Question

A uniform steel beam has a mass of 1800 kg. on it is resting half of an identical beam, as shown in fig. 9-44. what is the vertical support force at each end? left end n (upward) right end n (upward)

Answer 1

Let the left end A and the right end B. 
Let w = the weight of the full beam. 
0 = -(w/2)*(L/4) - (w)*(L/2) + Fa*L 
Fa = [(w/2)*(L/4) + (w)*(L/2)]/L = w/8 + w/2 = 5/8*w = 5/8*m*g = 5/8*1800*9.81 Fa = 11036.25 N 
Fa + Fb = w Fb = w - Fa = 1.8*(1800*9.81) - 11036.25 Fb = 20748.15 N