Structural Analysis I Free-body Diagram Exercise Problem Solutions

Problem A: Draw the free-body diagram for the frame shown below. Write and solve the equilibrium
equations for the unknown support reactions.

C 1 kN

0.5 m

roller
pin
A B
1m

Solution
The free-body diagram is a graphical representation of forces and distances appearing in the equilbirum
equations.

Identify and draw the applied loads and the reaction forces for the frame, per Newton’s Third Law. Also
show the relevant distances.

C 1 kN

0.5 m
A B
Bx
1m
Ay By

Write and solve the equilibrium equations.

 Fx = 0  B x −(1 kN) = 0  B x = 1 kN
 Fy = 0  Ay + By = 0
 M = 0 By (1 m) +(1 kN)(0.5 m) = 0  B y =−0.5 kN
@A

Note: In the last equation above, the negative sign for B y indicates the reaction force is acting in the
opposite direction to what was initially assumed on the free-body diagram.

To determine A y we can write and solve the following equation.

 M = 0 A y (1 m) −(1 kN)(0.5 m) = 0  A y = 0.5 kN

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Structural Analysis I Free-body Diagram Exercise Problem Solutions

Alternatively, we can use equation Ay + By = 0 to determine A y . The following diagram shows the
computed reactions forces graphically.

C 1 kN

0.5 m
A B
1 kN
1m

0.5 kN -0.5 kN

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Structural Analysis I Free-body Diagram Exercise Problem Solutions

Problem B: Draw the free-body diagram for the frame shown below. Write and solve the equilibrium
equations for the unknown support reactions.

1 kN

C
3 kN

2m 2 kN

D
3m 2m
A B

Solution
Identify and draw the applied loads and the reaction forces for the body, per Newton’s Third Law. Also
show the relevant distances.
1 kN

3 kN C

2m 2 kN

A B
Ax D
3m 2m
Ay By

Write and solve the equilibrium equations.

 Fx = 0  A x − (3 kN) = 0  A x = 3 kN
 Fy = 0  A y + B y − (1 kN) − (2 kN) = 0  A y + B y = 3 kN
19
 M = 0 B y (3 m) −(1 kN)(3 m) −(2 kN)(3 m + 2 m) = 0  B y = kN
@A 3

10
Then, we can use equation Ay + By = 3 kN to solve for A y : A y = − kN . The following diagram shows the
3
computed reactions forces graphically.

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Structural Analysis I Free-body Diagram Exercise Problem Solutions

1 kN

3 kN C

2m 2 kN

A B
3 kN D
3m 2m

−10 / 3 kN 19 / 3 kN

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Structural Analysis I Free-body Diagram Exercise Problem Solutions

Problem C: Draw the free-body diagram for the truss shown below. Write and solve the equilibrium
equations for the unknown support reactions.

2m
C
A 3m 2m
10 kN

Solution
The free-body diagram for the truss can be drawn as shown below.

By

B
Bx
2m
C
Ax
A 3m 2m
10 kN

Write and solve the equilibrium equations.

 Fx = 0  A x − B x = 0
 Fy = 0  By −10 kN = 0  By = 10 kN
 M = 0 B x (2 m) −(10 kN)(3m + 2 m) = 0  B x = 25 kN
@A

Then, using the first equilibrium equation above, we can determine A x : Ax = 25 kN . The following
diagram shows the computed reactions forces graphically.

10 kN
B
25 kN

2m
C
25 kN
A 3m 2m
10 kN

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