Equilibrium; Free Body Diagrams;

Equations of Equilibrium; Equilibrium of

Coplanar Concurrent and Parallel Force
Systems
Lessandro Estelito O. GARCIANO
Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
De La Salle University

Definition and Meaning of Equilibrium

o

Equilibrium is the term used to designate the

condition where the resultant of a force system is
zero.

The physical meaning of equilibrium, as applied to a

body, is that the body is either at rest or is moving
along a straight line path with constant velocity.

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Definition and Meaning of Equilibrium

o

Both these statements are implied in Newtons first

law of motion; namely, a particle acted upon by a
balanced force system has no acceleration.

Problems in mechanics always involve the interaction

of bodies upon one another.

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Free-Body Diagrams
o

Successful solution of these problems generally requires

that the bodies be isolated from one another so that the
forces involved may be analyzed and unknown forces
determined.

An isolated view of a body which shows only the external

forces exerted on the body is called a free-body diagram
(or FBD).

The external forces are caused either by direct bodily

contact or by gravitational or magnetic attraction.
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Steps involved in drawing a FBD

1. Draw a diagram of the body completely isolated

from all bodies. The free body may consist of an

entire assembled structure or any combination
or part of it.

2. Represent the action of each body or support

that has been removed by a force (or its

components) as given in the previous table
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Steps involved in drawing a FBD

3. Label each force by its magnitude if known, or by

a symbol is unknown. If the sense of an unknown

force along its line of action should be incorrectly
assumed, the solution will give a negative sign,
but its magnitude will nevertheless be correct.

4. The FBD should be legibly and neatly drawn, and

of sufficient size that all pertinent data can be

clearly depicted.
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Sample Problem
In each of the following examples, the body to be isolated
is shown in the left-hand diagram, and an incomplete FBD
of the isolated body is shown on the right.
Add whatever forces are necessary in each case to form a
complete FBD.
The weights of the bodies are negligible unless otherwise
indicated.
Dimensions and numerical values are omitted for
simplicity.
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Sample Problem
In each of the following examples, the body to be isolated
is shown in the left-hand diagram, and either a wrong or an
incomplete free-body diagram (FBD) is shown on the right.
Make whatever changes or additions are necessary in each
case to form a correct and complete FBD.
The weights of the bodies are negligible unless otherwise
indicated.
Dimensions and numerical values are omitted for
simplicity.
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Sample Problem
Draw a complete and correct free-body diagram of each of
the bodies designated in the statements.
The weights of the bodies are significant only if the mass is
stated.
All forces, known and unknown, should be labeled. (Note:
The sense of some reaction components cannot always be
determined without numerical calculation.)

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Equations of Equilibrium
o Equilibrium is defined as the condition when the

resultant of a force system is equal to zero.

o The FBD should be legibly and neatly drawn, and of

sufficient size that all pertinent data can be clearly

depicted.
o Recall that the most general force system may be

reduced to a concurrent force system at any arbitrary

point plus a couple which equals the moment sum of
the original system about that point.
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Equations of Equilibrium
o When the force-couple system is equal to zero, the

basic vector equations of equilibrium therefore are

and
which are equivalent to the following six scalar
equations:

and

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Sample Problem
The forces on the gusset plate of
a joint in a bridge truss act as
shown. Determine the values of
P and F to maintain equilibrium
of the joint. Ans: F = 800 lb : P = 3342 lb

4000 lb
P

45o

15o

60o

3000 lb

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Sample Problem
Two beams supported as shown and separated by a roller at C,
jointly carry the indicated loads. On CD, the load varies uniformly
from an intensity of 100 lb/ft to an intensity of 200 lb/ft, while
AB supports a concentrated load of 500 lb. Determine the values
of the reactions at A, B and D.
Ans: AV = 600 lb, AH = 0 lb, BV = 700 lb, DV = 1000 lb, DH = 0 lb

100 lb/ft

200 lb/ft

500 lb

AH

AV

DH

B
4

DV

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Check Your Understanding

Two cylinders, A of weight 400 lb. and B of weight 200
lb., rest on smooth inclines. They are connected by a
bar of negligible weight hinged to each cylinder at its
geometric center by smooth pins. Find the force P
acting as shown that will hold the system in the given
position. P = 107.7 lb
P

60o
15o

B
60o

45o

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