PROBLEM 2.

112
A transmission tower is held by three guy wires attached to a pin at A and anchored by bolts at B, C, and D. If the tension in wire AC is 2.6 kN, determine the vertical force P exerted by the tower on the pin at A.

SOLUTION
Based on the results of Problem 2.111, particularly Equations (1), (2) and (3), we substitute TAC = 2.6 kN and solve the three resulting linear equations using conventional tools for solving Linear Algebraic Equations (MATLAB or Maple, for example), to obtain
TAB = 4.77 kN TAD = 2.61 kN

P = 8.81 kN

122

PROBLEM 2.113
A rectangular plate is supported by three cables as shown. Knowing that the tension in cable AC is 15 lb, determine the weight of the plate.

SOLUTION
The (vector) force in each cable can be written as the product of the (scalar) force and the unit vector along the cable. That is, with AB = ( 32 in.) i ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k
AB =

( 32 in.)2 + ( 48 in.)2 + ( 36 in.)2

= 68 in.

TAB = T AB = TAB

AB T = AB ( 32 in.) i ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k AB 68 in.

TAB = TAB ( 0.4706i 0.7059 j + 0.5294k ) and

AC =
AC = ( 45 in.) i ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k

( 45 in.)2 + ( 48 in.)2 + ( 36 in.)2

= 75 in.

TAC = T AC = TAC

AC T = AC ( 45 in.) i ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k 75 in. AC

TAC = TAC ( 0.60i 0.64 j + 0.48k ) Finally,

AD =
AD = ( 25 in.) i ( 48 in.) j ( 36 in.) k

( 25 in.)2 + ( 48 in.)2 + ( 36 in.)2

= 65 in.

123

PROBLEM 2.113 CONTINUED

TAD = T AD = TAD
AD T = AD ( 25 in.) i ( 48 in.) j ( 36 in.) k AD 65 in.

TAD = TAD ( 0.3846i 0.7385 j 0.5538k ) With W = Wj, at A we have: F = 0: TAB + TAC + TAD + Wj = 0 Equating the factors of i, j, and k to zero, we obtain the linear algebraic equations: i : 0.4706TAB + 0.60TAC 0.3846TAD = 0 j: 0.7059TAB 0.64TAC 0.7385TAD + W = 0 k : 0.5294TAB + 0.48TAC 0.5538TAD = 0 In Equations (1), (2) and (3), set TAC = 15 lb, and, using conventional methods for solving Linear Algebraic Equations (MATLAB or Maple, for example), we obtain:
TAB = 136.0 lb TAD = 143.0 lb

(1) (2) (3)

W = 211 lb

124

PROBLEM 2.114
A rectangular plate is supported by three cables as shown. Knowing that the tension in cable AD is 120 lb, determine the weight of the plate.

SOLUTION
Based on the results of Problem 2.111, particularly Equations (1), (2) and (3), we substitute TAD = 120 lb and solve the three resulting linear equations using conventional tools for solving Linear Algebraic Equations (MATLAB or Maple, for example), to obtain TAC = 12.59 lb TAB = 114.1 lb W = 177.2 lb

125

PROBLEM 2.115
A horizontal circular plate having a mass of 28 kg is suspended as shown from three wires which are attached to a support D and form 30 angles with the vertical. Determine the tension in each wire.

SOLUTION
Fx = 0: TAD sin 30 sin 50 + TBD sin 30 cos 40 + TCD sin 30 cos 60 = 0 Dividing through by the factor sin 30 and evaluating the trigonometric functions gives 0.7660TAD + 0.7660TBD + 0.50TCD = 0 Similarly, Fz = 0: TAD sin 30 cos 50 + TBD sin 30 sin 40 TCD sin 30 sin 60 = 0 or From (1) Substituting this into (2): TBD = 0.3573TCD Using TAD from above: TAD = TCD Now, Fy = 0: TAD cos 30 TBD cos 30 TCD cos 30
+ ( 28 kg ) 9.81 m/s 2 = 0 or

(1)

0.6428TAD + 0.6428TBD 0.8660TCD = 0 TAD = TBD + 0.6527TCD

(2)

(3)

(4)

TAD + TBD + TCD = 317.2 N

126

PROBLEM 2.115 CONTINUED

Using (3) and (4), above:

TCD + 0.3573TCD + TCD = 317.2 N

Then:

TAD = 135.1 N TBD = 46.9 N TCD = 135.1 N

127