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Force method: L-frame reactions at A

Short answer

Releasing the hinge at A gives a cantilever. Using redundants X₁ (horizontal) and X₂ (vertical) at A, computing flexibility coefficients and load displacements, zero-displacement compatibility gives X₂ = 3wl/7, X₁ = 3wl/28. With w=10 kN/m, V_A = 4.29l kN upward, H_A = 1.07l kN to the right.

Determine reactions at A using the force method. [Figure: L-shaped frame; horizontal member AB of length l carrying 10 kN/m UDL, vertical member BC of height l, EI constant; A hinged, C fixed.]

L-frame: A hinged (end of horizontal member AB, length ll, UDL w=10w = 10 kN/m), B rigid corner, vertical member BC of height ll down to C fixed. EI is constant.

  w = 10 kN/m
 vvvvvvvvvvvvv
 A o----------B
               |
               | l
               |
              /// C (fixed)
 |<---- l ---->|

The frame is statically indeterminate to the 2nd degree (r=2+3=5r = 2 + 3 = 5). Release the hinge at A to get the cantilever C-B-A, and take X1X_1 = horizontal reaction at A and X2X_2 = vertical reaction at A as redundants.

Moment expressions

In AB, xx measured from A; in BC, yy measured down from B.

MemberM0M_0 (load)m1m_1 (unit X1X_1)m2m_2 (unit X2X_2)
AB−wx22-\dfrac{wx^2}{2}00xx
BC−wl22-\dfrac{wl^2}{2}yyll

Flexibility coefficients

f11=1EI∫0ly2 dy=l33EIf12=1EI∫0ly l dy=l32EIf22=1EI[∫0lx2 dx+∫0ll2 dy]=4l33EI\begin{aligned} f_{11} &= \frac{1}{EI}\int_0^l y^2\,dy = \frac{l^3}{3EI} \\ f_{12} &= \frac{1}{EI}\int_0^l y\,l\,dy = \frac{l^3}{2EI} \\ f_{22} &= \frac{1}{EI}\left[\int_0^l x^2\,dx + \int_0^l l^2\,dy\right] = \frac{4l^3}{3EI} \end{aligned}

Load displacements

Δ10=1EI∫0ly(−wl22)dy=−wl44EIΔ20=1EI[∫0lx(−wx22)dx+∫0ll(−wl22)dy]=−5wl48EI\begin{aligned} \Delta_{10} &= \frac{1}{EI}\int_0^l y\left(-\frac{wl^2}{2}\right)dy = -\frac{wl^4}{4EI} \\ \Delta_{20} &= \frac{1}{EI}\left[\int_0^l x\left(-\frac{wx^2}{2}\right)dx + \int_0^l l\left(-\frac{wl^2}{2}\right)dy\right] = -\frac{5wl^4}{8EI} \end{aligned}

Compatibility (zero displacement at the hinge A)

13X1+12X2=wl412X1+43X2=5wl8\begin{aligned} \tfrac13 X_1 + \tfrac12 X_2 &= \frac{wl}{4} \\ \tfrac12 X_1 + \tfrac43 X_2 &= \frac{5wl}{8} \end{aligned}

Solving: X2=3wl7X_2 = \dfrac{3wl}{7} and X1=3wl28X_1 = \dfrac{3wl}{28}.

With w=10w = 10 kN/m:

VA=30 l7=4.29 l kN (↑),HA=15 l14=1.07 l kN (→)V_A = \frac{30\,l}{7} = 4.29\,l\ \text{kN}\ (\uparrow), \qquad H_A = \frac{15\,l}{14} = 1.07\,l\ \text{kN}\ (\rightarrow)

(with ll in metres). Check from the support at C: VC=10l−4.29l=5.71 lV_C = 10l - 4.29l = 5.71\,l kN up, HC=1.07 lH_C = 1.07\,l kN to the left, MC=5l2/14=0.357 l2M_C = 5l^2/14 = 0.357\,l^2 kNm.

Answer: at A, HA=3wl/28=1.07 lH_A = 3wl/28 = 1.07\,l kN (to the right) and VA=3wl/7=4.29 lV_A = 3wl/7 = 4.29\,l kN upward.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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