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2


3

Problem 1
There loads are applied to a beam as shown. the beam is supported by a roller at A and by a pin
at B. Neglecting the weight of the beam, determine the reactions at A and B when P = 15 kN.


Solution
Free-Body Diagram.
A free-body digram of the beam is drawn. The reaction at A is vertical and is denoted by A. the
reaction at B is represented by components B
x
and B
y
. Each cmponent is assumed to act in the
direction shown.

Equilibrium equations.
We write the following three equilibrium equations and solve for the reactions indicated:
x x
F = 0; B = 0

A
y
y
M = 0;
-(15 kN)(3 m) + B (9 m) - (6 kN)(11 m) - (6 kN)(13 m) = 0
B = +21.0 kN

B
M = 0;
-A(9 m) + (15 kN)(6 m) - (6 kN)(2 m) - (6 kN)(4 m) = 0
A = +6.00 kN

Check
The results are checked by adding the vertical components of all of the external forces:
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y
F = +6.00 kN - 15 kN +21.0 kN - 6 kN - 6kN = 0

Problem 2
The frame shown supports part of the roof of a small building. Knowing that the tension in the
cable is 150 kN, determine the reaction at the fixed end E.


Solution
Free-Body Diagram.
A free-body diagram of the frame and of the cable BDF is drawn. The reaction at the fixed end E
is represented by the force components E
x
and E
y
and the couple M
E
. The other forces acting
on the free body are the four 20 kN loads and the 150 kN force exerted at end F of the cable.

Equilibrium Equations.
Noting that DF = (4.5 m)
2
+ (6 m)
2
= 7.5 m, we write
x x
x
4.5
F = 0; E + (150 kN) = 0
7.5
E -90.0 kN =

5

y y
y
6
F = 0; E - 4(20 kN) - (150 kN) = 0
7.5
E +200 kN =

E
E
E
M = 0;
6
(20 kN)(7.2 m) + (20 kN)(5.4 m) + (20 kN)(3.6 m) + (20 kN)(1.8 m) - (150 kN)(4.5 m) + M = 0
7.5
M = +180.0 kN m

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Problems 3
Determine the reactions at A and B when a = 180 mm


Solution
Free-Body Diagram.





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Problem 4
Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member of the truss shown.


Solution
Free-body : Entire Truss.
A free-body diagram of the entire truss is drawn; external forces actiong on this free body consist
of the applied loads and the reactions at C and E. we write the following equilibrium equations.

C
M = 0; (2000 N)(24 m) + (1000 N)(12 m) - E(6 m) = 0
E = +10,000 N

x x
F = 0; C 0 =

y y
y
F = 0; -2000 N - 1000 N +10000 N + C = 0
C = -7000 N

Free-body : joint A.
This joint is subjected to only two unknown forces, namely, the force exerted by members AB and
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AD. A force triangle is used to determine F
AB
and F
AD
. We note that member AB pulls on the
joint and thus is in tension and that member AD pushes on the joint and thus is in compressin.
The magnitudes of two forces are objected from the proportion

AB AD
AB
AD
F F 2000 N
= =
4 3 5
F = 1500 N T
F = 2500 N C

Free-body : joint D
Since the force exerted by member AD has been determined, only two unknown forces are now
involved at this joint. Again, a force triangle is used to determine the unknown forces in members
DB and DE.

DB DA DB
DE DA DE
F = F F = 2500 N T
3
F = 2 F F = 3000 N C
5
| |
|
\ .

Free-body : joint B.
Since more than act at joint, we determine the unknown forces F
BC
and F
BE
by solving the
equilibrium equations
x
F = 0

and
y
F = 0

. we arbitrarily assume that both unknown forces

act away from the joint, i.e., that the members are in tension. The positive value obtained for F
BC

indicates that our assumption was correct; member BC is in tension. The negative value of F
BE

indicates that our assumption was wrong; member BE is in compression.

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y BE
BE
4 4
F = 0; -1000 - (2500) - F = 0
5 5
F 3750 N C =

x
y
3
F = -5250 + (8750) = -5250 + 5250 = 0
5
4
F = -7000 - (8750) = -7000 + 7000 = 0
5

Free-Body : Joint E
the unknown force F
EC
is assumed to act away from the joint. summing x components, we write

x EC
EC
3 3
F = 0; F + 3000 + (3750) = 0
5 5
F 5250 N C =

Summing y components, we obtain a check of our components:
y
4 4
F = 10000 - (3750) - (8750)
5 5
= 10000 - 3000 - 7000 =0

Free-Body : Joint C.
Using the computed values of F
CB
and F
CE
, we can determine the reactions C
x
and C
y
by
considering the equilibrium of this joint. Since these reactions have already been determined from
the equilibrium of the entire truss, we will obtain two checks of our computations. We can also
simply use the computed values of all forces action on the joint(forces in members and reactions)
and check that the joint is in equilibrium:

x
y
3
F = -5250 + (8750) = -5250 + 5250 = 0
5
4
F = -7000 - (8750) = -7000 + 7000 = 0
5

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Problem 5
Determine the force in member EF and GI of the truss shown.


Solution
Free-Body : Entire Truss
A free-body diagram of the entire truss is drawn; external forces acting on this free body consist
of the applied loads and the reactions at B and J. we write the following equilibrium equations.

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B
x x
M = 0;
-(28 kN)(8 m) - (28 kN)(24m) - (16 kN)(10 m) + J(32 m) = 0
J = +33 kN
F = 0; B +16 kN = 0

x
J
y
y
B = -16 kN
M = 0;
(28 kN)(24 m) + (28 kN)(8 m) - (16 kN)(10 m) - B (32 m) = 0
B = +23 kN

Force in member EF.
Section nn is passed though the truss so that it intersects member EF and only two additional
members. after the intersected members have been removed, the left-hand portion of the truss is
chosen as a free body. three unknowns are involved; to eliminate the two horizontal force, we
write

y EF
EF
F = 0; +23 kN -28 kN - F = 0
F = -5 kN

The sense of F
EF
was chosen assuming member EF to be in tension; the negative sign obtained
indicates that the member is in compression.
EF
F = 5 kN C
Force in member GI.
Section mm is passed though the truss so that it intersects member GI and only two additional
members. after the intersected member have been removed, we choose the right-hand portion of
the truss as a free body. Three unknown forces are again involved; to eliminate the two forces
passing through point H, we write
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H GI
GI
M = 0; (33 kN)(8 m) - (16 kN)(10 m) + F (10 m) = 0
F = 10.4 kN C

Problem 6
Determine the components of the forces acting on each member of frame shown.


Solution
Free Body : Entire Frame
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E
y y
y
x
M = 0; -(2400 N)(3.6 m) + F(4.8 m) = 0
F = +1800 N
F = 0; -2400 N + 1800 N + E = 0
E = +600 N
F = 0;

x
E = 0

Members.

Free Body : Member BCD
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B y
y
C y
y
x
M = 0; -(2400 N)(3.6 m) + C (2.4 m) = 0
C = +3600 N
M = 0; -(2400 N)(1.2 m) + B (2.4 m) = 0
B = +1200 N
F = 0;

x x
-B + C = 0

Free Body : Member ABE
A x
x
x x x
x
y y y
M = 0; B (2.7 m) = 0
B = 0
F = 0; +B - A = 0
A = 0
F = 0; -A + B + 600 N = 0

y
A = +1800N

Free Body : Member BCD
x x x x
x
F = 0; -B + C =0 0 + C = 0
C = 0

Free Body : Member ACF
C y x
M = (1800 N)(2.4 m) - A (2.4 m) - A (2.7 m)
= (1800 N)(2.4 m) - (1800 N)(2.4 m) - 0 = 0