Module-1, Unit-1.

Content: Type of forces, free body diagram.

Unit Objectives: After attending the class the student should be able to
1. Identify different types of forces acting on a rigid body or a system of rigid bodies.
2. Draw free body diagram of a rigid body.
Unit summary:
• Only external forces exerted by an agent lying outside the body have influence on its dynamic
behaviors. External forces can be broadly divided into two groups.
¾ Exogenous forces– The forces that act on an unconstrained body.
¾ Constraint forces– The forces or moments that arise due to action of constraints.
• Exogenous forces: These forces may depend on position and or velocity of a particle or a rigid
body. The forces that depend on acceleration do not appear in Newtonian mechanics. The motion is
observed from an inertial reference frame. The force that depends on position or configuration of a
system of rigid bodies can be either conservative or non conservative. A conservative force is
associated with a function known as potential energy U ( x, y, z ) such that

∂U ∂U ∂U
fx = − , fy = − , fz = −
∂x ∂y ∂z
G ⎛ ∂ ∂ ˆ ∂ ˆ⎞
or f = −∇.U = − ⎜ iˆ + j + k ⎟ .U
⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎠

For example, the potential energy for a simple spring of stiffness k is U = (1 2 ) kx 2 . Thus, the force
G
is derived from the gradient ( ∇.U ) of this potential function: Fx = − ∂u ∂x = − kx . If a mass is

connected to two springs in the X-Y plane such that Fx = − k x x and Fy = − k y y then these forces can

be derived from the potential function U = (1 2 ) kx 2 + (1 2 ) ky 2 .

A conservative force thus described does not do any work if the particle after undergoing
arbitrary displacements regains its position. The work done by the forces over a closed path C can
be calculated as
W = v∫ F .dl ,
C

where dl is an elementary line segment on a closed path C. By application of Green’s theorem

G
W = v∫ F .dl = w
∫∫ ∇ × F .ds ( )
C S
 where S is the area enclosed by C and ds is an elementary area vector. For F = − k x xiˆ − k y yjˆ
G ⎛ ∂ ∂ ∂ ⎞ ⎛ ∂Fy ∂Fx ⎞ ˆ
∇ × F = ⎜ ˆi + ˆj + kˆ ⎟ × ( Fxˆi + Fy ˆj ) = ⎜ − ⎟k = 0.
⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎠ ⎝ ∂x ∂y ⎠
On the contrary a force that does not enjoy the above-mentioned properties is non conservative in
nature. For example, let us consider a force field F = − ( k xx x + k xy y ) iˆ − ( − k xy x + k yy y ) ˆj . It is

obvious from the description of this force field that one cannot define a potential function U whose
gradient would give the force field. Alternatively, let us check the work done by this force over a
closed path C:
G
W = v∫ F .dl = w (
∫∫ × F .ds
∇ )
C S

G ⎛ ∂Fy ∂Fx ⎞ˆ
∇× F = ⎜ − ⎟ k = 2 K xy k .
ˆ
⎝ ∂x ∂y ⎠
Thus, if the area enclosed by path C is S then W = 2 K xy S , which is non-zero if the area enclosed by the

( ) ( )
closed path C is non-zero. Therefore, the force field F = − k xx x + k xy y iˆ − − k xy x + k yy y ˆj is non-

conservative.
A velocity dependent force (usually associated with damping) is normally non-conservative
in the sense described above. However, a special kind of force known as gyroscopic force exists in
rotating objects that does not do any work during motion. Consider a velocity dependent force field
 ˆ + ΩRxj
due to gyroscopic forces as F = −ΩRyi ˆ , where Ω is a parameter associated with rotation
about Z-axis, R is a damping like (gyroscopic) parameter and superposed dots indicate derivative
with respect to time. The work done by this force over a closed path C (which takes time T to
traverse) is
⎛ dl ⎞
( )
T T T
W = v∫ F .dl = ∫ F .⎜ dt ⎟ = ∫ ( −Ω Ryi ˆ ) . ( xi
ˆ + Ω Rxj ˆ ) dt = ∫ ( −Ω Ryx
ˆ + yj  ) dt = 0
  + Ω Rxy
C 0 ⎝ dt ⎠ 0 0

Thus, gyroscopic forces, although are velocity dependent, are conservative forces. Unlike
displacement dependent conservative forces which do no work over a closed path, gyroscopic
forces do not do any work over any infinitesimal displacement (i.e., the path may not be closed).

• Constraint forces: Motion of an unconstrained rigid body in space can be decomposed into six
different components — translations along the three coordinate axes and rotations about them.
These six components are referred to as degrees of freedom. In more accurate terms, degrees of
 freedom refer to the minimum number of independent coordinates required to completely describe
the motion of the body (or bodies). External constraints cause the rigid body to loose some of its
degrees of freedom whereas internal constraints associate its motion in some directions to other
motion of other rigid bodies.
Example: Consider two flat disks lying on a flat surface. Each disk can rotate about the vertical
axis (Z-axis) and translate along X and Y directions. Thus, each disk has three degrees of freedom
and the whole system has 6 degrees of freedom.

Now consider that a spring connects the centers of these two disks. The ends of the spring are
free to rotate about the centers of the disks so that the spring is always aligned along the line
connecting the centers of the disks. Because the spring can deform, there is no direct relationship
between the translational and rotational motions of the two disks. Keeping all motion of the first
disk fixed, the other disk can be moved in three ways. The same holds true when the second disk is
held fixed and the first disk is moved. Thus, the system still has 6 degrees of freedom.
Finally, consider that the spring is replaced by a rigid rod (not a flexible rod which is
equivalent to a spring). If the first disk is held fixed then the second disk can still be rotated freely
about the Z-axis. However, if the second disk has to be moved along X-direction, it has to move in
Y-direction aw well (over a circular path whose radius is the length of the rigid rod). This
introduces a constraint between the linear motions. The degrees of freedom of the system reduce by
one for each such constraint. The system now has 5 degrees of freedom. The minimum number of
coordinates required to describe the motion of the system may be X and Y positions of the first disk,
angles turned by the first and the second disks and the orientation of the rigid rod with respect to the
X-axis. Other ways of description can be similarly worked out. It is left to the student to find the
degrees of freedom of the system when the rigid rod is welded to the centers of the two disks.
• Some of the usual constraints are discussed below
¾ Contact between rigid bodies
– A flat body on a flat surface (surface contact): It has three degrees of freedom. Three
restrained motions (constraints) are rotations about the two axes on the plane and the
motion perpendicular to the plane. The reactions develop to maintain the constraints.
 To restrain motion normal to the plane, a reaction acts normal to the plane. The force
is distributed on the contact surface. The net resultant force acts at the center of
pressure. The shift in the location of the center of pressure generates moments which
restrain the rotations about two orthogonal axes lying in the plane.

P P P P P P

Force N=2P
distribution

P 2P P 2P P 2P

Force N=3P
distribution

P P
M M

Force
distributions
– A rigid cylinder on a flat surface (line contact): It has four degrees of freedom;
motion perpendicular to the flat surface and rotations about an axis perpendicular to
the cylinder axis and lying on the flat surface are restrained. The reaction force
normal to the surface is distributed along the line of contact. The net resultant
reaction acts at the center of the force along this line and it shifts along the line of
contact to restrain motion about the axis normal to the cylinder axis.

R R
 – A rigid sphere on a flat surface (point contact): It has five degrees of freedom; only
the motion perpendicular to the flat surface is restrained. The reaction force is
concentrated and it acts normal to the plane at the point of contact, i.e., towards the
center of the sphere.
– Contact between two cylinders is a line contact where the normal reaction acts
somewhere along the line of contact and is oriented towards the centerline of the
cylinder. Likewise, for point contact of a sphere with any surface (e.g., another
sphere), the normal reaction is oriented towards the center of the sphere.
¾ Hinge and roller joints: A hinge has one degree of freedom; rotation about the axis of the
hinge is allowed. All three translations and remaining two rotations are restrained. If planar
loading case is considered where loads lie in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis then one
considers the constraints on the translational motions in that plane. In this case, the
constraint force or the reaction force acts along the plane of loading (has two components)
and there is no constraint torque (moment) on rotation about the hinge axis.

Rx
+ + = = R Ry

=
R

A roller joint is a special type of hinge joint where translational motion of the hinge is
allowed in one direction in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis. Thus it has two degrees
of freedom. If planar loading is considered then there is no constraint force in the direction
where translation is allowed and also no moment about the hinge axis. The remaining
constraint on the planar motion is zero displacement along a direction perpendicular to the
direction along which translation is allowed. Thus the reaction is a single force which lies in
the plane of loading and acts perpendicular to the direction along which joint translation is
allowed.
 ¾ Built-in or fixed end: All motions are restrained at a fixed or built-in joint, e.g., welded
joints, cast joint, glued joint ... This joint has zero degrees of freedom. Thus, in the general
case, there are six reactions: three reaction forces restraining translation and three reaction
moments restraining rotations. For the co-planar loading, where one has to consider only the
forces in X-Y plane and moment in along Z-axis, the reactions are a general force in the X-
Y plane (having two components in X and Y directions) and a reaction moment about the Z-
axis.

Mz
Rx

Ry

¾ Ball and socket joint: Such a joint

allows free rotations about three axes,
but no translation along any direction, Rx
e.g., a pen stand, caster wheel ... This
joint has three degrees of freedom. The Rz
Ry
reactions develop to constrain
translational motions. The reaction forces act along X, Y and Z axes. There are no reaction
moments.

¾ Slotted joint: This joint allows Mz

translational motion only along Rx
the direction of the slot. All other
translations and rotations are constrained. Thus, the joint has single degree of freedom. The
five constraints give rise to two reaction forces along orthogonal coordinates in a plane
perpendicular to the slot direction (the other axis is oriented along the slot) and three
reaction moments about those three axes. In the planar case, a reaction force in the
considered plane acts perpendicular to the slot and a moment acts perpendicular to the plane.
A slot is equivalent to a built in end with one of the translational constraints relaxed.

• Free body diagram: In mechanics, a portion of a system of rigid bodies is often delineated from its
surroundings by replacing their effects with appropriate forces and moments. A diagrammatic
representation of this portion, known as a free body, where all the external forces and moments
(both due to sources external to the system and to rest of the system not considered as free body) are
shown is called a free body diagram (FBD). Because of its importance in subsequent analysis both
in statics and kinetics, it is extremely important that a student should learn how to draw a correct
free body diagram. In drawing this diagram a student should consider the following points:
1. What part of the system he/she is considering as a free body?
2. What are the exogenous forces?
3. What are the forces acted upon the particle or rigid body he/she has not considered as free body?
(These are the constraint forces and moments at the supports.)
 Module 2, Unit 2.1
Content: Equilibrium

Unit Objective: After attending the class the student should be able to

• Recognize whether a rigid body is in static equilibrium

• Derive the condition(s) under which a rigid body will be under static equilibrium
• Calculate the relations between forces if a body under two or three coplanar
forces remains in static equilibrium

Unit Summary:
A system comprising a number of rigid bodies is said to be under static
equilibrium if the system as well as any part thereof does not move with respect to a
suitably chosen inertial frame.

The necessary and sufficient conditions for a rigid body to be in static equilibrium
are
(a) The net forces on the rigid body are zero, i.e., F = 0 or component-wise, Fx = 0 ,
Fy = 0 and Fz = 0 with respect to any rectangular Cartesian system X-Y-Z.
(b) Moment of all the forces acting on the rigid body about any point is zero, i.e.,
M P = 0 or component-wise, M Px = 0 , M Py = 0 and M Pz = 0 where P is any point
within or outside the rigid body.

When the forces and moments acting on a rigid body are known, the above six
equations are to be checked in order to determine if the rigid body is under
equilibrium or not. Alternatively, if a rigid body is known to be in static equilibrium
then these equations may be used to determine the unknown forces or moments acting
on the body or construct relationship(s) between unknown forces and moments.
More often than not, all the constraint forces and moments acting on a rigid body
cannot be determined by considering equilibrium of one body alone. In that case, a
number of rigid bodies (or free bodies) are to be considered. In a moderately
complicated problem, the ways to select free bodies is not unique. The simplicity of
analysis depends to a great extent on the method of solution of free bodies, which
depends on the skill and foresight of the individual analyst.
Example-I:
 To determine the reaction of forces at bearings A & C, of the following system under
static equilibrium, one may use the free bodies shown in (a).

(a) (b)
First of all, the student should be able to
(a) Identify the type of supports and the number of reaction components at them.
(b) Identify that this is a special case, i.e., a co-planar system of forces lying in, say,
X-Y plane.
(c) There are only three available scalar equations ( ∑ Fx =∑ Fy =∑ M z =0 ) for
each free-body.
(d) The total number of available equations is 9 and the number of unknowns
( Ax , Ay , Bx , By , C y , Dx , Dy , Ex and E y ) is also 9.
(e) Thus, given the geometric dimensions and value of F, all reaction forces can be
uniquely calculated.
(f) The global free body (free body of the entire system as given in FBD-IV) is the
sum of individual free bodies (FBD-I to FBD-III) by annihilating internal joint
forces and it gives three more scalar equations. However, these three scalar
equations are not independent; they are linear combinations of equations from
FBD-I to FBD-III. Therefore, if FBD-IV is considered then one of the free bodies
(FBD-I to FBD-III) may be omitted during calculation of reactions.

Example-II:

The objective is again to determine the reaction of forces at bearings A & C. In this
problem, pin B is acted upon by three forces (one external and two internal forces).
 The external force should be considered in one of the free bodies, i.e., for member
AB or BC, but not in both of them. The resulting set of free bodies is given below. There
are still 9 unknowns and 9 equations from FBD-I to FBD-III.

(a) (b)

As a general rule, if more than two forces (either internal or external) act at a joint
(pin) then the free body of the pin should be considered. With this new free body, the set
of free bodies are as given below.

(a) (b)

In this case, the student should be able to

(a) Explain the appearance of two more reaction components at pin B.
(b) Identify that the pin free body consists of concurrent system of forces, i.e., it’s
equilibrium is given by two scalar equations ( ∑ Fx =∑ Fy =0 ).
(c) Determine that there are 11 unknown variables and by including the two new
equations for pin’s free body, there are 11 scalar equations.
(d) Explain that FBD-I and FBD-IV (by noting from FBD-IV that Bx' = Bx'' = Bx and
replacing By'' = By ) can be merged together to form a single FBD and the result is
the same as given before, i.e., when the external force was considered in FBD of
member AB.
 (e) Demonstrate that FBD-IV for the pin can be merged with FBD-III for member
BC and the resulting equations to solve are the same.
Exercise: The student is asked to draw the free bodies of this system by considering self-
weights of individual members acting at their respective centers of gravity.
Equilibrium of a rigid body under two forces:
If a rigid body subjected to only two forces and no external moments remains under
equilibrium then the condition of equilibrium demands that the forces are equal (in
magnitude) and opposite (in direction) and have same line of action. The line of action
need not be entirely contained within the body.

Any member which is connected to other bodies by two pin joints and no other external
force or moment acts on it (except the constraint forces at the joints) is called a two-force
member. The reactions at the joints are equal and opposite and they are oriented along the
line connecting the two joints. Note that while the equal and opposite condition
introduces constraint on balance of forces, the same line of action condition ensures that
there would be no resultant couple moment.
Slender structural members (where self-weight can be neglected), springs and
dampers, etc. fall into this category. In Example-II, member DE is a two-force member.

Each two-force member introduces only one unknown (because the direction of
the resultant reaction is already fixed). The identification of two-force members at an
early stage of analysis (i.e., construction of free bodies) reduces the number of unknowns
to solve.
Equilibrium of a rigid body under three forces:
If a rigid body is subjected to only three forces then the body can remain in equilibrium
iff (if and only if)
• The forces are coplanar
• The forces are concurrent (i.e., their lines of action intersect at a common point) or parallel
• The resultant of the forces and moments is zero.
From geometrical analysis, these conditions are satisfied for three concurrent and
coplanar forces for specific relations (rule of sins) between the forces:
F1 F2 F3
= =
sin θ 23 sin θ31 sin θ12
where θij is the included angle between the lines of actions of forces Fi and Fj . This is
easily derived by choosing a coordinate system where the x-axis is aligned with the line
of action of one of the forces, say F3 as shown in the figure. The y-components of the
remaining two forces must be in equilibrium, which yields (for the case shown)

F1 F2
F1 sin α 31 = F2 sin α 23 , or F1 sin θ31 = F2 sin θ 23 , i.e.,
= .
sin θ 23 sin θ31
The other relation can be likewise proven by aligning the x-axis with the line of action of
either F1 or F2.
 Module 2, Unit 2.2
Content: Solution of statically determinate problems

Unit Objective: After attending the class the student should be able to

• Determine whether a system is statically determinate

• Calculate all the constraint forces for a statically determinate system

Unit Summary:

For a given system subjected to a number of known forces and couples but still
maintaining equilibrium the task of analysis is to determine the unknown reaction forces
and moments at different joints designed to impose constraints on motion. However, the
conditions of equilibrium applicable to rigid bodies may not be sufficient to determine all
the forces and moments under a given situation.
The systems for which the unknown forces and moments can be determined from
the equations pertaining to rigid body statics are called statically determinate whereas the
systems for which such calculations are impossible are called statically indeterminate. To
solve for the unknown constraint forces in a statically indeterminate problem, the
deformation of the constituent members, however small they be, must be taken into
consideration and either the strength of material approach or theory of elasticity approach
should be used for calculations.
Whether a given problem is statically determinate or not can be ascertained by
checking

• Number of unknown forces and moments appearing as constraints (n-say) — this

can be determined by separating the system into individual bodies.
• Number of conditions obtained from equilibrium equations (m-say) — for every
rigid body in space and general (three-dimensional) loading the number is 6, for
every rigid body under planar loading the number is 3, for every rigid body
subjected to concurrent forces the number is 3 (for spatial forcing) or 2 (for planar
forcing).

If n = m (refer to Example-I in Unit 1), the problem is statically determinate.

Examples of statically determinate and statically indeterminate systems are shown

in the figure.

Statically determinate systems.

 Statically indeterminate systems.

For a statically determinate problem, the unknowns can be calculated by solving

the algebraic equations obtained as equilibrium condition of appropriately drawn free
body diagrams. Although no method exists that works for all the problems, the following
points may help in solving a given problem:
• As a first step consider the entire system (detached from supports) as a free body
(the so called global free body) and solve for the unknowns (external support
reactions), if possible.
• Try to identify two-force members, if any, at an early stage and remove the member
after substituting to equal and opposite forces acting along the line joining the pins
connecting the two-force member to the rest of the system (i.e., do not use separate
free bodies for two force members)
• If more than two bodies are connected by a pin, the free body diagram of the pin
must be considered
• Chalk out a solution plan
• Try to start from the free body with minimum number of unknowns
• Try to write the equilibrium conditions in the simplest manner. This can be done by
o Reorienting the coordinate axes conveniently
o Taking moment of forces about a point such that least number of forces contribute
o Taking moment of forces about an axis such that least number of forces contribute
• It must be remembered that the maximum number of algebraic equations that can be
obtained from a free body is determined by dimensionality and nature of forcing. If
more number of equations are generated, they become linearly dependent and hence
useless for calculation of unknown reactions forces and moments.
• Distributed forces can be replaced by their resultants. However, if the distribution
extends over more than one body then the resultant can only be used if all those
bodies are included in the same free body diagram. If free body of a body on which
part of a distributed force acts is considered then only the resultant of that part of
the distributed force (not of the whole) should be taken into consideration.

Correct global FBD

 Correct part FBDs Incorrect part FBDs

This above-mentioned exercise helps to solve equations easily during hand calculations.
For a complex problem where computer is used this exercise yields marginal advantage.
Unit 2.1 problems:

1. The weights of two cylinders shown in

the figure are W and w. Another
rectangular weight of w’ is placed on the
bigger cylinder and is supported by a
spring and a numeral 7-shaped link, which
is weightless. Identify all two-force
members in the system. Draw free body
diagrams. All contacts are frictionless.
Solution: The spring and the 7-shaped link are two-force members. We will not draw
their free body diagrams. Therefore, FBDs of the three remaining rigid bodies are given
as follows:

2. Draw free body diagrams for the system shown in

the figure by assuming the frictionless pulleys and
members to be weightless.
Hint: three members are connected at pin E and thus a
separate free body for pin E must be considered.
In the next step, consider weight of the pulleys and
members and draw the required free body diagrams.

Solution:
Unit 2.2 problems:

1. By assuming pulleys and members to be weightless, find whether the frame structure
shown in the figure is statically determinate (from the number of unknown reactions and
number of equations to solve).

Can you solve this system if the joint at A or F (you must justify from basic physics
which one is acceptable) is a roller support? If so, considering W=1000N determine the
reactions at pins D and E.

Solution:

Consider the free body diagrams given below. There are total 15 unknowns: Ax, Ay, Bx,
By, Cy, Dx, Dy, Ex, Ey, Ex’, Ey’, Fx, Fy, T1 and T2.

The global free body is useless because it does not give independent equations. From
FBD-VI, we have two equations ( ∑ Fx = 0 is trivial). Likewise, the moment equation has
been already used in FBD-II and FBD-IV (the tension on the string is constant on both
sides in absence of friction) and thus we have two equations for each of those free bodies.
FBD-V shows a concurrent force system and thus the moment equation is trivially
satisfied and two remaining equations are available. Thus, FBDs-II, IV, V and VI give 8
equations. FBDs-I and II give three equations each. The total number of independent
equations is 14 whereas the total number of unknowns is 15. Thus, the system is statically
indeterminate.

If one of the supports (A or F) is made a roller joint, then the number of unknowns
becomes 14 and the system becomes statically determinate. If support at A is a roller then
it can be shown that under the given loading, Ax becomes negative. This would cause the
system to lift or detach from the wall at A. Thus, the roller support should be at F where
it can be shown that the support reaction Fx remains positive.

Thus, assuming roller support at F, Fy = 0.

From global FBD,

∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ax + Fx = 0.
∑ F = 0 ⇒ A − W = 0 or A = 1000N.
y y y

∑ M = 0 ⇒ 3 A + 2W = 0, which gives
F x Ax = − 2000 3 N and Fx = 2000 3 N.
From FBD-VI,
T1 = T2 = 500N.
From FBD-II,
The angle made by the inclined string with the vertical is α = tan −1 ( 2/3) = 33.69o.
∑F x = 0 ⇒ Bx + T1 sin α = 0 or Bx = −500sin α = −277.35N.
∑F y = 0 ⇒ By = T1 (1 + cos α ) = 916.03N.
From FBD-III,
∑ M E = 0 ⇒ Dy = 0.
∑F y = 0 ⇒ E y ' + Dy = 0, i.e., E y ' = 0.
From FBD-IV,
∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ex = T2 sin α = 277.35N.
∑F y = 0 ⇒ T2 cos α − E y − T2 = 0, or E y = T2 ( cos α − 1) = −83.97N.
From FBD-V,
∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ex ' = Ex = 277.35N.
∑F y = 0 ⇒ E y − E y ' − C y = 0, or C y = E y − E y ' = −83.97N.
From FBD-I,
∑ M C = 0 ⇒ 3 Ay − 2 By − 3Dx = 0 (with Dy = 0).
Thus, Dx = 389.32N.
We can verify this answer from ∑F x = 0 ⇒ A x + Dx = Bx .

( ) (
Final answers are: force ± 389.32iˆ + 0 ˆj N at pin D and force ± 277.35iˆ + 83.97 ˆj N at )
pin E.
2. A T-shaped body weighing w = 2kg and a heavier rectangular body weighing 10kg are
supported by two rollers as shown in the figure. The radius of the rollers is 10cm. If the
system is in equilibrium at the configuration shown in the figure (i.e., T-shaped body
remaining vertical) then find the position x of the heavier mass.

Solution:
The two links are two force members. Then the free bodies can be drawn as follows:

Taking moment about point O1 in FBD-I

∑M O1 = 0 ⇒0.4 N 2 = 100 × ( x + 0.2 ) + 20 × 0.2 or N 2 = 250 x + 60.

From ∑ F = 0 ⇒N + N = 120 or N = −250 x + 60.
y 1 2 1

Further, ∑ F = 0 ⇒N − N = 0 or N = N .
x 3 4 3 4

From FBD-II, the concurrent force system means that

N
N1 = F1 sin 30o and N 3 = F1 cos 30o ⇒ 1 = tan 30o.
N3
Similarly, from FBD-III,
N
N 2 = F2 sin 60o and N 4 = F2 cos 60o ⇒ 2 = tan 60o.
N4
Thus, using the fact that N 3 = N 4 ,
N1 N1 N 4 tan 30o 1
= × = = .
N 2 N 3 N 2 tan 60o 3
This gives us the equation
3N1 = N 2 or − 750 x + 180 = 250 x + 60 ⇒ x = 0.12m.
At this position of the bigger mass,
N1 = 30N, N 2 = 90N, F1 = 60N, F2 = 104N, and N 3 = N 4 = 52N.