Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

TYPES OF STRUCUTRES

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

SUPPORTS

Pin or Hinge Support

A pin or hinge support is represented by the symbol

HB or HB
VB VB

Prevented: Horizontal translation and vertical translation

Allowed: Rotation

Roller Support

A roller support is represented by the symbol

or
VB VB

Prevented: Vertical translation

Allowed: Horizontal translation and Rotation

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Fixed Support

A fixed support is represented by the symbol

M
HB B
or HB V
VB MB B

Prevented: Horizontal translation, Vertical translation and

Rotation
Allowed: None

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

EQUILIBRIUM OF STRUCTURES
A structure is considered to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest when
subjected to a system of forces and moments. If a structure is in equilibrium,
then all its members and parts are also in equilibrium.

For a structure to be in equilibrium, all the forces and moments (including

support reactions) acting on it must balance each other. For a plane structure
subjected to forces in its own plane, the conditions for equilibrium can be
expressed by the following equations of equilibrium:

 Fx  0,  Fy  0,  M z  0
The third equation above states that the sum of moments of all forces about
any point in the plane of the structure is zero.

Equations of Condition
Sometimes internal hinges are present within a structure. An internal hinge
cannot transmit moment. Therefore the bending moment at a hinge is zero.
The condition that the moment is zero at a hinge provides an additional
equation for analyzing the structure. Such equations are commonly called
equations of condition.

(a) (b)
Hinge
(∑Mz =0)

(c)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Determinate and Indeterminate Structures

A structure is externally determinate if the support reactions can all be

obtained by statics, i.e.

No. of Support Reactions = No. of Equations (incl. Equilibrium & Conditions)

A structure which is not determinate is called indeterminate.

Degree of Statical Indetermincy = No. of Support Reactions – No. of Equations

FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS

1. Free-body diagrams make use of the concept that if a whole structure is

in equilibrium, any part of it is also in equilibrium.

2. Free-body diagrams can be constructed for various parts of a structure,

and also for the entire structure.

3. When drawing a free-body, it is important to indicate on it all possible

forces acting in the given structure at the “cuts”.

4. Internal forces common to two free-bodies (on opposite sides of the

“cut”) should be denoted as equal in magnitude but opposite in direction
[See Example 1 on Page 2-4].

5. Free-body Diagrams are very useful in finding the support reactions and
determining the internal forces in structures. The use of free-body
diagram is an important tool in structural analysis and stress analysis.

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Original Structure P3
1
D
P1 P2 C
A 1
B

Free-body diagram of the P3

structure to the left of 1-1
MD
D H
P1 P2 D
C VD
HA A
VA B

Free-body diagrams of
the individual elements P3
MD
D H
P1 P2 D
C VD
VB
HA A B HB
V VB HB B
A

Note the equal but opposite directed representation of

the connecting forces at B.

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Original Structure Free-body Diagram

(A three-hinge arch) for the whole structure

P1 a b P2 P1 a b P2

B B
H H
A C A C
HA VA VC H
C
L L L L

VB
P1 a b P2
1 HB
Free-body Diagrams of
B HB B arch segments
V
1 B
H
A C
HA VA VC H
C
L L

P1 a
HB
V1
B Free-body Diagrams to
M V analyze internal forces
1 H1 B at section 1-1
H1 M1
V1
HA A
VA

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 1
Beam ABCD has a pinned support at A and a roller support at C. It carries
two concentrated loads of 20 kN each and a uniformly distributed load of 4
kN/m over the right hand half as shown. Determine the reactions.

20 kN
20 kN
4 kN/m
A
B C D

3m 1.5m 1.5m 3m

Solution:
4.5 + 4.5/2 4*4.5
20 kN
20 kN
4 kN/m
A
B C D
HA
VA V
3m 1.5m 1.5m C 3m

Fx = 0  HA = 0 kN

Take moment about A,

Mz = 0  20*3 + 20*9 + 4*(4.5)*(4.5 + 4.5/2) – Vc*6 = 0
Vc = 60.25 kN (↑)

 Fy = 0  20 + 20 + 4*4.5 = VA + VC
VA = -2.25 kN
(-ve sign indicates VA acts in opposite direction)
VA = 2.25 kN ()

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 2
Find the support reactions for the simple beam shown.

5 4
40 kN 50 kN 3

A D
B C

5m 2.5m 2.5m

Solution:

5 4
40 kN 40 kN
50 kN
3

A 30 kN
D
B C
HA
VA VD
5m 2.5m 2.5m

Resolve the 50 kN inclined external load into horizontal and vertical

components as shown.

X = 0, HA = 30 kN

Take moment about A,

40*5 + 40*7.5 – VD*10 = 0
VD = 50 kN

Y = 0, 40 + 40 = VA + VD
VA = 30 kN

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 3
Determine the truss reaction forces.

30 kN
30 kN

20 kN

5m
A B

5m 5m 5m 5m

Solution:
30 kN
30 kN

20 kN

5m
A B
HA
VA VB
5m 5m 5m 5m

X = 0, HA = 20 kN

Take moment about A,

30*10 + 30*15 – 20*2.5 – VB*20 = 0
VB = 35 kN

Y = 0, 30 + 30 = VA + VB
VA = 25 kN

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 4

Determine the support reactions for the frame shown.

5 4
20 kN 3
25 kN

C D
4m

10 kN
B
4m

A E

12 m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Solution:

5 4
20 kN
20 kN 3
25 kN

15 kN
C D
4m

10 kN
B
4m

A E
HA
VA VE
12 m

Resolve the 25 kN inclined external load into horizontal and vertical

components as shown.

Fx = 0  HA + 10 = 15 kN
HA = 5 kN(→)

Take moment about A,

Mz = 0  10*4 + 20*12 = 15*8 + VE*12
VE = 13.3 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  20 + 20 = VA + VE
VA = 26.7 kN(↑)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 5

Find the reactions for the cantilever beam shown.

6 kN 4 kN/m
4 kNm

A B
1.5m 1.5m 1.5m 1.5m

Solution:

6 kN 4 kN/m
MA 4 kNm
HA
A B
VA
1.5m 1.5m 1.5m 1.5m

X = 0, HA = 0 kN

Y = 0, 6 + 4*1.5/2 = VA
VA = 9 kN

Take moment about A,

6*1.5 + 4*(1.5/2)*(6 - 1.5*1/3) – 4 – MA = 0
MA = 21.5 kNm

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 6

Determine the support reactions for the frame shown.

8 kN/m
3 kN/m

B C
3 kN/m

12m
A
8m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Solution:

5 kN/m
3 kN/m
3 kN/m
B C

3 kN/m

12m
A
HA MA
VA
8m

X = 0, HA = 3*12 kN = 36 kN

Y = 0, 3*8 + 5*8/2 = VA
VA = 44 kN

Take moment about A,

3*12*6 + 3*8*4 + 5*(8/2)*(8*2/3) – MA = 0
MA = 418.7 kNm

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 7

Determine the support reactions at the support A, D and F. Joints C and E

are internal hinges.

10 kN
4 kN/m
A D
B C E F

2.5m 2.5m 2m 2m 4m

Solution:

10 kN
4 kN/m
A D
MF
B F
HF
C E
VF
VA VD
2.5m 2.5m 2m 2m 4m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Break the beam into three free-body diagrams, namely ABC, CDE and EF.

10 kN
VC V
HC E
A C D
B HC C E H
E
VA V
C VD

HE 4 kN/m
MF
H
E F F
V VF
E

Consider free-body diagram ABC,

Fx = 0  HC = 0 kN

Take moment about A,

Mz = 0  VC*5 = 10*2.5
VC = 5 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  VA + VC = 10
VA = 5 kN(↑)

Consider free-body diagram CDE,

Fx = 0  HE = HC = 0 kN

Take moment about E,

Mz = 0  VC*4 = VD*2
VD = 10 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  VC + VE = VD
VE = 10 - 5
= 5 kN(↓)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Consider free-body diagram EF,

Fx = 0  HF = HE = 0 kN

Fy = 0  VE + VF = 4*4
VF = 16 - 5
= 11 kN(↑)

Take moment about F,

Mz = 0  VE*4 + MF = 4*4*2
MF = 32 – 5*4
= 12 kNm(↷)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Example 8

Determine the support reactions at A, C, G and H. Joints D and F are internal

hinges.

150 kN
120 kN
5 4
3 10 kN/m
A C
H
B D E F G
5m 5m 2m 3m 3m 2m 6m

Solution:

Resolve the inclined external load into vertical and horizontal components.

120 kN
120 kN
90 kN 10 kN/m
A C
H
B D E F G
HA
VA VC VG VH
5m 5m 2m 3m 3m 2m 6m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Break the beam into three free-body diagrams, namely ABCD, DEF and
FGH.
120 kN

90 kN
HD HF
VD D E F VF
120 kN
VD VF 10 kN/m
C HD
A HF H
H B D F G
A VA VC VG VH

Consider free-body diagram FGH,

Fx = 0  HF = 0 kN

Consider free-body diagram DEF,

Take moment about F,
Mz = 0  VD*6 = 120*3
= 60 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  VD + VF = 120
60 + VF = 120
VF = 60 kN(↑)

Fx = 0  HD = HF + 90
= 0 + 90
= 90 kN(→)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Consider free-body diagram ABCD,

Fx = 0  HA = HD
= 90 kN(→)

Take moment about A,

Mz = 0  120*5 + 60*12 = VC*10
VC = 132 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  VA + VC = 120 + 60
VA + 132 = 180
VA = 48 kN(↑)

Consider free-body diagram FGH,

Take moment about H,
Mz = 0  VF*8 + 10*8*4 = VG*6
60*8 + 320 = VG*6
VG = 133.3 kN(↑)

Fy = 0  VG + VH = 10*8 + 60
133.3 + VH = 140
VH = 6.7 kN(↑)

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Tutorial 1 (Support Reactions)

Determine the support reactions for the following structures.

Q1.

10 kN
2 kN/m
A C
B D E

2m 2m 1m 3m
D is an internal hinge

Q2.

30 kN/m

1.6m
B 200 kN
B is an internal hinge C

10.4m

A D
12 m 6m 6m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Q3.

2 kN
4 kN/m
A
B C
1m 3m 1m 2m

Q4.

250 kN
40 kN/m
D
A B C
3m 3m 6m

C is an internal hinge

Q5.

5 kN/m 5 kN/m

A B C D

2m 2m 2m

Q6.

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

10 kN/m
30 kN
C D E

3m
B F

3m
A G
3m 3m
B, D & F are internal hinges

Q7.

40 kN/m
20 kN/m
B C D E F
D is an internal hinge
12 m

A G

3m 5m 5m 3m

Q8.

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

2 kN/m

B C D
C is an internal hinge

4m
6m
E
3 kN/m

A
3m 3m

Q9.

60 kN 30 kN

B C D E
6 kN/m

B & E are internal hinges 5m

F
A
3m 3m 3m

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 Chapter 1 - Structural Idealization & Support Reactions

Q10.

10 kN 20 kN

B 6 kNm
C D E

C is an internal hinge
2 kN/m

4m
A F

2m 1m 1m

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