Engineer Mechanics: Statics
Distributed Loads on Beams
•
A distributed load is represented by plotting the load
∫
∫
=
=
=
A
dA
dx
w
W
L
. 5 - 1
•
A distributed load is represented by plotting the load
per unit length, w(N/m) . The total load is equal to
the area under the load curve.
∫
∫
=
=
=
A
dA
dx
w
W
0
(
)
( )
AxdAxAOP
dWxWOP
L
==
=
∫
∫
0
• A distributed load can be replace by a concentrated
load with a magnitude equal to the area under the
load curve and a line of action passing through the
area centroid.
