What Do You Do When A/B Forces Aren't Shown?

[markow202]

Hi everyone,

I have a problem question in my statics class and one problem askes to draw the shear and bending diagram for the problem.

It shows the beam ------------------------ with the reaction pushing down on the top/middle of it and A and B on each side but shows no forces pushing up on each side which I am stuck on.

-------------------------
A B
^ ^
| |
| |
| ? |?

Every other example in the book shows forces pushing up on A/B but not the questions.

If it showed them I wouldn't be stuck...what do I have to do in this case?

Thanks so much!

 

[Fermat]

Hint: If you wrap "code" tags around your "diagram" (in the post/editing area) then it will show up better.

Question:Is there a force (load) acting down in the middle of the beam AB ? Or is it slightly offset from the centre ?

If it's in the middle, then the reactions at A and B are: R_A = W/2 and R_B = W/2.

If it's slightly offset, then you will have to take moments about A, or B, to determine the exact value of R_A and R_B.

 

[TiBaal89]

Well if there's a load on the beam and A and B are labeled but no forces are shown... there better be forces at A and B or this isn't statics my friend!