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Understanding Distributed Loads in Mechanics

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Talha Yousuf
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24 views12 pages

Understanding Distributed Loads in Mechanics

Distributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed LoadingDistributed Loading

Uploaded by

Talha Yousuf
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

What is a Distributed Load?


A load applied across
a length or area
instead of at one
point

Analyzing Distributed Loads


A distributed load
can be equated with
a concentrated load
applied at a specific
point along the bar

Geometry Method
The magnitude of the
resultant force is
equivalent to the
area under the curve
of the distributed
load

10 kN/m

1m

3m

F r b * h 10 kN
F r 30 kN

2m

* 3m

Geometry Method
10 kN/m

The location of the


resultant force is at
the center of mass of
the distributed load.

1m

3m

2m

30 kN

x x0

x 2 .5 m

b 1m

* 3m

2
2.5 m

Geometry Method Example


For a triangular
distributed load, the
magnitude of the
resultant force is the
area of the triangle,
*b*h

5 kN/m

4m

Fr

4m

b * h . 5 * 5 kN

F r 10 kN

* 4m

Geometry Method Example


For a triangular
distributed load, the
location of the
resultant force is 1/3
of the length of the
load, from the larger
end 1
1
x x0
x 4

b 0m

5 kN/m

4m

10 kN

* 4m

3
1.33 m

4m

Integral Method
w( x) x

The magnitude of the


resultant force is
given by the integral
of the curve defining
the force, w(x)

5m
5m

Fr

Fr

x0

2m

w ( x ) dx

[x

5m

x0

3
2

5m

]0

F r 7 . 45 kN

1/ 2

dx

Integral Method
w( x) x

The location of the


resultant force is
given by the centroid
of the area under the
curve
3
L
5m
2
x

w ( x ) xdx

dx

7 . 45

w ( x ) dx

5m

7.45 kN

2
5 * 7 . 45

x 3 .0 m

[x

5m

]0

3m

2m

1
2

kN / m

Integral Method Example


For a vertical bar,
simply integrate with
respect to y instead
of x
5m

Fr

Fr

y0

w ( y ) dy

5m
y0

5m
2

y dy

w ( y ) y kN / m
2

3 5m

[ y ]0

F r 41 . 7 kN

2m

Integral Method Example


For a vertical bar,
simply integrate with
respect to y instead
of x
y

w ( y ) ydy

1
4 * 41 . 7

y 3 . 75 m

y dy

4 5m

[ y ]0

3.75 m

41 . 7

w ( y ) dy

5m

41.7 kN

References
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics (Beer, 9th
ed)
Distributed Load on Beams
[Link]/statics/Content/Chapter.../Chapter%205%20D.
doc

Resolving Distributed Loads


[Link]
461_lecture20/461_lecture20.html

Distributed Load on a Beam (Centroid)


[Link]

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