Practice sheet: 4

Topics: Distributed loads and Coplanar equilibrium

1. After a severe rainstorm, the flat roof of the building shown in Fig. 1 is covered by
75mm of rainwater. The specific weight of water is 10,000N/m3, so water at a depth
of 75mm causes a uniform pressure of 10,000(75/1000)=750N/m2. Determine the
resultant force that the water exerts on the roof. Fig. 1

Fig. 1

2. The water pressure acting on a masonry dam varies as shown. If the dam is 20ft wide,
determine the resultant force of the water pressure acting on the dam. Fig. 2

Fig. 2

3. a ) Draw the FBD of the entire frame, assuming that friction and the weights of the
members are negligible. How many unknowns appear on this FBD?
b) Also, draw an FBD of member CE of the frame described in the figure. How many
unknowns appear on this FBD? Fig. 3

Fig. 3
4. The machine part of negligible weight is supported by a pin at A and a roller at C.
Determine the magnitudes of the forces acting on the part at A and C. Fig. 4

Fig. 4

5. Figure shows the distributed loading due to water pressure that is acting on the
upstream side of the flood barrier. Determine the support reactions acting on the
barrier at A and B. Neglect the weight of the barrier. Fig. 5

Fig. 5

6. The 90-kg man, whose center of gravity is at G, is climbing a uniform ladder. The
length of the ladder is 5m, and its mass is 20kg. Friction may be neglected. (a)
Compute the magnitudes of the reactions at A and B for x=1.5 m. (b) Find the
distance x for which the ladder will be ready to fall. Fig. 6

Fig. 6