4.

5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems

4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Procedures and Strategies, page 1 of 2
Procedures and Strategies for Solving Problems Involving
Equivalent Force-Couple Systems

1. To move a force from a point A on a rigid-body to a F

point B and maintain equivalence, first calculate the A
moment M of the force about B. Then at B apply the d
force and a couple moment of magnitude M.

Equivalent

M = Fd
F
B
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Procedures and Strategies, page 2 of 2
2. To reduce a system of forces to a single equivalent F1 F3
force and couple, apply the procedure described in
paragraph 1 above to move each force to a common A
point. Then add the forces to obtain a single resultant
force R and add the couple moments to obtain a single
resultant couple moment M.

3. To replace a system of coplanar forces by a single F2

force that is statically equivalent, first apply the
procedure described in paragraph 2 above to produce a
resultant force R and couple moment M at a point O. Equivalent
Then move the force R to a new line of action such that R
R produces a moment, about O, of magnitude M.

O M

M Equivalent
d=
R

R d

O
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 1
1. Replace the force at A by an equivalent
force and couple moment at point O.
y

6m
A
4
3
5 4m
20 N
x
0
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 2
2. The 60-N force acts at point A on the lever as shown.
Replace the force at A by a force and couple moment
acting at point O that will have an equivalent effect.

60
A
60 N
200 mm
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 3
3. Replace the 2-lb force acting on the end of the bottle
opener by an equivalent force and couple moment
acting on the underside of the bottle cap at A. Use your
results to explain how a bottle opener works.

3 in.
A

2 lb
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 4
4. Replace the given forces and couple moment by a
resultant force and couple moment at A.

260 lb
120 lb
12 13 800 lbft
5 A

2 ft 4 ft 7 ft
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 5
5. Replace the force F = 3 kN acting on corner A of the
block by an equivalent force and couple moment acting
at the center C of the block.
y

F = 3 kN

A
x
C

150 mm
150 mm

100 mm 100 mm
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 6
6. Replace the forces acting on the ice auger by an
equivalent force and couple moment acting at A.
y

4 lb
C

7 lb

6 in.

48 in.

A
x

z
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 7

7. Replace the forces and couple moment by a single force and

specify where it acts.

3 kip 4 kip

A B 40 D
C

20 kipft

2 ft 8 ft 4 ft 3 ft
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 8
8. Replace the forces acting on the frame by a single force
and specify where its line of action intersects
a) member BCD and b) member AB.

400 N
600 N 300 N

B C D

2m

800 N
2m
A E
x

4m 4m
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 9
9. Determine the value of force P such that the line of
action of the resultant of the forces acting on the truss
passes through the support at H. Also determine the
magnitude of the resultant.

30 160 lb 200 lb 180 lb

260 lb

P
A B C D E

8 ft

F G H I J

6 ft 6 ft 6 ft 6 ft
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 10
10. A machine part is loaded as shown. The part is to be attached to
a supporting structure by a single bolt. Determine the equation of
the line defining possible positions of the bolt for which the given
loading would not cause the part to rotate. Also, determine the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

y
80 N 60 N
60
90 Nm
0.3 m

0.5 m

O
20 Nm x

0.4 m 0.6 m
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 11
11. The rectangular foundation mat supports the four
column loads shown. Determine the magnitude,
direction, and point of application of a single force that
would be equivalent to the given system of forces.
y
30 kip

15 kip
A
11 kip
20 kip
B
z
C D
10 ft
x
3 ft
5 ft
8 ft
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 12
12. Three signs are supported by an arch over a highway and are
acted upon by the wind forces shown. Replace the forces by an
equivalent force and specify its point of application.
y

300 N B
A C
850 N
3.5 m 400 N 4m 6m

O
x
5m 4m
z 1m
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 13
13. Three forces act on the pipe assembly. Determine the
magnitude of forces P and Q if the resultant of all three
forces is to act on point A. Also determine the magnitude
of the resultant.
y

O
P

z A Q

3m x
200 N C
1.5 m
2m
D 1m
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 14
14. The end plate of a pressurized tank is held in place by forces from three bolts.
Determine the required value of bolt-force P and angle if the resultant of the
three bolt forces is to act through the center of the plate at O.

700 N

0.5 m
x
O
40
C
B
P 500 N
z
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 15
15. Replace the system of forces by a wrench.
Determine the pitch and axis of the wrench.
y

12 m

140 N
O
x
40 N
A
4m
6m

60 N

z
4.5 Equivalent Force-Couple Systems Problem Statement for Example 16
16. In a machining operation, holes are simultaneously drilled at points
A and B of the wedge. The drill at A produces a force and couple
moment perpendicular to the planar surface at A. The force and
couple moment at B are similarly perpendicular to the planar surface at
B. Replace the forces and couple moments by a wrench. Determine

a) the magnitude R of the resultant force,

b) the pitch of the wrench,
c) the axis of the wrench, and
d) the point where the axis intersects the x-z plane.
y

M1 60 lb in.
E M2 80 lb in.
1.5 in.

F1 4 lb
B D
x
F2 6 lb

A 30 1 in.
3 in.
6 in.
C

4 in. 4 in.
z