1. Unit 5 Mechanical Principles and Applications
P2 Simply Supported Beams

2. Equilibrium
A reaction force is the force applied to a beam when it rests against something.
Reaction forces Ra and Rb are found by applying two simple rules:
A body in equilibrium has no resultant force in any direction
A body in equilibrium has no resultant turning moment in any direction

4. Equilibrium of moments
The moments must add up to zero. Convention says clockwise is negative and anti clockwise is positive.
Let’s take moments about the left hand end Ra.

5. Taking moments about Ra
(Rb x 5) – (60 x 4) – (20 x 2) = 0
(Rb x 5) = (60 x 4) + (20 x 2)
Rb = ( ) / 5
Rb = 56 kN

6. Equilibrium of forces
Since the beam is in equilibrium, the forces acting vertically must add up to zero.
Convention says that up is positive and down is negative.

7. Adding all the vertical forces
Ra + Rb – 20 – 60 = 0
Ra + Rb = 80 kN
Ra + 56 = 80 kN
Ra = 80 – 56 = 24 kN

8. Question 1

9. Question 2

10. Question 3

11. Question 4