You are here:

Civil Engineering/Flexibility Method

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/18/2004


Question
Can you please provide a solution to the following problem:

A propped cantilever beam with a span of 8m has a point load of 25kN at 3m, another point load at 5m of 65kN and a uniformly distributed load of 35kN/m running the whole length of the beam. Determine the reaction forces at both ends of the beam. Calculation must be performed using the flexibility (force) method.

Thank you

Answer
.
.
Hi Paul,

Although I can work out the answers for you, it would be far better if you understood how this is done, so I have found the following websites which have all the formulae for:


1. Point Loads: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MJVanVoorhis/T312.htm
2. UDL:  http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MJVanVoorhis/T313.htm

For the reactions, all you have to do is work them out individually for each load case and then add up the results for each support.

I hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad  

Civil Engineering

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.