"Ned Simmons" wrote in message
...
That *may* make the solution easier, but doesn't make the structure
statically determinate. A bit easier if, for example, you make the
supports springs with a known rate and assume the lever is
sufficiently stiff in comparison with the springs that it can be
treated as a rigid body. Which is the converse of the usual
structural
situation where the supports of an elastic beam are assumed to be
perfectly rigid. If neither of those assumptions applies, in other
words, you have to account for the elasticity of both the lever and
supports, the problem is somewhat more complicated than your
original.
Ned Simmons

A valid simplification to demonstrate this is to make L2 = L3 and the
springs fishing scales, the ones you keep in the vehicles to check
weight at the scrapyard. You can determine the spring constant with
the built-in tape measure. Mine extend 1" at 45 lbs.
http://assets.academy.com/mgen/10/10...jpg?is=500,500

jsw