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
JJJG
AB = ( 32 in.) i − ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k

AB = ( −32 in.)2 + ( −48 in.)2 + ( 36 in.)2 = 68 in.

JJJG
AB T
TAB = T λ AB = TAB = AB  − ( 32 in.) i − ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k 
AB 68 in.

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

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

AC = ( 45 in.)2 + ( −48 in.)2 + ( 36 in.)2 = 75 in.

JJJG
AC T
TAC = T λ AC = TAC = AC ( 45 in.) i − ( 48 in.) j + ( 36 in.) k 
AC 75 in.

TAC = TAC ( 0.60i − 0.64 j + 0.48k )

JJJG
Finally, AD = ( 25 in.) i − ( 48 in.) j − ( 36 in.) k

AD = ( 25 in.)2 + ( −48 in.)2 + ( −36 in.)2 = 65 in.

123
PROBLEM 2.113 CONTINUED
JJJG
AD T
TAD = T λ AD = TAD = 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:

ΣF = 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 (1)

j: − 0.7059TAB − 0.64TAC − 0.7385TAD + W = 0 (2)

k : 0.5294TAB + 0.48TAC − 0.5538TAD = 0 (3)

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

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
ΣFx = 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 (1)
Similarly,
ΣFz = 0: TAD sin 30° cos 50° + TBD sin 30° sin 40°

− TCD sin 30° sin 60° = 0

or 0.6428TAD + 0.6428TBD − 0.8660TCD = 0 (2)

From (1) TAD = TBD + 0.6527TCD

Substituting this into (2):
TBD = 0.3573TCD (3)

Using TAD from above:

TAD = TCD (4)

Now,
ΣFy = 0: − TAD cos 30° − TBD cos 30° − TCD cos 30°

( )
+ ( 28 kg ) 9.81 m/s 2 = 0

or 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