Mech - Girder Section - Picture included

[Chantry09]

Homework Statement

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8958/mechanicsgv3.jpg

The Attempt at a Solution

(i) Is the weight balanced on both sides in a situation like this, in which case it would be:

(6000 +3000) / 2 = 4500N on A and 4500N on G

Or are the weights not equal and infact I am meant to work it out with dimensions in terms of letters, for example A-C?

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(ii) Could anyone tell me where i can learn about these support structures, i brought a mechanics book but it doesn't cover and after looking on the internet i can't find any good sources of information to teach me.

 

[tiny-tim]

Or are the weights not equal and infact I am meant to work it out with dimensions in terms of letters, for example A-C?

Hi Spadez!

No, they're not equal.

Hint: take a moment.

 

[Chantry09]

Ok, so i take moments but i have to use the distance with respect to the letters, I am not given any distances. Can i still do it like that?

 

[tiny-tim]

hmm … assuming the triangles are all the same, just say "let AC = CE = EG = 1 unit" … the units will cancel in the end