Beam Loading Example To determine the reaction forces acting at each support, we must determine the moments (represented as torques). Static Equilibrium: We can use this fact to find the conditions for "static equilibrium": the condition an object is in when there are forces acting on it, but it is not moving. The conditions for static equilibrium are easy to state: the sum of the (vector) forces must equal zero, and the sum of the torques must equal zero: – Σ F = 0 and Σ τ = 0. In this example, because the beam is in static equilibrium, the sum of the sum of the forces in the y-direction is zero and the sum of the moment torques about one end must also equal zero.

Forces Acting Upon the Beam The first step is to identify the forces acting upon the beam In this example, you have the downward force of the block (C) the downward force of the beam (D), and the two reaction forces of the supports (A and B) In this example, the beam weighs 500 pounds and the block weighs 750 pounds.

Forces Acting Upon the Beam Because the system is in static equilibrium, the upward and downward forces must sum to be 0 Therefore, -A + -B + C + D = 0 We’ll use indicate downward forces as “+” and upward as “- ” Therefore, -A + -B lbs lbs = 0 We need to determine the reaction forces at A and B, but we have two unknowns and the block is not at the center of the beam

Using Moments (Torques) Because the system is in static equilibrium, the sum of the moment torques must also sum to be 0 Sum of the clockwise torques + sum of counterclockwise torques = 0 Working from the A support, we have the following torques: – A clockwise torque at C – A clockwise torque at D – A counterclockwise torque at B

Using Moments (Torques) To calculate the moments, we need to know the distances – (A moment is force X distance) Working from the A support, we have the following moments:  M A = 0 0 = M C + M D + M B – A, there is no moment at A since it is our analysis point – C = (2 ft X 750 lbs) = +1,500 ft-lbs – D = (5 ft X 500 lbs) = +2,500 ft-lbs – B = - (10 ft X ?? Lbs)

Using Moments (Torques) Replacing the moments in the equation:  M A = 0 0 = M C + M D + M B 0 = (1,500 ft-lbs)+(2,500 ft-lbs)-(10 ft)(??lbs) – Remember, the moment at B is negative because it is counterclockwise. – Using algebra, we get: (1,500 ft-lbs)+(2,500 ft-lbs)=(10 ft)(??lbs) – We can solve for the force at B ( 4,000 ft-lbs / 10 ft) = 400 lbs – So, the reaction force at B is 400 lbs

Beam Forces Going back to the static equilibrium formula for forces, we can now take care of one of the two unknowns we had in the formula: - A + -B lbs lbs = 0 -A lbs lbs lbs = 0 Using algebra, we can determine the reaction force at A -A = 400 lbs lbs lbs A = 850 lbs

Final Diagram If the structural supports at A and B had a breaking strength of 900 pounds, what conclusions would you reach? If the design criteria called for a safety factor of 4 for the supports, what conclusions would you reach? Assuming the forces generated at A are worst case possible, to meet the safety factor of 4, what would the minimum breaking strength have to be for the supports?