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Force method: portal frame, 50 kN/m

Short answer

Take inward horizontal reaction H as redundant. Compatibility gives H = 19.286 kN at each hinge. Vertical reactions are 150 kN upward at both supports.

A portal frame of span 6 m and height 5 m is hinged supported at both ends. The beam of the frame carries a uniformly distributed gravity load of intensity 50 kN/m. Use the force method to solve the frame considering the flexural stiffness EI to be constant. Determine the reactions at both supports.

Portal frame: span L=6L = 6 m, height h=5h = 5 m, both bases hinged, EI constant, beam load w=50w = 50 kN/m. A hinged portal has r=4r = 4, so Ds=1D_s = 1. Take the horizontal reaction HH at D as the redundant (D is released into a roller).

   50 kN/m
 B vvvvvvvvvvvv C
 |              |
 | 5 m          | 5 m
 |              |
 A o            o D  <- H
 |<---- 6 m --->|

Primary structure (D on a roller)

Reactions: VA=VD=50×6/2=150V_A = V_D = 50\times6/2 = 150 kN.

  • M0M_0: columns 0; beam M0=150x−25x2M_0 = 150x - 25x^2 (maximum 225225 kNm at mid-span).
  • mm (unit horizontal force at D): column CD: m=ym = y (from D); beam: m=5m = 5; column AB: m=ym = y (from A).

Flexibility coefficient and load term

f11=1EI[2∫05y2dy+52(6)]=1EI[83.33+150]=233.33EIΔ10=1EI∫06M0 (5) dx=5EI⋅wL312=5×900EI=4500EI\begin{aligned} f_{11} &= \frac{1}{EI}\left[2\int_0^5 y^2dy + 5^2(6)\right] = \frac{1}{EI}\left[83.33 + 150\right] = \frac{233.33}{EI} \\ \Delta_{10} &= \frac{1}{EI}\int_0^6 M_0\,(5)\,dx = \frac{5}{EI}\cdot\frac{wL^3}{12} = \frac{5\times900}{EI} = \frac{4500}{EI} \end{aligned}

(The loads push D outwards by Δ10\Delta_{10} in the primary structure, and the inward thrust HH brings it back by f11Hf_{11}H.)

Compatibility (D does not move horizontally)

Δ10−f11H=0 ⇒ H=4500233.33=19.286 kN(=1357)\Delta_{10} - f_{11}H = 0 \ \Rightarrow\ H = \frac{4500}{233.33} = 19.286\ \text{kN} \left(= \frac{135}{7}\right)

The horizontal reaction acts inwards (towards the frame) at each support.

Final results

SupportHorizontal (inwards)Vertical (up)
A19.286 kN150 kN
D19.286 kN150 kN

Bending moments: MA=MD=0M_A = M_D = 0; MB=MC=−Hh=−19.286×5=−96.43M_B = M_C = -H h = -19.286\times5 = -96.43 kNm (tension on the outside); mid-span M=225−96.43=128.57M = 225 - 96.43 = 128.57 kNm (sagging).

Answer: at each hinge, V=150V = 150 kN (upward) and H=19.286H = 19.286 kN (towards the other support).

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

All Theory of Structures II chapter 2 questions →