this case are
5

5.3 Loads:
5.3.1 Loads: In Unit 1 we have already classified Loads Based on Their Point of Application as
a. Point Load: Load acting at one point is called Point Load. Examples are
i. The Load of a column above acting on a Column below
ii. The Load of a Human Being on a Slab
iii. The Load of a Beam abutting on another beam
Unit of Point Load is N or kN and generally represented by an Arrow acting downwards. Generally the
Capital Letter W is used to indicate a Point Load
b. Uniformly Distributed Load: When load is equally distributed along the length of a member we refer it to
as Uniformly Distributed Load or U.D.L
Unit of U.D.L is kN/m or N/mm. Examples are
1. Self-weight of a Beam
2. Load of a Slab Transferred to a Beam
3. Load of a Wall on a Beam
Generally, the small Letter w is used to indicate an U.D.L
c. Uniformly Varying Load: A UVL is one which is spread over another element in such a manner that rate of
loading varies from each point along the member, in which load is a value at one end and increases or
decreases uniformly to the other end. This type of load is also known as triangular load.

5.3.2 Loads: Loads can also be classified based on the source of Load as
a. Dead Load: Dead Loads are due to the weight of the parts of the structure on the structural element.
E.G. Weight of Slab, Beams, Columns, Walls etc. Dead Loads are calculated by multiplying Density and
Volume of the Element. Already we have learnt to do this in Unit 1. The Dead load of an element
could be a U.D.L or a Point Load i.e. either as kN or kN/m

b. Live Load: Due to Human, occupancy and furniture related to this occupancy. This is generally
expressed as kN/m² and depends upon the denseness of people expected to occupy a space.

c. Wind Load: Wind load is primarily a horizontal load caused by the movement of air relative to earth.
Wind load is required to be considered in design especially when the height of the building exceeds
two times the dimensions transverse to the exposed wind surface. For low rise building say up to four
to five storey, the wind load is not critical

d. Seismic Load: These are caused due to earthquakes. Structure is loaded when base is shaken.
Response of structure is dependent on the frequency of motion. This is a Horizontal Load.

e. Snow Load: The magnitude of the snow load will depend upon the latitude and altitude of the site. In
the lower latitudes, no snow would be expected while in the high latitudes snow could last for six
months or more. This is also expressed as kN/m² on the Horizontal Surface
We shall study all these loads quite in detail in Semester3 before We Start Design of Structures.

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5.4 Support Reactions:

We shall confine ourselves to two types of Beams this semester namely Simple Supported Beams and
Cantilever Beams. In addition, we shall have only Vertical Point Loads, U.D.L, and Vertical Reactions.
Case 1. Simple Supported Beam with a Central Point Load

As the Load is symmetrical, the

Reactions will be exactly half on each
side
Hence VA = VB = W/2

Case 2. Simple Supported Beam with an Eccentric Point Load

ΣFv = 0 VA + VB = W
ΣM = 0
Take M @ A
+W x a – VB x l = 0
(Consider Clockwise Moments as
positive and Anti Clockwise Moments as
Negative).
Hence VB = W a/l
And VA = W – W a/l = W b/l

Case 3. Simple Supported Beam with a Full U.D.L

As the Load is symmetrical, the

Reactions will be exactly half on each
side
Hence VA = VB = wl/2

Case 4. Cantilever Beam with end Point Load.

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VA = Total Load Downwards = W

MA = Total Moment due to W = Wl

Case 5. Cantilever Beam with a full U.D.L

VA = Total Load Downwards = wl

MA = Total Moment due to w
= w x l x l/2 = wl²/2

Before we go ahead in solving

the Problems, it must be
understood that the point of
action of a Point Load is at the
Point of Application and for an
U.D.L is at its centre.
Accordingly when calculating
the Moment of an u.d.l, the
distance to be multiplied is to
be calculated from the centre
of the U.D.L
Problem 1 Calculate the Support Reactions.
VA = Total Load acting downward
= 6 x 2.2 + 4 = 17.2kN
MA = Total Moment of all forces at point A
= 6 x 2.2 x 1.1 + 4 x 0.8 = 17.72kNm
Hence
VA = 17.2kN
MA = 17.72kNm

(Note: I have not shown the support reactions in

the sketch. The udl acts at the centre of 2.2m i.e. at a distance of 1.1m from A)

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Problem 2 A Cantilever Beam overhanging by 2.8m in R.C.C (Density 25kN/m³) of size 230 x 600 supports a parapet
wall of height 1.2m and 230thk along its full span (Density of Brick work = 19kN/m³). Calculate the
Support Reactions.

Weight of R.C.C Beam = 0.23 x 0.6 x 25 = 3.45kN/m

Weight of Brick Wall = 0.23 x 1.2 x 19 =5.24kN/m
Total Load =8.694kN/m

VA = wl = 8.694 x 2.8 = 24.34kN

MA = wl²/2 = 8.69 x 2.8²/2 = 34.08kNm

Problem 3 Calculate the Support Reactions for the following Beam:

 Using Formula: (First Method of Solving)

Load Formula A B Formula
u.d.l w = 32kN/m wl/2 32x7/2 =112 32x7/2 =112 wl/2
Central Point W1 = 20kN W1/2 20/2 = 10 20/2 = 10 W1/2

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Load
Eccentric W2 = 14kN W2b/l 14x6/7 = 12 14x1/7 = 2 W2a/l
Point Load
` Total VA= 134kN VB= 124kN
 By Using Equations of Static Equilibrium (Second Method of Solving)
ΣFV = 0 Upward Load = Downward Loads
VA + VB = 32 x 7 +20 +14 = 258kN
ΣFM = 0 Take Moments @ A
+14 x 1 + (20 x 3.5) + (32 x 7 x 3.5) – (VB x 7) = 0
+14 + 70 + 784 = 7 VB
Hence VB = 124kN and VA = 258 – VB = 258 – 124 = 134kN

Note1: The Moment of 14kN, 20kN, and 32kN/m acting at 1m, 3.5m, and 3.5m(Remember an U.D.L acts at the
centre of its length) from point A, are all Clockwise and hence taken as positive and Moment of VB is Anti
Clockwise and taken as negative. VA passes through Point A, so Zero Moment
Note2: The Support where the loading is more also shows Higher Reaction Value
Note3: However, the first method of using formula can only be used in the case of Simple Supported Beams
only and not for overhanging Beams to be done later on and hence not recommended by me

5.5 Clear Span and Effective Span:

Clear Span as the name suggests is
the clear spacing between the two
structural Supports
Effective span on the other hand is
the span effectively participating in
the bending.
Effective Spans are defined in
different ways later on in our
study. At Present, let us define it as
a. For Simple Supported Beams as Centre to Centre Between Supports
b. For Cantilever as the Distance of the Extreme Face from the Face of Support = Overhang

Problem 4 Calculate the Support Reactions for the following Beam:

ΣFV = 0 Upward Load = Downward Loads

VA + VB = 22 x 9 +10 +24 = 232kN
ΣFM = 0 Take Moments @ A
(22 x 9 x 4.5) + (10 x 4) + (24 x 6) – (VB X 9) = 0
891 + 40 + 144 = 9 x VB
VB = 119.44kN and VA = 232 – 119.44 = 112.56kN
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Problem 5 A Simple supported beam in R.C.C of size 300 x 600 of clear span 6.4m supported on 230 thick columns on
each side carries a wall 2800mm high and 150 thick over its entire span.
Calculate Support Reactions.

Clear Span = 6.4m

Effective Span = 6.4 +0.115 +0.115 = 6.63m = le

Weight of the R.C.C Beam = 0.3 x 0.6 x 25 = 4.5kN/m

Weight of the Brick Wall = 0.15 x 2.8 x 19 = 7.98kN/m
w =Total Weight= 12.48kN/m

This would be the load diagram based on the above calculations

Reaction on Each Side = w x le/2 = 12.48 x 6.63/2 = 41.37kN

Suggested Theory Questions: Unit 5

1. Define Support and explain a Simple Support with Sketches.
2. Define Support and explain a Fixed Support with Sketches.
3. Define Support and explain a Roller Support with Sketches.
4. Define Support and explain a Pinned Support with Sketches.
5. What are the reactions offered by the following supports
a. Simple Support
b. Fixed Support
c. Roller Support
d. Pinned or Hinged Support
6. Define Statically Determinate Structures and Degree of Indeterminacy
7. Draw the following Beams and explain their Statical Determinacy w.r.t to reactions they offer
a. A Simple Supported Beam
b. An Over Hanging Beam
c. A Cantilever Beam
d. A Propped Cantilever Beam
e. A Fixed Beam

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f. A continuous Beam of 4 Spans, L.H.S Support Fixed and R.H.S Support Simple
8. Explain a Point Load, an Uniformly Distributed Load and an Uniformly Varying with a Sketch
9. List the different Loads acting on a building
10. Define a Beam, Clear Span and Effective Span of a Beam.

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TOS 1 Unit 5 Supports and Loads Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho