EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES

Learning Objectives:

The objective of this chapter is to:

➢ Explain what is meant by equilibrium of forces

➢ Diagram what a free-body diagram (FBD)
➢ Apply the importance of FBD’s in solving system of forces.
➢ Identify and draw appropriate FBD’s for given system of forces.
➢ Use the equilibrium conditions in solving problems of two-dimensional system of forces.

Statics deals primarily with the description of the force conditions necessary and sufficient to
maintain the equilibrium of engineering structures. This chapter on equilibrium constitutes the most
important part of statics, and the procedures developed here form the basis for solving problems in both
statics and dynamics. We will make continual use of the concepts developed in moments, couples, and
resultants as we apply the principles of equilibrium.

Condition for the equilibrium of a particle

A particle is in equilibrium provided it is at rest if originally at rest or has a constant velocity if originally
in motion. Most often, however, the term “equilibrium” is used to describe an object at rest. To maintain
equilibrium it is necessary to satisfy Newton’s first law of motion, which requires the resultant force
acting on a particle to be equal to zero.

When a body is in equilibrium, the resultant of all forces acting on it is zero. Thus, the resultant force
R and the resultant couple M are both zero, and we have the equilibrium equations,

Σ𝐹 = 0, Σ𝑀 = 0

Equilibrium of Two-Dimensional Force System

Conditions of Equilibrium

Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0, Σ𝑀 = 0

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) - – is the representation of the isolated body or combination of bodies
considered as a single body, showing all forces applied to it by other bodies.

“The free-body diagram is the most important single step in the solution of problems in
mechanics.”

Drawing a FBD, steps

1). Decide which body to analyze.

2). Separate this body from everything else and sketch the contour,
3). Draw all applied forces (weight).
4). Draw all reactions.
5). Include any necessary dimensions and coordinate axis.

If you don't know a direction assume a direction and let the sign of the answer tell you if the direction
is correct or not.
Rules:
• The magnitude and direction of known forces should be clearly indicated (usually applied
forces)
• Indicate the direction of the force exerted on the body, not the force exerted by the body.

Unknown forces are usually the reactions (constraining forces).

Support or Connections Reactions

rollers frictionless Normal reaction with

surface respect to the surface

Parallel reaction with

Cable, rope, any
respect to the connector
flexible cord Short link

Pin, hinge Rough Surface

Two force reactions

Restrained
Fixed
support Three force reactions
(welded connections)
Sample Problem

1. Draw the free-body diagram of the 100kg cylinder and the boom ABC of structure shown.

C
cable 0
D 75

5 ft

cylinder
B

450 E 5 ft

A
SOLUTION:

• FBD of the 100 kg Cylinder and the boom ABC

C
T 750
100 kg(9.81m/s2) = 981 N
5 ft

NB
B
NB
450
5 ft
NE
AH
A

AV
 Equilibrium of two dimensional Forces

Force system FBD (Free-Body Diagram) Equilibrium

Equations
F1 x

1. Collinear F2
F3
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
F3 F4
2. Concurrent

F2 F1 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

F3 F3 F4
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
F1

3. Parallel F2

F1 ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
F3

M
∑𝑀 = 0

F2 F4
4. General
(Non-
Concurrent) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

∑𝑀 = 0

Sample Problem

2. Determine the tension developed in wires CB and CA required for equilibrium of the 10-kg
cylinder.

A B

C
300 400

Solution:

Draw the FBD (Free-Body Diagram):

𝑦
𝐴𝐶
600
𝐶𝐵
𝐴𝐶 − 300
700 −
400
98.1 𝑁
300 400 − −
− − 𝑥
500 𝐶𝐵
−
400
 • Analytical Method:

Apply the condition of equilibrium:

Refer to the FBD:

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0, 𝐶𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠 40 − 𝐴𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 = 0 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐶𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛 40 + 𝐴𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 − 98.1𝑁 = 0 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2

Equate eqn. 1 and eqn. 2:

𝑪𝑩 = 𝟗𝟎. 𝟒𝟏 𝑵, 𝑨𝑪 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟗𝟕 𝑵

• Alternate Solution (Graphical Method)

Force Triangle

By sine Law:

𝐶𝐵 𝐴𝐶 98.1 𝑁
= =
sin 60 𝑠𝑖𝑛50 sin 70

𝑪𝑩 = 𝟗𝟎. 𝟒𝟏 𝑵, 𝑨𝑪 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟗𝟕 𝑵

3. The uniform 15 m pole has a mass of 150 kg and is supported by its smooth ends against the
vertical walls and the tension T in the vertical cable. Compute the reactions at A and B.

4𝑚 8𝑚

𝑁𝐵

8𝑚

𝑁𝐴 𝑚
150𝑘𝑔 ቀ9.81 ቁ = 1471.5 𝑁
𝑠2
Solution:

FDB:

Apply Conditions of Equilibrium:

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝑇 − 1471.5 𝑁 = 0, 𝑻 = 𝟏𝟒𝟕𝟏. 𝟓 𝑵

𝛴𝑀𝐵 = 0 (assume CLW direction as positive)

−𝑁𝐴 (8𝑚) − 1471.5𝑁(6𝑚) + 𝑇(8𝑚) = 0

𝑵𝑨 = 𝟑𝟔𝟕. 𝟖𝟖 𝑵

𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 (assume CLW direction as positive)

−𝑁𝐵 (8𝑚) + 1471.5𝑁(6𝑚) − 𝑇(4𝑚) = 0

𝑵𝑩 = 𝟑𝟔𝟕. 𝟖𝟖 𝑵

4. Determine the component reactions at each supports of the truss shown.

SOLUTION:

Draw the FBD (the support reactions):

 𝐶𝐻

𝐴𝑣
𝐶𝑣

Apply Conditions of Equilibrium:

𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 0 (assume CLW direction as positive)

𝐴𝑣 (8𝑓𝑡) − 600𝑙𝑏(4𝑓𝑡) − 900𝑙𝑏(12𝑓𝑡) = 0

𝑵𝑨 = 𝟏𝟔𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃𝒔.

𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 (assume CLW direction as positive)

−𝐶𝑣 (8𝑓𝑡) + 600𝑙𝑏(4𝑓𝑡) − 900𝑙𝑏(4𝑓𝑡) = 0

𝑵𝑩 = −𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃𝒔. the negative sign means the assume direction is wrong, 𝑵𝑩 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃𝒔, 𝑮𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 𝑪𝑯 = 𝟎

5. Determine the magnitudes of the forces C and T, which, along with the other three forces shown,
act on the bridge-truss joint.
y
C
3 kN
T

700 400
16 kN 8 kN
x

Solution

Apply the condition of equilibrium:

Refer to the FBD:

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0,

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 40 + 𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠70 + 8𝑘𝑁 − 16𝑘𝑁 = 0

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 40 + 𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠 70 = 8𝑘𝑁 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛 40 − 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛 70 − 3𝑘𝑁 = 0

 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛 40 − 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛 70 = 3𝑘𝑁 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2

Equate eqn. 1 and eqn. 2:

𝑻 = 𝟗. 𝟎𝟗 𝒌𝑵, 𝑪 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝑵

Exercises

1.1 If cable CB is subjected to a tension that is twice that of cable CA, determine the angle θ for
equilibrium of the 100 lb cylinder. Also, what are the tensions in wires CA and CB?

A B

C
300 𝜽

1.2 The ball has a mass of 100 kg. If a force of F = 4 kN is applied horizontally to the ring at A,
determine the force in cable AC and AB.
B

0.5 m

0.3 m C
F
A
0.6 m

1.3 The 100 kg homogeneous smooth sphere rests on the two inclines as shown. Determine the
contact forces at A and B.

A
B
40 0 700
1.4 Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction on the beam caused by the pin at
B and the rocker at A as shown. Neglect the weight of the beam.

60 kN 30 kN

50o
A B

3m 4m 3m
50 kN

1.5 For the cantilever beam shown in the figure (cantilever beam is supported by a fixed support at
one end and free at the other end.) Calculate all the support reactions at A.

60 kN
20 kN/m

120 kN-m
A

1.6 Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction at the pin A and the tension
developed in cable BC used to support the steel frame.
20 kips
4 ft 3 ft 3 ft

8 ft

C A

6 ft

1.7 For the truss shown in the figure. Determine the support reactions at roller A and pin I.

60kN 50kN
1. 6 m 1. 6 m 1. 6 m

B D

1.2 m
F
A 40kN
C E
1.8 The system of cables suspends a 1000- lb weight. Determine the tensions in cables AB, CD,
and CE.

B E

C D
450 A
300

1.9 The mass of the spherical ball is 100 kg. What is the moment about A due to the force exerted
on the beam at B by the cable?

B
A

300 450
4m