4.

6 Distributed Loads on Beams

4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 1, page 1 of 3
1. Determine a) the magnitude and location of the resultant
of the distributed load, and b) the reactions at the supports.

2 kN/m

A
B
4m 2m

1 Distributed load diagram. The magnitude R

of the resultant of the distributed load equals 2 R = Area
the area under the load curve.
= (2 kN/m)(6 m)

2 kN/m = 12 kN Ans.
A
B
6m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 1, page 2 of 3

3 The line of action of the resultant, R, passes through the centroid of the load area.

4 Centroid of rectangle lies

3m
R = 12 kN 6m
= 3 m from A Ans
2

A
B
6m

5 Free-body diagram

3m
R = 12 kN

Ax A B

Ay
By
4m 2m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 1, page 3 of 3

6 Equations of equilibrium,
+
Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay + By 12 kN = 0
+

MA = 0: (4 m)(By) (3 m)(12 kN) =0

+

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 3 kN Ans.

By = 9 kN Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 2, page 1 of 3
2. Determine a) the magnitude and location of the resultant of
the distributed load, and b) the reactions at the support.

4 kN/m

B A

6m

1 Distributed load diagram. The magnitude R of

the resultant of the distributed load equals the
area under the load curve.
2 R = Area
1
= (4 kN/m)(6 m)
2
= 12 kN Ans.
4 kN/m

A
B

6m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 2, page 2 of 3

3 The line of action of the resultant, R, passes

through the centroid of the triangle.

4 Centroid of triangle lies

y 1 (6 m) = 2 m from B
2m Ans.
3

R = 12 kN

A
B x

5 Free-body diagram. Since the support at A is fixed,

three reactions are present: Ax, Ay, and MA.

R = 12 kN
A Ax
B
2m MA
Ay

6m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 2, page 3 of 3

6 Equations of equilibrium:
+
Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay 12 kN = 0
+

MA = 0: (12 kN)(4 m) + MA = 0
+

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 12 kN Ans.

MA = 48 kN m Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 3, page 1 of 3
3. Determine a) the magnitude and location of the resultant
of the distributed load, and b) the reactions at the supports.

200 lb/ft

50 lb/ft

A B

12 ft

1 Distributed load diagram. The trapezoid loading area can

be divided into rectangular and triangular loadings.

2 F2 = Area2
1
= (150 lb/ft)(12 ft) 3 F1 = Area1
2
= 900 lb = (50 lb/ft)(12 ft)
150 lb/ft
(2) = 600 lb

50 lb/ft (1)
A B

12 ft
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 3, page 2 of 3
4 A single resultant, R, can be 5 The lines of action of F1 and F2 pass through the centroids of the
calculated as: rectangular and triangular loading areas respectively.

R = Fy xR
+

= F1 + F2 F1 = 600 lb
F2 = 900 lb R
= 600 lb + 900 lb

= 1500 lb Ans.
A B
4 ft
6 ft

6 Centroid of triangle lies 7 Centroid of rectangle lies 1 (12 ft) = 6 ft from A

2
1 (12 ft) = 4 ft from A
3
8 To be equivalent, the moment about A produced by R must equal
the sum of the moments about A produced by F1 and F2.

xR R = (6 ft)F1 (4 ft)F2
+

where xR is the distance of R from the support A.

Hence,

xR (1500 lb) = (6 ft)(600 lb) (4 ft)(900 lb)

xR = 4.8 ft Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 3, page 3 of 3
9 Free- body diagram

xR = 4.8 ft
R = 1500 lb

Ax A
B

Ay By
12 ft

10 Equations of equilibrium
+ Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay + By 1500 lb = 0
+

MA = 0: (12 ft)(By) (1500 lb)(4.8 ft) = 0

+

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 900 lb Ans.

By = 600 lb Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 4, page 1 of 3
4. Determine the reactions at the supports.
900 N/m

300 N/m 250 N/m

A B

3m 1.5 m

1 Distributed load diagram.

(2) (900 N/m 300 N/m) = 600 N/m

300 N/m (1) (3) 250 N/m

A B
3m 1.5 m

2 Resultant of load No. 1 4 Resultant of load No. 3

3 Resultant of load No. 2
F1 = Area1 F3 = Area3
F2 = Area2
= (300 N/m)(3 m) 1 = (250 N/m)(1.5 m)
= (600 N/m)(3 m)
2
= 900 N = 375 N
= 900 N
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 4, page 2 of 3

5 The lines of action of resultants F1, F2, and F3 pass through the
centroid of their loading areas.

3.75 m
6 Centroid of rectangle 1 lies 2m
1.5 m F2
3m F1 F3
= 1.5 m from A (2)
2 7 Centroid of rectangle 3 lies
(1) (3) 1.5 m
3m+ = 3.75 m from A
A B 2

3m 1.5 m
8 Centroid of triangle 2 lies
2
9 (3 m) = 2 m from A
Free body diagram 3

F1 = 900 N F2 = 900 N F3 = 375 N

Ax A
B

Ay By
1.5 m
2m
3.75 m
4.5 m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 4, page 3 of 3

10 Equations of equilibrium
+
Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay + By 900 N 900 N 375 N 0

+
+

MA = (900 N)(1.5 m) (900 N)(2 m) (375 N)(3.75 m) + By(4.5 m) = 0

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 1162 N Ans.

By = 1012 N Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 5, page 1 of 3
5. Determine the reactions at the support.
2 kip/ft

2 kip/ft
3 ft 9 ft

1 Distributed load diagram 2 F1 = Area1

1
= (12 ft)(2 kip/ft)
2
2 kip/ft
(1) = 12 kip

A 3 F2 = Area2
(2) 1
2 kip/ft = (9 ft)(2 kip/ft)
2
= 9 kip

3 ft 9 ft
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 5, page 2 of 3

4 The lines of actions of the resultants pass through the centroids of the loading areas.

F1 5 Centroid of triangle 1 lies

1
4 ft (12 ft) = 4 ft from A
3

F2 6 Centroid of triangle 2 lies

9 ft 3 ft + 2 (9 ft) = 9 ft from A
3
3 ft 9 ft

7 Free- body diagram

F1 = 12 kip

4 ft
MA

Ax A

Ay
F2 = 9 kip
9 ft
12 ft
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 5, page 3 of 3
8 Equations of equilibrium
+
Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay 12 kip + 9 kip = 0
+

MA = 0: MA 12 kip(4 ft) + 9 kip(9 ft) = 0

+

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 3 kip Ans.

MA = 33 kip ft Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 6, page 1 of 3
6. Determine the reactions at the supports.
x
w = wo sin
L
w

x
A B
L

1 Distributed load diagram. The magnitude and location of the

resultant of the given load will be determined by integration.

x
w = wo sin
L
w
dA = w dx
x
A B

x dx
L

L
2 The resultant force R = A dA = w dx
0
L x L 2woL
sin x dx = wo[
L
R= wo cos ] =
0 L L 0
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 6, page 2 of 3
3 Resultant force diagram. The location xR of R measured from A is

x dA
L
0x wo sin Lx dx
xR = = =L
2
dA 2woL

xR R

A B

4 Free- body diagram

2woL
R=

A
B
Ax C

Ay By
L L
2 2
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 6, page 3 of 3
5 Equations of equilibrium
+ Fx = 0: Ax = 0
2woL
Fy = 0: Ay + By =0
+

2woL L
MA = 0: ByL ( ) =0
+

2
Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = woL Ans.

By = woL Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 7, page 1 of 2
7. Determine the reactions at the supports.
w = 2 x2 2x + 4 kN/m
40 kN 14.4 kN/m
w

4 kN/m
A B x

3m 5m

1 Distributed load diagram. The magnitude and location of the force

represented by the distributed load will be determined by integration.

w = 2 x2 2x + 4 kN/m
14.4 kN/m
w

4 kN/m dA = w dx
A B x
x
dx
8m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 7, page 2 of 2
3 Free- body diagram
2 The force F = dA = w dx
40 kN F = 60.44 kN
8
F= 02 x2 2x + 4 dx = 60.44 kN
Ax A
and F acts through the point defined by x1: B

8
x dA 0 2x x2 2x + 4 dx 305.09
x1 = = = = 5.05 m Ay By
dA 60.44 60.44 3m
5.05 m
8m
40 kN F = 60.44 kN

A B 4 Equations of equilibrium
+
3m Fx = 0: Ax = 0
x1
Fy = 0: Ay + By 40 kN 60.44 kN = 0

+
+
MA = 0: By(8 m) 40 kN(3 m) 60.44 kN(5.05 m) = 0

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 47.3 kN Ans.

By = 53.1 kN Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 8, page 1 of 3
8. The lift force acting on an airplane wing can be modeled by
the equation shown. Determine the force and moment at the
point where the wing is attached to the fuselage.

3m
x
A

p(x) = [1500 10(x2 + 4)] N/m

1 Distributed load diagram. The magnitude and location of

the resultant force will be determine by integration.

3m
x dx
A
dA = p(x) dx

p(x) = [1500 10(x2 + 4)] N/m

4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 8, page 2 of 3
2 The resultant force R is equal to the area under the loading curve.
3
R= A dA = [1500 10(x2 + 4)] dx = 4290 N
0

The line of action of R passes through the point defined by xR :

3
x dA 0 x[1500 10(x2 + 4)] dx 6368
xR = = = = 1.484 m
dA 4290 4290

_ 3m
x
A

FR

3 Free- body diagram

A 1.484 m
Ax

MA
Ay 4290 N

3m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 8, page 3 of 3

4 Equations of equilibrium
+
Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay + 4290 N = 0
+
+

MA = 0: MA + (4290 N)(1.484 m) = 0

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 4290 N = 4.29 kN Ans.

MA = 6366 N m = 6.37 kN m Ans.

4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 9, page 1 of 3
9. Determine the reactions at the supports.

120 lb/ft

A B

360 lb/ft

9 ft 4 ft

1 Distributed load diagram. The distance x will be determined later.

2 F1 = Area1
1
= (120 lb/ft)(x)
2
9 ft x
120 lb/ft (1)
A B

x 3 F2 = Area2
(2) 360 lb/ft 1
= (360 lb/ft)(9 ft x)
2
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 9, page 2 of 3
x 9 x
4 From similar triangles, =
120 lb/ft 360 lb/ft
Solving gives

x = 2.25 ft.
1
The force represented by upper triangle F1 = (120 lb/ft)(2.25 ft) = 135 lb.
2
1
The force represented by lower triangle F2 = (360 lb/ft)(9 ft 2.25 ft) = 1215 lb.
2

5 The lines of action of these forces pass through the centroids of the corresponding areas.
1
6 Centroid of triangle 1 lies (2.25 m) = 0.75 m from A
3
F1 = 135 lb
0.75 ft
9 ft 2.25 ft = 6.75 f t

A B

2.25 ft F2 = 1215 lb

6.75 ft
7 Centroid of rectangle 2 lies
2
2.25 ft + (6.75 ft) = 6.75 ft from A
3
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 9, page 3 of 3
8 Free-body diagram

0.75 ft 135 lb By

Ax A B

Ay
1215 lb
6.75 ft
13 ft

9 Equations of equilibrium
+ Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay 135 lb + 1215 lb By = 0
+

MA = 0: (135 lb)(0.75 ft) + (1215 lb)(6.75 ft) By(13 ft) = 0

+

Solving we get

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 457 lb Ans.

By = 623 lb Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 10, page 1 of 3
10. Determine the reactions at the supports.
4 kip/ft

3 kip ft
A B

6 ft 2 ft 2 ft

1 Distributed load diagram

2 Resultant

F = Area
4 kip/ft 1
= (4 kip/ft)(6 ft)
2

A = 12 kip
B

6 ft
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 10, page 2 of 3

3 The line of action of the resultant F passes through the centroid of the loading area.

4 ft 4 Centroid of triangle lies

F 4 kip/ft 2
(6 ft) = 4 ft from A
3

A B

6 ft

5 Free-body diagram

4 ft F = 12 kip

3 kip ft
Ax A
B

Ay By
6 ft + 2 ft = 8 ft 2 ft
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 10, page 3 of 3

6 Equations of equilibrium
+ Fx = 0: Ax = 0

Fy = 0: Ay 12 kip + By = 0
+
+

MA = 0: (12 kip)(4 ft) (3 kip ft) + By(6 ft + 2 ft + 2 ft) = 0

Solving gives

Ax = 0 Ans.

Ay = 6.90 kip Ans.

By = 5.10 kip Ans.

4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 11, page 1 of 3

11. Determine w1 and w2 so that the beam is in equilibrium.

8 kN

A B

w1

w2
4m 2m 2 Resultant of load No. 1

F1 = Area1

1 Distributed load diagram. The trapezoidal area can = (w1)(6 m)

be divided into rectangular and triangular areas. 8 kN
= 6w1
3 Resultant of load No. 2
A B
w1 (1) F2 = Area2
1
= (w2 w1)(6 m)
2
(2)
= 3(w2 w1)

w2 w1
6m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 11, page 2 of 3
4 The lines of action of the resultants pass through the
centroids of their areas. 8 kN

A B

6w1 3(w2 w1)

3m

4m
6 Centroid of triangle 2 lies
2
5 Centroid of rectangle 1 lies (6 m) = 4 m from A
3
6m
= 3m from A
2

7 Free-body diagram 8 kN

A B

6w1 3(w2 w1)

3m
4m
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 11, page 3 of 3

8 Equations of equilibrium

Fy = 0: 6w1 + 3(w2 w1) 8 kN = 0

++

MA = 0: 6w1(3 m) + 3(w2 w1)(4 m) 8 kN(4 m) = 0

Solving gives

w1 = 0 Ans.

w2 = 83 kN/m Ans.
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 12, page 1 of 3
12. The forces from the supports are approximately represented as
triangular distributed loads. Determine the values of w1 and w2.
3 kN/m

8 kN m
A B
C

w2
w1
0.4 m 0.3 m
4m 2m
1m 1m

1 Distributed load diagram.

3 kN/m (3)
A B
(1) C
(2)
w1 w2
3 F3 = Area3 4 F2 = Area2
2 F1 = Area1
1
1 = (3 kN/m)(4 m) = w (0.3 m)
= w (0.4 m) 2 2
2 1
= 12 kN = 0.15w2
= 0.2w1
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 12, page 2 of 3

5 The lines of action of the resultant forces pass

through the centroids of their loading areas.
6 Centroid of rectangle lies
6.4 m 4m
3.4 m 0.4 m + 1 m + = 3.4 m from A
12 kN 2

8 kN m
A B
C

0.2 w1 0.15 w2
0.267 m
8.5 m
7 Centroid of triangle 1 lies
8 Centroid of triangle 2 lies
2
(0.4 m) = 0.267 m from A
3 0.4 m + 1 m + 4 m + 1 m + 2 m + 1 (0.3 m) = 8.5 m from A
3
4.6 Distributed Loads on Beams Example 12, page 3 of 3
9 Free- body diagram
6.4 m
3.4 m
12 kN

8 kN m
A B
C

0.2 w1 0.15 w2
0.267 m
8.5 m

10 Equations of equilibrium

Fy = 0: 0.2w1 + 0.15w2 12 kN = 0
+
+

MA = 0: (0.2w1)(0.267 m) (12 kN)(3.4 m) 8 kN m + (0.15w2 )(8.5 m) = 0

Solving gives

w1 = 32.3 kN/m Ans.

w2 = 36.9 kN/m Ans.