University of Engineering and Technology
Peshawar, Pakistan
CE-117: Engineering Mechanics
MODULE 7:
Equilibrium of particles
(concurrent force system)
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Lecture Objectives
To learn determining unknown (reactions or/and applied
forces) in Coplanar concurrent force system under Static
Equilibrium
stAtic equiLibrium
If a system of forces acting on a body, keeps the body in
a state of rest or in a state of uniform motion along a
straight line, then the system of forces is said to be in
Static Equilibrium (simply referred to as Equilibrium).
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equiLibrium cOnditiOns
The Coplanar force system (in x-y plane) under Static
Equilibrium shall follow the follow eqns. of equilibrium:
ΣFx =0 , ΣFy =0 and ΣMo = 0
The summations in above given Eqs. must include all the
forces that act on the body—both the applied forces and
the reactions (the forces provided by supports).
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PrOcedure FOr equiLibrium
AnALYsis OF FOrce sYstems
Step 1: Draw a free-body diagram (FBD) of the body that
shows all the applied and reaction forces and couples that
act on the body.
Step 2: Write the equilibrium equations in terms of the
forces and couples that appear on the free-body diagram.
Step 3: Solve the equilibrium equations for the unknowns
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GrAPhicAL methOds FOr equiLibrium AnALYsis
Triangle Law: If three forces are in equilibrium, then, they form a
closed triangle when represented in a Tip to Tail arrangement, as shown
in below Figure
F2
F2
F1 F1
F3 F1
F3 F1
Polygonal Law: If more than three forces are in equilibrium, then,
they form a closed polygon when represented in a Tip to Tail
arrangement, as shown in below Figure
F
F33 F
F22
F1
F1
F44
F
F55 F1 6
F
LAmi’s theOrem
If a system of Three forces is in equilibrium, then, each force
of the system is proportional to sine of the angle between
the other two forces (and constant of proportionality is the
same for all the forces). Thus, with reference to Figure, we
have: F3 F2
α
β γ
This theorm is not valid for a system of more than or less than 3 forces.
F1
Note: While using Lami’s theorem, all the three forces
should be either directed away or all directed towards the
point of concurrence.
equiLibrium cOnditiOns FOr
cOncurrent FOrce sYstem
In case of Coplanar Concurrent force system, following
equations can be used more conveniently to determine
unknown reactions
y x
ΣFx =0 , ΣFy =0
ΣMO = 0 can be used to verify the result.
Moment centre O shall be any point other than point
of intersection of forces and reactions
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PrObLem 7.1
The device shown is used to straighten the frames of
wrecked autos. Determine the tension of each segment
of the chain, i.e., AB and BC, if the force which the
hydraulic cylinder DB exerts on point B is 3.50 kN, as
shown.
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steP1: Fbd
Draw the FBD of a point at which the unknown
forces, FAB and FBC acts
FAB
β
α
FBC
3.5 kN
α = Tan-1 |400/450| = 41.63o
β = Tan-1 |250/450| = 29.06o
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steP2: deveLOP equiLibrium eqns.
FBC Sin 29.06o
3.5 Sin 41.63o
3.5 Cos 41.63o
FBC Cos 29.06o
ΣFx= 0
-FAB+3.5 Sin 41.63o-FBC Sin 29.06o=0
FAB = 2.325 -0.486FBC
ΣFy= 0
3.5 Cos 41.63o+FBCCos 29.06o=0
FBC= - 3 kN
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steP2 . cOndt;
-ve sign indicate the correct direction of FBC is
apposite to the assumed one. However, instead of
revising the calculations it is more appropriate to
carry on with negative sign in rest of calculations work
The resulting eqn from equilibrium along x-axis is:
FAB = 2.325 -0.486FBC = 2.325-0.343*(-3)
FAB = 3.78 kN (+ve sign indicate that the assumed
direction of FAB is correct
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steP3 (OPtiOnAL): veriFY the resuLts
Moment centre to
ΣMD = -3.78*450+3.5*0 verify the results
-(-3 Sin29.06o*450) 3.78kN 3 Sin 29.06o
-(-3Cos29.06o*400)
3 Cos 29.06o
or ΣMD = 3.66 [Link] ≈ 0
This indicate that our
calculations are correct.
Note: The small error in ΣMD is due to rounding off the value of
forces and angle. Using values up to 3 decimals (α = 41.634o , β =
29.055o) result in FBC= 2.993 KN & FAB= 3.779 kN. Using these
values in ΣMD reduce the error to 0.0833 [Link]
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PrObLem 7.2
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PrObLem 7.3
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PrObLem 7.4
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equiLibrium OF cOncurrent FOrce sYstems
exercise 7.1
1
Ans: FCD= 359N, FBD= 440 N,
FAB= 622 N, FBC = 228 N
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equiLibrium OF cOncurrent FOrce sYstems
exercise 7.1
3
Ans: FBA=80.7 lb, FCD= 65.9 lb,
FBC= 57.1 lb, θ = 2.95o
4 Determine the values of α and θ so that the forces
shown in Figure will be in equilibrium.
Ans: α = 46.57o, θ =28.96o
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equiLibrium OF cOncurrent FOrce sYstems
exercise 7.1
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