Free body diagram of a beam construction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a free body diagram (FBD) for a beam system in equilibrium, specifically involving beams AC and BD, a hanging mass, and a pulley. The focus is on identifying forces and moments acting on the system.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The initial poster expresses difficulty in drawing the FBD and determining the direction of various forces acting on the system.
  • One participant suggests starting with the gravitational force acting on the hanging mass and working back into the structure.
  • Another participant advises making separate FBDs for each component and emphasizes the importance of choosing convenient points for taking moments.
  • The initial poster later indicates they have resolved their issue after receiving assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to solving the problem, but the initial poster's specific challenges and understanding remain unresolved until they receive guidance.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not detail the specific forces acting on the beams or the exact configuration of the system, which may affect the clarity of the FBD.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals working on statics problems involving free body diagrams and equilibrium conditions in engineering contexts.

Kagrim
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Homework Statement


Beams AC and BD are light (no mass) and they're conjoined at B. Points A and D are fixed but frictionless. The radius of the wheel is R and the weight hanging on the pulley has the mass m.

Homework Equations


Fx=0
Fy=0
M=0

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm stuck at the very beginning of the problem which is to draw a free body diagram (the body is in equilibrium) of the construction however my equations don't add upp. The obstacle I'm currently facing is knowing which way the all the different forces are facing.
 

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You know that the hanging mass m is affected by gravity. Start there and work back into the structure.

If you need more detailed help, you should post your FBD and the equations you're having trouble with.

P.S.: I'm moving this thread to the Engineering HW forum, which is a more relevant forum than Advanced Physics.
 
Make free body diagrams of each piece. You know the sum of moments about any point is zero and that all forces add to zero. The trick is to choose convenient points to take moments about.
 
Solved it! Thank you both for the reply.
 

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