MODULE 3

Unit 2
COPLANAR, CONCURRENT FORCE
SYSTEMS

http://gpiutmd.iut.ac.ir/en/other/teacher-assistant/statics

26 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

Module 3: Resultant of Two or More

Coplanar, concurrent force system - is a group of forces all of which are on the same
plane, and which intersects in a common point.

Resultant of a system of forces - is the minimum system of forces which will produce the
same effect as the original system.

The minimum system may be:

1. A single force
2. A pair of equal, opposite and parallel forces called a couple.
3. A single force and a couple.

Equilibrant- of a system of forces has the same magnitude as the resultant of the system,
but is of opposite sense. In other words, the equilibrant will balance or cancel the
resultant.

Components of a force - are the two or more forces, which acting together, will produce
the same effect as the original force.

I. RESULTANT OF TWO FORCES:

β Q

Q R θ

θ α 180-θ

P P

TWO FORCES BY COS LAW:

R2= P2 + Q2 – 2PQ COS (1800- θ)

27 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

Angles of α and β may be found by Sine Law:

P Q R

------------- = ------------ = --------------------

Sin β sin α sin (180-θ)

Resultant of 3 or more forces:

P2 y

P1

P3 x

P4

(Four forces)

To find their resultant graphically, draw the vectors representing each force tail to
tip. The resultant is the vector to be drawn from the tail of the first vector to the tip of the
last vector.

P3

P4

P2

P1

Letter R in the figure is the Resultant Force/vector, and angle θ is the Direction
Angle of the Resultant Force/vector which is always measured from the horizontal.

28 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

For analytical solution, the resultant will be determined by the algebraic sum of the
x-components(εFx); then the algebraic sum of the y-components (εFy).
By vector Addition:

R = (εFx)2 + (εFy)2

εFy

Tan θ = ------------- ; (Angle makes with the horizontal)

εFx

Example 3.1: Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the forces shown
analytically and graphically.

300 N

500 N

600 450

350

400 N

Analytical Solution:

εFx = 300 sin 450 - 500 cos 300 + 400 sin 350 = 8.55 N

εFy = 300 cos 450 + 500 sin 300 – 400 cos 350 = 134.47 N

29 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

R= (εFx)2 + (εFy)2

= (8.55)2 + (134.47)2

R = 134.74 N (Ans.)

εFy 134.47

Tan θx = ---------------- = --------------- = 15.727

εFx 8.55

θx = Tan – 1 15.727 = 86.360 (Ans)

By Graphical Solution:

o
35

500N
o
400N 60

R 300N
o
θ 45

(Forces and angles must be drawn to scale)

Solution:

Measure R using a ruler

30 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

Example 3.2 : Determine the magnitudes of the forces AB and AC for equilibrium:

4 KN y

300

700 B

3 KN A x

450

2 KN

Analytical Solution:

εFy = 0 ; +

4 cos 300 + AB cos 700 – 2 KN – AC cos 450 = 0

3.46 + 0.34 AB -2 – 0.707 AC = 0

0.707 AC - 0.34 AB = 1.46 (1)

εFx = 0; +

AB cos 200 + AC cos 450 – 3 KN – 4 cos 600 = 0

0.94 AB + 0.707 AC = 5 KN (2)

Subtract eq. (2) from eq. (1)

0.707 AC – 0.34 AB = 1.46 KN

(-) 0.707 AC (±) 0.94 AB = (-) 5 KN

-----------------------------------------------

- 1.28 AB = - 3.54 ; AB = 2.77 KN (Ans)

31 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

Substitute value of AB to Eq. 1:

0.707 AC – 0.34 AB = 1.46

0.707 AC = 1.46 + 0.34 (2.77)

AC = 3.39 KN (Ans)

32 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

EXERCISES:

DIRECTION: On short bond paper, solve the following activity correctly and honestly.
Submit the Photo of your solution via Google Classroom within 24 hours.

Activity 3.1 : Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the forces shown
analytically and graphically.

6N
1. y 5N

o
45
60
1N x
o
50

3N

2. y

2KN

3.5 KN
0 0
60 80
x
0
70

3N 1N

33 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

References:

Singer, Ferdinand, Engineering Mechanics, Second Edition

Singer, Ferdinand, Engineering Mechanics, Third Edition

34 | P a g e ES 2 – Statics of Rigid Bodies