LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Analyze the properties of (components, resultants and moments) of a

force and force systems in 2D and 3D.
2. Demonstrate an understanding on vector mechanics and its
application.
3. Utilize vector addition, subtraction, dot and cross product to analyze
forces and moments
4. Describe and analyze forces in two and three dimensions using
vectors
5. Calculate the moments about a point or about a line
6. Calculate and analyze moments due to a couple

Statics is a branch of mechanics which studies the effects and distribution of forces of
rigid bodies which are and remain at rest. In this area of mechanics, the body in which
forces are acting is assumed to be rigid. The deformation of non-rigid bodies is treated
in Strength of Materials.

Forces acting at some angle from the the coordinate axes can be resolved into mutually
perpendicular forces called components. The component of a force parallel to the x-axis
is called the x-component, parallel to y-axis the y-component, and so on.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Components of a Force in XY Plane

Fx=Fcosθx=Fsinθy
Fy=Fsinθx=Fcosθy
F=√Fx2+Fy2
tanθx=FyFx

Given the slope of the line of action of the force as v/h

r=√h2+v2
Fx=F(h/r)
Fy=F(v/r)

Components of a Force in 3D Space

 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Given the direction cosines of the force:

Fx=Fcosθx
Fy=Fcosθy
Fz=Fcosθz
F= √Fx2+Fy2+Fz2
cosθx=Fx / F
cosθy=Fy / F
cosθz=Fz / F

Given the coordinates of any two points along the line of action of the force (with
reference to the figure shown, one of the points is the origin):

Let d = distance OB
d=√x2+y2+z2
Fx= F(x/d)
Fy= F(y/d)
Fz= F(z/d)

Vector Notation of a Force (Rectangular Representation of a Force)

F=Fλ
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Where λ is a unit vector. There are two cases in determining λ; by direction cosines and
by the coordinates of any two points on the line of action of the force.

Given the direction cosines:

λ=cosθxi+cosθyj+cosθzk
Given any two points P1(x1, y1, z1) and P2(x2, y2, z2) on the line of action of the force:

λ=1d(dxi+dyj+dzk)
Where
i, j, and k are unit vectors in the direction of x, y and z
respectively.
dx=x2−x1
dy=y2−y1
dz=z2−z1
d= √dx2+dy2+dz2
cosθx=dx/d
cosθy=dy/d
cosθz=dz/d
Note:
cos2θx+cos2θy+cos2θz=1
(dx/d)2+(dy/d)2+(dz/d)2=1
Also note the following:
Fx=cosθx=dx/d
Fy=cosθy=dy/d
Fz=cosθz=dz/d
F= √Fx2+Fy2+Fz2

Thus,
F=F(cosθxi+cosθyj+cosθzk)
F= Fd(dxi+dyj+dzk)
In simplest trm
F= Fxi+Fyj+Fzk
The above rectangular representation of a force is applicable in both 2D and 3D forces.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Sample Problem No.1 – HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL COMPONENTS OF PLANAR

FORCES

Problem Determine the x and y components of the forces shown below in Fig P-001.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2- COMPONENT OF FORCES WITH A GIVEN SLOPE

Compute the x and y components of each of the four forces shown in Fig. P-002.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Moment is the measure of the capacity or ability of the force to produce twisting or
turning effect about an axis. This axis is perpendicular to the plane containing the line of
action of the force. The magnitude of moment is equal to the product of the force and
the perpendicular distance from the axis to the line of action of the force. The
intersection of the plane and the axis is commonly called the moment center, and the
perpendicular distance from the moment center to the line of action of the force is called
moment arm.

From the figure above, O is the moment center and d is the moment arm. The moment
M of force F about point O is equal to the product of F and d.

M=Fd

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO.1 – MOMENT OF A FORCE ABOUT DIFFERENT POINTS

In Fig. P-226 assuming counterclockwise moments as positive, compute the moment of

force F = 200 kg and force P = 165 kg about points A, B, C, and D.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2. MOMENT OF RESULTANT FORCE ABOUT A POINT

Two forces P and Q pass through a point A which is 4 m to the right of and 3 m above a moment
center O. Force P is 890 N directed up to the right at 30° with the horizontal and force Q is 445
N directed up to the left at 60° with the horizontal. Determine the moment of the resultant of
these two forces with respect to O.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3. INTERCEPTS OF A RESULTANT FORCE

Without computing the magnitude of the resultant, compute where the resultant of the
forces shown in Fig. P-228 intersects the x and y axes.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Couple is a system of forces whose magnitude of the resultant is zero and yet has
a moment sum. Geometrically, couple is composed of two equal forces that are parallel
to each other and acting in opposite direction. The magnitude of the couple is given by

C =Fd

Where FF are the two forces and dd is the moment arm, or the perpendicular distance
between the forces.

Couple is independent of the moment center, thus, the effect is unchanged in the
following conditions.
 The couple is rotated through any angle in its plane.

 The couple is shifted to any other position in its plane.

 The couple is shifted to a parallel plane.

In a case where a system is composed entirely of couples in the same plane or parallel
planes, the resultant is a couple whose magnitude is the algebraic sum of the original
couples.

SAMPLE PROBLEM N0. 1. COUPLE IN A BOX

Refer to Fig. 2-24a. A couple consists of two vertical forces of 60 lb each. One force acts
up through A and the other acts down through D. Transform the couple into an
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

equivalent couple having horizontal forces acting through E and F.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2. SYSTEM WITH COUPLES AND FORCES ON IT

Determine the resultant moment about point A of the system of forces shown in Fig. P-
246. Each square is 1 ft on a side.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3. REACTION AT THE SUPPORT OF CANTILEVER TRUSS

The cantilever truss shown in Fig. P-250 carries a vertical load of 10.8 kN. The truss is
supported by bearing at A and B which exert the forces A v, Ah, and Bh. The four forces
shown constitute two couples which must have opposite moment effects to prevent
movement of the truss. Determine the magnitude of the supporting forces.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4. EQUIVALENT SINGLE FORCE FOR A FORCE AND A COUPLE

A force system consists of a clockwise couple of 480 N·m plus a 240 N force directed up to the
right through the origin of X and Y axes at θx = 30°. Replace the given system by an equivalent
single force and compute the intercepts its line of action with the X and Y axes.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

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. Rx=ΣFx =Fx1+Fx2+Fx3+...
The x-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the x-
direction.

2. Ry=ΣFy =Fx1+Fx2+Fx3+...
The y-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the y-
direction.

3. Rz=ΣFz =Fx1+Fx2+Fx3+...
The z-component of the resultant is equal to the summation of forces in the z-
direction.

Note that according to the type of force system, one or two or three of the equations
above will be used in finding the resultant.

Resultant of Coplanar Concurrent Force System

The line of action of each forces in coplanar concurrent force system are on the same
plane. All of these forces meet at a common point, thus concurrent. In x-y plane, the
resultant can be found by the following formulas:
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Rx=ΣFx
Ry=ΣFy
R=√Rx2+Ry2
tanθx=RyRx

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Resultant of Spatial Concurrent Force System

Spatial concurrent forces (forces in 3-dimensional space) meet at a common point but
do not lie in a single plane. The resultant can be found as follows:

Rx=ΣFx
Ry=ΣFy
Rz=ΣFz
R= √Rx2+Ry2+Rz2

Direction Cosines
cosθx=RxR
cosθy=RyR
cosθz=RzR
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Vector Notation of the Resultant

R=ΣFR=ΣF
R= (ΣFx)i+(ΣFy)j+(ΣFz)k
R=Rxi+Ryj+Rzk
Where
Rx=ΣFx
Ry=ΣFy
Rz=ΣFz
R=√Rx2+Ry2+Rz2

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1. RESULTANT OF A THREE FORCES ACTING ON A RING

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 in Fig. P-011. Find the net force on the
ring due to the three applied forces.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

PLEASE WATCH VIDEO AT https://youtu.be/3EsdoF39rPU

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO.2 RESULTANT OF TWO VELOCITY VECTORS

Find the resultant vector of vectors A and B shown in Fig. P-012.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3. RESULTANT OF THREE FORCE VECTOR

Three vectors A, B, and C are shown in the figure below. Find one vector (magnitude
and direction) that will have the same effect as the three vectors shown in Fig. P-013
below.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Parallel forces can be in the same or in opposite directions. The sign of the direction can
be chosen arbitrarily, meaning, taking one direction as positive makes the opposite
direction negative. The complete definition of the resultant is according to its
magnitude, direction, and line of action.

R=ΣF=F1+F2+F3+...

Rd=ΣFx=F1x1+F2x2+F3x3+...

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. The figure below shows the three common
distributed loads namely; rectangular load, triangular load, and trapezoidal load.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Rectangular Load
R=woL

Triangular Load
R=12woL

Trapezoidal Load
R=wo1L+12(wo2−wo1)L

Spatial Parallel Force System

The resultant of parallel forces in space will act at the point where it will create
equivalent translational and rotational (moment) effects in the system.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

In vector notation, the resultant of forces are as follows...

R=F1+F2+F3+...

Mo=r1×F1+r2×F2+r3×F3+...

Note:
Two parallel forces that are equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and not
colinear will create a rotation effect. This type of pair is called a Couple. The
placement of a couple in the plane is immaterial, meaning, its rotational effect to
the body is not a function of its placement. The magnitude of the couple is given by

C=Fd

Where F = the magnitude of the two equal opposing forces and d is the
perpendicular distance between these forces.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1 – COMPUTATION OF THE RESULTANT OF PARALLEL FORCES ACTING ON A

LEVER

A parallel force system acts on the lever shown in Fig. P-236. Determine the magnitude
and position of the resultant.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2. FINDING THE RESULTANT OF A VERTICAL FORCES ACTING ON FINK TRUSS

Locate the amount and position of the resultant of the loads acting on the Fink truss in
Fig. P-241.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3. FINDING THE UNKNOWN TWO FORCES WITH GIVEN RESULTANT

Find the value of P and F so that the four forces shown in Fig. P-242 produce an upward
resultant of 300 lb acting at 4 ft from the left end of the bar.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4. FINDING THE MAGNITUDE AND POSITION OF A MISSING FORCE

The resultant of three parallel loads (one is missing in Fig. P-243) is 13.6 kg acting up at
3 m to the right of A. Compute the magnitude and position of the missing load.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

The resultant of non-concurrent force system is defined according to magnitude,

inclination, and position.

The magnitude of the resultant can be found as follows

Rx=ΣFx

Ry=ΣFy
R=√Rx2+Ry2

The inclination from the horizontal is defined by

tanθx=RyRx

The position of the resultant can be determined according to the principle of moments.
MR=ΣMO

Rd=MR
Ryix=MR
Rxiy=MR

Where,
Fx = component of forces in the x-direction
Fy = component of forces in the y-direction
Rx = component of thew resultant in x-direction
Ry = component of thew resultant in y-direction
R = magnitude of the resultant
θx = angle made by a force from the x-axis
MO = moment of forces about any point O
d = moment arm
MR = moment at a point due to resultant force
ix = x-intercept of the resultant R
iy = y-intercept of the resultant R
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMLE PROBLEM NO. 1.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2. RESULTANT OF A NON-CURRENT FORCE

Determine completely the resultant of the forces acting on the step pulley shown in Fig.
P-262.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3. RESULTANT OF A NON-CURRENT FORCE

Determine the resultant of the force system shown in Fig. P-263 and its x and y
intercepts.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4

The Howe roof truss shown in Fig. P-267 carries the given loads. The wind loads are
perpendicular to the inclined members. Determine the magnitude of the resultant, its
inclination with the horizontal, and where it intersects AB.
 LECTURE NOTES IN STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY – CARIG

Reference:
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