- #1
chunchunmaru
Homework Statement
I'm having a hard time finding the reactions at the supports and the force exerted by the spring.
Given:
20 lbs
25 lbs
35 lbs
k = 200 lb/ft
lo = 2.5 ft
members are 4 ft long
Homework Equations
ΣM
∑Fy = 0
∑Fx = 0
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried solving for the reactions first. I know that at pin A it would react with two forces upward and downward. At D, it would only react upward since it is a roller.
I first solved for the x-direction reaction at A and got 35 lbs to the left because it would resist the 35 lbs force to the right at D.
I'm kind off confused on what is the direction of the force exerted by the spring. I imagine the spring being stretched when the downward forces are in effect. I think they would just exert a left and right forces but I don't know how to get their values. Any idea how?
Then I tried solving for the moment at A using the unstretched length of the spring as the leverage. Or can it be solved without using the moment equation? After that I'm stuck.