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1Formulas and methods
Vectors: dot & cross product
Magnitude
|a| = √(ax² + ay² + az²)
Unit vector
û = a/|a|
Components from an angle
Fx = F·cos θ, Fy = F·sin θ
Dot product
a·b = axbx + ayby + azbz = |a||b|cos θ
Scalar projection of a onto b
a·b/|b|
Work
W = F·d
Cross product
a × b = (aybz − azby, azbx − axbz, axby − aybx)
Areas
parallelogram |a × b|, triangle ½|a × b|
Moment about O
MO = r × F, r = A − O
Volume of a parallelepiped
V = |a·(b × c)|
Method
Write every vector in components; for a force given by a magnitude and an angle, use F·cos θ and F·sin θ.
For lengths and directions use the magnitude √(x² + y² + z²) and the unit vector a/|a|.
Use the dot product for angles, projections, perpendicularity and work: a·b = |a||b|cos θ.
Use the cross product for perpendicular vectors, areas and moments: write the three components carefully, keeping the order a × b.
Beam support reactions
Equilibrium
ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0, ΣM = 0
Uniform load
resultant w·L at the middle of the load
Moment
M = F·d
Method
Draw a free-body diagram and replace each support by its reactions.
Replace every distributed load by a single force at its centroid.
Take moments about one support to find the reaction at the other.
Use ΣFy = 0 to find the remaining reaction, and check with a second moment equation.
Truss: method of joints
Method of joints
ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 at each joint
Method of sections
ΣM = 0 about a cut point
Member force
positive = tension, negative = compression
Method
Find the support reactions for the whole truss.
Method of joints: start at a joint with at most two unknown member forces and use ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0.
Method of sections: cut through the member you need and take moments about a point where the other unknown members meet.
Assume tension; a negative answer means compression.
Frames & machines
Equilibrium of each member
ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0, ΣM = 0
Two-force member
force along the line through its two pins
Pin force
equal and opposite on the two members it joins
Magnitude of a pin force
F = √(Fx² + Fy²)
Lever, pliers, bell crank
Fin·a = Fout·b
Toggle
Flink = F/(2 sin θ), Q = F/(2 tan θ)
Uniform load
resultant w·L at the middle of the load
Method
Draw the whole structure and find the support reactions if there are no more than three unknowns.
Spot the two-force members: loaded only at two pins, their force acts along the line between the pins.
Take the frame apart and draw every member on its own, with equal and opposite pin forces where members meet.
For each member, take moments about a pin with unknown forces, then use ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0; combine components into a magnitude at the end.
Shear force & bending moment
Shear and moment
V = ΣF on one side, M = ΣF·d on one side
Bending stress
σ = M·y/I
Rectangle
I = bh³/12
Section modulus
W = I/ymax
Simply supported, uniform load
Mmax = wL²/8
Method
Find the support reactions from equilibrium of the whole beam.
Cut the beam at the section you need and keep one side.
Shear force: sum of the vertical forces on that side. Bending moment: sum of their moments about the cut.
For the maximum moment, find where the shear force is zero.
Centroid & second moment of area
Centroid
ȳ = ΣAiyi/ΣAi
Rectangle
I = bh³/12
Parallel-axis theorem
I = Ic + A·d²
Composite section
I = Σ(Ic,i + Aidi²)
2Practice problems
1.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
Find the dot product a·b of a = (3, 2, 6) and b = (5, 0, 2).
a = (3, 2, 6)b = (5, 0, 2)
a·b =
2.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
A force F = (−30, −30, −40) N acts at point A(−3, −1, −3). Coordinates are in metres. Find the y-component My of the moment of the force about point O(1, 0, −1).
F = (−30, −30, −40) NA(−3, −1, −3) mO(1, 0, −1) m
My = N·m
3.Beam support reactionsMedium
The cantilever beam is fixed to the wall at A. It carries a uniformly distributed load w along its whole length and a point load P at 5 m from the wall. Find the vertical reaction RA at the wall.
L = 8 mP = 45 kN at 5 mw = 2 kN/m from 0 to 8 m
RA = kN
4.Beam support reactionsHard
The simply supported beam has a pin at A and a roller at B. Find the vertical support reaction RA.
L = 6 mP = 20 kN at 3.5 mw = 10 kN/m from 2 to 5 m
RA = kN
5.Truss: method of jointsMedium
Exactly one member of this truss carries no force under these loads. Which is the zero-force member? Click it in the diagram.
B: 30 kN ↓F: 10 kN ↓G: 10 kN ↓H: 15 kN ↓
1member AB
2member BC
3member CD
4member DE
5member FG
6member GH
7member AF
8member HE
9member BF
10member CG
11member DH
12member BG
13member DG
6.Truss: method of jointsHard
Exactly one member of this truss carries no force under these loads. Which is the zero-force member? Click it in the diagram.
The frame shown has pins at A, B and C; A and C are fixed to the ground 4 m apart, and B is 2.5 m above the ground and 1.2 m to the right of A. A vertical load of 4 kN acts on member AB at K, 0.9 m (horizontally) from A. Find the force FBC in member BC.
P = 4 kNL = 4 mH = 2.5 mhorizontal distance A to B = 1.2 mhorizontal distance A to K = 0.9 m
FBC = kN
8.Frames & machinesHard
The frame shown has pins at A, B and C; A and C are fixed to the ground 3 m apart, and B is 2.5 m high and 0.9 m to the right of A. Member AB carries a vertical load of 15 kN at K, 0.225 m (horizontally) from A, and a horizontal load of 6 kN to the right acts at B on member AB. Find the size of the horizontal reaction Ax at A.
P = 15 kNQ = 6 kNL = 3 mH = 2.5 mhorizontal distance A to B = 0.9 mhorizontal distance A to K = 0.225 m
Ax = kN
9.Shear force & bending momentMedium
Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 5 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.
L = 10 mw = 2 kN/m from 0 to 10 mx = 5 m
Mx = kN·m
10.Shear force & bending momentHard
The marks A to G split the beam into six equal parts. At which mark is the bending moment largest in size, sagging or hogging? Click it in the diagram.
15 kN @ 0 m55 kN @ 12 m50 kN @ 8 m10 kN/m, 2–10 m
1A (x = 0 m)
2B (x = 2 m)
3C (x = 4 m)
4D (x = 6 m)
5E (x = 8 m)
6F (x = 10 m)
7G (x = 12 m)
11.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
Find the second moment of area Ix of the T-section about the horizontal axis x through its centroid.
bf = 120 mmtf = 30 mmtw = 18 mmhw = 180 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
12.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
The T-section is used as a beam with the flange on top and carries a sagging bending moment of 10 kN·m. Find the bending stress σbottom at the bottom edge.
Dot product:a·b = axbx + ayby + azbz = |a|·|b|·cos θ, a scalar. It gives the angle between two vectors, cos θ = a·b/(|a|·|b|), and it is zero when they are perpendicular. The scalar projection of a onto b is a·b/|b|, and a constant force F moving through a displacement d does work W = F·d.
Multiply matching components and add
a·b = 3·5 + 2·0 + 6·2 = 15 + 0 + 12 = 27
Answer
a·b = 27
Positive: the angle between the vectors is less than 90°.
2.Vectors: dot & cross product
Answer: My = −100 N·m
Cross product:a × b = (aybz − azby, azbx − axbz, axby − aybx) is perpendicular to both vectors, and |a × b| = |a|·|b|·sin θ is the area of the parallelogram they span (the triangle has half of it). Order matters: b × a = −(a × b). The moment of a force F applied at point A about point O is MO = r × F, with r = A − O.
Position vector from O to A
r = A − O = (−3, −1, −3) − (1, 0, −1) = (−4, −1, −2) m
Cantilever equilibrium: a fixed support can push up and also resist rotation, so it gives a vertical reaction RA and a reaction moment MA. ΣFy = 0 gives RA, and moments about the wall give MA = Σ(load × distance from the wall). A distributed load acts as its resultant at the centroid of the load diagram.
Resultant of the distributed load
W = 2·8 = 16 kN, x̄ = 4 m
Vertical equilibrium
RA = P + W = 45 + 16 = 61 kN
Answer
RA = 61 kN
4.Beam support reactions
Answer: RA = 20.83 kN
Static equilibrium: a body at rest has ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 and ΣM = 0 about any point. Taking moments about one support removes that support’s reaction from the equation.
Free-body diagram
Replace the supports with reaction forces. A roller gives one vertical reaction; with only vertical loads the pin gives one vertical reaction too.
Equilibrium
Moments about A, counter-clockwise positive. Then vertical force balance.
UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 10·3 = 30 kN, acting at x̄ = 3.5 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·6 = 20·3.5 + 10·3·3.5
RB = 175/6 = 29.17 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 50 − 29.17 = 20.83 kN
Answer
RA = 20.83 kN
5.Truss: method of joints
Answer: member CG
Zero-force members: at a joint, the forces must balance in every direction. If a joint has no load and no support, and two of its three members are in line, then the balance across that line involves only the third member, so its force is zero. If only two members meet at an unloaded joint and they are not in line, both are zero.
Joint C
BC and CD lie on one straight line and the joint carries no load. Balancing forces across that line leaves only CG.
ΣF⊥ = 0 → FCG = 0
Check with the method of joints
Solving all joints gives these member forces (T = tension, C = compression).
Zero-force members: at a joint, the forces must balance in every direction. If a joint has no load and no support, and two of its three members are in line, then the balance across that line involves only the third member, so its force is zero. If only two members meet at an unloaded joint and they are not in line, both are zero.
Joint D
CD and DE lie on one straight line and the joint carries no load. Balancing forces across that line leaves only DH.
ΣF⊥ = 0 → FDH = 0
Check with the method of joints
Solving all joints gives these member forces (T = tension, C = compression).
Frames and machines: unlike a truss, a frame contains at least one member that carries forces at more than two points, or a load between its pins. First look for two-force members: a member loaded only at two pins has its force along the line through them, so it adds one unknown, not two. Then use the whole structure for the support reactions when there are no more than three unknowns. Finally take the frame apart: draw each member separately, with the pin forces equal and opposite on the two members they connect, and write ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 and ΣM = 0 for it. Taking moments about a pin removes both components of that pin force from the equation.
Two-force member BC
BC = √(2.8² + 2.5²) = 3.754 m
Whole frame: moments about A
The ground pushes on BC at C along CB; its horizontal component passes through A, only the vertical one has a moment.
FBC·(2.5/3.754)·4 = 4·0.9
FBC = 1.351 kN (compression)
Answer
FBC = 1.351 kN
8.Frames & machines
Answer: Ax = 0.855 kN
Frames and machines: unlike a truss, a frame contains at least one member that carries forces at more than two points, or a load between its pins. First look for two-force members: a member loaded only at two pins has its force along the line through them, so it adds one unknown, not two. Then use the whole structure for the support reactions when there are no more than three unknowns. Finally take the frame apart: draw each member separately, with the pin forces equal and opposite on the two members they connect, and write ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 and ΣM = 0 for it. Taking moments about a pin removes both components of that pin force from the equation.
Direction of BC
BC = 3.265 m, cos = 0.6432, sin = 0.7657
Whole frame: moments about A
FBC·0.7657·3 = 15·0.225 + 6·2.5
FBC = 7.999 kN
Horizontal balance
Ax + 6 − 7.999·0.6432 = 0
Ax = −0.855 kN → |Ax| = 0.855 kN
Answer
Ax = 0.855 kN
The minus sign means Ax points to the left.
9.Shear force & bending moment
Answer: Mx = 25 kN·m
Method of sections: cut the beam where you want the internal forces and keep one side. The shear force V balances the vertical forces on that side, and the bending moment M balances their moments about the cut.
Support reactions
Equilibrium of the whole beam.
UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 2·10 = 20 kN, acting at x̄ = 5 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·10 = 2·10·5
RB = 100/10 = 10 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 20 − 10 = 10 kN
Cut at x = 5 m and keep the left part
Only forces left of the cut appear. A UDL portion acts as one force at the middle of that portion.
M = RA·x − (each load left of the cut × its distance to the cut)
Mx = 10·5 − 2·5·2.5 = 25 kN·m
Answer
Mx = 25 kN·m
10.Shear force & bending moment
Answer: F (x = 10 m)
Largest bending moment: M changes slope wherever the shear force changes, so its peaks sit where the shear force crosses zero: under a point load, inside a distributed load, or over a support of an overhang. At a fixed support of a cantilever the moment is largest at the wall. Compare the size of M at those places, sagging or hogging.
Support reactions
Take moments about one support, then use the vertical force balance.
R1 = 57.5 kN, R2 = 142.5 kN
Bending moment at every mark
Sum the moments of all forces on one side of the cut. Sagging is positive, hogging negative.
MA = 0, MB = −30, MC = 35, MD = 60, ME = 45, MF = −110 kN·m, MG = 0
Answer
Mark F: MF = −110 kN·m
11.Centroid & second moment of area
Answer: Ix = 27.82 × 10⁶ mm⁴
Composite areas: split the section into rectangles. The centroid is the area-weighted average ȳ = ΣAᵢyᵢ/ΣAᵢ. The second moment of area about the centroidal axis adds each part’s own bh³/12 and its parallel-axis term A·d², where d is the distance from the part’s centroid to the overall centroid. Bending stress is σ = M·y/I.
Split into two rectangles
Measure every y from the bottom edge.
flange: Af = 120·30 = 3600 mm², yf = 180 + 30/2 = 195 mm
Composite areas: split the section into rectangles. The centroid is the area-weighted average ȳ = ΣAᵢyᵢ/ΣAᵢ. The second moment of area about the centroidal axis adds each part’s own bh³/12 and its parallel-axis term A·d², where d is the distance from the part’s centroid to the overall centroid. Bending stress is σ = M·y/I.
Split into two rectangles
Measure every y from the bottom edge.
flange: Af = 280·30 = 8400 mm², yf = 180 + 30/2 = 195 mm