Calculate the tension in the string

[Doc Al]

So if I replace L with 2 I get T=600/sin50 meaning T=783.

Correct. But realize you don't have to "replace" L with any number--the L just drops out:
300*L=L/2*T*Sin50 becomes 300=1/2*T*Sin50 if you cancel the L on both sides. (Which means dividing both sides by L.)

Now I am stuck with the following question ...

Another equilibrium problem. What are the conditions for equilibrium? Forces must add to zero and torques about any point must add to zero. Label the vertical support forces (at each end of the bridge) F1 & F2. Hint: A good point to use as a pivot is either end of the bridge.

 

[ssj]

Another equilibrium problem. What are the conditions for equilibrium? Forces must add to zero and torques about any point must add to zero. Label the vertical support forces (at each end of the bridge) F1 & F2. Hint: A good point to use as a pivot is either end of the bridge.

Alright so if I lable the force between 4kN and 10kN F1 and from 10kN to 8kN F2 and place an pivot at the left hand side of the bridge would this be correct and what would the equation be for the clockwise rotation= counter clockwise rotation ?

As seen below
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5756/klcw7.th.jpg

 

[Doc Al]

Alright so if I lable the force between 4kN and 10kN F1 and from 10kN to 8kN F2 and place an pivot at the left hand side of the bridge would this be correct and what would the equation be for the clockwise rotation= counter clockwise rotation ?

No. F1 is the upward force of the support on the left end of the bridge, F2 is the upward force on the right end of the bridge.

If you pick the left side of the bridge as your pivot, you will have the three axial loads producing the clockwise torques and the force F2 producing the counter-clockwise torques. Find those torques just like in all the previous problems.

 

[ssj]

Would it be *F1 14kN*10.5M=8kN*5.25M*F2 ? am I correct ?

 

[Doc Al]

Would it be *F1 14kN*10.5M=8kN*5.25M*F2 ? am I correct ?

No. There are three forces (each at a different distance from the pivot) that create clockwise torques. And the force F2, which creates the counter-clockwise torque, is how far from the pivot?

I encourage you to study the examples discussed on the webpage I linked in post #37.

 

[ssj]

No. There are three forces (each at a different distance from the pivot) that create clockwise torques. And the force F2, which creates the counter-clockwise torque, is how far from the pivot?

I encourage you to study the examples discussed on the webpage I linked in post #37.

Alright so is this correct ?

Meaning that ths distance from the pivot is 5.25M+5.25M?

 

[Doc Al]

No, the distance of F2 from the left pivot point is: 7m + 3.5m + 5.25m + 5.25m = 21m. (You didn't even have to do that addition: the problem states that the bridge supports are 21m apart.)

 

[ssj]

No, the distance of F2 from the left pivot point is: 7m + 3.5m + 5.25m + 5.25m = 21m. (You didn't even have to do that addition: the problem states that the bridge supports are 21m apart.)

I think the total Clockwise force F1 would be equal to 22kN*21m=462 correct but what would the counter clockwise force be then?