Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A force on a body produces translation while a couple produces rotation. The forces
acting on a body may be in the same plane (coplanar) or in different planes (non-coplanar) or
in space ; see plate 1 and plate 2.
The coplanar forces may be parallel (like or unlike) or concurrent. If a number of forces
are acting on a body, Fig. 1.1, to find their resultant R (in magnitude, direction with
horizontal and line of action), find first their algebraic sum of horizontal and vertical
components i.e., X and Y, then
y2
F3
x2
x3
Y
Rigid
body
O
y
a1
a3
F1
y3
a2
a4
x
A
y1
x1
y4
F4
x4
Fig. 1.1
R=
( X ) 2 + ( Y ) 2 ,
tan =
Y
X
...(1.1)
To find the line of action of R (at a w.r.t. a point A or a line), find the algebraic sum of
the moments of all the forces about A, then
MA = F1 . a1 = R . a ;
a=
M A
R
...(1.2)
The force systems are illustrated in A, B & C (graphical methods) and D in space, as
follows:
Engineering Mechanics
20 N
A B
N = 15 N
40 N
C
D E
c
a
R
0
a
30 N E
0
c
0
0
b
15 N
0
e
d
e
b
d
Force or vector
diagram
Space diagram
(ii) Unlike II forces
kN
20
=
Q L irons
Gusset
plate
(angle-irons)
Q
R
= 46 kN
20 L ir
s ons
P=3
0 kN
20
kN
R=
20 46 kN
P=3
0 kN
(i) Parallelogram
law of forces
R = 46 kN
kN
20
20
P=3
=
0 kN
Q
Resultant of
two forces
0
B
300
b N
a
C
Block A
a
N
110
R= aa
=
e
O
250 N
200 N
Aa 0
0
a
100
N
0 60
e
E
30
0 D
d
Force polygon
(will not close)
R = aa
200 N
67
kN
a
R
=
oe
e
4
a
25 kN
25 kN
25 kN
3
D
C
A
60 B
16 m
22 m
0
47
0
45
E
d
x
0
= 43 m 25 kN
c
0
0
a
b
Space diagram
O
pole
R = 67 kN
e
d
Vector or force diagram
See Example 1.3, Fig. 1.3 & 1.4, page 8 (single equivalent tug boat, R)
A . Resultant of Coplanar Non Concurrent Forces
180 b
A
b
Block A
90
= 2 60 W = 400 N
00
N
30 60
of forces
Spherical ball of
mass 40 kg
rests in a smooth Dr groove
C
R = 500 N
RB
RA
180 g
180 a
a
Lamis Theorem:
W = RA = RB
Sin 90 Sin 60 Sin 30
B
C
A
=
=
Sin a Sin b Sin g
2m
jib
10 kN
kN
D
E
180 N
of forces at A
160 N
150 N
27
30
30
18
10 kN
45
(C)
kN
(t)
tie
30
=3
Q = 300 N
P = 400 N
40
200 N
R = 150 N
= aa
c
a
Jib crane
d
No. of concurrent forces
R = Resultant = aa
E = Equilibrant = aa
PLATE 1
B. Equilibrium Under Coplanar Concurrent Forces
Engineering Mechanics
f
I
1.1
NA
.7 k
1.
RA
1 kN
D 1.5 kN
0
c
0e
E
4m
RE = 3.8 kN
oc
los
ing
O
pole
Funicular
polygon
lin
4m 0
d
II t
RE
f, g, h,
i
e
Superposition of force Maxwell or
polygons at each joint Force diagram
(c)
e
(C) = E
3.5
5.8
RA = 7 kN
(D)
3.5
H
I
1.7
6.3
3.5
1.1
RA
=1
1.7 0 H
0G
0
0
F 0
a
b
4m
4m
Cl
os
ing
lin
e
2.2
B
2.8
1 kN
1 kN
C
2.5
RA
3 kN
2 kN
Maxwell diagram
gives also reactions
in cantilever trusses
(x, y) of R = ?
40 kN
TA = ? T B = ?
TC = ?
R.C.C. mat
4m
20 kN
C
30 kN
15 kN
2mx
2m
y
2m
2m
B
W = 50 kN
2m
3m
2.5
m
x
2.5 Column
loads
7
z
R C at O = ?
z
B
E
m
3m
2m
1.5
A
D
1m
1m
20
1m 1m
20 kN
kN-m
60 kN
(in x-z plane)
(II to y-axis)
3m
1.5
30
TE, TD = ?
RA = ?
Cables
C
20 kN crate
y
x
Forces for f = 0 :
Coplanar concurrent at C
Non Coplanar concurrent at B
y
(iv) Non concurrent,
Non parallel forces
MA = (X)y (Y)x
Also,
...(1.3)
This Eqn. can be solved for the ratio of y to x corresponding to any point O along the
line of action of R as indicated by the dashed line, that is the force can be applied at any point
on its line of action. This is called the principle of tansmissibility of force.
From Eqs. (1.2) and (1.3), R . a = (X )y (Y ) x
...(1.4)
i.e., the moment of the resultant is equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of its components.
This is called Varignons Theorem.
Example 1.1. Determine the resultant of the forces in Fig. 1.1.
Fig. 1.1
28.71
= 0.3621,
79.29
= 19.9
Engineering Mechanics
Moment of the resultant (at a distance a from C) = Moment of the
components (about C)
R . a = MC
+
MC = 150 1 + 100 1 50 1 8 1
= 192 N.m
a=
Fig. 1.1a
MC
192
=
= 2.27 mm
R
84.32
Example 1.2. The resultant (100 kN) of four forces and three of these are shown in
Fig. 1.2. Determine the fourth force.
Fig. 1.2
Solution:
or 62.88 kN
or 81.6 kN
F4
Y4
q
X4
Fig. 1.2a
152.31
= 1.14, = 48.746.
133.59
Boat - 1
Boat - 2
Boat - 3
4
3
60
16 m
22 m
36 m
63 m
30 m
66 m
Hull of ship
30 m
1
Boat - 4
Fig. 1.3
Solution: (a) The Varignons (French Mathematician) Theorem states that if a number
of coplanar forces acting on a body, the algebraic sum of the moments of all the forces about
any point is equal to the moment of their resultant about the same points, i.e. F1. a1 = R.a or
simply the moment of a force about any point equals the algebraic sum of the moments of its
components about the same point, i.e. F . a = X . x + Y . y, where F =
x 2 + y 2 .
(b) To find the resultant R due to the four forces acting on the hull of the ship, Fig. 1.4.
21.65
F1
60
12.5
16 m
O
25 kN
F2
5
4
3
15
X = 45.18
= 47.3
25 kN F3
Y
= 48.97
R = 66 kN
22 m
66 m
63 m
43 m
X
Y
x
30 m
30 m
22 m
17.68
25 kN 1
1
F4
45
17.68
25 kN
20
Fig. 1.4
Fig. 1.4(a)
10
Engineering Mechanics
= tan1
48.97
= 47.3.
45.18
Let the line of action of R cut the X-axis at x. Taking moments about O (and using
Varignons theorem),
M0 = X.y + Y.x,
y=0
M0 = 48.97 x
+ M0 = 12.5 16 + 15 22 + 20 63 + 25 159
17.68 22 17.68 129 = 3095.32 kN.m
48.97 x = 3095.32,
x=
3095.32
= 63.2 m
48.97
From Fig. 1.4, the resultant R will intersect the hull at a distance of (x a) from O :
tan =
22
= 1.084,
a
63.2 20.3 43 m
a = 20.3 m,
i.e., where a single, more powerful tug boat should push, exerting a force of 66.63 kN. See the
graphical solution in Plate 1A, page 5.
Example 1.4. Find the resultant of the four forces acting as shown in Fig. 1.5.
200 kN
100
50
70.7 kN
45
30
50
70.7 kN
173.2
1m
309
q
200 kN
45
1.5 m
30
80
Fig. 1.6(a)
1.5 m
86.6
A
A
1m
80 kN
30
x
100 kN
SY
80 kN
100 kN
50
Fig. 1.5
30
1m
Fig. 1.6
SX
R
x 2 + y 2 =
11
80
= 14.48
309.8
= tan1
To find the line of action of the resultant R, take moments about A (and applying
Varignons theorem),
MA = R . a = X.y + Y.x,
y = 0,
a=
M A 284.8
=
= 0.89 m,
R
320
x=
M A 284.8
=
= 3.56 m
80
Y
10 kN
15 kN
C
1m
D
2m
20 kN
B
2m
Fig. 1.7
MA = 25 1 20 3 + 15 5 = 40 kN.m
a=
M A 40
=
= 4 m, Fig. 1.8
R
10
12
Engineering Mechanics
R = 10 kN
4m
E
A
3m
1m
(a)
R
R = 10 kN
D
A
3m
B
10 1 = 10 kN.m
(b)
A
(a)
B
1m
R
10 kN
B
(b)
10 1 = 10 kN.m = M
MB = 10 5 25 4 + 20 2 = 10 i.e., 10 kN.m
Thus, the equivalent system at any point other than E is the same resultant force R and
a moment which is equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of all the forces acting on the bar
AB about that point.
13
F at A = F at B + F . a
M
(i.e., = a in Fig. 1.12).
F
Fig. 1.12
Example 1.6. Replace the system of a force and couple shown in Fig. 1.13 by a single
force.
100 N
50 N
0.4 m
50 N
x
100 N
Fig. 1.13
100 N
Fig. 1.14
Fig. 1.15
Solution: Since a force another force (shifted suitably) and a couple, Fig. 1.14, shift x
to counteract the existing couple :
100 x
= 50 0.4
x = 0.2 m or 1.8 m from the support
96
r=
10
0m
60
50
mm
Fig. 1.16
120 N
O
60
Fig. 1.17
Fig. 1.18
14
Engineering Mechanics
Solution: Since a force another force (shifted suitably) and a couple Fig. 1.17,
shift x to counteract the existing couple:
960 x
= 120 0.2
x = 0.025 m or 25 mm ; OC =
25
= 50 mm
cos 60
X = 80 cos 45 = 56.56 N
Y = 50 + 80 sin 45 150 = 43.44 or 43.44 N
R=
= tan1
at
+
43.44
= 37.53
56.56
50 N
3m
300 Nm
300 Nm
80 N
80 N
2.3 m
q
45
3m
1m
a
q
M
R
R
45
3m
150 N
Fig. 1.19
1m
150 N
Fig. 1.20
AB =
130.32 Nm
M
=
= 1.83 m
R
71.32 N
a
183
.
=
= 2.3 m
cos cos 37.53
15
C
Pinned
D
RCH
Roller
RD
RCY
Fig. 1.21
PROBLEMS
1.1. Six forces are acting along the sides of a regular hexagon of side 100 mm as shown in Fig. P 1.1.
Find the resultant and its distance from A.
2
4
Loads in kN
2
3m
1
, 276.5 mm]
3m
3m
Fig. P 1.1
3m
Fig. P 1.2
1.2. For the loaded truss shown in Fig. P 1.2, find the resultant load and where its line of action will
intersect AB.
[15.46 kN, 75
; 4.4 m from A]
1.3. Determine the resultant of the forces acting on the dam shown in Fig. P 1.3 and locate its intersection with the base AB. For safe design, the intersection should occur within the middle-third
of the base. Is the design safe ?
[137.12 kN,
2m
MWL
Dam
c.g.
P = 50 kN
TWL
Q = 30 kN
2m
A
W = 120 kN
5m
Base of dam
Fig. P 1.3
1m
60
B
16
1.4.
Engineering Mechanics
(a) Determine completely the resultant of the five forces shown in Fig. P 1.4. The squares are
100 mm 100 mm.
[0.8 N , Y = 67 m ; 0.8 N , 53.6 Nm
at O]
20
0
100
20
100
X
O
282 N
Fig. P 1.4
1.5. A force of 500 N is acting at A in Fig. P 1.5 produces a moment of 1200 Nm about O. Find the
y-intercept of the force. Give an equivalent system with the same force acting at O.
[3 m ; 500 N and 1200 Nm
Fig. P 1.5
at O]
Fig. P 1.6
1.6. A 50 N force is applied to a corner plate as shown in Fig. P 1.6. Determine an equivalent forcecouple system at A.
[50 N, 3.08 Nm]
1.7. Find the single resultant of the forces acting on the pulley in Fig. P 1.7. Give its intercept with
the axes.
[1020 N ], (0.1, 0.02) m]
1.8. An electric light fixture weighing 15 N is hung from two strings from the roof and wall as shown
in Fig. P 1.8. Find the tension in the strings.
[7.8, 11 N]
17
Roof
60
Wall
45
Light
15 N
Fig. P 1.7
Fig. P 1.8