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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 angle θ between the vectors a = (−1, 4, 6) and b = (6, 2, 0), in degrees.
a = (−1, 4, 6)b = (6, 2, 0)
θ = °
2.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
The unit vector n̂ is perpendicular to both a = (−4, −3, −3) and b = (4, 0, 3) and has a positive z-component. Find its x-component n̂x.
a = (−4, −3, −3)b = (4, 0, 3)n̂z > 0
n̂x =
3.Beam support reactionsMedium
The simply supported beam (pin at A, roller at B) carries a linearly varying load that falls from 12 kN/m at A to zero at B. A point load P also acts at 5 m from A. Find the vertical support reaction RA.
L = 8 mw0 = 12 kN/mP = 45 kN at 5 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 RB.
L = 10 mP = 55 kN at 6 mw = 10 kN/m from 3 to 5 m
RB = kN
5.Truss: method of jointsMedium
Use the method of joints to find the force FAC in member AC. Give tension as positive and compression as negative.
span = 6 mheight = 4 mB is 5 m from Avertical load = 20 kN
FAC = kN
6.Truss: method of jointsHard
Use the method of joints to find the force FAB in member AB. Give tension as positive and compression as negative.
span = 5 mheight = 4 mB is 4 m from Avertical load = 50 kNhorizontal load = 5 kN →
FAB = kN
7.Frames & machinesMedium
The A-frame shown stands on a pin at A and a roller at B, 5 m apart. The legs meet at the pin C, 4.5 m high, and the horizontal tie DE is 1.5 m above the ground. A load of 15 kN acts at C. Find the magnitude of the force C that the pin C exerts on leg BC.
P = 15 kNAB = 5 mheight of C = 4.5 mheight of DE = 1.5 m
C = kN
8.Frames & machinesHard
The A-frame shown stands on a pin at A and a roller at B, 3 m apart. The legs meet at the pin C, 3.6 m high, and are tied by the horizontal bar DE at 2 m. A horizontal force of 2 kN to the right acts at C. Find the tension T in the tie.
P = 2 kNAB = 3 mheight of C = 3.6 mheight of DE = 2 m
T = kN
9.Shear force & bending momentMedium
Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 3 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.
L = 4 mw = 6 kN/m from 0 to 4 mx = 3 m
Mx = kN·m
10.Shear force & bending momentHard
The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load over part of its span. Find the maximum bending moment Mmax in the beam.
L = 8 mw = 6 kN/m from 0 to 7 m
Mmax = kN·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 = 10 mmtw = 8 mmhw = 140 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
12.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
A 150 mm × 300 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 40 mm wide and 20 mm high, centred on the vertical centre line with its centre 210 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.
b = 150 mmh = 300 mmcut-out: 40 × 20 mmhole centre: y = 210 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
3Solutions
1.Vectors: dot & cross product
Answer: θ = 87.51 °
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.
Dot product
a·b = (−1)·6 + 4·2 + 6·0 = 2
Magnitudes
|a| = √((−1)² + 4² + 6²) = 7.28
|b| = √(6² + 2² + 0²) = 6.325
Angle
cos θ = 2/(7.28·6.325) = 0.04344
θ = arccos(0.04344) = 87.51°
Answer
θ = 87.51°
2.Vectors: dot & cross product
Answer: n̂x = −0.6
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.
Cross product
(a × b)x = aybz − azby = (−3)·3 − (−3)·0 = −9
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = (−3)·4 − (−4)·3 = 0
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = (−4)·0 − (−3)·4 = 12
Normalise
The z-component of a × b is already positive.
|a × b| = √((−9)² + 0² + 12²) = 15
n̂ = (−9, 0, 12)/15 = (−0.6, 0, 0.8)
n̂x = −0.6
Answer
n̂x = −0.6
3.Beam support reactions
Answer: RA = 48.88 kN
Static equilibrium: a body at rest has ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 and ΣM = 0 about any point. Replace each distributed load by its resultant (its area) acting at the centroid of the load diagram, and take moments about a support to remove that support’s reaction from the equation.
Resultant of the triangular load
W = ½·12·8 = 48 kN
x̄ = L/3 = 2.667 m
Equilibrium
Moments about A, counter-clockwise positive. Then vertical force balance.
ΣMA = 0: RB·8 = 48·2.667 + 45·5
RB = 44.13 kN
RA = 93 − 44.13 = 48.88 kN
Answer
RA = 48.88 kN
4.Beam support reactions
Answer: RB = 41 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 = 10·2 = 20 kN, acting at x̄ = 4 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·10 = 55·6 + 10·2·4
RB = 410/10 = 41 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 75 − 41 = 34 kN
Answer
RB = 41 kN
5.Truss: method of joints
Answer: FAC = 4.167 kN
Method of joints: every pin of a truss is in equilibrium, so ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0 at each joint. Start at a joint with at most two unknown member forces. A negative result means the member is in compression.
Support reactions
Equilibrium of the whole truss. Moments about A, counter-clockwise positive.
ΣMA = 0: Cy·6 = 20·5 → Cy = 16.67 kN
ΣFy = 0: Ay = 20 − 16.67 = 3.333 kN
Joint C
The roller gives only a vertical reaction, so joint C has just two unknown member forces. Assume both in tension.
sin γ = 4/4.123 = 0.9701, cos γ = 1/4.123 = 0.2425
Method of joints: every pin of a truss is in equilibrium, so ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0 at each joint. Start at a joint with at most two unknown member forces. A negative result means the member is in compression.
Support reactions
Equilibrium of the whole truss. Moments about A, counter-clockwise positive.
ΣMA = 0: Cy·5 = 50·4 + 5·4 → Cy = 44 kN
ΣFy = 0: Ay = 50 − 44 = 6 kN
ΣFx = 0: Ax = −5 kN
Joint A
Assume every member is in tension (pulling away from the joint). Only AB has a vertical component at A.
sin α = 4/5.657 = 0.7071
ΣFy = 0: Ay + FAB·sin α = 0
FAB = −6/0.7071 = −8.485 kN
Answer
FAB = −8.485 kN (compression)
7.Frames & machines
Answer: C = 9.763 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.
Tie force from leg BC
By = 7.5 kN
T = 7.5·2.5/3 = 6.25 kN
Components of the pin force on BC
Cx = T = 6.25 kN, Cy = −By = −7.5 kN
Magnitude
C = √(6.25² + 7.5²) = 9.763 kN
Answer
C = 9.763 kN
8.Frames & machines
Answer: T = 2.25 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.
Whole frame: moments about A
By·3 = 2·3.6
By = 2.4 kN
Leg BC: moments about C
2.4·1.5 = T·1.6
T = 2.25 kN
Answer
T = 2.25 kN
A positive T means the tie is in tension, as assumed.
9.Shear force & bending moment
Answer: Mx = 9 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 = 6·4 = 24 kN, acting at x̄ = 2 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·4 = 6·4·2
RB = 48/4 = 12 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 24 − 12 = 12 kN
Cut at x = 3 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 = 12·3 − 6·3·1.5 = 9 kN·m
Answer
Mx = 9 kN·m
10.Shear force & bending moment
Answer: Mmax = 46.51 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. Maximum moment: since dM/dx = V, the bending moment has its peak where the shear force passes through zero, either at a point load or inside a distributed load.
Support reactions
Equilibrium of the whole beam.
UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 6·7 = 42 kN, acting at x̄ = 3.5 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·8 = 6·7·3.5
RB = 147/8 = 18.38 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 42 − 18.38 = 23.63 kN
Zero shear
The shear force starts at RA, stays constant over any unloaded part and falls with slope w inside the load.
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 = 120·10 = 1200 mm², yf = 140 + 10/2 = 145 mm
Sections with holes: treat a hole as a negative area. The centroid is ȳ = (A₁y₁ − A₂y₂)/(A₁ − A₂), with A₁, y₁ for the full plate and A₂, y₂ for the hole. For the second moment of area about the centroidal axis, use the parallel-axis theorem for each part and subtract the hole: I = (Ic1 + A₁d₁²) − (Ic2 + A₂d₂²), where d is the distance from each part's own centroid to the axis through ȳ. A rectangle has Ic = bh³/12 and a circle Ic = πd⁴/64.
Centroid
ȳ = (45000·150 − 800·210)/(45000 − 800) = 148.9 mm