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Understanding Distributed Loads

Distributed loading refers to a load applied over a length or area rather than at a single point, such as wind pressure on a sign or water pressure in a tank. It can be analyzed by replacing the distributed load with a concentrated load equal to the area under the load curve, which helps determine reactions. Examples illustrate how to calculate the resultant force and its location for different shapes of distributed loads.

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67 views6 pages

Understanding Distributed Loads

Distributed loading refers to a load applied over a length or area rather than at a single point, such as wind pressure on a sign or water pressure in a tank. It can be analyzed by replacing the distributed load with a concentrated load equal to the area under the load curve, which helps determine reactions. Examples illustrate how to calculate the resultant force and its location for different shapes of distributed loads.

Uploaded by

quarypower57
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Distributed Loading

DISTRIBUTED LOAD
• Sometimes, a body may be subjected to a
loading that is distributed over its surface
OR
• A load applied across a length or area
instead of at one point

• For example, the pressure of the wind on


the face of a sign, the pressure of water
within a tank, or the weight of sand on the
floor of a storage container, are all
distributed loadings
ANALYZING DISTRIBUTED LOAD
• A distributed load on a beam can thus be replaced by
a concentrated load

• The magnitude of this single load, Fr, is equal to the


area under the load curve, and its line of action passes
through the centroid of that area

• It should be noted, however, that the concentrated


load is equivalent to the given loading only as far as
external forces are concerned and can be used to
determine reactions only
DISTRIBUTED LOAD – EXAMPLE 1
• The magnitude of the resultant force is equivalent to 10 kN/m
the area under the curve of the distributed load:

Fr = b x h = 10 (kN/m) x 3 (m) = 30 kN
1m 3m 2m

• The location of the resultant force is at the center of


mass of the distributed load.

30 kN

2.5 m
DISTRIBUTED LOAD – EXAMPLE 2
• For a triangular distributed load, the magnitude of the 5 kN/m

resultant force is the area of the triangle, ½ x b x h

Fr = ½ x b x h = (½) x 4 (m) x 5 (kN/m) = 10 kN 4m 4m

• The location of the resultant force is at the center of


mass of the distributed load
10 kN

1.33 m
DISTRIBUTED LOAD – EXAMPLE 3
• For a trapezoidal distributed load, the
procedure would be as follows:

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