Reaction forces for structure

1. Sep 23, 2013

Woopydalan

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
My problem here seems that I can't figure out how to solve for my unknowns. I have 3 equations for force, and I'm not sure if that equation I have for the moment around the origin counts as 3 new independent equations if I split them up into i, j, and k components. If that is allowed, then I have 6 equations and 6 unknowns, which should be solvable. Otherwise, I only have 4 equations and can't solve this thing.

Is my analysis of the moments ok as well as the forces present on my FBD? I figured the rings cannot oppose motion in the directions where the hole of the ring is perpendicular to the force, thus has no reaction force.

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2. Sep 23, 2013

SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
When writing moment equations, it's usually a good idea to pick one of the locations where an unknown reaction occurs. Look at it like solving a loaded beam on two supports: the sum of the forces involves both R1 and R2, but by writing a moment equation about one of the reaction points, say point 1, there is no moment produced by R1 but the resulting equation contains only R2, which can then be calculated. R1 is found by plugging R2 into the force equation.

You have your force equations involving the reactions. Instead of writing a moment equation about the origin, pick one of the reaction points and write a moment equation for it.

3. Sep 23, 2013

pongo38

Best to take moments about an axis rather than a point.

4. Sep 23, 2013

Woopydalan

If I take the moment about the X-axis, does that mean the moments caused by all forces that originate at points on the axis (A_y and A_z) go to zero, or is it that the moment caused by forces that act along the x-axis (B_x) go to zero, or is it something else??

5. Sep 23, 2013

Woopydalan

I did the moment around point B, I get Cy = -Ay, which if I put into the summation of F_x equation, I get 1200 = 0, so something is wrong here

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Last edited: Sep 23, 2013
6. Sep 24, 2013

Woopydalan

Solved it. I just made one sign error in the matrix on one of my determinants!

Last edited: Sep 24, 2013