The Analysis of Forces and Moments on a Rigid Beam with a Student Standing on It

Introduction

The 3.0-m-long, 92 kg rigid beam in (figure 1) is supported at each end. A 82 kg student stands 2.0 m from support 1. We will analyze the forces and moments acting on the beam with the student standing on it.

Forces on the Beam

First, let's consider the forces acting on the beam. The beam is subjected to a downward gravitational force due to its own weight, which we can calculate as follows: F_beam = m_beam * g where F_beam is the force due to the beam's weight, m_beam is the mass of the beam, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2). Plugging in the values, we have: F_beam = (92 kg) * (9.81 m/s^2) = 904.62 N The beam is also subjected to a downward force due to the weight of the student, which we can calculate as follows: F_student = m_student * g where F_student is the force due to the student's weight, m_student is the mass of the student, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2). Plugging in the values, we have: F_student = (82 kg) * (9.81 m/s^2) = 809.62 N

Moments on the Beam

Now let's consider the moments acting on the beam. The force due to the student's weight will create a moment about the first support. The magnitude of this moment can be calculated using the following equation: M_1 = F_student * d Where M_1 is the moment about the first support, F_student is the force due to the student's weight, and d is the distance from the support to the point where the force is applied (in this case, 2.0 m). Plugging in the values, we have: M_1 = (809.62 N) * (2.0 m) = 1619.24 N*m

Equilibrium Analysis

We can now use the equations of static equilibrium to determine the reactions at the supports. The sum of the forces in the x-direction must be zero, and the sum of the moments about any point must also be zero. For the x-direction, we have: R_1 - F_beam - F_student = 0 For the moment about the first support, we have: -R_1 * L + M_1 = 0 Solving these two equations for R_1 and R_2 (the reaction at the second support), we get: R_1 = 456.92 N R_2 = 447.70 N

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

We can now use these reactions to determine the shear and bending moment diagrams for the beam. The shear diagram shows the shear force at various points along the beam, and the bending moment diagram shows the bending moment at various points along the beam. The shear at any point along the beam can be calculated using the following equation: V = R_1 + F_beam + F_student - R_2 The bending moment at any point along the beam can be calculated using the following equation: M = R_1 * x - F_beam * x - F_student * (L - x) + R_2 * (L - x) where x is the distance along the beam from the first support

What are the forces acting on the rigid beam with the student standing on it?

The forces acting on the beam include the force due to the beam's weight (904.62 N) and the force due to the student's weight (809.62 N).

← An exciting journey of an airplane from city a to city b Understanding axial forces in truss members →

More Posts: