LECTURE 2

Concept of Coplanar Forces

• Resultant forces using Analytical method

• Components of a force
• Work examples
Resultant Forces using Analytical Method

Resultant Force
This is a single force that have the same
net effect as the combination of a given
number of forces acting together on the
body.

Equilibrium Force
This is a force introduced to balance the
resultant force in equal magnitude acting
in exactly opposite direction

Both Resultant and Equilibrant will be of

zero value for a system in equilibrium
Force System Types
Coplanar Forces
When all the forces acting on a body lie on the same plane

Concurrent Forces
When the line of action of all the forces acting on a body pass through a common point

Parallel Forces
When all the forces acting on a body are parallel to each other

Collinear Forces
When the line of action of all the forces act along the same line
(a) Resultant of Coplanar Parallel Forces
(Forces acting on the same plane & parallel to each other)

It is the summation of the magnitude of all parallel forces

acting on the system taking into consideration the direction of
the line of action of the forces

Computation of Resultant of
Coplanar Parallel Forces

• Magnitude
R = ∑ F = F1 + F2 - F3
• Location
Rd = F1 d1 + F2 d2 - F3 d3
 Work Example 1 (Resultant Parallel Forces)
Question
Find the magnitude & position of the resultant force (R) of a system of
forces in diagram below

Solution
• Magnitude
Taking Upward direction +ve
R = ∑ F = F1 + F2 - F3 - F4
= 5KN + 12KN – 4KN – 8KN
= 5KN
• Location
Taking Clockwise +ve
Rd = F1 d1 + F2 d2 - F3 d3
-5 x d = (5x0) + (4x3) + (8x8) – (12x10)
d = 8.8
 Work Example 2 (Resultant Parallel Forces)
Question
Three parallel forces acting on a beam produces a resultant force of
20KN at a point 4m from the left side of the beam. Find the magnitude
& position of the force (F3 ) in the diagram below

Solution
• Magnitude
Taking Upward direction +ve
R = ∑ F = F1 + F2 - F3
-20KN = 25KN + 50KN - F3
F3 = 95KN
• Location
Taking Clockwise +ve
Rd = -F1 d1 - F2 d2 + F3 d3
20 x 4 = (-25x2) – (50x7)+ (95x d3)
d3= 5.05
Components of Forces

The components of a force are the

separate forces which acting all
together will have the given force F1
F
as their resultant.
Main Resultant force

Xo
F2
Components
F1 and F2

F = F1 + F2 Resolution of Forces
The process of resolving a force into its
= 𝐹 sin 𝑥 + 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 components is called Resolution
(b) Resultant of Coplanar Concurrent Forces
(Forces acting on the same plane & passing through a common point)
Computation using the Method of Resolution
• Resolve inclined forces along the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axis

• Summation of all resolved horizontal forces ∑ Fx (+ve)

Summation of all resolved vertical forces ∑ Fy (+ve)

• The magnitude of the resultant force computed using the formula

R = √ ( ∑ Fx2 + Fy2 )

• Find the direction of the resultant force by computing the angle 𝛼 it makes
with the x-axis
∑Fy
tan 𝛼 =
∑Fx
• Decide the quadrant of the resultant depending on the signs of ∑ Fx and ∑ Fy
(Note that 𝛼 is measured +ve in the Anti-clockwise direction from the x-axis)
• Magnitude

R = √ ( ∑ Fx2 + Fy2 )

• Direction (Angle made with X-Axis)

∑Fy
tan 𝛼 =
∑Fx

X Y
FA -FA Cos a FA Sin a
FB FB Cos b FB Sin b
FC -FC Cos c -FC Sin c
∑ Fx ∑ Fy
Work Example 3 (Resultant Coplanar Concurrent Forces)
Question
A trolley loaded with cement is pulled by two horses, one exerting a
force of 5KN at an angle of 20o while the other with a force 8KN at an
angle of 35o Find the magnitude & direction of the resultant force (R)
acting on the trolley.
5KN
Solution 20o
TROLLEY
35o
• Magnitude R
R = √ ( ∑ Fx2 + Fy2 ) 8KN

X Y
F5 5 Cos 20 = 4.70 5 Sin 20 = 1.71
F8 8 Cos 35 = 6.55 -8 Sin 35 = -4.59
∑ Fx = 11.25 ∑ Fx = -2.88
• Magnitude • Direction (Angle made with X-Axis)

R = √ ( ∑ Fx2 + Fy2 ) ∑Fy

tan 𝛼 = ∑Fx
= √ ( (+11.25 )2 + (-2.88) 2 −2.88
tan 𝛼 = 11.25
= √ 126.56 + 8.29
= - 0.256
= √ 134.85
𝛼 = -14.36o
= 11.61KN
( Since 𝛼 is measured +ve in the Anti-
clockwise direction from the x-axis)

𝛼 = 360o - 14.36o
= 345.64o
 Work Example 4 (Minor Test Question Review)
Question
A weight of 250KN is in a state of equilibrium when suspended by two
cables (P & Q) as shown below. Find the tension forces in the cables P
and Q.
45o

60o Q
Solution P
Resolve the forces P and Q into the X and
Y axis 250KN
∑ Fx (+ve) ∑ Fy (+ve)

P Sin 30 Q Sin 45
45o
60o
Q
P
30o 45o

- P Cos 30 Q Cos 45
 X Y
P - P Cos 30 P Sin 30
Q Q Cos 45 Q Sin 45
W250 0 -250

• Being in state of equilibrium

∑ Fx = 0 ∑ Fy = 0
-P Cos 30 + Q Cos 45 = 0 P Sin 30 + Q Sin 45 - 250 = 0
P Cos 30 = Q Cos 45 0.5 P + 0.707 Q = 250
0.866 P = 0.707 Q Substitute for P (From eqn 1 P = 0.816 Q )

P =
0.707
Q 0.5 (0.816 Q ) + 0.707 Q = 250
0.866
1.115 Q = 250
P = 0.816 Q ……….eqn 1
Q = 224.2KN
Since P = 0.816 Q = 0.816 x 224.2
P = 182.9KN
 Work Example 5 (Minor Test Question Review)
Question
A pole acted upon by two forces (2.5KN and 1.5KN) is kept erect in a vertical
position by a cable as shown below.
(a) Find the resultant of the two forces 2.5KN and 1.5KN
(b) Determine the tension in the cable 30o
( c) Find the reaction at the bottom of the pole
2.5KN
2.0m
30o
Solution
Resolve the forces F2.5 and F1.5 into the X and Y axis R
Cable 1.5KN
∑ Fx (+ve) ∑ Fy (+ve) 2.0m
45o

2.5 Sin 75
1.5 Sin 30

60o
30o
- 2.5 Cos 75 2.5KN
- 1.5 Cos 30 1.5KN
 X Y
F2.5 2.5 Sin 60 = 2.17 - 2.5 Cos 60 = -1.25
F1.5 1.5 Sin 30 = 0.75 -1.5 Cos 30 = -1.30
∑ Fx = 2.92 ∑ Fy = -2.55

(a) Find the resultant (R) of the two forces 2.5KN and 1.5KN

• Magnitude • Direction (Angle made with X-Axis)

R = √ ( ∑ Fx2 + Fy2 ) tan 𝛼 =

∑Fy
∑Fx
= √ ( (+2.92 )2 + (-2.55) 2 −2.55
tan 𝛼 = 2.92
= √ 8.53 + 6.50
= - 0.873
= √ 15.03
𝜶 = -41.12o
= 3.88KN
 2.92KN
(b) Determine the tension in the cable
Take the moment at the base of pole

2.0m
Cx ∑ MR = 0
- 2.55KN
(2.92 x 4) - (Cx x 2) = 0
C Cy
2.0m
45o (2.92 x 4) - (C cos 45 x 2) = 0
2.92 𝑋 4
Ay Ax C= 2 𝑋 cos 45

Cx = C cos 45 Cy = C sin 45 C = 8.26KN

(c) Find the reaction at the bottom of the pole
Summation of forces along X and Y axis

∑ Fx = 0 ∑ Fy = 0
+ 2.92 + Ax - Cx = 0 - 2.55 + Ay - Cy = 0
+ 2.92 + Ax - C cos 45 = 0 - 2.55 + Ay - C sin 45 = 0
+ 2.92 + Ax - 8.26 cos 45 = 0 -2.55 + Ay - 8.26 sin 45 = 0
Ax = 2.92KN Ay = 8.39KN