MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Application-Support Reaction in beams:

Types of Loads and Supports, statically determinate beams, Numerical
problems on support reactions for statically determinate beams with Point load
(Normal and inclined) and uniformly distributed and uniformly varying loads and
Moments.

Beam is a structural member resting on supports to carry vertical loads.

Generally, beams are placed horizontally. The amount and extent of external load
which a beam can carry depends upon
(a) The distance between supports and the overhanging lengths from
supports;
(b) The type and intensity of loading;
(c) The type of supports, and
(d) The cross-section and elasticity of the beam.

TYPES OF BEAMS:
Beams are classified as below:
i) Cantilever beam: One end is fixed and A B
the other is free. L

ii) Simply supported beam: A beam supported

or resting freely bon the walls or columns at its A B
both ends is known as simply supported beam. L

iii) Overhanging beam:

a) Simply supported beam with
A B C
single overhanging: A beam in
which a certain span length is L1 L2
extended beyond the support on
one of its sides is called as beam with single overhanging.

b) Simply supported beam C A B D

with double L1 L2 L3
overhanging: A beam in
which a certain span length is extended beyond the support on both
sides is called as beam with double overhanging.

A B
iv) Fixed beam: A beam whose ends are
rigidly fixed or built – in walls as shown in L
fig is known as rigidly fixed beam or a built
in beam.

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

v) Continuous beam: A beam supported over more than 2 supports is

known as continuous beam.
A B C D

vi) Propped cantilever beam: The cantilever A B

beam supported at free end.
L

TYPES OF LOADING:
Generally the beams are loaded with following types of loading.

Point Load or Concentrated Load

These loads are usually considered to be
w w
acting at a point on the beam as shown in
Fig. is known as point load or a concentrated
load, and are denoted by Newton (N), Kilo-
Newton (KN) or ton (T), etc.,

Note: Practically point load cannot be placed

on a beam. When a member is placed on a beam it covers some space or width.
But for calculation purpose we consider as the load is transmitting at the central
width of the member.

Uniformly Distributed Load or U.D.L. w/m

if the load on a beam is equally
distributed over a length of the beam in such a
way that rate of loading is uniform along the
length (i.e., load per unit length is a constant).
The rate of loading (udl) is as w Newton /
metre ( w N/m), w Kilo-Newton / metre
(w kN/m).

Gradually Varying Load or triangular

Gradually varing load
load:
If the spread load is uniformly varying
along the length from zero intensity at one
end to the designated intensity at the
other end. A triangular block of brickwork
practically imposes such a loading on a
beam.

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Trapezoidal Load or Uniformly varying g (UVL) :

This load is one which is spread over a beam
Gradually varing load
in a such a manner that rate of loading varies from
point to point along the beam as shown in fig.

TYPES OF SUPPORTS:

i) Simple support or knife edge support

ii) Roller support
iii) Hinged support
iv) Fixed support
v) Smooth surface support
w w
Simple support or knife edge support:
If the beam rests simply on a support A Beam B
then the support is simple support. A simple
L
support exerts reaction only in the direction VA VB
perpendicular to the axis of the beam as shown
in fig. VA and VB are the support reactions.

Beam

Roller support:
If the beam is supported on rollers, then
such a support is called as roller support. In
roller support the reaction always acts at right Support
reaction Roller support
angles or perpendicular to support surface. In
roller support the beam is free to roll left and Beam
right or up and down.

Roller support

Support reaction

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Hinged Support or Pin jointed support:

If the beam is supported on
hinge or pin then such a support is W1 Beam W2
called as Hinged or Pinned support. In
hinged support the beam cannot move
HA
in any direction. In hinged beam the
reaction may be vertical (VA), Support Hinge or pin
horizontal (HA) or inclined (R) reactions R support
depending upon the type of loading. VA

Fixed or Built – in or Encastered Support:

If the end of the beam is fixed or

W1 Beam W2
built – in, then such a support is called
MA
as fixed support. In fixed support the A
reaction may be vertical (VA), horizontal HA
(HA) or inclined (R) and in addition
Support
there will be a moment (MA) acting at reactions R
fixed end as shown in fig. VA

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Eg: Column supporting beam and slab in buildings. Here beam and slab forms a
joint and column is a support

Smooth Surface Support:

If the body is supported or in contact with a smooth surface, then such a
support is called as smooth surface support. In case cases, the reaction is
perpendicular to the support. In case of spheres the reaction acts perpendicular to
the surface and passes through the centre of sphere c as shown in fig.

W
Smooth Smooth C
surface C surface
R
R R

Note:
1. If uniformly distributed and uniformly varying load are given convert them
into Concentrated (point) load. The converted concentrated load will act at
the centre of its length.

6 kN/m 6 x 4 = 24kN

B  B
A A
4m 2m 2m

Concentrated load = 6 x 4 = 24 kN

6 x 4 = 24kN

B
A
4m

2. If couple is given and moment about any point is to be calculated, don’t

multiply the magnitude with its distance from that point.

10kN-m

A
15kN-m
5kN-m

2m 1.5m 3m

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

M@A = + 5 – 10 – 15 = – 20 kN - m

Problem: ®
10 kN
Draw SFD and BMD for the cantilever beam as shown in
fig.
A B
Solution: 5m

Reaction at support A = VA = 10 kN 

10 kN 5 kN 15 kN

Problem: ®
Draw SFD and BMD for the cantilever beam A 2m B
1m C 1.5 m D
as shown in fig.
Solution:
Reaction at support A = VA = 10 + 5 +15 = 30 kN 

Problem: ®
Draw SFD and BMD. Locate the point of contra flexure for the cantilever beam
shown in fig.
10 kN 30 kN 25 kN
Solution:
Reaction at support A = VA = 10 + 30 –
25 = 15 kN  A 2m B C 2m D
2m

Problem: ®
Draw SFD and BMD for the cantilever beam shown in 6 kN/m
fig.
Solution: B
A
Reaction at support A = VA = 6 x 4 = 24 kN  4m

Problem:®
Determine the reactions at support for the A B

cantilever beam subjected to moment M at M

free end. L

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

May / June / 2010 – 06CV33 –10 2 kN

3 kN/m
marks ® 3 kN-m
Determine the reactions at support A.
D
Solution: A
1m
B
1.5 m
C
0.5 m
Reaction at support A = VA = 2 + 3 x 1 = 5
kN 

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM WITH A POINT LOAD AT CENTRE

Reaction calculation at supports A and B

Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.

Taking moment about support A

L W kN
VB  L  W 
2
A B
W C
VB  kN  L/2 L/2
2
VA  VB  W kN L

W W
VA  W   kN 
L L

Problem:
Determine the support reactions at A and B.

Solution:
Reaction calculations at supports A and B.
Let VA and VB be the reactions at
6 kN 8 kN 10 kN
supports A and B.
Taking moment about support A A C D E B
VB  8  6  2  8  4.5  10  6
2m 2.5 m 1.5 m 2 m
108
VB   13.5 kN 
8

Problem: ® 5 kN/m
6 kN 8 kN 10 kN
Draw SFD and BMD for the
simply supported beam as shown C D E
A B
in fig.
2m 2.5 m 1.5 m 2 m

Solution:
Reaction calculations at supports A and B.
Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.
Taking moment about support A
VB  8  6  2  8  4.5  10  6
8 V  VB  6  8  10  5  8  64 kN
 5  8   268 A
2 VA  64  33.5  30.5 kN 
268
VB   33.5 kN 
8

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Problem: ® M kN-m
Determine the reactions of the
A B
simply supported beam subjected to C
clockwise moment ‘M’ at mid span as L/2 L/2
shown in fig. L

Solution:
Reaction calculation at supports A and B
Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.

Taking moment about support A

VB  L  M
M
VB  kN 
L
VA  VB  0 kN
M
VA   VB  - kN 
L

Solution: check this once again w /m

M
Reaction calculation at supports A A B
and B C
L/2 L/2
Let VA and VB be the reactions at
supports A and B.
wL M
Taking moment about support A  kN
2 L
L
VB  L  M  w  L 
2
wL M
VB   kN 
2 L
VA  VB  wL kN
M wL
VA  wL  VB  wL  
L 2
wL M
VA   kN 
2 L

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Problem:® 8 kN
5 kN/m
Determine the reactions at the
supports A and B.
A B
Solution: C D E F
Bracket load of 8 kN acting at 8 kN - m
F with an offset of 0.5 m is 2m 1m 2m 1m 0.5 m 1.5 m
converted into a point load =
8 kN and a anticlockwise couple of magnitude = 8 x 0.5 = 4 kN-m at ‘F’.

Reaction calculations at supports A and B.

Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.
Taking moment about support A
2 
VB  8  4  8  6.5  5  2    3   8
2 
96
VB   12 kN 
8
VA  VB  8  5  2  18 kN
VA  18  12  6 kN 

Problem:
Calculate the support reactions 12 kN/m
for the simply supported beam as
shown in fig. 5 kN/m
A B
Solution:
8m
The trapezoidal loading
diagram is first divided into two 28 kN
parts.i.e., udl of area ABCD and E 40 kN
triangular load EDC. 7 kN/m C
The varying load and udl is D 5 kN/m
converted into point load. 5 kN/m
A B
VA 8m
VB

1 1
Area of triangular load   8  7  28 kN acting at  8  2.67 m from left support.
2 3
L 8
Udl into point load  5  8  40 kN acting at   4 m (Mid span)
2 2
Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.
Reaction calculations at supports A and B.
28 kN 40 kN
Taking moment about support A
8 1 
VB  8  40   28    8 
2 3  A B

234.67 VA VB
2.67 m 4m
VB   29.33 kN 
8 8m

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

VA  VB  40  28  68 kN
VA  68  29.33  38.67 kN 

June / July 2009 – 06CV33 - 14 marks ®

For the beam shown in fig, obtain the support reactions.

50 kN
5 kN/m 160 kN-m
120 kN-m

A
D
B C
VA 8m 4m 4m
VD

Solution:
Reaction calculation at supports A and D
Let VA and VD be the reactions at supports A and D.

Taking moment about support A

8
VD  16  120  160  50  12  50  8 
2
VD  50 kN 
VA  VD  50  5  8  90 kN
VA  90  50  40 kN 

Problem:
Find the support reaction at supports A and D for the force system shown in
fig.
40 kN
20 kN/m 200 kN-m

A B C D

2m 3m 100 kN-m 3m
VA VD

Solution:
Reaction calculation at supports A and D
Let VA and VD be the reactions at supports A and D.

Taking moment about support A

2
VD  8  100  40  5  200  20  2 
2
VD  42.5 kN 

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

VA  VD  40  20  2  80 kN
VA  80  42.5  37.5 kN 

PROBLEMS ON OVER HANGING BEAMS

Dec 2010 – 06CV33 – 12 marks ®
Draw the SFD and BMD for the beam loaded as shown in the fig.
2 kN/m 3.5 kN

A
D
B C
3m 2m 1m

Solution:
Reaction calculation at supports A and C
Let VA and VC be the reactions at supports A and C.

Taking moment about support A

3
VC  5  3.5  6  2  3 
2
VC  6 kN 
VA  VD  3.5  2  3  9.5 kN
VA  9.5  6  3.5 kN 

Problems on beams with inclined loading:

Problem: ®
A horizontal beam 8 m long is hinged at support A and on is on roller at support
Band is loaded with oblique loads as shown in fig. Construct the axial thrust, Shear
force and bending moment diagrams.
4 kN
Solution: 3kN 2 kN
Resolving the inclined 600
300 450
forces both A B
C D E
horizontally and
2m 2m 2m 2m
vertically

Vertical components at C, D and E

VC = 3 sin 300 = 1.5 kN ↓
VD = 2 sin 450 = 1.414 kN ↓
VE = 4 sin 600 = 3.464 kN ↓
Horizontal components at C, D and E
HC = 3 cos 300 = 2.598 kN →
HD = 2 cos 450 = 1.414 kN ←
HE = 4 cos 600 = 2.0 kN ←

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

1.5kN 1.414 kN 3.464 kN

2.598 kN 1.414 kN 2.0 kN

HA=0.816kN B
A C D E
2m 2m 2m 2m

VA = 2.698 kN VB = 3.68kN

Reaction calculation at supports A and B:

Let VA and VB be the vertical reactions at supports A and B.
Let HA be the horizontal reaction at support A.

Taking moment about support A

VB  8  3.464  6  1.414  4  1.5  2
VB  3.68 kN 
VA  VB  1.5  1.414  3.464  6.378 kN
V A  6.378  3.68  2.698 kN 

Net force at A  1.5 - 1.414 - 2  0.816

Horizontal reaction at A  0.816 

Problem:
Determine the reaction components for the loaded beam shown in fig

100kN 50 kN/m

A 600 B

1
1m 1m 2m
2

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

100 kN

600
A D B
C
90 kN – m
4m 1m 1m

Problem:
Calculate the reaction at the supports A and B. .

30 kN/m 100 kN

600
A D B
C
90 kN – m
4m 1m 1m

Solution:
Resolving the inclined force both horizontally and vertically
Vertical component at C
VC = 100 sin 600 = 86.60 kN ↓
Horizontal component at C:
HC = 100 cos 600 = 50 kN ←

30 kN/m 86.60 kN

50 kN
HA=50 kN
D B
A C
90 kN – m VB =112.73 kN
VA = 93.87 kN
4m 1m 1m

Reaction calculation at supports A and B:

Let VA and VB be the vertical reactions at supports A and B.
Let HA be the horizontal reaction at support A.

Taking moment about support A

4
VB  6  90  86.6  4  30  4 
2
VB  112.73 kN 
VA  VB  30  4  86.60  206.6 kN
VA  206.6  112.73  93.87 kN 
Net force at A  50 kN

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Horizontal reaction at A  50 kN 

Problem:
Find the reactions at the support
30 kN 20 kN/m

A 300 B

C D E
40 kN-m
3m 2m 1m 2m

Solution:
30 sin300 =25.98 kN
20 kN/m
0
HA = 15 kN 30 cos30 =15kN
A B
C D E
VA = -9 kN 40 kN-m VB =74.98 kN
3m 2m 1m 2m

Resolving the inclined force of 30 kN inclined at 300 with horizontal,

Horizontal force at D = 30 x cos 300= 25.98 kN
Vertical force at D = 30 x sin 300= 15 kN

Reaction calculation at supports A and B:

Let VA and VB be the vertical reactions at supports A and B.
Let HA be the horizontal reaction at support A.

Taking moment about support A

2 
VB  6  40  25.98  5  20  2  6 
2 
VB  74.98 kN 
VA  VB  25.98  20  2  65.98 kN
V A  65.98  74.98  9 kN 
Horizontal reaction at A = 15 kN →

June / July 2017 – 08 marks

Find the support reactions for the beam loaded as shown in fig.
60 kN /m
20 kN 10 kN/m 30 kN

B
C A D E
2m 6m 2m 2m

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MODULE – 3 SUPPORT REACTIONS

Problem:
For the beam loaded as shown in fig. find the magnitude of the load ‘P’ acting
at ‘E’ such that the reactions at supports A and B are equal.

40 kN/m P=? 40 kN 20 kN/m

C A D
E F B
2m 2m 3m 3m 3m
8m

Solution:
Reaction calculation at supports A and B and determination of point
load ‘P’.
Let VA and VB be the reactions at supports A and B.

Taking moment about support A

2 6 
VB  8  40  2   P  2  40  5  20  6    5 
2 2 
VB  0.25 P  135 kN  - - - -1
VA  VB  40  2  P  40  20  6  240  P kN
V A  VB
2VB  240  P
VB  120  0.5P - - - -2 
Equating eq 1 and eq 2
0.25 P + 135 = 120 + 0.5 P
0.25 P = 135 – 120 = 15
15
P  60 kN 
0.25
VB  120  0.5  60  150 kN 
VA  150 kN 

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