Section 3.

5 Computation of Reactions 69

3.5 Computation of Reactions

The following step-by-step procedure can be used to determine the reactions
of plane statically determinate structures subjected to coplanar loads.
1. Draw a free-body diagram (FBD) of the structure.
a. Show the structure under consideration detached from its sup-
ports and disconnected from all other bodies to which it may
be connected.
b. Show each known force or couple on the FBD by an arrow
indicating its direction and sense. Write the magnitude of each
known force or couple by its arrow.
c. Show the orientation of the mutually perpendicular xy coordi-
nate system to be used in the analysis. It is usually convenient
to orient the x and y axes in the horizontal (positive to the right)
and vertical (positive upward) directions, respectively. However,
if the dimensions of the structure andyor the lines of action of
most of the applied loads are in an inclined direction, selection
of the x (or y) axis in that direction may considerably expedite
the analysis.
d. At each point where the structure has been detached from a
support, show the unknown external reactions being exerted on
the structure. The type of reactions that can be exerted by the
various supports are given in Fig. 3.3. The reaction forces are
represented on the FBD by arrows in the known directions of
their lines of action. The reaction couples are represented by
curved arrows. The senses of the reactions are not known and
can be arbitrarily assumed. However, it is usually convenient to
assume the senses of the reaction forces in the positive x and
y directions and of reaction couples as counterclockwise. The
actual senses of the reactions will be known after their magni-
tudes have been determined by solving the equations of equilib-
rium and condition (if any). A positive magnitude for a reaction
will imply that the sense initially assumed was correct, whereas
a negative value of the magnitude will indicate that the actual
sense is opposite to the one assumed on the FBD. Since the
magnitudes of the reactions are not yet known, they are denoted
by appropriate letter symbols on the FBD.
e. To complete the FBD, draw the dimensions of the structure,
showing the locations of all the known and unknown external
forces.
2. Check for static determinacy. Using the procedure described in
Section 3.4, determine whether or not the given structure is stati-
cally determinate externally. If the structure is either statically or
geometrically unstable or indeterminate externally, end the analysis
at this stage.
3. Determine the unknown reactions by applying the equations of equi-
librium and condition (if any) to the entire structure. To avoid solving
simultaneous equations, write the equilibrium and condition equa-
tions so that each equation involves only one unknown. For some
internally unstable structures, it may not be possible to write equations
70 CHAPTER 3 Equilibrium and Support Reactions

containing one unknown each. For such structures, the reactions are
determined by solving the equations simultaneously. The analysis of
such internally unstable structures can sometimes be expedited and
the solution of simultaneous equations avoided by disconnecting the
structure into rigid portions and by applying the equations of equilib-
rium to the individual portions to determine the reactions. In such a
case, you must construct the free-body diagrams of the portions of the
structure; these diagrams must show, in addition to any applied loads
and support reactions, all the internal forces being exerted upon that
portion at connections. Remember that the internal forces acting on
the adjacent portions of a structure must have the same magnitudes
but opposite senses in accordance with Newton’s third law.
4. Apply an alternative equilibrium equation that has not been used before
to the entire structure to check the computations. This alternative equa-
tion should preferably involve all the reactions that were determined in
the analysis. You may use a moment equilibrium equation involving a
summation of moments about a point that does not lie on lines of action
of reaction forces for this purpose. If the analysis has been carried out
correctly, then this alternative equilibrium equation must be satisfied.

Example 3.2

Determine the reactions at the supports for the beam shown in Fig. 3.18(a).

FIG. 3.18

Solution
Free-Body Diagram. The free-body diagram of the beam is shown in Fig. 3.18(b). Note that the roller at A exerts reaction RA
in the direction perpendicular to the inclined supporting surface.
Static Determinacy. The beam is internally stable and is supported by three reactions, RA, Bx, and By, all of which are neither
parallel nor concurrent. Therefore, the beam is statically determinate.
continued
 Section 3.5 Computation of Reactions 71

Support Reactions. Since two of the three reactions, namely Bx and By, are concurrent at B, their moments about B are zero.
Therefore, the equilibrium equation ∑ M B 5 0, which involves the summation of moments of all the forces about B, contains
only one unknown, RA. Thus,

1 ∑ MB 5 0
4
2 RA (20) 1 12 sin 60° (10) 2 6(5) 5 0
5
RA 5 4.62 k
The positive answer for RA indicates that our initial assumption about the sense of this reaction was correct. Therefore,

RA 5 4.62 k ! Ans.
Next, in order to determine Bx, we apply the equilibrium equation,
1 → ∑ Fx 5 0
3
( 4.62 ) 2 12 cos 608 1 Bx 5 0
5
Bx 5 3.23 k
Bx 5 3.23 k → Ans.
The only remaining unknown, By, can now be determined by applying the remaining equation of equilibrium:
1 ↑ ∑ Fy 5 0
4
( 4.62 ) 2 12 sin 608 1 By 2 6 5 0
5
By 512.7 k
By 512.7 k ↑ Ans.
In order to avoid having to solve simultaneous equations in the preceding computations, we applied the equilibrium equa-
tions in such a manner that each equation contained only one unknown.
Checking Computations. Finally, to check our computations, we apply an alternative equation of equilibrium (see
Fig. 3.18(b)):
4
1 ∑ MC 52 (4.62)(25) 1 12 sin 608(15) 2 12.7(5)
5
52 0.01 k-ft Checks

Example 3.3

Determine the reactions at the supports for the beam shown in Fig. 3.19(a).

Solution
Free-Body Diagram. See Fig. 3.19(b).
Static Determinacy. The beam is internally stable with r 5 3. Thus, it is statically determinate.
continued
FBD EXAMPLES

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