1

Examples of " Marathon" problems

A boom AB of length 2a has a fixed end A and is loaded with a force P acting at its
centre at an angle to the vertical. At its end B the boom is joined by a cylindrical
hinge with the beam BC of length b, loaded by the couple M, as shown. There is no
friction in the system. Determine the reactions at A and C, and internal forces at the
hinge B.

y
A
P
B
x
a
M
b
C
a

Determine the maximum load G [N] placed on the incline of an angle , to ensure the
equilibrium of the system shown. The beam of length (a + b) is weightless and the
friction coefficient is only between the load G and the incline.



r
a b
G
P

An uniform square plate ABCD of side a [m] and weight Q [N] is supported in the
horizontal plane by a ball and socket at A, a cylindrical hinge at D, and a wire BC at
an angle to the horizon. Points D and E have a common vertical. Determine the
reactions at A and D, and a tension in the wire CE.

2
z
x
y
A
E
C
B
D
Q
c
i

g
n
o
a
a

An weightless uniform beam ABCD (length AB = a [m], BC = b [m], CD = c [m]) has
a fixed end A and is bent at points B and C at right angles. To its end D a force F is
applied. Its components in the frame of reference shown are (3,0,5) [N]. Determine
reactions at the end A.

z

F D



A
B

y

x


C


Two beams of lengths 4a (horizontal) and
2a ( = /4), both of distributed linear unit
weight q [N/m], are joined together at B
by a cylindrical bearing as shown. At the
distance a from B, a load of weight G [N]
is placed. Derive equations of equilibrium,
necessary to determine the reactions
(
A A
and M R
r r
) at the fixed support A, and
the reaction
C
R
r
at the frictionless support
C.
3
An uniform thin horizontal rectangular
plate a by b of weight Q [N] is supported
as shown. Derive equations of
equilibrium, necessary to determine the
reactions at the ball joint B.



An uniform beam of the length 4a and
weight G is supported in the horizontal
position as shown. Determine the minimal
value of G necessary for the equilibrium
of the system. Given are: friction
coefficient , dimensions: a, h, r, R, and
the load Q.



Derive equations of equilibrium of loads
acting on rods AB and BC.
Given are: a, b, , , P, M.



Derive equations of equilibrium of elements shown.
Given are: a, b, c, r, R, , P
min
, and Q
1
> Q
2
.

4

Reduce the system of loads shown to only one
force F and only one moment M about point 0.
Given are: a, b, F
1
, F
2
, M
0
.



Derive the location of the centroid for the rectangular
uniform plate g x h with two holes r and R.
Given are: a, b, c, d, g, h, r, R.



A weightless beam AC is supported at
A and B, and loaded at A with moment
M. The weight of cylinder of radius R is
Q. Derive equations of equilibrium for
both, the beam and the cylinder.



An uniform circular plate of weight Q is
lifted in points A, B and C by three cables
which are joined at point D as shown.
Angles = 5/6, and angle = /3.
Determine the force in cable CD.

5

Determine the main moment about point
0 of the system of loads shown. F - force;
L, M - moments.



Determine centre of gravity location of
the figure shown.


Calculate the moment of forces: F and
P about the origin O of the coordinate
system.














Derive equations of
equlibrium of the plane
system of two rods as
shown: AB and BC, loaded
by force P and moment
M
0
. Types of supports: A -
fixed, B - cylindrical joint,
C - cable.















M
0


A
y
x
P
B
C
h
b
a
c

O
a
b
c
x
y
z

P
F
6
An uniform rectangular horizontal plate of
weight G is supported as shown. Determine
the force in the rod CD.















Draw a free-body diagram for elements 1 and
2 assuming that the braking force P
min
is the
smallest possible, ensuring the equilibrium of
the system. Between elements 1 and 2 there is
a friction coefficient , and the system is
loaded by force G.





Determine the maximum value of
moment M to ensure the equilibrium of
the system shown, and the reactions in
hinge A. The beam of length l is loaded
with a force P acting perpendicularlly to
the beam at a distance a from A, and a
friction coefficient between the beam and
a disk of radius r, is .



In the system of coordinates shown,
determine a location of the centre of
gravity of the uniform flat rectangular
plate a x b with a hole of radius r and
centre coordinates c and d.


A L-shaped beam ABC of length a + b in
the x - y plane, is fixed at A, and loaded
with a moment M acting along the y axis,
and a force P at C, parallel to the z axis.
The pointed out angles are equal to 90
o
.
Derive equations of equilibrium of the
beam, necessary to calculate reactions
at the support A.
1
2
P
min
G
>
g
A
C
B
C
A
D
a
b
G

7

A weightless painter ladder AOB of
length l of each arm, is loaded with a
vertical force P acting on the arm AO at
l/3 from the hinge O. The arms AO and
OB are tilted 60
o
to the horizon and
connected together in their centres with a
horizontal rope CD. There is no friction in
the system. Determine the force in the
rope.


Determine the main vector and
the main moment about the origin
O of the coordinate system.
Given are: force P acting in the
plane parallel to the y,z axes, and
moment M.













Two beams 1 and 2 are in the
common vertical plane and are
loaded by the concentrated force
P, moment M, and the distributed
load q, as shown. At A there is
the fixed support, at B the hinge,
and at C are rollers. Derive the
equilibrium equations of the
system.











The uniform rectangular horizontal plate (a x
b) is loaded by its weight G and the moment
M. Derive the equations of equilibrium for the
space system shown, and determine the force
of reaction at the ball support B.









O
a
b
c
x
y
z

P
M
B
30

C
2a
2
2a 2a
q
4a
A
M
1
P

B
C
A
D
a
b
rod
G

B
M

8
Draw the free-body diagram for the system of
three bodies: 1, 2 and 3 loaded by weights G
1

and G
3
, assuming that:
the breaking force P is minimal to ensure
the equilibrium of the system,
there is a friction between bodies 1 and 2.












Draw the free-body diagrams for the three
bodies shown. Given are: forces P
1
, P
2

and P
3
, and friction coefficient between
bodies 1 and 2, and between a body 3 and
incline. Bearings A and B are frictionless.



Derive the equilibrium equations of the beam
ABCD, for calculation of the reactions at the
fixed support A. The beam is loaded by the
force F parallel to the axis y. Lengths of the
beam segments are shown. The Segment BC
is parallel to the x axis, and the segment CD is
parallel to the z axis.




Determine the centre of gravity location of the
uniform plate ABDEG of dimensions shown.
1
a

2a
C
A B
2
e

R
2R
O
G
1
C

G
3
D
3
=0
cord
P
9

Derive the equilibrium equations for
calculations of reactions at: a roller C, a hinge
B and a fixed support A. Given are: a force P
[N], a moment M [Nm], a continuous load q
[N/m] and length a. Beams 1 and 2 are
weightless.

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