9/23/2019

Types of Supports, loads and Reactions

REACTIONS AT SUPPORTS AND CONNECTIONS

FOR A TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE
The reactions exerted on a two-dimensional structure can be
divided into three groups corresponding to three types of supports,
or connections:
1. Reactions Equivalent to a Force with Known Line of Action.

2. Reactions Equivalent to a Force of Unknown Direction and

Magnitude.

3. Reactions Equivalent to a Force and a Couple.

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1. Reactions Equivalent to a Force with Known

Line of Action.
Supports and connections causing reactions of this type include
rollers, rockers, frictionless surfaces, short links and cables,
collars on frictionless rods, and frictionless pins in slots.
Each of these supports and connections can prevent motion in
One direction only

link of the window opening mechanism

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2. Reactions Equivalent to a Force of Unknown Direction

and Magnitude
Supports and connections causing reactions of this type include

frictionless pins in fitted holes, hinges, and rough surfaces.

They can prevent translation of the free body in all directions, but

they cannot prevent the body from rotating about the connection.

The abutment-mounted rocker bearing used

to support the roadway of a bridge.

2. Reactions Equivalent to a Force of Unknown Direction

and Magnitude
Reactions of this group involve two unknowns and are
usually represented by their x and y components.

Reactions equivalent to a force of unknown direction and magnitude.

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3. Reactions Equivalent to a Force and a Couple.

These reactions are caused by fixed supports, which oppose any

motion of the free body and thus constrain it completely.

Fixed supports actually produce forces over the entire surface of

contact; these forces, however, form a system which can be
reduced to a force and a couple.

3. Reactions Equivalent to a Force and a Couple.

Reactions of this group involve three unknowns, consisting usually

of the two components of the force and the moment of the couple.

Reactions equivalent to a force of unknown direction

and magnitude and a couple of unknown magnitude

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Beams
Beams are classified according to the way in which they are supported.
Several types of beams frequently used are shown . The distance L between
supports is called the span.

Statically determinate beams

Statically indeterminate beams

REACTIONS AT SUPPORTS FOR A BEAM

1. Reactions Equivalent to a Force with Known Line of Action.

(Roller Support)

1.5 kN

Roller support

Reaction RB

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REACTIONS AT SUPPORTS FOR A BEAM

2. Reactions Equivalent to a Force of Unknown Direction and Magnitude

(Hinged Support)

1.5 kN

Hinged support
Reaction RAH

Reaction RAV

REACTIONS AT SUPPORTS FOR A BEAM

3. Reactions Equivalent to a Force and a Couple.

Fixed support

Reaction
RAH
Reactive couple MA

Reaction RAV

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VARIOUS TYPES OF LOADING AND SUPPORT

A structural member designed to support loads applied at various

points along the member is known as a beam. In most cases, the

loads are perpendicular to the axis of the beam.

Beams are usually long, straight prismatic bars.

A beam can be subjected to

Concentrated loads P1, P2, . .,
expressed in newtons, pounds, or
their multiples kilonewtons and
kips (Fig.a), to a distributed load w,
expressed in N/m, kN/m,lb/ft, or
kips/ft (Fig. b), or to a combination
of both.
When the load w per unit length has
a constant value over part of the
beam (as between A and B the load
is said to be uniformly distributed
over that part of the beam.

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Problem
The 450kg uniform beam supports the load shown. Determine the
reactions at the supports

Create a free-body diagram for the beam.

RAH

450×9.81=4414.5 N
RAV 220×9.81=2158.2 N RB

F X  0 directly gives R AH  0
Determine RB by solving the equation for the sum of the moments of all forces
about A. Note there will be no contribution from the unknown reactions at A.

M A  0 ie,. RB  8  2158.2  5.6  4414.5  4  0  RB  3717.99 N

Determine the reactions at A by solving the equations for the sum of all
horizontal force components and all vertical force components

FY  0; R AV  3717.99 - 4414.5 - 2158.2  0  R AV  2854.71N

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Problem
Determine the reactions at A and B when a is 180 mm.

F X 0 ; RBH  300  0
 RBH  300 N 

M B  0 ; - R A  180  300  240  0

R A  400 N 
RBH
 FY  0; R A - R BV  0 θ
 R BV  R A  400 N 
RA RBV
RB
Resultant Reaction at B  RB  RBH  2
 RBV 
2

 300 2
 400   500 N
2 f.b.d of structure

 400  
  tan 1    53.13
 300 