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Static Analysis of Structures is Not Easy

The document discusses the importance of accurately setting up free-body diagrams (FBD) in static analysis, emphasizing that incorrect definitions of support reactions can lead to erroneous solutions. It presents a problem involving a beam with a distributed load, detailing the steps to determine support reactions using equilibrium equations. The conclusion highlights that understanding force distribution is crucial for applying statics principles in engineering applications.

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Barik Riaz
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6 views

Static Analysis of Structures is Not Easy

The document discusses the importance of accurately setting up free-body diagrams (FBD) in static analysis, emphasizing that incorrect definitions of support reactions can lead to erroneous solutions. It presents a problem involving a beam with a distributed load, detailing the steps to determine support reactions using equilibrium equations. The conclusion highlights that understanding force distribution is crucial for applying statics principles in engineering applications.

Uploaded by

Barik Riaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Don't be fooled

Static analysis is not as easy as it seems at first glance


Statics is not about formulas:

• It is all about correctly setting up the correct support reactions on a free-body


diagram (FBD).

• This is not something to take for granted. Without a correct free-body dia-
gram, writing equations is going to be incorrect, no matter how carefully you
solve them.

With this heads-up in mind, let's carefully review some problems in Statics. Let's
start with this one. This is going to be a detailed explanation of the solution, so
get ready mentally to attack this.

Problem Statement
Determine the reactions at the supports of the beam due to the distributed load
800 N/m. End B is supported by a pin on a fixed mount, while at A, there is a pin
on a rocker resting on a horizontal surface with negligible friction.

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 1 of 6


Step 1: Draw Free-Body-Diagram (FBD)

2 .5
m
800(5) = 4000 N
A
5 4
2 .5
3m 3 m
NA

Bx
1m 1m 2m B
By
FBD of beam showing reaction forces from supports and resultant of distributed load located
through the centroid of the load area.

• The figure shows our Free-body-diagram (FBD) of the beam oriented at an


incline with slope 3󳆋4, released from its supports.
• The rocker resting on the frictionless surface allows sliding if needed so that
there is no horizontal resistance. Thus, the reaction force NA acting on the
beam has only a vertical normal component. The reaction force can only act
upwards; otherwise, the rocker support will lift off its platform (assumed to
be a fixed rigid reference plane).
• The most common error in solving statics problems is incorrectly defining
support reactions.
– In this case, assuming a horizontal reaction force at A or a reaction force
normal to the beam incline is incorrect and would lead to solutions to a
different problem.
• At the fixed pin support, reaction force vector components Bx and By are
shown.
• The pins at the rocker and fixed support allow free rotation (assumed fric-
tionless), so there are no moment reactions at these supports.
• The length of the beam is 5 m. The applied load due to a distributed load
of 800 N/m is applied as a resultant force
(800 N/m)(5 m) = 4000 N = 4 kN

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 2 of 6


– This load vector is applied perpendicular to the inclined beam through
the centroid of the area of the distributed load.
– The location of the resultant force is positioned by the 2.5 dimensions
shown from both ends of the inclined beam.
– The orientation of this force vector is shown with slope 4󳆋3 and hy-
potenuse 5.

Step 2: Equations of Equilibrium

2 .5
m
800(5) = 4000 N
A
5 4
2 .5
3m 3 m
NA

Bx
1m 1m 2m B
By

• For two-dimensional planar loading, use three equilibrium equations to solve


for three unknown support reaction forces (NA , Bx , By ).
• Since there are three equations to solve for the three reactions, the problem
is statically determinant (isostatic), which means that additional deformation
kinematics equations with material and section properties are not needed so
that the beam is modeled as a rigid body.
• For statics, we can sum moments of forces about any point of convenience.
– To simplify equation solving, we can decouple the three equilibrium
equations for unknown support reactions by choosing to sum moments
about point B since reactions Bx and By have their line-of-action through
this point and will not contribute a moment in this equation.
– The remaining unknown, NA , can be determined directly from this equa-
tion.

+ 󱮦 MB = 0; (4000 N)(2.5 m) − NA (3 m) = 0,
↶

⇒ NA = 3333.33
¯ N = 3.33
¯ kN (1)

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 3 of 6


• Recall that the magnitude of the moment of a force about a point is the force
times the perpendicular distance with clockwise or counter-clockwise sense
determined by the right-hand rule or the physical direction determined by
the tendency to rotate the body about that point if allowed.

• Using this result, the remaining force equilibrium equations are used to finish
solving,
3
→ 󱮦 Fx = 0; Bx − (4000 N) = 0,
5
⇒ Bx = 2400 N = 2.40 kN → (2)

↑ 󱮦 Fy = 0; ¯ N − 4 (4000 N) − By = 0,
3333.33
5
⇒ By = 133.33
¯ N = 0.133
¯ kN ↓ (3)

Step 3: Analysis of Results

2 .5
m
(0.8 kN/m)(5 m) = 4 kN
A
5 4
2 .5
3m 3 m
¯ kN
3.33

2.4 kN
1m 1m 2m B
¯ kN
0.133

• A small amount of downward direction reaction force By is required to keep


the beam from lifting off the support at B due to the applied load's tendency
to rotate about this point. Since the rocker does not resist horizontal move-
ment at A, the horizontal component of the applied force is entirely resisted
by Bx .

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 4 of 6


Step 4: Verification
Let's verify our analysis to confirm that the sum of the moments about the resultant
load point located at the centroid of the beam is zero, as expected for statics, and
movement is prevented.
+ 󱮦 MB = Bx (1.5 m) − NA (1 m) − By (2 m) = 0

↶
(2.4 kN)(1.5 m) − (3.33
¯ kN)(1 m) − (0.133 kN)(2 m) = 0 󰑥

Conclusions
Statics is not just about solving for numerical answers.

• It is about understanding how forces are distributed and supported in a sys-


tem. The last step, Step 3, analysis and verification, is often overlooked by
students to their detriment when practicing engineering in real-world appli-
cations.

• Suppose we have gaps in our understanding of the fundamental principles


and basic concepts of Static analysis of structures. In that case, we will have
difficulties learning the mechanics (strength) of materials, machine design,
mechanical design, and finite element analysis, to name a few.

Exercise for the Reader


Now that the reaction forces at the supports of the beam have been solved, cal-
culate and draw the shear and axial force and bending moment diagrams for the
beam.

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 5 of 6


Appendix: Calculations in Matlab Live Editor:

Dr. Lonny Thompson, Clemson University, Feb. 18, 2025. 6 of 6

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