Calculating Forces Acting on a 50m Bridge with Two Supports: A Torque Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter kc0ldeah
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Torque
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 2K views
kc0ldeah
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


http://imgur.com/BqIoe

There is a 50 meter bridge with two supports. The bridge has a mass of 80000kg. A truck of 30000 kg is 15m from one of the supports. What are the forces acting on the ends of the bridge?

Answers in back are F_a(support closer to truck): 598000 N and F_b: 480000 N

Homework Equations


torque = Force_perpendicular * distance

center of mass for uniform object is center of geometry

The Attempt at a Solution


Sum of Forces in y direction on bridge: = -80000g - 30000g + Fn A + Fn B = 0

Torque @ A = -15(30000) - 25(80000) + 50*Fn B = 0
Fn B = 490000

Torque @ A = 35(30000) + 25(80000) - 50*Fn A = 0
Fn A = 305000

What am I doing wrong? Any help is appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org