Iqra National University, Peshawar
CE-117: Engineering Mechanics
MODULE 4:
Moment and Couple
Engr. Syed Itizaz Ali Shah
1
Lecture Objectives
Lecture Objectives
• How to calculate Moment by using scalar and vector methods.
• How to calculate Couple.
• How to resolve Couple into Force-Couple system or calculate the
resultant of Force-Couple system.
Moment of a force
Moment of a force
Moment is also referred to as Torque and is the turning effect of a
force.
Moment about a point
Moment about a point
• The magnitude of the Moment of the force F to
rotate the body about the axis O-O perpendicular
to the plane of the body is equal to the product of
the magnitude of the force F and to the moment
arm, d (perpendicular distance from the axis to the
line of action of the force).
Thus, the magnitude of the moment about A
(moment centre ) is:
Direction of Moment
Direction of Moment
• The right-hand rule is used to identify
the sense of Moment M (vector
quantity) .
• We represent the moment of F about O-
O as a vector pointing in the direction of
the thumb, with the fingers curled in the
direction of the rotational tendency.
Sign convention for Moment
Sign convention for Moment
• Moment directions may be accounted for by
using a stated sign convention, such as a plus
sign (+) for counter clockwise moments and
a minus sign (-) for clockwise moments, or
vice versa.
• For the sign convention of given Figure, the
moment of F about point A (or about the z-
axis passing through point A) is positive.
Varignon’s Theorem
Varignon’s Theorem
One of the most useful principles of mechanics is
Varignon’s theorem (sometime known as
Principle of Moment), which states that The
sum of moment of all forces about a point is equal to
the moment of their resultant about the same point.
Varignon’s Theorem
Varignon’s Theorem
Proof:
θ
β
α θ
Varignon’s Theorem
Varignon’s Theorem
Proof (contd.):
M
Problem 4.1
Problem 4.1
y
In order to raise the lamp post from the
position shown, force F is applied to the
cable. If F= 200 lb determine the
moment produced by F about point A.
Solve problem by 4 scalar methods
x
Ans: 1573 [Link] (CCW)
Problem 4.1: Method 1
Problem 4.1: Method 1
y
1. Calculate perpendicular distance
of A from line of action of F
90o d=?
x
Problem 4.1: Method 2
Problem 4.1: Method 2
y
1. Shift F to point B (Principle of
Fx
Transmissibility) Fy
2. Calculate perpendicular distances
dx
of point A from line of actions of
Fx and Fy
dy x
3. Calculate Moment by using
Varignon’s theorem
Problem 4.1: Method 3
Problem 4.1: Method 3
1. Shift F to intersection point with y
y-axis (Principle of Transmissibility)
Fx
2. Calculate perpendicular distance of
A from line of action of Fx Fy
iy
3. Calculate Moment by using
Varignon’s theorem
x
Problem 4.1: Method 4
Problem 4.1: Method 4
1. Shift F to intersection point with
x-axis (Principle of Transmissibility)
2. Calculate perpendicular distance of
A from line of action of Fy
3. Calculate Moment by using
Varignon’s theorem
c
ix = 10 ft
Vector method of determining Moment
Vector method of determining Moment
• The moment of F about point A of Figure may be
represented by the cross-product expression
where r is a position vector which runs from the
moment reference point A to any point on the line of
action of F. The magnitude of this expression is given by
Problem 4.2
Problem 4.2
y
• Solve Problem 4.1 by Vector approach
Soln:
1. Express Force F in term of unit
vectors i and j
2. Express the coordinates of Point B x
(point of application of force) in term
of i and j , taking point A (moment
centre) as origin.
3 . M A = rA x F
Problem 4.3
Problem 4.3
• Determine the angle ,θ, of the force F so that it
produces a maximum moment and a minimum
moment about point A. Also, what are the
magnitudes of these maximum and minimum
moments?
• Ans:
θ = 116.57o for minimum moment about A
θ = 26.57o for maximum moment 40.2 kN.m
about A
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
1 2
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
3 4
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
5 6
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
7 8
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
9 10
Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.1
11 12
Ans: θ =33.6o Ans: 118 [Link] and 140 [Link]
both in C.W. directions
Home Assignment 4.1
Home Assignment 4.1
• SECTION A: Problems 1,7,9
• SECTION C: Problems 2,6,11
• SECTION E: Problems 3,5,10
Couple
Couple
• A Couple is defined as two parallel forces that
have the same magnitude but opposite
directions and are separated by a perpendicular
distance d
• Since the resultant force is zero, the only effect
of a couple is to produce a rotation or
tendency of rotation in a specified direction
• The moment produced by a couple is called a
Couple Moment
Couple
Couple
Characteristics of a Couple
Characteristics of a Couple
1. The algebraic sum of magnitude of the member forces forming a
Couple is always zero.
2. The Couple can be balanced by a Couple only, which has same moment
and opposite sense.
3. Moment of a Couple (i.e. Couple Moment) is fixed and it does not
depend on Moment Centre
Characteristics of a Couple
Characteristics of a Couple
It can be shown that M o = M A = M B
(explanation on black board). Thus Couple A
Moment is a Free vector as its magnitude
is not effected by Moment Centre
B
Magnitude of a Moment Couple
Magnitude of a Moment Couple
• Scalar Formulation. The moment of a
couple is defined as having a magnitude of
• Vector Formulation. The moment of
a couple can also be expressed by the
vector cross product
Equivalent Couples.
Equivalent Couples.
If two couples produce a moment with the same magnitude and direction
then these two couples are equivalent
Both couples are equivalent as M 1 = 30*0.4 =12 N.m , M2 = 40*0.3= 12 N.m
nto an equivalent Force–Couple System
Resolving a Force into an equivalent Force–Couple System
single Force, F Equivalent Force- Couple
system (i.e. F and M)
orce into an equivalent Force–Couple System
Resolving a Force into an equivalent Force–Couple System
single Force, F
Equivalent Force- Couple
system (i.e. F and m)
Problem 4.4
Problem 4.4
Replace the force system acting
on the truss by a resultant force
and couple moment at point C.
Problem 4.4
Problem 4.4
500 cos θ
θ
✓ θ= Tan -1 (3/4)= 36.87 o 100
150 500 sin θ 500 lb
✓ Rx = ΣFx= 500 Cos 36.87o = 400 lb= 400 lb → 200
500 sin θ
✓ Ry= ΣFy= -500 Sin 36.87o-200-150-100 500 cos θ
500 cos θ
= - 750 lb = 750 lb ↓ 500 sin θ
200
✓ R= √(400)2+(750)2 = 850 lb
150
✓ It can be calculated that angle of resultant
100
= 61.9o with x-axis in A.C.W direction
✓ Mc= ΣMc= 200*2+150*4+100*6+500
Sin(36.87o)*8+500 Cos (36.87o)*6 M = 6400 [Link]
Rx= 400 lb
= 400 [Link] = 6400 [Link] C.W
Ry= 750 lb
Exercise 4.2
Exercise 4.2
Ans: M R = 9.69 kN.m (C .W) in both
the cases
Ans: F = 167 lb. Resultant
couple act any where
Exercise 4.2
Exercise 4.2
3
3
4
Exercise 4.2
Exercise 4.2
Ans: R= 29.9 lb, θ =78.4o with x-axis in A.C.W
direction, M o = 214 [Link] (A.C.W)
Ans: R= 50.2 kN, θ =84.3o with -ve x-axis in A.C.W
direction, M A = 239 kN.m (C.W)
Home Assignment 4.3
Home Assignment 4.3
• SECTION A: Problems 1,4
• SECTION C: Problems 2,3
• SECTION E: Problems 6,5
Resultant force of Force–Couple System
Resultant force of Force–Couple System
By reversing the process, employed
in resolving a force into force-couple
F
system, we can find the resultant M
force of a given force-couple system A
M F
M
F F F
A d= M/F A M A
d= M/F d= M/F
B
B B
F
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Problem 4.5
Problem 4.5
The device shown is a part of an automobile seat back-release
mechanism. The part is subjected to the 4-N force exerted at A and
a restoring moment exerted by a hidden torsional spring. Determine
the y-intercept of the line of action of the single equivalent force
Ans: iy = 40.36 mm along – ve y-xis
Home Assignment 4.2
Home Assignment 4.2