UNIT 5: Engineering Mechanics- Tutorial 1

Unit 5
Virtual Work: Tutorial 1
1.Find the resultant of the force system shown in figure 1 by virtual work method.

dy

O dx

Figure 1

Assume dx and dy to be positive virtual displacements of O

Let E be the equilibrient:
Algebraic sum of work done by horizontal components must be zero
E cos  dx + 40 cos 60 dx – 20sin30 dx – 50 sin45 dx = 0
(E cos  + 40 cos 60 – 20sin30 – 50 sin45 ) dx = 0
As dx ≠0

-E cos  = 40 cos 60 – 20sin 30 – 50 sin 45 = -25.35 N ----(1)

Algebraic sum of work done by vertical components must be zero

Esin dy + 40 sin 60 dy + 50 cos 45 dy + 20 cos 30 dy = 0

( Esin + 40 sin 60 + 50 cos 45 + 20 cos 30)dy = 0
As dy ≠0

-Esin = 40 sin60 + 50cos45 + 20 cos 30 = 87.31 N-----(1)

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Resultant is exactly equal and opposite to the equilibrant, therefore (1) and (2) can be written as;

Rcos = -25.35 N 90.91 N 87.31 N

R sin  = 87.31 N

R== 25.352  87.312 = 90.91 kN. 73.80

87.31
tan  =
25.35 25.35 N
 87.31  N
 = tan-1   = 73.80
o

 25 . 35 

2. Find support reactions for the simply suported beam loaded as shown in figure 2 using virtual work
method.

40 kN 20 kN

A B C D

2m 3m 2m

RA Figure 2 RD

Let RA and RD be the recations at supports A and D respectively.

To find RD, release the support D only and give a virtual displacement of dy upwards ( +ve). This means
no displacement of support A. Due to this the entire beam will be lifted slighly as shown in figure 2.1

0.714dy dy

A B 0.285dy C D Figure 2.1

2m 3m 2m

We can obtain the virtual displacements at B and C by comparing similar triangles formed in the
displacement diagram.

dyC = 5dy/7 = 0.714dy

Similarly displacement at B would be;

dyB = 2/7 dy = 0.285 dy

Applying principle of virtual work;
RA x 0 + RD x dy – 20 x 0.714dy -40 x 0.285 dy = 0

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(RD – 20x 0.71 -40x0.285)dy = 0

dy≠ 0
RD = 20 x 0.71 + 40 x 0.285 = 25.6 kN

To find RA, give a positive virtual displacement at A, now displacement at D = 0. Refer figure 2.2

dy 0.714 dy
A B C D Figure 2.2

2m 3m 2m

Finding virtual displacement at B (dl B) and at C (dl C) by comparing similar triangles;

dyB = 5/7 dy = 0.714dy

dyc = 2/7 dy = 0.285dy

Applying principle of virtual work;
RA x dy + RD x 0 – 40 x 0.714dy -20 x 0.285 dy = 0
(RA – 40 x 0.714 -20 x 0.285) dy = 0
dy≠ 0
RA = 40 x 0.714 + 20 x 0.285 = 34 .4 kN

3.Find reaction at A and B of the simply supported beam as shown in figure 3

40 x 2 = 80 kN

40 kN/m

A 2m C 2m B

Figure 3
Let RA and RB be the recations at supports A and B respectively.

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To find RB, release the support B only and give a virtual displacement of dy upwards ( +ve). This means
no displacement of support A. Due to this the entire beam will be lifted slighly as shown in figure 3.1

dyC dy

1m 3m Figure 3.1

The displacement at the point of equivalent concentrated load can be computed by comparing |||ler
triangles.

dyc = 0.25 dy

Applying principle of virtual work,

RB x dy – 80 x 0.25 dy + RA x 0 = 0
(RB – 20 )dy = 0, dy can not be zero.
RB = 20 kN

Figure 3.2

dy dyC

Similarly for finding RA, refer figure 3.2

dyC = 0.75 dy

RA dy – 80 x 0.75 dy + RBx0= 0
RA – 60 = 0, therefore RA = 60 kN

4.Find the support reaction at A and B of the double overhanging beam as shown in figure 4.

20 kN 60 kN 30kN

C D E

1m A 4m 2m B 2m

Figure 4

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dyD dy dyE

dyc 1m 4m 2m 2m

Figure 4.1

Give a positive virtual displacement dy at B. Now computing the displacements at other loading points,
we have;

, dyE = (8/6) dy = 1.33 dy

, dyD = (4/6) dy = 0.67 dy

, dyC = 0.17 dy
Applying principle of virtual work;

RB xdy – 30 x 1.33dy – 60 x 0.67 dy + 20 x 0.17dy + RAx0 = 0

(RB – 39.9 – 40.2 + 3.4 ) dy = 0

dy ≠ 0

RB = 76.7 kN

To find RA, give virtual displacement of A and make zero displacement at B, as in figure 4.2

dyC dy Figure 4.2

dyD dyE

1m 4m 2m 2m

, dyC = (7/6) dy = 1.167 dy

, dyD = (2/6) dy =0.333dy

, dyE = (2/6)dy = 0.333dy

Applying principle of virtual work;
RA xdy – 20 x 1.167dy – 60 x 0.333 dy + 30 x 0.333dy + RBx0 = 0

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(RA – 23.34 – 20 + 10 ) dy = 0 , RA = 33.3 kN

5.Find the support reaction at A and B of the single overhanging bem as shown in figure 5

30kN/m 30 x 6 = 180kN 20kN

A 6m D B 3m C

Figure 5

Provide positive virtual displacement at A, refer figure 5.1

dy dyD Figure 5.1

dyC

6m 3m

Expressing displacements at other loading points in terms of dy

, dyD = 0.5dy

, dyC = 0.5dy

RA x dy – 180 x 0.5dy + 20 x 0.5dy = 0

(RA – 90 + 10 )dy = 0
RA = 80 kN

To find RB, give positive virtual displacement of dy at B as shown in figure 5.2

Figure 5.2
dyD dy dyC

Expressing displacements at other loading points in terms of dy

, dyD = 0.5dy

, dyc = 1.5dy

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RB x dy – 180 x 0.5dy + 20 x 1.5dy = 0

RB – 180 x0.5 – 20 x 1.5 = 0 , RB = 120 kN

6.A simply supported beam is subjected to a load and a concentrated moment as shown in figure 6.
Determine support reactions at A and B

20kN

30kN.m

A C D B

1m 2m 2m

Figure 6

To find RB, give positive virtual displacement at B, now the rotation is –ve as per our sign convension

Fig 6a

 dyC dy

The rotation of the beam expressed as dy , dy = - 5 ,  = - 0.2dy ( rotation anticlockwise is negative)

, dyC = 0.2dy
Writing virtual wok equation,

RBxdy -20 x 0.2 dy +30 x(- ) = 0

RB dy – 4dy – 30 x 0.2 dy = 0 Fig 6b
RB -4 – 6 = 0, RB = 10 kN

To find RB, provide positive displacement dy at B:

dy dyc 
Writing virtual work equation;

RB x dy – 20 x 0.2 dy + 30 x (-0.2dy) + RA x 0 = 0

RB – 4 – 6 = 0

RB = 10 kN

To find RA, provide positive displacement dy at A:

Rotation of the beam is now clockwise = dy = 5 ,  = 0.2 dy

, dyC = 0.8dy

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Writing virtual work equation;

RA x dy – 20 x 0.8 dy + 30 x (0.2dy) + RB x 0 = 0

RA – 16 + 6 = 0

RA = 10 kN

7.For the beam loaded as shown find reactions at A and B using virtual work principles.

20 kN/m 20x2 = 40kN 40kN.m 20 kN

A F 2m C 1.5m D 1.5 m B 1m E

Figure 7

To find RA, give a positive virtual displacement at A. The rotation diagram is shown in Fig 7a.

dy dyF

Figure 7a dyE

We can find relative displacements at F, and E by comparing similar triangles.

, dyE = 0.8 dy

, dyF = 0.2 dy
The rotation at B owing to moment is +ve. dy = 5 ,  = 0.2 dy

Writing virtual work equation;

RA dy – 40 x 0.8dy – (20)(-0.2dy) + 40 x 0.2dy = 0

RA – 32 +4 + 8 = 0

RA = 20 kN

To find RB, now we provide virtual displacement at B, refer fig 7b

dy dyE

 dyF

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We can find relative displacements at F, and E by comparing similar triangles.

, dyF = 0.2 dy

, dyE = 1.2 dy
The rotation at A owing to moment is - ve. dy = 5 ,  = - 0.2 dy

Writing virtual work equation;

RB dy – 40 x 0.2dy – (20)(1.2dy) - 40 x 0.2dy = 0

RB – 8 – 24 – 8 = 0

RB = 40 kN

8.Determine the force P to keep the 1500 N block on the inclined plane to be in equilibrium. Inclined
plane may be assumed to be smooth. Refer figure 8

1500 N Positive displacements dx and dy are

along the incline and across the incline.
300 dy dx
Since the system is in equilibrium. The
algebraic sum of work done along the
incline and across the incline are ZERO

(along the incline)

P 300 P dx – 1500 sin 30 x dx = 0

P = 750 N as dx ≠ 0
Figure 8
(across the incline)

-1500 cos 30 dy + N dy = 0

N = 1300 N

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9.Determine the force P to keep the 1500 N block on the inclined plane to be in equilibrium. Inclined
plane may be assumed to be smooth. Refer figure 9

1500 N Positive displacements dx and dy are

along the incline and across the incline.
300 dy dx
Since the system is in equilibrium. The
algebraic sum of work done along the
incline and across the incline are ZERO
P (along the incline)
300 300 P cos 30 dx – 1500 sin 30 x dx = 0

P = 750 / cos 30 = 866.03 N as dx ≠ 0

Figure 9
(across the incline)

-1500 cos 30 dy – 866.3 sin 30dy + N dy

=0

N = 1732 N

10.A block 1000 N is to held in position over the inclined plane as shown in figure 10. Find the value of
T consistent with equilibrium. Given µ = 0.3.

Positive displacements dx and dy are along the

incline and across the incline. Since the system is
Dx 1000N
in equilibrium. The algebraic sum of work done
dy 700 along the incline and across the incline are ZERO

(along the incline)

0.3N P P dx – 1000 sin 70 x dx -0.3N dx = 0

N P- 939.7 – 0.3 N = 0………(1)
700 (along the incline)

-1000 cos 70 dy + N dy = 0
Figure 10 N = 342 N

Therefore, P = 1042.3N

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