Department of Civil Engineering, UET Peshawar

CE-117: Engineering Mechanics, Spring 2026

MODULE 9
Work and Energy

Course Instructor: Prof. Muhammad Javed

(mjaved@[Link])
 Lecture Objectives

▪ To apply the principle of work and energy to solve problems that

relate force to velocity, and displacement.
 The Work of a Force

Work done by the force to move the particle between

two points with position vectors , r and rʹ , dU= [Link]
r= Initial position vector of particle
rʹ = Position vector of particle after time dt
where dr = rʹ -r

If the angle between the tails of dr and F is θ, then the work done by F
is a scalar quantity, defined by:
dU = Fcos θ ds
The magnitude of vector dr in above equation is ds (the length of the
differential segment along the path).
or U = න F ds cos θ …….𝟏
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The Work of a Force: Two interpretations

θ
θ

dU= Ft*distance travelled in the dU= F *distance travelled in the

direction of Ft = F Cos θ*ds direction of F= F *ds Cos θ

4
 The Work of a Constant Force (Analytical &
Graphical approach) :
If the force acts along a straight path, θ
remains constant and so does F Cos θ. Total
Work done in moving the particle from s1 to s2,
as determined by using equation 1, will be:

𝑠2
U1−2 =F cos θ න ds = F cos θ(𝑠2 − 𝑠1 ) … … . 𝟐
𝑠1

By graphical method, WD= force* distance

or U1−2 =F cos θ∗𝑠2 − F cos θ∗𝑠1 =

F cos θ(𝑠2 − 𝑠1 ) … … . 𝟐
5
 Work of a Variable Force (Analytical Approach)
If a particle is acted upon by the constant force F ,it undergoes a finite
displacement along a curved path from r1 to r2 or s1 to s2

Due to curved path, θ varies and so thus F cosθ. Eqn

1` can be expressed as:

𝑠2
U1−2 = න F cos θds … … . 𝟑
𝑠1

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Work of a Variable Force (Graphical Approach)
The work done , analytically determined from eq 3, can be graphically
determined as illustrated below

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 Work of a Weight.
It could be proved word done on the weight to move from a lower
elevation to a higher elevation is

In the case shown in Figure the work is negative, since W is downward and
Δh is upward. Also, the work is independent of the path 1-2 and is equal to
the magnitude of the particle’s weight times its displacement in the direction
of force exerted by weight.
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Principle of Work and Kinetic Energy

1 1 Work done on particle when displaced

⇒σ 𝑈1−2 = 𝑚𝑣2 2 − 𝑚𝑣1 2 from position s1 to position s2 9
2 2
 Principle of Work and Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy,T1, at position

s1
Kinetic energy,T2, at position
s2
⇒𝑈1−2 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 = ∆𝑇

Thus, Work done by the resultant force acting on a particle = change in

the kinetic energy of the particle.

When this principle is used in kinetic analysis, the method is referred

to as the Work-Energy method
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Points to remember (Summary)

•Work is positive when the force component is in the same sense of

direction as its displacement; otherwise, it is negative.
•Forces that are functions of displacement must be integrated to obtain
the work. Graphically, the work is equal to the area under the force–
displacement curve.
•The work of a weight is the product of the weight magnitude and the
vertical displacement, U = ± W h. It is positive when the weight moves
downwards.

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 Problem 9.1

A construction machine applies a constant 800-lb

force through a stranded aluminum cable to pull 800
a 1,500-lb concrete block across a partially wet
asphalt surface toward a construction site.
1,500 lb
If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.3,
determine how far the block must travel while
accelerating from at rest condition to 20 ft/s.

Incase the cable breaks exactly when the block

reaches 20 ft/s, will the block strike formwork
erected at 100ft from break point of cable
 Part a
Problem 9.1
1
Initial K.E: 𝑇1 = 𝑚𝑣1 2 = 0
2

1 1 𝑊 𝑊
2 2
Final K.E: 𝑇2 = 𝑚𝑣2 = ∗ ∗ 20 = 200 𝐹𝑘
2 2 𝑔 𝑔

𝑊 1500
⇒∆𝑇 = 𝑇2 −𝑇1 = 200 − 0 = 200 = 9317 ft. lb
𝑔 32.2

Work done by friction and 800 cos 30o force = Change in K.E

or Ft x S -Ff * S = 9317

𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 : 800 Sin 30o+N−1500=0 or N=1100 lb ⇒ 800Cos30𝑜 ∗ 𝑠 − 0.3 ∗ 1100 ∗ 𝑠 = 9317

⇒ 𝑠 = 25.68 ft
Part b 20 ft/sec
Distance travelled by concrete blocks before it
come to at rest condition
1 1500
⇒∆𝑇 = 𝑇2 −𝑇1 = 0 − ∗ ∗ 202 = −9317 ft. lb
2 32.2

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑜𝑟 +N−1500=0 or N=1500 lb

Total Work done = Change in K.E

-(𝜇k* N)*S=-9317
or − 0.3 ∗ 1500 ∗ 𝑠 = −9317
𝑠 = 20.7 ft

Block stop before reaching form work (s<100 ft)

 Problem 13.2

A transportation Engineer want to geometrically design

Emergency Escape Ramp (EER), as shown in
picture, for a situation when breaking system of a
20,000kg truck moving with 80 km/hr suddenly fails.

If the slope of EER is kept 25o, what shell be the

minimum length of truck to stop the vehicle.
The µk between tires & gravel used in EER is 0.25

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 m=20,000kg , µk=0.25, 𝑦′
𝑥′
v=80km/hr=22.22m/s θ=25o
W Cos 25o
𝑣𝐵 = 0

𝐹𝑓
25𝑜

25𝑜 W N
𝑣𝐴 = 80 km/hr σ𝐹𝑦’ = 0
By work − energy principle
1 1 𝑁 − 𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0
U1 → 2= ∆T ⇒ −Wsin𝜃 ∗ 𝑑−Ff ∗d = mvB − mvA2
2
2 2 N=Wcos250
Ff=µk N =0.25∗W cos 25o
o o
1 𝑊
−Wsin25 ∗d−0.25 Wcos25 x d = 0− x(22.22)2
2 𝑔
0−.65d=−25.16 or d= 38.75 m
 Work of a central force
A central force has two defining characteristics:
1. it is always directed toward a fixed point, and
2. its magnitude is a function of the distance between the fixed point
and the point of application of the force.

Gravitational attraction and the force exerted by a spring are two

common examples of a central force.

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 Work of a central force:
Spring Force
An “ideal” spring has negligible weight, and its deformation (elongation or
contraction) is proportional to the force that causes it.
The proportionality between the force F and the resulting elongation s is
expressed as:
F= ks

where k is called the stiffness of the spring or the spring constant. The dimension
of k is [F/L]; its units are N/m or lb/ft.

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 Work of a Spring Force: Analytical approach
ds
Fs
Consider the spring with actual length, Lo and elongated
deformed length, L . Let s is the elongation in length. s

Spring force corresponding to s, Fs= ks. Lo

Let ds is the incremental elongation. Since Spring force is a

central force, therefore, dR in below eqn can be replaced by ds to
derive expression for work by spring force.

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 Work of a Spring Force: Graphical Approach

This work represents the trapezoidal

area under the line Fs = ks,

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 Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
◼ If the work of a force is independent of the path and depends only on the
force’s initial and final positions on the path, then we can classify this force
as a conservative force.
◼ Weight and Spring force are examples of conservative forces. The work
done by the weight depends only on the vertical displacement of the
weight, and the work done by a spring force depends only on the spring’s
elongation or compression.
◼ Friction force are examples of non conservative forces as the work done by
the frictional force depends on the path—the longer the path, the greater
the work

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 Problem 9.3
A railway buffer system is designed with a spring stiffness of k
= 80 MN/m and is structurally rated to withstand a maximum
compressive force of 10 MN.
Due to an operational error, an overloaded train with a mass of
20,000 kg enters the station at an excessive speed of 20 km/hr
and collides with the buffer. The coefficient of kinetic friction
between the train wheels and the track is 𝜇𝑘 = 0.5. Older buffers
(a) Determine the maximum compressive force developed in
the buffer during the impact. Will the buffer system safely
resist this force without failing?
(b) After being compressed, the buffer system recoils and
launches the train backward. Calculate how far past the
initial equilibrium position the train will travel before track
friction brings it to a complete stop.
One of the modern buffer systems
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Problem 9.3: Soln

𝑥𝑜
5.57 m/s
𝐹𝑆

𝐹𝑘 23
Problem 9.3: Soln

24
 𝑥𝑜
Problem
9.3 𝐹𝑆

𝐹𝑘

25
 Energy

Energy is defined as the capacity for doing work.

For example, if a particle is originally at rest, then the principle of work and energy
states that: U1-2 = T2-T1=T2-0 = T2= ½ mv2

In other words, the kinetic energy is equal to the work that must be done on the
particle to bring it from a state of rest to a speed v.

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 Potential Energy

Energy due to the position of the particle, measured from a fixed datum or
reference plane, is called potential energy.

Thus, potential energy is a measure of the amount of work a conservative force

will do when it moves from a given position to the datum.

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 Gravitational Potential Energy, Vg
When raised above datum, weight W is capable of
doing positive work due to gravitational pull. While
it is below datum, work is required to be done to
bring it to datum and thus –ve work

In general, if y is positive upward, the gravitational

potential energy of the particle of weight W is:

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 Elastic Potential Energy, Ve

When an elastic spring is elongated or

compressed a distance s from its unstretched
position, elastic potential energy Ve can be stored
in the spring. This energy is Fs

Particle move in the direction

of spring force, Fs
Ve = + ½ ks2
Fs

Ve is always positive in the deformed position,

since the force of the spring has the capacity or
“potential” to bring particle back to the undeformed Particle move in the direction
of spring force, Fs
position of spring. 29
 Conservation of mechanical energy
if a the particle moves from position 1 to position 2, the change in its potential energy
is : U1–2 = V1-V2

Also, from work-energy principle: U1-2 = ΔT = T2 -T1

 V1-V2 = T2-T1 or V1+T1 = V2+T2

Total mechanical energy, E = T + V, Eqn. (I) becomes:

E1 = E2

or ΔE = 0

It can thus be concluded that during the motion the sum of the particle’s kinetic and
potential energies remains constant. This is known as Principle of Conservation of
Mechanical Energies. 30
 Conservation of energy for the system
with non conservative forces
When a particle is acted upon by a system of both conservative and nonconservative
forces, the portion of the work done by the conservative forces can be written in
terms of the difference in their potential energies using (ΣU1 -2 ) cons. = V1 - V2.

The principle of work and energy can be written as:

T1 + V1 + (ΣU1 -2)noncons. = T2 + V2

Here (ΣU1-2)noncons. represents the work of the nonconservative forces acting on the
particle.

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 Exercise 13
1 In the design of a spring bumper for a 3500-lb
car, it is desired to bring the car to a stop from a
speed of 5 mi/hr in a distance equal to 6 in. of
spring deformation. Specify the required
stiffness k for each of the two springs behind
the bumper. The springs are undeformed at the
start of impact.
Ans: k= 974 lb/in

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 Exercise 13
2 The 1-kg package arrives at A, the top of the inclined
roller conveyor, with a speed of 5 m/s. After descending
the conveyor, the package slides a distance d on the
rough horizontal surface, coming to a stop at B. If the
coefficient of kinetic friction between the package and
the horizontal plane is 0.4, determine the distance d.
Ans: d= 5.7 m

3 A 10-kg package, initially at rest at A, is

propelled between A and B by a constant
force P shown on the graph. Neglecting
friction, find the smallest value of P for which
the package will reach D.
Ans: P= 98.1 N
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 Exercise 13
4 A package is projected up a 15° incline at A with an
initial velocity of 8 m/s. Knowing that the coefficient of
kinetic friction between the package and the incline is
0.12, determine (a) the maximum distance d that the
package will move up the incline, (b) the velocity of the
package as it returns to its original position.
Ans: d=8.71 m,vA=4.94 m/s

5. The 8-kg block is moving with an initial speed of 5 m/s.

If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and
plane is μk = 0.25, determine the compression in the
spring when the block momentarily stops.
Ans: 690 mm
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