MEMB 123

MECHANICS 1: STATICS
SEM 2 2013/2014

Lecture 21
Chapter 7
Internal Forces
DR.GRACE PUA
OFFICE: BN-3-012
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, UNITEN

Chapter Objectives
To learn how to use the Method of Sections for
determining the internal loadings in a member.
To generalize this procedure by formulating equations
that can be plotted so that they describe the internal
shear and moment throughout a member.

Chapter Outline

7.1

Internal Forces Developed in Structural Members

7.2

Shear and Moment Equations and Diagrams

APPLICATIONS (continued)

Statics Rules

A fixed column supports 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 EofE.

In 2D 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.

For 3D, a general internal force and couple moment resultant

will act at the section
Ny is the normal force, and Vx and Vz are the shear
components
My is the torsional or twisting moment, and Mx and Mz are
the bending moment components

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 youve decided to
analyze. Remember to show the N, V, and M loads at the
cut surface.
4. Apply the EofE to the FBD (drawn in step 3) and solve
for the unknown internal loads.

Free-Body Diagrams
Indicate the x, y, z components of the force, couple
moments and resultant couple moments on FBD
Only N, V and M act at the section
Determine the sense by inspection
Equations of Equilibrium
Moments should be summed at the section
If negative result, the sense is opposite

Example 01
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

Applying the EofE to this FBD, we get

+ Fx = Ax + 400 = 0 ;
+ MB = -Ay(5) - 400 (1.2) = 0 ;

Ax = 400 N
Ay = 96 N

2m

3. Now draw a FBD of the left section. Assume directions for VC, NC and MC.

1.5 m
400 N

NC
A
96 N

C
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

Justify your answer and indicate which is normal force, shear force,
bending moment

MC

Example 02

Determine the internal force, shear force and the bending

moment acting at point B of the two-member frame.

Solution
Step 1: Find all Support Reactions
FBD of each member
Member AC
MA = 0;
-400kN(4m) + (3/5)FDC(8m)= 0
FDC = 333.3kN
+ Fx = 0;
-Ax + (4/5)(333.3kN) = 0
Ax = 266.7kN
+ Fy = 0;
Ay 400kN + 3/5(333.3kN) = 0
Ay = 200kN

Solution
Step 2: Find the Internal Forces
Member AB
+ Fx = 0; NB 266.7kN = 0
NB = 266.7kN
+ Fy = 0;
200kN 200kN - VB = 0
VB = 0
MB = 0;
MB - 200kN(4m) + 200kN(2m) = 0
MB = 400kN.m

Thank you for your attentions!