Statics SKMM1203

Concurrent forces: Equilibrium

(2D & 3D)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Introduction
A particle can be subjected only to a system of concurrent forces, and the necessary
and sufficient conditions for equilibrium can be expressed mathematically as:

R F 0
where is the vector sum of all forces acting on the particle

Objectives:
To determine required forces for equilibrium condition of concurrent force system
To draw a free-body diagram for concurrent force system
Introduction
In particular, a particle is in equilibrium when the resultant of all forces acting on it
equals zero. A particle is subjected to two forces as shown in Figure 3.1. It is in
equilibrium condition if the two forces have same magnitude with opposite direction
and act on the same line of action. If a particle is subjected to multiple loadings,
equilibrium condition is achieved when the resultant of all the forces equals zero as
demonstrated in Figure 3.2.

F1 = 100 N

F2 = 100 N

Figure 3.1
Introduction

F1 F2
F4
F1
x F3
F2 R=0
F4

F3

Figure 3.2
Two dimensional concurrent force
system
For a system of coplanar (e.g x-y plane), concurrent forces can be written as

R Rxi Ry j
Fxi Fy j 0
In scalar form, the equations become
Rx Fx 0
Ry Fy 0

That is, the sum of the rectangular components of the forces in any direction must
be zero.
Three dimensional concurrent force
system
For a three-dimensional system of concurrent forces, the equilibrium condition can
be expressed as
R F Rx i Ry j Rz k 0
Fx i Fy j Fz k 0

This equation is satisfied only if Rx Fx i 0

Ry Fy j 0
Rz Fz k 0

Rx Fx 0
Ry Fy 0
In scalar form, these equations become
Rz Fz 0
Concurrent force system
Solving an engineering mechanics problem usually requires identification of all
external forces acting on a body of interest. A carefully prepared drawing or sketch
that shows a body of interest separated from all interacting bodies is known as a
free-body diagram (FBD). It is important that all forces acting on the body of interest
be shown. The actual procedure for drawing a free-body diagram consists of three
essential steps:-
Decide which body or combination of bodies is to be isolated and analyzed.
Prepare a drawing or sketch of the outline of the isolated body selected.
Represent all forces, known and unknown, that are applied by other bodies to
the isolated body with vectors in their correct positions.
Example:
Q1. The weight of the engine is 4.4 kN and is
suspended from a vertical chain at A. A second chain
round the engine is attached at A, with a spreader bar
between B and C. The angles, at B and C are 50o.
Determine the tension in the chain AB and determine
the compressive force acting in the spreader bar BC.
Solution:
(+ ) Fy = 0
TAB
TAB sin 50o 4.4/2 = 0

TAB = 2.87 kN 50o

(+ ) Fx = 0 FBC

2.87cos 50o - FBC = 0

FBC = 1.84 kN

W/2
Example:
Q2. The 10 kg mass is supported by the cable system
shown. Determine the tension in cables AB, BC and
DE, and the angle .

50o C

E
A D
70o
B

30o
10 kg
F
Solution: TBA
TBC
50o
B
20o
(+ ) Fx = 0 10 g

10g + TBCcos50o TABcos 20o = 0

10 g
98.1 + 0.643TBC 0.94TAB = 0 (1)

(+ ) Fy = 0 cosine rule
10g + TBCsin50o + TAB sin 20o = 0 TDE2 = (10g)2 +(10g)2 2(10g)(10g)cos120o
98.1 + 0.766TBC + 0.342TAB = 0 (2) TDE = 169.9 N

= 30o since the triangle is isosceles

(1) 0.643 152.57 + TBC 1.462 TAB = 0 = 30o

(2)(2) 0.766 128.07 + TBC + 0.446TAB = 0
280.64 = 1.908TAB
TAB = 147.1 N
TDE
10 g
10 g D
input into (1) 120o
10 g
TDE
98.1 + 0.643TBC 0.94(147.1) = 0 10 g
TBC = 62.48 N 30o
Example:
Q3. A 100 kg traffic light is
supported by a system of
cables as shown in this figure.
Determine the tensions in each
of the three cables
TOA
Solution:
dx = -8 m dy = 5 m i component
d = (-8)2 + 52 + 42 = 10.25 m
-0.78TOA 0.716TOB + 0.848TOC = 0
dz = 4 m
(1)
TOA = (-8/10.25) TOA i + (5/10.25) TOA j + (4/10.25) TOA k
TOA = - 0.78 TOA i + 0.488 TOA j + 0.39 TOA k
j component
0.488TOA + 0.447TOB + 0.53TOC 100g = 0 (2)
TOB dx = -8 m
dy = 5 m d = (-8)2 + 52 + (-6)2 = 11.18 m
k component
dz = -6 m
0.39TOA 0.537TOB = 0
TOB = (-8/11.18) TOB i + (5/11.18) TOB j + (-6/11.18) TOB k (3)

TOB = -0.716 TOB i + 0.447 TOB j - 0.537 TOB k TOA = 1.377TOB

(3a)
Substitute (3a) into (1) and (2)
TOC dx = 8 m
dy = 5 m d = 82 + 52 + (0)2 = 9.43 m Then, solve simultaneous equations for (1) and (2)
dz = 0 m

TOC = (8/9.43) TOC i + (5/9.43) TOC j TOA = 603 N

TOC = 0.848 TOC i + 0.530 TOC j TOB = 439 N

TOC = 925 N
100 kg 100 kg = 100g j
Example:
Q4. Determine the forces in 3m

cables AC and BC, and in the

strut CD due to the weight, 10 3m
kg hanging off point C 5m

2.5m
5m 2m
 Solution:
TAC dx = -5 m
dy = -2.5 m d = (-5)2 + (-2.5)2 + 12 = 5.68 m
dz = 1 m i component
TAC = (-5/5.68) TAC i + (-2.5/5.68) TAC j + (1/5.68) TAC k -0.88TAC 0.67TBC + 0.68 FCD = 0 (1)
TAC = - 0.88 TAC i - 0.44 TAC j + 0.18 TAC k

j component
TBC dx = -5 m
dy = -2.5 m d = (-5)2 +(-2. 5)2 + (-5)2 = 7.5 m -0.44TAC - 0.33TBC + 0.68FCD 50g = 0 (2)

dz = -5 m
k component
TBC = (-5/7.5) TBC i + (-2.5/7.5) TBC j + (-5/7.5) TBC k
0.18TAC - 0.67TBC + 0.27 FCD= 0 (3)
TBC = -0.67 TBC i - 0.33 TBC j - 0.67 TBC k

Thus, solve simultaneous equations for (1), (2) and (3)

FCD dx = 5 m
dy = 5 m d = 52 + 52 + 22 = 7.35 m
TAC = 56.49 N
dz = 2 m
TBC = 74.07 N
FCD = 5/7.35 FCD i + 5/7.35 FCD j + 2/7.35 FCD k TCD = 145.97 N
FCD = 0.68 FCD i + 0.68 FCD j + 0.27 FCD j

50 kg 50 kg = 50g j
Practice Questions: C
3
B 4
Q1. Determine the tension in each cable for the system A 20o

to maintain equilibrium D E

50 kg

Q2. Determine the maximum weight in kN of the engine

that can be supported without exceeding the maximum
tension given of 4.5 kN in chain AB or 6.50 kN in chain
AC.
Practice Questions:
A
C
Q3. The 100 kg mass is supported by a cable and pulley B
30o

system as shown. Determine the tension in each cable

and the angle for the system to maintain equilibrium. 60o

E
(TBD = 566.4 N, TDE = 566.4 N, TAB = TBC = 654 N, = D

90o)
100 kg

B
Q4. A 6 kg mass at E is supported as shown. Determine
tension in the spring and cable AB. 60o
45o C
A D

E
Practice Questions: y 30o

B C
O
Q5. The mass m is maintained in equilibrium with 60o
z
x

the support of cables AB and AC, and a 30 N force Y = 20o

x = 100o
at A. Cable AD is parallel to the x-axis. Determine A

the tension in cables AB and AC, and the mass m. D

30 N

m
Q6. Determine the forces F1, F2, and F3 so that the system is in
y
equilibrium.
F2
(2 m, 3 m, 4 m)

y = 30o
F3 F1

O
30o = 110o
x

40o

z x

100 N
Practice Questions: 6m
y

7m

Q7. The mass m is supported at the position shown

6m
x
by cables AO, AB and the 40 kg mass. Determine
z

B
the tension in cables AO and AB, and mass m in kg. 20o
40o A

m
Q8. A weight of 500 N at point A is supported
40 kg

by a system of five cables as shown in this 2m y

figure. Determine tension in each cable. C

Points C, O, A and B are located on the same

4.8 m
O
xz plane while points O, D and E are located x

on the same xy plane. 4.8 m

D
A B
35o 20o
1.4 m
1.4 m
E
z