Statics of Rigid Bodies

TOPIC 5: RESULTANT OF CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

Resultant of a force system is a force or a couple that will have the same effect to the body, both
in translation and rotation, if all the forces are removed and replaced by the resultant.
The equation involving the resultant of force system are the following:
1. The x-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the x direction.
𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝑥1 + 𝐹𝑥2 + 𝐹𝑥3 + ⋯

2. The y-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the y direction
𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹𝑦1 + 𝐹𝑦2 + 𝐹𝑦3 + ⋯

3. The z-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the y direction
𝑅𝑧 = ∑ 𝐹𝑧 = 𝐹𝑧1 + 𝐹𝑧2 + 𝐹𝑧3 + ⋯

4. Resultant of the coplanar concurrent force system is:

𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦

2
𝑅 = √(𝑅𝑥 )2 + (𝑅𝑦 )

𝑅𝑦
tan 𝜃𝑥 =
𝑅𝑥
5. The Resultant of Spatial Concurrent Force System can be found as follows:

𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦
𝑅𝑧 = ∑ 𝐹𝑧

2
𝑅 = √(𝑅𝑥 )2 + (𝑅𝑦 ) + (𝑅𝑧 )2
𝑅𝑥
cos 𝜃𝑥 =
𝑅
𝑅𝑦
cos 𝜃𝑦 =
𝑅
𝑅𝑧
cos 𝜃𝑧 =
𝑅

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

Example 1:
Three ropes are tied to a small metal ring. At the end of each rope three students are
pulling, each trying to move the ring in their direction. If we look down from above, the forces and
directions they are applying are shown. Find the net force on the ring due to the three applied
forces.

Solution:

𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑥 = 30 𝑐𝑜𝑠37° − 50𝑐𝑜𝑠45° − 80𝑐𝑜𝑠60°
𝑹𝒙 = −𝟓𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟔𝟑 𝒍𝒃

𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦
𝑅𝑦 = 30 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° + 50𝑠𝑖𝑛45° − 80𝑠𝑖𝑛60°
𝑹𝒚 = −𝟏𝟓. 𝟖𝟕𝟐𝟐 𝒍𝒃

2
𝑅 = √(𝑅𝑥 )2 + (𝑅𝑦 )
𝑅 = √(−51.3963)2 + (−15.8722)2
𝑹 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟕𝟗𝟏𝟑 𝒍𝒃

𝑅𝑦
tan 𝜃𝑥 =
𝑅𝑥
−15.8722
= tan−1 ( )
−51.3963
𝜽𝒙 = 17.1617

Example 2:
Forces F, P, and T are concurrent and acting in
the direction as shown. Find the value of F and 𝛼 if T =
450 N, P = 250 N, β = 30°, and the resultant is 300 N acting
up along the y-axis

Solution:
𝑅𝑥 = 0
𝑅𝑦 = 300𝑁

𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
0 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 + 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 − 450
0 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 + 250cos(30°) − 450
𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 = 233.4936
233.4936
𝐹= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
--------- Equation 1

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦
300 = 𝐹𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 − 𝑃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
300 = 𝐹𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 − 250sin(30°)
𝐹𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = 425
425
𝐹 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝛼 --------- Equation 2

Equation 1 and 2
233.4936 425
𝐹= ; 𝐹 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

233.4936 425
=
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝛼
425
tan 𝛼 = 233.4936
425
α = tan−1
233.4936

𝛂 = 𝟔𝟏. 𝟐𝟏𝟓𝟖˚

From equation 2:
425 425
𝐹 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝛼 = sin(61.2158°)
; 𝑭 = 𝟒𝟖𝟒. 𝟗𝟏𝟔𝟓𝑵

Example 3:
Determine the resultant force of the given system of forces and the angle θ between the R
and the x-axis.

Solution:
The value of the resultant is can be computed using the cosine law
𝑅 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 2𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑅 = √(900)2 + (600)2 + 2(600)(900)𝑐𝑜𝑠40°
𝑹 = 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟑. 𝟐𝟔𝟖𝟔 𝒍𝒃

The angle 𝛼 between the Resultant and the 900lb force is given by:
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 sin(180° − 40°)
=
600 1413.2686
𝛼 = 15.8366˚
The angle θ therefore is:
𝜃 = 15.8366° + 35°
𝜽 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟖𝟑𝟔𝟔°

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

Exercises 1. 4
1. Determine the resultant of the given forces acting on the bracket
shown.

2. Tension in cable BC is 725-N, determine the

resultant of the three forces exerted at point B of
beam AB

3. The three forces are applied to the bracket.

Determine the range of values for the magnitude
of force P so that the resultant of the three
forces does not exceed 2400N.

4. Express each of the three forces acting the column in

Cartesian vector form and compute the Example 7 in
Cartesian vector form and compute the magnitude of the
resultant force.

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

TOPIC 6: RESULTANT OF PARALLEL FORCES

In solving the resultant of parallel forces, just take the algebraic sum of all the forces, taking into
consideration the direction of the applied forces. The sign convention (positive or negative) depends on the
desired preference, say downward force will be positive and upward force will be negative or vice versa.
While the direction or the position of the forces will be computed using the moment theory.

𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + 𝐹4 …
Upward force (↑ ) - positive
Downward force (↓) – negative

𝑅𝑑 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹1 𝑥1 + 𝐹2 𝑥2 + 𝐹3 𝑥3 + 𝐹4 𝑥4 …

Resultant of Distributed Loads

The resultant of a distributed load is equal to the area of the load diagram. It is acting at the
centroid of that area as indicated.

𝑅 = 𝑤𝑜 𝐿
𝐿
𝑑= 2

1
𝑅= 𝑤𝑜 𝐿
2
2𝐿
𝑑= from the left side
3
𝐿
𝑑= from the right side
3

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Statics of Rigid Bodies
Example 1:
A parallel force system acts on
the lever shown. Determine the
magnitude and position of the
resultant.

Solution:
𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + 𝐹4 …

Assuming downward force (↓) negative

𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = −30𝑙𝑏 − 60𝑙𝑏 + 20𝑙𝑏 − 40𝑙𝑏

𝑅 = −110 𝑙𝑏
𝑅 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝒍𝒃 (𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)

𝑀𝐴 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑀𝐴 = 𝐹1 𝑥1 + 𝐹2 𝑥2 + 𝐹3 𝑥3 + 𝐹4 𝑥4 …
𝑀𝐴 = 2′ (30𝑙𝑏) + 5′ (60𝑙𝑏) − 7′ (20𝑙𝑏) + 11′(40)
𝑀𝐴 = 660 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡 (𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒)

Assuming clockwise moment negative

𝑅𝑑 = 𝑀𝐴
−(110𝑙𝑏)𝑑 = −660 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡
𝒅 = 𝟔 𝒇𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑨

Example 2:
The resultant of three parallel loads (one is missing) is 13.6 kg acting up at 3 m to the right of A.
Compute the magnitude and position of the missing load.

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:

𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 +
𝐹3 + 𝐹4 …

Assuming downward force (↓) negative

13.6 = ∑ 𝐹 = 18 + 27 + 𝐹
13.6 = 45 + 𝐹
𝐹 = −𝟑𝟏. 𝟒 𝒌𝒈
𝑭 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟒 𝒌𝒈 (𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)

𝑅𝑑 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑑 = 𝐹1 𝑥1 + 𝐹2 𝑥2 + 𝐹3 𝑥3 + 𝐹4 𝑥4 …
13.6 (3) = −18 ( 0.6) − 27(4) + 31.4 (𝑥)
40.8 = −118.8 + 31.4𝑥
𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟖𝟒𝟏𝒎

Example 3:
The beam AB supports a load which varies an intensity of 220 N/m to 890 N/m. Calculate
the magnitude and position of the resultant load.

Solution:

𝑁 𝑁
For rectangular load: 𝑤1 = 220 𝑚 For triangular load: 𝑤2 = 670 𝑚
𝑁 1
Equivalent load = 𝐹1 = 𝑊1 𝐿 = 220 𝑚 ( 6𝑚) Equivalent load = 𝐹2 = 𝑊𝐿
2 1
=
1 𝑁
2
670 𝑚 (6)

𝑭𝟏 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟎𝑵 𝑭𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎𝑵

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2

𝑅 = ∑ 𝐹 = 1320𝑁 + 2010𝑁
𝑹 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟎𝑵

𝑅𝑑 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑑 = 𝐹1 𝑥1 + 𝐹2 𝑥2 + 𝐹3 𝑥3 + 𝐹4 𝑥4 …
2
3330 (𝑑) = 1320(3) + 2010 (3) (6)
12000
𝑑 = 3330
𝒙 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟎𝟑𝟔𝒎

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Statics of Rigid Bodies

Exercises 1.5

1. Compute the resultant

force for the forces shown
and the resultant couple for
the moments of the forces
about A and the point of
application of the resultant
force.

2. Determine the magnitude and the location of the resultant from point A of the distributed load given
(neglect the effect of reactions at the support)

3. Determine the magnitude and the direction of the resultant for the given load shown (neglect the
effect of reactions at the support)

4. Two like parallel forces of 50

N and 100 N act at the ends
of a rod 360 mm long. Find
the magnitude of the
resultant force and the point
where it acts.

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