Engineer Aspirants Nepal(EAN)

πŸ—οΈ Technical Insight: The Critical Difference Between Fixed and Pinned Supports

For every aspiring Civil Engineer, truly understanding the supports that hold our world together is non-negotiable. It’s a concept that directly impacts design decisions.

Here is the fundamental difference between Fixed and Pinned supports in real-world structures πŸ‘‡


πŸ“ Pinned Supports (The Hinge)

What it does:Allows the structural member to rotate (like a door on a hinge) butprevents it from moving laterally (translation).

Resists: Two forces ( Horizontal Rβ‚“ and Vertical Rα΅§).

Allows: Rotation (Moment = 0).

Why we use it: Often used in truss bridges or simply supported beams where we need to accommodate slight expansion or contraction without building up high bending stress.

Technical Term: Statically Determinate β€” simple, efficient, and predictable in behavior.

🧱 Fixed Supports (The Solid Connection)

What it does: Prevents all movement β€” stops both translation and rotation.

Resists: Three reactions (Horizontal Rβ‚“, Vertical Rα΅§, and Moment M_z).

Allows: Nothing (provides maximum rigidity).

Why we use it: Used in cantilever beams or moment-resisting frames where the connection must transfer bending moments for maximum stability.

Technical Term: Statically Indeterminate β€” more complex, but stronger and stiffer.


πŸ‘‰ Engineer Aspirants Nepal (EAN) β€” helping engineering students master concepts and practical understanding.

πŸ“Ί follow here: [lnkd.in/dHTzQ5kM

#CivilEngineering #StructuralEngineering #EngineerAspirantsNepal #StructuralAnalysis #EngineeringStudents #PinnedSupport #FixedSupport #EngineeringConcepts #LearningNeverStops

6 days ago | [YT] | 4