1.33P Forces on a supported beam
For a light supported beam, support forces change with load position so moments and total upward force remain balanced together.
- Syllabus
- 2024
- Objective
- 1.33
- Level
- —
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing6%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2024
Most common paperPaper2P
Typical marks3
Common command terms
- Explain
- Describe
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Saying only that the object is closer to a support without explaining the moment balance.
Recent exam appearances
November 2024Paper2P [null] · TZ02(b)(ii)[ 3 ]1.33P Forces on a supported beam
November 2024Paper2P [null] · TZ02(b)(i)[ 3 ]1.33P Forces on a supported beam
Jan 2023Paper2P [null] · TZ05(a)(iii)[ 3 ]1.33P Forces on a supported beam
Practice this objective
Coverage 2023–2024 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
1.33P Forces on a supported beam
Understand how the upward forces on a light beam, supported at its ends, vary with the position of a heavy object placed on the beam
Concept essentials
- A supported beam is balanced by upward forces at its supports.
- The support closer to the load usually has the larger upward force.
- Moving a load towards one support increases that support force and decreases the other.
- For the same total load, the total upward force remains constant.
- Moment balance explains how the support forces are shared.