∑ =

∑ =

= − +

∑ =

= − +

The rectangular plate shown in the figure weighs 80 lb and is supported

through three vertical wires. Determine the tension in each wire.
 y

TB

15 in
15 in 60 in 15 in
TA TC
60 in
30 in
15 in
80 lb 60 in
30 in

x
45 in
z 30 in
90 in

60 inches 60 in

∑ =

= + + −

= + + − → ( )

∑ =

= ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ +⃗⃗⃗⃗ × + ×

= × +( + ) × (
+ + ) × −

=− + − − +

∑ =

∑ =

= −

=
 ∑ =

=− − +

Substituting the values of TA and TC in equation (1)

= + + −

= + + −

45. The square plate weighing 24 lb shown in the figure is supported by

three vertical wires. Determine a) the tension in each wire when a = 10 in.
b) the value of a for which the tension in each wire is 8 lb.
y

TA

TB TC

24 lb
z
10 in 10 in x

30 in 30 in

30 in

10 in
15 in

30 in

10 in
15 in
a) the tension in each wire when a = 10 in.

∑ =

= (( + ) ( × − )) ( +( )
+ )× + (( + )× )

=− + + − + −

∑ =

= − − → ( )

∑ =

∑ =

=− + + → ( )

From equation (1)

= − → ( )

Substituting equation (3) into equation (2)

=− + + ( − )

=− + + ( − )

=− + + −

= −

Substituting TB in the equation (1)

= −

= − ( )

=
 ∑ =

= + + −

= + + −

b) the value of a for which the tension in each wire is 8 lb.

8 lb

8 lb 8 lb

24 lb
z
a a x

30 in 30 in

∑ =

= (( + ) ( × − )) ( +( +) )× + (( + )× )

=− + + − + −

∑ =

= − −

=
 ∑ =

=− − +

A 10 ft arm is subjected to a force of 840 lb as shown in the

Figure. Determine the tension in each cable and the reaction at the pin support at A.
 ∑ =

= ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ × − ⃗ ⃗ +⃗ ⃗ ×⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗ +⃗ ⃗ +⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

= ( ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ×− ) +⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ × ( ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ )

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =

⃗⃗⃗⃗ =

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ · ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =
‖ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ‖

− + +
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =
√ + +

− + +
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ·⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =
‖ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ‖

− + +
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =

∑ =

− + + − + +
= ( ×− ) + ×( )+ ×( )

=− + ( − ) + ( + )
 ∑ =

∑ =

= (− ) + ( )

=− +

= ≅

∑ =

=− + +

=− +

∑ =

− + + − + +
= + + − + +

∑ =

= − −

=
 ∑ =

= − + +

=−

∑ =

= + −

3.2.4 EQUIVALENT SYSTEMS

It is said that two systems of forces are equivalent if they produce the same effect.
external when applied to a rigid body, for example, the resulting force of a
force system produces the same effect on the rigid body as the system of
forces. Two systems of forces are said to be statically equivalent.
if and only if the net force and the net moment of both systems of
forces are identical.

This means that the different systems of forces acting on a body

they can be classified as equivalent systems, each identified by the force
resultant and the resultant moment. Two equivalent systems will have the same
physical effect on the rigid body.

According to the system in question, they can be: a) Single force, b) A pair, c) A
strength and a couple.

unique force

If there is a unique force applied to the rigid body and its line of action passes through a
distance "d" from the point of application of moments, in this case the resultant neither the

moments are null.

A set of forces is equivalent to a single one when it has a resultant not

zero and there exists a point, such that the moment of the forces is zero with respect to it
point, then we can say that the combined action of all the applied forces
to the rigid body, it is equivalent to a single force applied at the center of mass
Center of gravity.

Example of a system of general forces to a single force.

Let the following system of forces be applied to a rigid body, as shown

in the figure:

We observe that the force system is not in static equilibrium since there is
a resultant force that is equivalent to the system of forces, producing the same
effect on the rigid body.

At the point where the resultant force (E) is applied, the moment is zero.

As the moment produced by the force system at any point is

equal to the moment that produces the resultant force with respect to that same point.

b) Pair of forces

A pair of forces or simply "Torque" are two equal and opposite forces, applied
in the rigid body at different points A and B, in such a way that the forces act
about parallel lines of action.

The following figure shows a rigid body loaded with two equal forces at
magnitude and direction, but in opposite senses.
For a body to be in static equilibrium, the two must be fulfilled.
equilibrium conditions.

First condition of equilibrium: Since the forces are vertical, we go...

directly to the equation:

∑ =

=− +

Second condition of equilibrium: Taking moments about point A,

we observe that the force P applied at point B tries to rotate the body
rigid in the clockwise direction so the moment will be negative, its distance "a" to the
The point of application of moments is perpendicular to the line of action of the force.
P, on the other hand, the force P applied at point C tends to rotate the body.
rigid in the counterclockwise direction, so the moment will be positive and its distance
point A is also perpendicular to the line of action of the force, then
we write:

∑ =

=− ( ))+ ( +
=− ( )+ ( )+ ( )
= ( )
ó
We observe that the lever arm of the force pair is the distance (b) between
they

If we now take moments at point B: We observe that the line of action of

The force P applied at B passes through the point of application of moments (there is no

distance: d = 0), but the force P applied at C tries to rotate the body at the
Counterclockwise and its distance b is perpendicular to its line of action.

∑ =

= ( )
ó

Taking moments at point C, now the line of action of the applied force
At point C, it passes through the point of application of moments.

∑ =

= ( )
ó
Finally, we can take moments at point D, now the applied force P at
point B involves rotating the body counterclockwise and the force P
applied in C tries to make it turn clockwise, so we can
to write

∑ =

= ( + )− ( )
=− ( )+ ( )− ( )
= ( )
ó

From the previous analysis, we can take into account the following observations:
a) Two forces of equal magnitude, parallel, non-collinear, and in opposite directions
they form a pair
b) The resultant of the applied forces is null, so the center of mass is not
it looks accelerated.

∑ =

c) The moment of the forces is not zero and is independent of the point.
regarding the calculated one, as it will only tend to rotate the rigid body.

d) The magnitude of the moment of a couple with respect to a point in its plane is equal to

module of one of its forces by the distance that separates them.

Deduction:

Being:

λ is a unit vector perpendicular to the Par plane, whose direction is obtained with the
right-hand rule.

∑ = ·

e) A pair is a free vector, as it does not depend on the point of application.

moments, it can be moved to a parallel position in its plane or in any
parallel plane.

f) In a system of coplanar pairs, these can be summed algebraically to

obtain a resulting Pair.

g) For a system of pairs in space, these are summed vectorially for the
obtaining the Pair or resultant moment.
 =

Equivalent Pairs: As long as the product F*d is maintained, the modulus of the two
forces of the couple and the distance that separates them can vary. Couples with the same
moments will have the same effect on the rigid body.

For one Pair to be equivalent to another, it must be of equal magnitude, having the same
sense of rotation and being in parallel planes.

F is any of the two forces and 'd' is the perpendicular distance between their lines.
of action.

= ·
c) Decomposition of a force into a force couple

A force that acts on a rigid body can move from its point of.
application to an arbitrary point, without affecting the conditions of the body, always
and when a pair of moments equal to the moment of F with respect to the
point of origin.
Figure (a)

The force that is applied at point A will move to point B (The lines of action
they are parallel separated by a perpendicular distance 'd') without altering the
conditions of equilibrium or movement of the rigid body.

Figure (b)

Two forces are added at point B, one force of equal magnitude and direction as
the force F and another force of equal magnitude and direction, but in the opposite direction, with

the purpose is not to alter the conditions of the body. It is observed that the force
applied in A with the force applied in B, but in the opposite direction, they form a couple.

Figure (c)

Finally, there remains the force F and the torque formed by the force at point A with that of
point B, the conditions of the body are preserved. Any force F that acts on
A point A of a rigid body can be replaced by a force-couple system in a
Arbitrary point B, formed by a force F applied at B and a moment pair MB
equal to the moment with respect to B of the force F in its original position.

For example: It is necessary to know what happens at point C of the system that
sample
Analyzing it, we see what happens at point C.
The force is recorrred and the moment is calculated Mc = 981N · (2m) = 1962 N·m

3.3 RESTRICTIONS OF A RIGID BODY

A rigid body is constrained by means of supports or braces, which prevent

that it can be moved or rotated, that is to say they restrict movement in one or in
various addresses.

The Reactions are forces opposing those exerted by the rigid body, which ...
are transmitted through the supports and nullify the forces exerted by the
body, allowing it to be in balance.

A rigid body is in equilibrium when the three conditions are satisfied.

static equilibrium, but it must also be ensured that the rigid body is supported
adequately by their supports. Some bodies may have more supports than
the necessary for balance, while others may have less that causes
the collapse.

Redundant Constraints: It is when a body has more supports than

necessary to maintain balance, these bodies become statically
indeterminate, since there will be more unknown reactive forces than the number
of equilibrium equations for its solution.

Improper restrictions: When a rigid body can have so many forces

unknown as equilibrium equations, there can be instability of the body
due to the improper restrictions of the supports. It also leads to a
instability when all reaction forces are parallel.
Appropriate Restriction: These are reactive forces whose lines of action
they do not intersect at a point of their common line, nor are they all parallel to each other

if the number of reactive forces must be appropriate in relation to the number of

equations of equilibrium and therefore the problem is statically determined.

It must be ensured that a two-dimensional rigid body is completely

restricted and the forces at the supports are statically determined, it must
verify that the reactions involve a maximum of three unknown forces.

For the analysis of structures, the types of support must be considered in the
free body diagram of the rigid body, Depending on the type of support, they can
restricting one, two, or three degrees of freedom, these types of support are:

a) Simple support: Restricts one degree of freedom of the three that the body has.
It can stop the body from moving upward, but allows it to move sideways.
sides and it rotates. The force of interaction with the body is perpendicular to the support.

b) Articulation: Restricts two degrees of freedom, the body cannot be displaced.

upwards (vertically), nor sideways (horizontally). The reaction to this
The type of supports is a force whose components are observed in the figure.

c) Fixed: Restricts the three degrees of freedom. Vertical displacement,

horizontal and rotation

Conditions for the equilibrium of a rigid body.

∑ Fx = 0 ∑ equals zero

∑ =0 ∑ =0 ∑ M₀ = 0 ∑ My = 0

{∑ =0 { ∑ Mz = 0

To solve equilibrium exercises, it is very important to differentiate the type of support.

to know what the reaction forces are that appear.