Structural Mechanics I

Week 2 tutorial
Forces and Moment systems

Part I: Forces in space

1. A frame ABC is supported in part by cable 2. The plate is

DBE that passes through a frictionless ring at B. suspended using the
Knowing that the tension in the cable is 385 N, three cables which
determine the components of the force exerted by exert the forces shown.
the cable on the support at D. Express each force as a
Ans: 240 N; 2255 N; 160.0 N. Cartesian vector.

3. The guy wires are used to support the telephone pole.

Represent the force in each wire in Cartesian vector
form. Neglect the diameter of the pole.

4. The door is held opened by means of two 5. If FB = 560 N and FC = 700 N, determine the
chains. If the tension in AB and CD is FA = 300 magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the
N and FC = 250 N, respectively, express each of resultant force acting on the flagpole.
these forces in Cartesian vector form.
Ans. 460i - 40j +080k

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6. Two cables are used to secure the overhang boom in position
and support the 1500-N load. If the resultant force is directed along
the boom from point A towards O, determine the magnitudes of
the resultant force and forces FB and FC. Set x = 3 m and z = 2 m.

8. The three supporting cables exert the forces

7. Determine the magnitude and coordinate
direction angles of the resultant force acting at shown on the sign. Represent each force as a
point A. Cartesian vector. Determine the magnitude and
coordinate direction angles of the resultant force of
the two forces acting on the sign at point A.
Ans: FR@A= -648.89i + 389.33k

9. Determine the unstretched length of DB to 10. If the mass of cylinder C is 40 kg, determine the
hold the 40-kg crate in the position shown. Take k mass of cylinder A in order to hold the assembly in the
= 180 N/m. Ans. 2.03 m position shown.

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Determine the tension in each cable for Determine the tension in cables AB, BC, and CD,
necessary to support the 10-kg and 15-kg traffic lights at
equilibrium.
B and C, respectively. Also, find the angle u.
Ans: FAC = 85.8 N; FAB = 578 N; FAD = 565 N

11. A 70-kg cylinder is supported by two 12. A container of weight W is suspended from ring
cables AC and BC, which are attached to the A. Cable BAC passes through the ring and is
top of vertical posts. A horizontal force P, attached to fixed supports at B and C. Two forces
perpendicular to the plane containing the P=Pi and Q = Qk are applied to the ring to maintain
posts, holds the cylinder in the position shown. the container in the position shown. Knowing that
Draw the free-body diagram needed to W=376 N, determine P and Q. (Hint: The tension is
determine the magnitude of P and the force in the same in both portions of cable BAC.)
each cable. Ans: P = 131.2 N; Q = 29.6 N.

13. Determine the tension developed in 14. If the balloon is subjected to a net uplift
cables and required for equilibrium of the force of F = 800 N, determine the tension developed
300-lb crate. Ans: FAB = 360 lb FAC = 180 lb; FAD in ropes AB, AC, AD. Ans. FAC = 203 N; FAB = 251 N;
= 360 lb FAD = 427 N

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Part II: Moment of a force in 2D space

1. In the following figures, determine the moment of the force about point O.

2. Determine the moment of each of the three forces

about point B. Determine the moment of each of the three
forces about point A.

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3. Determine the magnitude of the force F that 4. The 70-N force acts on the end of the pipe at B.
should be applied at the end of the lever such that Determine (a) the moment of this force about point A,
this force creates a clockwise moment of 15 N.m and (b) the magnitude and direction of a horizontal force,
about point O when θ = 30° applied at C, which produces the same moment. Take θ
= 60°.

Part III: Additional Problems for practice

1. Cable ABC has a length of 5 m. Determine the 2. Determine the force in cables AB and AC
position x and the tension developed in ABC necessary to support the 12-kg traffic light. Ans.
required for equilibrium of the 100-kg sack. Neglect FAB = 239 N, FAC = 243 N
the size of the pulley at B. Ans: x = 1.38 m T = 687 N

3. Determine the stretch in each of the two springs 4. Cable BAC passes through a frictionless
required to hold the 20-kg crate in the equilibrium ring A and is attached to fixed supports at B and
position shown. Each spring has an unstretched C, while cables AD and AE are both tied to the
length of 2 m and a stiffness of k = 300 N/m. ring and are attached, respectively, to supports
Ans: sOB = 327 mm, sOA = 218 mm at D and E. Knowing that a 200-lb vertical load
P is applied to ring A, determine the tension in
each of the three cables.
Ans: TBAC =76.7 lb; TAD =26.9 lb; TAE 5=49.2 lb

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5. Determine the stretch in each spring for
equilibrium of the 2-kg block. The springs are
shown in the equilibrium position.

6. The towline exerts a force of P = 6 kN at the 7. The connected bar BC is used to increase
end of the 8-m-long crane boom. If θ = 30°, the lever arm of the crescent wrench as shown.
determine the placement x of the hook at B so that (a) If a clockwise moment of MA = 120 N.m
this force creates a maximum moment about point is needed to tighten the bolt at A and the force
O. What is this moment? F = 200 N, determine the required extension d
in order to develop this moment.

(b) If a clockwise moment of MA = 120 N.m is

needed to tighten the nut at A and the extension
d = 300 mm, determine the required force F in
order to develop this moment.
Source:
1. Hibbeler R.C. “Engineering Mechanics; Statics” 14th Edition, Pearson Education, Inc, Pearson
Prentice Hall © 2016.

2. Ferdinand P. Beer, E. Russe Johnston, Jr., et al. “Statics and Dynamics” 10th edition, McGraw-
Hill,2013