2.

4 Equilibrium of Force Systems • 33

2 kN 3 kN 6 kN 1 kN

R
x

0.6 m 0.3 m 0.3 m FIGURE 2.18 Force system of Ex. 2.1

which gives

x = 0.8 m

We could, in fact, take moments about any point, say now the 6 kN force. Then

R(0.9 − x) = 2 × 0.9 − 3 × 0.3 − 1 × 0.3

so that

x = 0.8 m as before

Note that in the second solution, anticlockwise moments have been selected as positive.

2.4 EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCE SYSTEMS

We have seen in Section 2.1 that, for a particle or a body to remain stationary, i.e.
in statical equilibrium, the resultant force on the particle or body must be zero. It
follows that if a body (generally in structural analysis we are concerned with bodies,
i.e. structural members, not particles) is not to move in a particular direction, the
resultant force in that direction must be zero. Furthermore, the prevention of the
movement of a body in two directions at right angles ensures that the body will not
move in any direction at all. Then, for such a body to be in equilibrium, the sum of
the components of all the forces acting on the body in any two mutually perpendicular
directions must be zero. In mathematical terms and choosing, say, the x and y directions
as the mutually perpendicular directions, the condition may be written
X X
Fx = 0 Fy = 0 (2.8)

However, the condition specified by Eq. (2.8) is not sufficient to guarantee the equi-
librium of a body acted on by a system of coplanar forces. For example, in Fig. 2.19 the
P
forces F acting on a plate resting on a horizontal surface satisfy the condition Fx = 0
34 • Chapter 2 / Principles of Statics

a
x

F
FIGURE 2.19 Couple
Plate produced by out-of-line forces

P
(there are no forces in the y direction so that Fy = 0 is automatically satisfied), but
form a couple Fa which will cause the plate to rotate in an anticlockwise sense so long
as its magnitude is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance between the plate
and the surface. We have also seen that a couple exerts the same moment about any
point in its plane so that we may deduce a further condition for the statical equilib-
rium of a body acted upon by a system of coplanar forces, namely, that the sum of the
moments of all the forces acting on the body about any point in their plane must be
zero. Therefore, designating a moment in the xy plane about the z axis as Mz , we have
X
Mz = 0 (2.9)

Combining Eqs (2.8) and (2.9) we obtain the necessary conditions for a system of
coplanar forces to be in equilibrium, i.e.
X X X
Fx = 0 Fy = 0 Mz = 0 (2.10)

The above arguments may be extended to a three-dimensional force system which is,
again, referred to an xyz axis system. Thus for equilibrium
X X X
Fx = 0 Fy = 0 Fz = 0 (2.11)

and
X X X
Mx = 0 My = 0 Mz = 0 (2.12)

2.5 CALCULATION OF SUPPORT REACTIONS

The conditions of statical equilibrium, Eq. (2.10), are used to calculate reactions at
supports in structures so long as the support system is statically determinate (see
Section 1.5). Generally the calculation of support reactions is a necessary preliminary
to the determination of internal force and stress distributions and displacements.
 2.5 Calculation of Support Reactions • 35

EXAMPLE 2.2 Calculate the support reactions in the simply supported beam ABCD
shown in Fig. 2.20.

The different types of support have been discussed in Section 1.4. In Fig. 2.20 the sup-
port at A is a pinned support which allows rotation but no translation in any direction,
while the support at D allows rotation and translation in a horizontal direction but
not in a vertical direction. Therefore there will be no moment reactions at A or D and
only a vertical reaction at D, RD . It follows that the horizontal component of the 5 kN
load can only be resisted by the support at A, RA,H , which, in addition, will provide a
vertical reaction, RA,V .

Since the forces acting on the beam are coplanar, Eqs. (2.10) are used. From the first
P
of these, i.e. Fx = 0, we have

RA,H − 5 cos 60◦ = 0

which gives

RA,H = 2.5 kN
P
The use of the second equation, Fy = 0, at this stage would not lead directly to either
RA,V or RD since both would be included in the single equation. A better approach is
P
to use the moment equation, Mz = 0, and take moments about either A or D (it is
immaterial which), thereby eliminating one of the vertical reactions. Taking moments,
say, about D, we have

RA,V × 1.2 − 3 × 0.9 − (5 sin 60◦ ) × 0.4 = 0 (i)

Note that in Eq. (i) the moment of the 5 kN force about D may be obtained either
by calculating the perpendicular distance of its line of action from D (0.4 sin 60◦ )
or by resolving it into vertical and horizontal components (5 sin 60◦ and 5 cos 60◦ ,
respectively) where only the vertical component exerts a moment about D. From

y 3 kN
5 kN

A B C 60° D
RA,H x

RA,V RD
FIGURE 2.20 0.3 m 0.5 m 0.4 m
Beam of Ex. 2.2
36 • Chapter 2 / Principles of Statics

Eq. (i)
RA,V = 3.7 kN
P
The vertical reaction at D may now be found using Fy = 0 or by taking moments
about A, which would be slightly lengthier. Thus

RD + RA,V − 3 − 5 sin 60◦ = 0

so that

RD = 3.6 kN

EXAMPLE 2.3 Calculate the reactions at the support in the cantilever beam shown
in Fig. 2.21.

The beam has a fixed support at A which prevents translation in any direction and also
rotation. The loads applied to the beam will therefore induce a horizontal reaction,
RA,H , at A and a vertical reaction, RA,V , together with a moment reaction MA . Using
P
the first of Eqs. (2.10), Fx = 0, we obtain

RA,H − 2 cos 45◦ = 0

whence
RA,H = 1.4 kN
P
From the second of Eqs. (2.10), Fy = 0

RA,V − 5 − 2 sin 45◦ = 0

which gives
RA,V = 6.4 kN

5 kN 2 kN

A B C
45°
RA,H x

MA

RA,V

FIGURE 2.21
0.4 m 0.6 m
Beam of Ex. 2.3
 2.5 Calculation of Support Reactions • 37

P
Finally from the third of Eqs. (2.10), Mz = 0, and taking moments about A, thereby
eliminating RA,H and RA,V

MA − 5 × 0.4 − (2 sin 45◦ ) × 1.0 = 0

from which

MA = 3.4 kN m

In Exs 2.2 and 2.3, the directions or sense of the support reactions is reasonably obvious.
However, where this is not the case, a direction or sense is assumed which, if incorrect,
will result in a negative value.

Occasionally the resultant reaction at a support is of interest. In Ex. 2.2 the resultant
reaction at A is found using the first of Eqs. (2.4), i.e.

R2A = R2A,H + R2A,V

which gives

R2A = 2.52 + 3.72

so that

RA = 4.5 kN

The inclination of RA to, say, the vertical is found from the second of Eqs. (2.4). Thus

RA,H 2.5
tan θ = = = 0.676
RA,V 3.7

from which

θ = 34.0◦

EXAMPLE 2.4 Calculate the reactions at the supports in the plane truss shown in
Fig. 2.22.

The truss is supported in the same manner as the beam in Ex. 2.2 so that there will be
horizontal and vertical reactions at A and only a vertical reaction at B.

The angle of the truss, α, is given by

µ ¶
−1 2.4
α = tan = 38.7◦
3

From the first of Eqs. (2.10) we have

RA,H − 5 sin 38.7◦ − 10 sin 38.7◦ = 0

38 • Chapter 2 / Principles of Statics

5 kN
10 kN
90° 90°
2.4 m

1.2 m
a
A B
RA,H

3 kN 2 kN
RA,V RB

FIGURE 2.22
Truss of Ex. 2.4 2m 2m 2m

from which

RA,H = 9.4 kN
¡P ¢
Now taking moments about B, say, MB = 0

RA,V × 6 − (5 cos 38.7◦ ) × 4.5 + (5 sin 38.7◦ ) × 1.2 + (10 cos 38.7◦ )
× 1.5 + (10 sin 38.7◦ ) × 1.2 − 3 × 4 − 2 × 2 = 0

which gives

RA,V = 1.8 kN

Note that in the moment equation it is simpler to resolve the 5 kN and 10 kN loads
into horizontal and vertical components at their points of application and then take
moments rather than calculate the perpendicular distance of each of their lines of
action from B.
¡P ¢
The reaction at B, RB , is now most easily found by resolving vertically Fy = 0 , i.e.

RB + RA,V − 5 cos 38.7◦ + 10 cos 38.7◦ − 3 − 2 = 0

which gives

RB = −0.7 kN

In this case the negative sign of RB indicates that the reaction is downward, not upward,
as initially assumed.

PROBLEMS

P.2.1 Determine the magnitude and inclination of the resultant of the two forces acting
at the point O in Fig. P.2.1 (a) by a graphical method and (b) by calculation.

Ans. 21.8 kN, 23.4◦ to the direction of the 15 kN load.

 Problems • 39

10 kN

60°
O 15 kN FIGURE P.2.1

P.2.2 Determine the magnitude and inclination of the resultant of the system of
concurrent forces shown in Fig. P.2.2 (a) by a graphical method and (b) by calculation.

Ans. 8.6 kN, 23.9◦ down and to the left.

12 kN 8 kN

90°
60°
O 10 kN
125°

20 kN FIGURE P.2.2

P.2.3 Calculate the magnitude, inclination and point of action of the resultant of the
system of non-concurrent forces shown in Fig. P.2.3. The coordinates of the points of
action are given in metres.

Ans. 130.4 kN, 49.5◦ to the x direction at the point (0.81, 1.22).

(1.0, 1.6)
y
30°
( 1.0, 1.25)
80 kN

30° 50 kN
40 kN
45°
(0, 0.5)
(1.25, 0.25)

0 x
60 kN FIGURE P.2.3

P.2.4 Calculate the support reactions in the beams shown in Fig. P.2.4(a)–(d).

Ans. (a) RA,H = 9.2 kN to left, RA,V = 6.9 kN upwards, RB = 7.9 kN upwards.
40 • Chapter 2 / Principles of Statics

(b) RA = 65 kN, MA = 400 kN m anticlockwise.

(c) RA,H = 20 kN to right, RA,V = 22.5 kN upwards, RB = 12.5 kN upwards.
(d) RA = 41.8 kN upwards, RB = 54.2 kN upwards.

3 kN 7 kN 8 kN

60° 45°
A B

4m 6m 5m 5m

(a)

5 kN/m

A B
15 kN

10 m

(b)

20 kN

10 kN 15 kN 5m
5 kN/m
B
A

2m 4m 2m 2m
(c)

75 kN/m
8 kN/m

A B

3m 9m

(d) FIGURE P.2.4

 Problems • 41

P.2.5 Calculate the support reactions in the plane trusses shown in Fig. P.2.5(a) and (b).

Ans. (a) RA = 57 kN upwards, RB = 2 kN downwards.

(b) RA,H = 3713.6 N to left, RA,V = 835.6 N downwards,

RB = 4735.3 N downwards.

5 kN 10 kN 15 kN 15 kN 5 kN 5 kN

A B

3 ! 2m 5 ! 2m 3 ! 2m

(a)

750 N 3000 N
500 N 2000 N
750 N 3000 N 4m

A B

20 m

FIGURE P.2.5 (b)