Chapter 7
INTERNAL FORCES
APPLICATIONS
These beams are used to
support the roof of this gas
station.
Why are the beams tapered?
Is it because of the internal
forces?
If so, what are these forces
and how do we determine
them?
APPLICATIONS
(continued)
A fixed column supports
Statics Rules this rectangular billboard.
Usually such columns are
wider at the bottom than at
the top. Why?
Is it because of the internal
forces?
If so, what are they and how
do we determine them?
APPLICATIONS
(continued)
The concrete supporting a
bridge has fractured.
What might have caused the
concrete to do this?
How can we analyze or design
these structures to make them
safer?
INTERNAL FORCES
The design of any structural member
requires finding the forces acting
within the member to make sure the
material can resist those loads.
For example, we want to determine
the internal forces acting on the cross
section at C. First, we first need to
determine the support reactions.
Then we need to cut the beam at C
and draw a FBD of one of the halves
of the beam. This FBD will include
the internal forces acting at C.
Finally, we need to solve for these
unknowns using the E-of-E.
INTERNAL FORCES (continued)
In two-dimensional cases, typical internal
loads are normal or axial forces (N, acting
perpendicular to the section), shear forces
(V, acting along the surface), and the
bending moment (M).
The loads on the left and right sides of the section at C are equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction. This is because when the
two sides are reconnected, the net loads are zero at the section.
STEPS FOR DETERMINING INTERNAL FORCES
1. Take an imaginary cut at the place where you need to
determine the internal forces. Then, decide which
resulting section or piece will be easier to analyze.
2. If necessary, determine any support reactions or joint
forces you need by drawing a FBD of the entire structure
and solving for the unknown reactions.
3. Draw a FBD of the piece of the structure you’ve decided
to analyze. Remember to show the N, V, and M loads at
the “cut” surface.
4. Apply the E-of-E to the FBD (drawn in step 3) and
solve for the unknown internal loads.
EXAMPLE
Given: The loading on the beam.
Find: The internal forces at point C.
Plan: Follow the procedure!!
Solution
1. Plan on taking the imaginary cut at C. It will be easier to
work with the left section (point A to the cut at C) since
the geometry is simpler.
2. We need to determine Ax and Ay using a FBD of the entire
frame.
FBD: 400 N
1.2 m
Ax Ay By
3m 2m
Applying the E-of-E to this FBD, we get
+ Fx = Ax + 400 = 0 ; Ax = – 400 N
+ MB = -Ay(5) - 400 (1.2) = 0 ; Ay = – 96 N
EXAMPLE (continued)
3. Now draw a FBD of the left section. Assume directions
for VC, NC and MC.
1.5 m
400 N NC MC
C
A
96 N VC
4. Applying the EofE to this FBD, we get
+ Fx = NC – 400 = 0; NC = 400 N
+ Fy = – VC – 96 = 0; VC = – 96N
+ MC = 96 (1.5) + MC = 0 ; MC = -144 N m
EXAMPLE
Given: The loading on the
beam.
Find: The internal forces at
point C.
Plan: Follow the procedure!!
Solution
1. Plan on an imaginary cut at C. Why will it be easier
to work with segment AC?
EXAMPLE
2. We need to determine Ax and Ay using a FBD and the
EofE for the entire frame. 6 ft 12 ft 6 ft
Ax 6 kip 5 kip
Ay By
+ Fx = Ax = 0
+ MB = -Ay(24) + 6 (18) + 5 (6) = 0 ; Ay = 5.75 kip
3 ft 3 kip 3 ft
3. A FBD of section AC is Nc Mc
shown to the right. A
C
5.75 kip Vc
4. Applying the E-of-E to the FBD, we get
+ Fx = Nc = 0
+ Fy = 5.73 – 3 – Vc = 0 ; Vc = 2.75 kip
+ MC = 3 ( 3 ) – 5.75 ( 6 ) + Mc = 0 ; MA = 25.5 kip·ft
