Theme 5: Kinematics 1

Worksheet 1
Some included in this worksheet have been adapted from the resources accompanying the
textbook in the recommended reading list: “Mechanical Engineering Principles” by J. Bird & C.
Ross, Routledge (2002).

1. Determine distance d and the force acting at the support A for the force system shown below,

when the system is in equilibrium.

2. If the 1 kN force shown below is replaced by a force F at a distance of 250 mm to the left of R ,

find the value of F for the system to be in equilibrium.

3. Determine the values of the forces acting at A and B for the force system shown below.

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4. The forces acting on a beam are as shown below. Neglecting the mass of the beam, find the

value of R and distance d when the beam is in equilibrium.

5. Calculate the force R and distance d for the beam shown below. The mass of the beam should

be neglected and equilibrium conditions assumed.

6. For the force system shown below, find the values of F and d for the system to be in

equilibrium.

7. For the force system shown below, determine distance d for the forces R and R to be equal,

assuming equilibrium conditions.

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8. A simply supported beam AB is loaded as shown below. Determine the load F in order that the

reaction at A is zero.

9. A uniform wooden beam, 4.8 m long, is supported at its left-hand end and also at 3.2 m from

the left-hand end. The mass of the beam is equivalent to 200 N acting vertically downwards at its

centre. Determine the reactions at the supports.

10. For the simply supported beam PQ shown below, determine (a) the reaction at each support,

(b) the maximum force which can be applied at Q without losing equilibrium.

11. A uniform beam AB is 12.0 m long and is supported at distances of 2.0 m and 9.0 m from A.

Loads of 60 kN, 104 kN, 50 kN and 40 kN act vertically downwards at A, 5.0 m from A, 7.0 m from

A and at B. Neglecting the mass of the beam, determine the reactions at the supports.

12. A uniform girder carrying point loads is shown below. Determine the value of load F which

causes the beam to just lift off the support B.

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13. Determine expressions for the bending moment and shearing force distributions for the

following simply supported beam; hence, or otherwise, plot the bending moment and shearing

force diagrams.

14. Determine expressions for the bending moment and shearing force distributions for the

following simply supported beam; Develop the force and moment equations and hence plot the

bending moment and shearing force diagrams as shown below.

15. Determine expressions for the bending moment and shearing force distributions for the

following simply supported beam; hence, or otherwise, plot the bending moment and shearing

force diagrams.

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