Ninth Edition

VECTOR MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS:

7
CHAPTER

STATICS
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
Forces in Beams and
Lecture Notes:
Cables
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Contents

Introduction Sample Problem 7.4

Internal Forces in Members Sample Problem 7.6
Sample Problem 7.1 Cables With Concentrated
Various Types of Beam Loading Loads
and Support Cables With Distributed Loads
Shear and Bending Moment in a Parabolic Cable
Beam Sample Problem 7.8
Sample Problem 7.2 Catenary
Sample Problem 7.3
Relations Among Load, Shear,
and Bending Moment

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Introduction
• Preceding chapters dealt with:
a) determining external forces acting on a structure and
b) determining forces which hold together the various members
of a structure.

• The current chapter is concerned with determining the internal

forces (i.e., tension/compression, shear, and bending) which hold
together the various parts of a given member.

• Focus is on two important types of engineering structures:

a) Beams - usually long, straight, prismatic members designed
to support loads applied at various points along the member.
b) Cables - flexible members capable of withstanding only
tension, designed to support concentrated or distributed loads.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Internal Forces in Members
• Straight two-force member AB is in
equilibrium under application of F and
-F.

• Internal forces equivalent to F and -F are

required for equilibrium of free-bodies AC
and CB.

• Multiforce member ABCD is in equil-

ibrium under application of cable and
member contact forces.

• Internal forces equivalent to a force-

couple system are necessary for equil-
ibrium of free-bodies JD and ABCJ.

• An internal force-couple system is

required for equilibrium of two-force
members which are not straight.
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.1
SOLUTION:
• Compute reactions and forces at
connections for each member.

• Cut member ACF at J. The internal

forces at J are represented by equivalent
force-couple system which is determined
by considering equilibrium of either part.

• Cut member BCD at K. Determine

force-couple system equivalent to
Determine the internal forces (a) in
internal forces at K by applying
member ACF at point J and (b) in
equilibrium conditions to either part.
member BCD at K.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.1
SOLUTION:
• Compute reactions and connection forces.

Consider entire frame as a free-body:

ME  0:
 2400 N 3.6 m  F 4.8 m  0 F  1800 N
 Fy  0 :
 2400 N  1800 N  E y  0 E y  600 N

 Fx  0 : Ex  0

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.1
Consider member BCD as free-body:
MB  0:
 2400 N 3.6 m  C y 2.4 m  0 C y  3600 N
 MC  0 :
 2400 N 1.2 m  B y 2.4 m  0 B y  1200 N
 Fx  0 :  Bx  C x  0

Consider member ABE as free-body:

M A  0: Bx 2.4 m  0 Bx  0
 Fx  0 : Bx  Ax  0 Ax  0
 Fy  0 :  Ay  B y  600 N  0 Ay  1800 N

From member BCD,

 Fx  0 :  Bx  C x  0 Cx  0
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.1
• Cut member ACF at J. The internal forces at J are
represented by equivalent force-couple system.

Consider free-body AJ:

MJ  0:
 1800 N 1.2 m  M  0 M  2160 N  m
 Fx  0 :
F  1800 N  cos 41.7  0 F  1344 N
 Fy  0 :
V  1800 N sin 41.7  0 V  1197 N

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.1
• Cut member BCD at K. Determine a force-couple
system equivalent to internal forces at K .

Consider free-body BK:

MK  0:
1200 N1.5 m  M  0 M  1800 N  m

 Fx  0 : F 0
 Fy  0 :
 1200 N  V  0 V  1200 N

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Various Types of Beam Loading and Support
• Beam - structural member designed to support
loads applied at various points along its length.

• Beam can be subjected to concentrated loads or

distributed loads or combination of both.

• Beam design is two-step process:

1) determine shearing forces and bending
moments produced by applied loads
2) select cross-section best suited to resist
shearing forces and bending moments

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Various Types of Beam Loading and Support

• Beams are classified according to way in which they are

supported.
• Reactions at beam supports are determinate if they
involve only three unknowns. Otherwise, they are
statically indeterminate.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Shear and Bending Moment in a Beam
• Wish to determine bending moment
and shearing force at any point in a
beam subjected to concentrated and
distributed loads.

• Determine reactions at supports by

treating whole beam as free-body.

• Cut beam at C and draw free-body

diagrams for AC and CB. By
definition, positive sense for internal
force-couple systems are as shown.

• From equilibrium considerations,

determine M and V or M’ and V’.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Variation of shear and bending
moment along beam may be
plotted.
• Determine reactions at
supports.
• Cut beam at C and consider
member AC,
V   P 2 M   Px 2
• Cut beam at E and consider
member EB,
V   P 2 M   P L  x  2

• For a beam subjected to

concentrated loads, shear is
constant between loading points
and moment varies linearly.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body,
calculate reactions at B and D.
• Find equivalent internal force-couple
systems for free-bodies formed by
cutting beam on either side of load
application points.
Draw the shear and bending moment
diagrams for the beam and loading • Plot results.
shown.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, calculate
reactions at B and D.
• Find equivalent internal force-couple systems at
sections on either side of load application points.
 Fy  0 :  20 kN  V1  0 V1  20 kN

 M 2  0 : 20 kN 0 m  M1  0 M1  0

Similarly,
V2  20 kN M 2  50 kN  m
V3  26 kN M 3  50 kN  m
V4  26 kN M 4  28 kN  m
V5  14kN M 5  28 kN  m
V6  14 kN M 6  0 kN  m

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
• Plot results.
Note that shear is of constant value
between concentrated loads and
bending moment varies linearly.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as free-body,
calculate reactions at A and B.

• Determine equivalent internal force-

couple systems at sections cut within
segments AC, CD, and DB.
Draw the shear and bending moment
• Plot results.
diagrams for the beam AB. The
distributed load of 40 lb/in. extends
over 12 in. of the beam, from A to C,
and the 400 lb load is applied at E.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, calculate
reactions at A and B.
M A  0:
B y 32 in.  480 lb6 in.  400 lb22 in.  0

B y  365 lb

MB  0:
480 lb26 in.  400 lb10 in.  A32 in.  0
A  515 lb

 Fx  0 : Bx  0

• Note: The 400 lb load at E may be replaced by a

400 lb force and 1600 lb-in. couple at D.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-couple systems
at sections cut within segments AC, CD, and DB.

From A to C:
 Fy  0 : 515  40 x  V  0
V  515  40 x

 M1  0 :  
 515 x  40 x 12 x  M  0
M  515 x  20 x 2
From C to D:

 Fy  0 : 515  480  V  0
V  35 lb

 M 2  0 :  515x  480x  6  M  0
M  2880  35 x  lb  in.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-couple
systems at sections cut within segments AC,
CD, and DB.

From D to B:
 Fy  0 : 515  480  400  V  0
V  365 lb

M2  0 :
 515x  480 x  6  1600  400 x  18  M  0
M  11,680  365x  lb  in.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Plot results.
From A to C:
V  515  40 x
M  515 x  20 x 2

From C to D:
V  35 lb
M  2880  35 x  lb  in.

From D to B:
V  365 lb
M  11,680  365x  lb  in.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
• Relations between load and shear:
V  V  V   wx  0
dV V
 lim  w
dx x 0 x
xD
VD  VC    w dx  area under load curve 
xC

• Relations between shear and bending moment:

M  M   M  Vx  wx x  0
2
dM
 lim
M

 lim V  12 wx  V
dx x 0 x x 0

xD
M D  M C   V dx  area under shear curve 
xC

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
wL
• Reactions at supports, R A  RB 
2
• Shear curve,
x
V  V A    w dx   wx
0
wL L 
V  V A  wx   wx  w  x 
2 2 
• Moment curve,
x
M  M A   Vdx
0

 
x
L  w
M   w  x dx  L x  x 2
0 2  2
wL2  dM 
M max   M at  V  0
8  dx 
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, determine
reactions at supports.
• Between concentrated load application
points, dV dx  w  0 and shear is
constant.
• With uniform loading between D and E, the
shear variation is linear.
Draw the shear and bending-
moment diagrams for the beam • Between concentrated load application
and loading shown. points, dM dx  V  constant . The change
in moment between load application points is
equal to area under shear curve between
points.
• With a linear shear variation between D
and E, the bending moment diagram is a
parabola.
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body,
determine reactions at supports.
M A  0:
D24 ft   20 kips 6 ft   12 kips 14 ft 
 12 kips 28 ft   0
D  26 kips
 F y 0 :
Ay  20 kips  12 kips  26 kips  12 kips  0
Ay  18 kips

• Between concentrated load application points,

dV dx  w  0 and shear is constant.
• With uniform loading between D and E, the shear
variation is linear.
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
• Between concentrated load application
points, dM dx  V  constant . The change
in moment between load application points is
equal to area under the shear curve between
points.
M B  M A  108 M B  108 kip  ft
M C  M B  16 M C  92 kip  ft
M D  M C  140 M D  48 kip  ft
M E  M D  48 M E  0

• With a linear shear variation between D

and E, the bending moment diagram is a
parabola.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6
SOLUTION:
• The change in shear between A and B is equal
to the negative of area under load curve
between points. The linear load curve results
in a parabolic shear curve.
• With zero load, change in shear between B
and C is zero.
• The change in moment between A and B is
Sketch the shear and bending-
equal to area under shear curve between
moment diagrams for the
points. The parabolic shear curve results in
cantilever beam and loading
a cubic moment curve.
shown.
• The change in moment between B and C is
equal to area under shear curve between
points. The constant shear curve results in a
linear moment curve.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6- A
SOLUTION:
• The change in shear between A and B is equal to
negative of area under load curve between points.
The linear load curve results in a parabolic shear
curve.
dV
at A, V A  0,   w   w0
dx

VB  V A   12 w0 a VB   12 w0 a

dV
at B,  w  0
dx

• With zero load, change in shear between B and C is

zero.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6
• The change in moment between A and B is equal
to area under shear curve between the points.
The parabolic shear curve results in a cubic
moment curve.
dM
at A, M A  0, V  0
dx
M B  M A   13 w0 a 2 M B   13 w0 a 2
M C  M B   12 w0 aL  a  M C   16 w0 a3L  a 

• The change in moment between B and C is equal

to area under shear curve between points. The
constant shear curve results in a linear moment
curve.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6-B
Determine the reactions at A for the cantilever beam subjected to distributed
and concentrated loads shown in the figure. Draw general V and M
diagrams without any calculations.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Cables With Concentrated Loads
• Cables are applied as structural elements
in suspension bridges, transmission lines,
aerial tramways, guy wires for high
towers, etc.
• For analysis, assume:
a) concentrated vertical loads on given
vertical lines,
b) weight of cable is negligible,
c) cable is flexible, i.e., resistance to
bending is small,
d) portions of cable between successive
loads may be treated as two force
members
• Wish to determine shape of cable, i.e.,
vertical distance from support A to each
load point.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Cables With Concentrated Loads
• Consider entire cable as free-body. Slopes of
cable at A and B are not known - two reaction
components required at each support.
• Four unknowns are involved and three
equations of equilibrium are not sufficient to
determine the reactions.
• Additional equation is obtained by
considering equilibrium of portion of cable
AD and assuming that coordinates of point D
on the cable are known. The additional
equation is  M D  0.
• For other points on cable,
 M C2  0 yields y2
 Fx  0,  Fy  0 yield Tx , Ty
• Tx  T cos  Ax  constant
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Cables With Distributed Loads
• For cable carrying a distributed load:
a) cable hangs in shape of a curve
b) internal force is a tension force directed along
tangent to curve.
• Consider free-body for portion of cable extending
from lowest point C to given point D. Forces are
horizontal force T0 at C and tangential force T at D.
• From force triangle:
T cos  T0 T sin   W
W
T  T02  W 2 tan  
T0
• Horizontal component of T is uniform over cable.
• Vertical component of T is equal to magnitude of W
measured from lowest point.
• Tension is minimum at lowest point and maximum
at A and B.
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Parabolic Cable
• Consider a cable supporting a uniform, horizontally
distributed load, e.g., support cables for a
suspension bridge.

• With loading on cable from lowest point C to a

point D given by W  wx , internal tension force
magnitude and direction are
wx
T  T02  w 2 x 2 tan  
T0

• Summing moments about D,

x
 DM  0 : wx  T0 y  0
2
or
wx 2
y
2T0
The cable forms a parabolic curve.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.8
SOLUTION:
• Determine reaction force components at
A from solution of two equations formed
from taking entire cable as free-body
and summing moments about E, and
from taking cable portion ABC as a free-
body and summing moments about C.

• Calculate elevation of B by considering

The cable AE supports three vertical
AB as a free-body and summing
loads from the points indicated. If
moments B. Similarly, calculate
point C is 5 ft below the left support,
elevation of D using ABCD as a free-
determine (a) the elevation of points
body.
B and D, and (b) the maximum slope
and maximum tension in the cable. • Evaluate maximum slope and
maximum tension which occur in DE.

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.8
SOLUTION:
• Determine two reaction force components at A
from solution of two equations formed from
taking entire cable as a free-body and summing
moments about E,
ME  0:
20 Ax  60 Ay  406  3012  154  0
20 Ax  60 Ay  660  0

and from taking cable portion ABC as a

free-body and summing moments about C.
 MC  0 :
 5 Ax  30 Ay  106  0

Solving simultaneously,
Ax  18 kips Ay  5 kips
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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.8
• Calculate elevation of B by considering AB as
a free-body and summing moments B.
MB  0: y B 18  520  0

y B  5.56 ft

Similarly, calculate elevation of D using

ABCD as a free-body.
M  0:
 y D 18  455  256  1512  0

y D  5.83 ft

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.8
• Evaluate maximum slope and
maximum tension which occur in DE.

14.7
tan     43.4
15

18 kips
Tmax  Tmax  24.8 kips
cos

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Catenary
• Consider a cable uniformly loaded along the cable
itself, e.g., cables hanging under their own weight.

• With loading on the cable from lowest point C to a

point D given by W  ws , the internal tension force
magnitude is
T0
T  T02  w2 s 2  w c 2  s 2 c
w
• To relate horizontal distance x to cable length s,
T ds
dx  ds cos  0 cos 
T q  s2 c2
s
ds s x
x  c sinh 1 and s  c sinh
0 q  s2 c2 c c

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Catenary
• To relate x and y cable coordinates,
W s x
dy  dx tan   dx  dx  sinh dx
T0 c c
x
x x
y  c   sinh dx  c cosh  c
0 c c
x
y  c cosh
c
which is the equation of a catenary.

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