Tenth Edition

in SI Units

VECTOR MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS:

4
CHAPTER

STATICS
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr. Equilibrium of Rigid
David F. Mazurek Bodies

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Contents
Introduction Equilibrium of a Rigid Body in Three
Free-Body Diagram Dimensions

Reactions at Supports and Reactions at Supports and Connections

Connections for a Two- for a Three-Dimensional Structure
Dimensional Structure Sample Problem 4.8
Practice
Equilibrium of a Rigid Body in Two
Dimensions
Sample Problem 4.1
Sample Problem 4.4
Equilibrium of a Two-Force Body
Equilibrium of a Three-Force Body
Sample Problem 4.6

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Application

Engineers
designing this
crane will need
to determine the
forces that act
on this body
under various
conditions.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Introduction
For a rigid body, the condition of static equilibrium means that the
body under study does not translate or rotate under the given loads
that act on the body

The necessary and sufficient conditions for the static equilibrium of a

body are that the forces sum to zero, and the moment about any point
sum to zero:
F 0 MO r F 0

Equilibrium analysis can be applied to two-dimensional or three-

dimensional bodies, but the first step in any analysis is the creation of
the free body diagram

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Reactions at Supports and Connections for a Two-Dimensional Structure

Reactions equivalent to a
force with known line of
action.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Reactions at Supports and Connections for a Two-Dimensional Structure

Reactions equivalent to a
force of unknown direction
and magnitude.

Reactions equivalent to a
force of unknown
direction and magnitude
and a couple of unknown
magnitude.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Equilibrium of a Rigid Body in Two Dimensions
For known forces and moments that act on a
two-dimensional structure, the followings are
true:
Fz 0 Mx My 0 M z MO

Equations of equilibrium become

Fx 0 Fy 0 MA 0
where A can be any point in the plane of
the body.
The 3 equations can be solved for no more
than 3 unknowns.

The 3 equations cannot be augmented with

additional equations, but they can be replaced
Fx 0 MA 0 MB 0

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Free-Body Diagram
The first step in the static equilibrium analysis of a
rigid body is identification of all forces acting on
the body with a free body diagram.

Select the body to be analyzed and detach it

from the ground and all other bodies and/or
supports.
Indicate point of application, magnitude, and
direction of external forces, including the rigid
body weight.

Indicate point of application and assumed

direction of unknown forces from reactions of
the ground and/or other bodies, such as the
supports.

Include the dimensions, which will be needed

to compute the moments of the forces.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Practice
The frame shown supports part of
the roof of a small building. Your
goal is to draw the free body
diagram (FBD) for the frame.

On the following page, you will

choose the most correct FBD for
this problem.

First, you should draw your own

FBD.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Practice

A B
150 kN

B is the most correct, though C is also

Choose the most correct. A & D are incorrect; why?
correct FBD for the C 150 kN
D
150 kN
150 kN
original problem.
Discuss with a
neighbor why each
choice is correct or
incorrect.
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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.1
SOLUTION:
Create a free-body diagram for the crane.
Determine the reactions at B by solving
the equation for the sum of the
moments of all forces about A. Note
there will be no contribution from the
unknown reactions at A.
Determine the reactions at A by
A fixed crane has a mass of 1000 kg solving the equations for the sum of
and is used to lift a 2400-kg crate. It all horizontal force components and
is held in place by a pin at A and a all vertical force components.
rocker at B. The center of gravity of
the crane is located at G. Check the values obtained for the
reactions by verifying that the sum of
Determine the components of the
the moments about B of all forces is
reactions at A and B.
zero.
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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.1
Determine B by solving the equation for the
sum of the moments of all forces about A.
M A 0 : B1.5m 9.81 kN 2m
23.5 kN 6m 0
B 107.1 kN

Determine the reactions at A by solving the

equations for the sum of all horizontal forces
Create the free-body diagram.
and all vertical forces.
Fx 0 : Ax B 0
Ax 107.1 kN

Fy 0 : Ay 9.81 kN 23.5 kN 0
Ay 33.3 kN

Check the values obtained.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.4
SOLUTION:
- Discuss with a neighbor the steps
for solving this problem.

Create a free-body diagram for the

frame and cable.

Apply the equilibrium equations

for the reaction force components
The frame supports part of the roof of and couple at E.
a small building. The tension in the
cable is 150 kN.
Determine the reactions at the fixed
end E.

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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.4
Which equation is correct?
4.5
A. x
F 0 : E x 150 kN 0
7.5
E x 90.0 kN

B. Fx 0 : Ex cos 36.9o 150 kN 0

C. Fx 0 : Ex sin 36.9o 150 kN 0

The free-body diagram was E x 90.0 kN
created in an earlier exercise.
D. Fx 0 : Ex
6
150k N 0
Apply one of the three 7.5
equilibrium equations. Try
E. Fx 0 : Ex sin 36.9o 150 kN 0
using the condition that the
sum of forces in the x-direction What does the negative sign signify?
must sum to zero.
Discuss why the others are incorrect.
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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.4
Which equation is correct?
A. Fy 0 : E y 420kN sin 36.9o 150kN 0

B. Fy 0 : E y 420 kN 150 kN 0
6
7.5

C. Fy 0 : E y 420 kN cos 36.9o 150 kN 0

Ey 200 kN
Now apply the condition
D. Fy 0 : E y 420 kN 150 kN 0
6
that the sum of forces in 7.5
the y-direction must sum E y 200 kN
to zero.
E. Fy 0 : E y 420 kN 150 kN 0
6
7.5
What does the positive sign signify?
Discuss why the others are incorrect.
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in SI Units
Tenth Edition
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 4.4
Three good points are D, E, and F.
Discuss what advantage each point has
over the others, or perhaps why each is
equally good.
Assume that you choose point E to
apply the sum-of-moments condition.
Write the equation and compare your
answer with a neighbor.
M E 0 : 20 kN 7.2 m 20 kN 5.4 m

Finally, apply the condition 20 kN 3.6 m 20 kN 1.8 m

that the sum of moments about 6
any point must equal zero. 150 kN 4.5 m M E 0
7.5
Discuss with a neighbor which M E 180.0 kN m
point is the best for applying
Discuss with a neighbor the origin of
this equilibrium condition, and
each term in the above equation and
why.
what the positive value of ME means.
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