BFC 10103

Static and Dynamic

Chapter 2 : Forces & Equilibrium

DR. NOOR AZLINA BINTI ABDUL HAMID

DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
 FORCES AND EQUILIBRIUM

∙ Scalars and vectors ∙ Types of forces

∙ Resultant of forces ∙ Equilibrium of particles

 SCALAR AND VECTORS
∙ Scalar - a physical quantity that is completely
described
by a real number
e.g. time, length, mass, temperature
∙ Vector - is described by both magnitude
(nonnegative real number) and direction
e.g. position of a point in space relative to
another point, forces
- represented by bold-faced letters: u, a, W
- magnitude of vector u = |u|
- graphical representation of vectors: arrows
- direction of arrow shows the direction of
vector
- length of arrow ∝ magnitude of vector
Vectors

Example:

rAB - position of point B relative to point

A
- direction from point A to point B
- distance between A and B = |rAB|
 TYPES OF FORCES

External force

Internal force
 RESULTANT OF FORCE IN 2 DIMENSION

• Scalar
• Added 4 m2 and 3 m2 = 7 m2

• Vector
• Added 4 km and 3 km = sum and direction

❖Resultant = single vector giving the result of the

addition of the original two or more vectors.
Resultant of forces: Graphical
Q ∙ Triangle rule
- sum of vector from
tail of P to head of Q
P R=P+Q
∙ Parallelogram rule
- the sum is independent
of the order in which
R
the vectors are
P
placed head to tail
- vector addition is
Q commutative
− Q - vector
P + Q =subtraction
Q+P=R
R=P−Q
R=P−Q
P Q

∙ R - resultant of two forces, P and

Resultant of forces: Analytical

• Trigonometric:
Q C
B Law of cosine,

P R=P+Q
Law of sine,

A
Pythagorean theorem

• Resolution of vectors:
‘Resolve’ vectors into components
using the x and y axes system.

We use the “unit vectors” i and j to

designate the x and y axes
θ
Example 1:

Figure shows an initial design sketch of part of the

roof of a sports stadium to be supported by the
cables AB and AC. The forces the cables exert on
the pylon to which they are attached are
represented by the vectors FAB and FAC. The
magnitude of the forces are |FAB| = 100 kN and
|FAC| = 60 kN. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the sum of the forces exerted on the
pylon by the cables (a) graphically and (b) using
Solution:

(a) Graphically construct the parallelogram rule with FAB and FAC
proportional to their magnitudes:

By measuring the figure, we estimate the magnitude of the

vector FAB + FAC to be 160 kN and its direction to be 19° above
the horizontal.
Solution:

(b) Consider the parallelogram rule:

Since α = 180° − 30 ° = 150°

Applying law of cosine to the triangle:

Magnitude |FAB + FAC| = 154.9 kN

To determine the angle β between FAB + FAC and the horizontal,
apply law of sines to shaded triangle:

Find the solution by using LAW of SINE (Ans. 18.80):

Example 2:

Determine the horizontal and

vertical components of P

Solution:
 EXAMPLE 3
The ring shown in figure is subjected to two forces,
Fl and F2. If it is required that the resultant force
have a magnitude of 1 kN and be directed vertically
downward, determine the magnitudes of Fl and F2,
provided θ = 30°.
Solution:
Vector addition sketch according to the parallelogram law:
Using the law of sines:

F1 = 635 N

F2 = 446 N
Example 4:

Determine the resultant of

forces that acts on bolt A.

Solution:

• Trigonometric solution - law of cosines,

Law of sines,
There are four concurrent
cable forces acting on the
bracket.
How do you determine the
resultant force acting on the
bracket ?
 Resultant of forces (component method)

⮚A single force can be broken up into two separated

forces
Fy
F

Fx

⮚To add vectors analytically using the method

components, one should be proceed according to
the step.
• Resolve each vector into a horizontal and
vertical component
• Add the vertical components, Ry=∑Fy.
• Add the horizontal components, Rx = ∑Fx
• Combine the horizontal and vertical
components to obtain a single resultant vector.
EXAMPLE 1:
EXAMPLE 2:
EXAMPLE 3:
 EXAMPLE 4
Three concurrent forces are acting on a bracket.
Find the magnitude and angle of the resultant force
by resolving the forces.
Solution:

F1 = { 15 sin 40° i + 15 cos 40° j } kN

= { 9.642 i + 11.49 j } kN

F2 = { -(12/13)26 i + (5/13)26 j } kN
= { -24 i + 10 j } kN

F3 = { 36 cos 30° i – 36 sin 30° j } kN

= { 31.18 i – 18 j } kN

I = x axis, j = y axis
Summing up all the i and j components respectively, we get,
FR = { (9.642 – 24 + 31.18) i + (11.49 + 10 – 18) j } kN
= { 16.82 i + 3.49 j } kN

FR = ((16.82)2 + (3.49)2)1/2 = 17.2 kN

φ = tan-1(3.49/16.82) = 11.7°

y
FR

φ
x
RESULTANT FORCE IN 3 DIMENSION

+y

-Z

-X +X

+Z
-y
 y
6N
R

x
3N 4N
z R1

R = 7.81 N, coordinates (4,6,3)

 VECTOR EQUATION
• Or known as Cartesian vector
• Used right hand coordinate system
 EXAMPLE
• Express the force F shown in figure as a Cartesian
vector
• Since only two coordinate direction angles are specified, the
third angle α must be determined using equation

Hence, two possibilities exist, namely,

α = cos-1(0.5) = 60o or α = cos-1(0.5) = 120o
• By inspection, it is necessary that α = 60o, since Fx must be in
the +x direction, with F = 200 N, we have

F = F cos αi + F cos βj + F cos γk

F = (200 cos 60oN)i + ( 200 cos 60o N)j + ( 200 cos 45o)k
F = {100.0i + 100.0j + 141.4k} N

• Show that indeed the magnitude of F = 200N

 EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE
• The term “particle” used in statics to describe a body when;
• the size and shape of the body will not significantly affect the
solution of the problem being considered.
• the mass of the body can be assumed to be concentrated at a
point.
• A particle can be subjected only to a system of concurrent forces
and that the necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium
can be expressed mathematically as
R = ΣF = 0
where ΣF is the vector sum of all forces acting on the particle.
• To apply the equation of equilibrium --- account for all the known
and unknown forces (ΣF) which act on the particle.
APPLICATIONS

For a spool of given

weight, what are the
forces in cables AB
and AC ?
APPLICATIONS (continued)

For a given cable

strength, what is the
maximum weight that
can be lifted ?
Procedure for Drawing a Free-Body Diagram:

• Draw Outlined Shape: Imagine the particle to be isolated or

cut "free" from its surroundings by drawing its outlined shape.
• Show all Forces: Indicate on this sketch all the forces that act
on the particle. These forces can be active forces, which tend
to set the particle in motion, or they can be reactive forces
which are the result of the constraints or supports that tend to
prevent motion. To account for all these forces, it may help to
trace around the particle's boundary, carefully noting each
force acting on it.
• Identify Each Force: The forces that are known should be
labeled with their proper magnitudes and directions. Letters
are used to represent the magnitudes and directions of forces
that are unknown.
EQUILIBRIUM OF PARTICLE IN 2-D
This is an example of a 2-D or
coplanar force system. If the
whole assembly is in
equilibrium, then particle A is
also in equilibrium.

To determine the tensions in

the cables for a given weight
of the engine, we need to
learn how to draw a free
body diagram and apply
equations of equilibrium.
THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF A FREE BODY
DIAGRAM (FBD)
Free Body Diagrams are one of the most important things for
you to know how to draw and use.

What ? - It is a drawing that shows

all external forces acting on the
particle.

Why ? - It helps you write the

equations of equilibrium used to
solve for the unknowns (usually
forces or angles).
How ?
1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from its
surroundings.

2. Show all the forces that act on the particle.

Active forces: They want to move the particle.
Reactive forces: They tend to resist the motion.

3. Identify each force and show all known magnitudes

and directions. Show all unknown magnitudes and /
or directions as variables .

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

Since particle A is in equilibrium, the net

force at A is zero.
So FAB + FAD + FAC = 0
A or Σ F = 0

FBD at
A
In general, for a particle in equilibrium, Σ F = 0 or
ΣFx i + ΣFy j = 0 = 0 i + 0 j (A vector equation)

Or, written in a scalar form,

ΣFx = 0 and Σ Fy = 0
These are two scalar equations of equilibrium (EofE). They
can be used to solve for up to two unknowns.
 EXAMPLE

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

Write the scalar EofE:

+ → Σ Fx = TB cos 30º – TD = 0
+ ↑ ΣFy = TB sin 30º – 2.452 kN = 0

Solving the second equation gives: TB = 4.90 kN

From the first equation, we get: TD = 4.25 kN
• Two-Dimensional Problems
R = R x + Ry = Rn + R t = 0
= Rxi + Ryj = Rnen + Rtet = 0
= ΣFxi + ΣFyj = ΣFnen + ΣFtet = 0

Satisfy only if
Rx = Rxi = ΣFxi = 0
Ry = Ryj = ΣFyj = 0
Rn = Rnen = ΣFnen = 0
Rt = Rtet = ΣFtet = 0
EXAMPLE
A free-body diagram of a particle subjected to the action of
four forces is shown in Figure. Determine the magnitudes of
forces Fl and F2 so that the particle is in equilibrium
SOLUTION

+→ ΣFx = F1x + F2x + F3x + F4x = 0

= F1 cos 60° + F2 cos 30° - 40 cos 56° - 10 cos 15° = 0
= 0.5 F1 + 0.866 F2 – 22.37 – 9.659 = 0
From which
F1 + 1.732 F2 = 64.06 (a)
+↑ ΣFy = F1y + F2y + F3y + F4y = 0
= F1 sin 60° + F2 sin 30° - 40 sin 56° + 10 sin 15° = 0
= 0.8660 F1 + 0.5 F2 – 33.16 + 2.588 = 0
From which
F1 + 0.5774 F2 = 35.30 (b)
Solving Eqs (a) and (b) simultaneously yields
F1 = 20.9 kip
F2 = 24.9 kip
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: The car is towed at constant
speed by the 600 N force and
the angle θ is 25°.

Find: The forces in the ropes AB and

AC.

Plan:

1. Draw a FBD for point A.

2. Apply the EofE to solve for the
forces in ropes AB and AC.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

600 N

FBD at point A
A
25° 30°

FAB FAC

Applying the scalar EofE at A, we get;

+ → ∑Fx = FAC cos 30° – FAB cos 25° = 0
+ → ∑Fy = -FAC sin 30° – FAB sin 25° + 600 = 0

Solving the above equations, we get;

FAB = 634 N
FAC = 664 N
 EQUILIBRIUM OF PARTICLE IN 3-D
Three-Dimensional Problems
R = ΣF = 0
= Rx + Ry + Rz = 0
= Rxi + Ryj + Rzk = 0
= ΣFxi + ΣFyj + ΣFzk = 0
satisfied only if
Rx = Rxi = ΣFxi = 0
Ry = Ryj = ΣFyj = 0
Rz = Rzk = ΣFzk = 0
 EXAMPLE
• A 90-lb load is suspended from
the hook as shown in figure. The
load is supported by two cables
and a spring having a stiffness k =
500 lb/ft. Determine the force in
the cables and the stretch of the
spring for equilibrium. Cable AD
lies in the x-y plane and cable AC
lies in the x-z plane.
• Free-Body Diagram.
• Equation of equilibrium
ΣFx = 0 FD sin 30° - (4/5)FC = 0 (a)
ΣFy = 0 -FD cos 30° + FB = 0 (b)
ΣFz = 0 (3/5) FC – 90 lb = 0 (c)

• Solving Eq. (c) for FC, then Eq (a) for FD, and finally Eq. (b) for
FB, yields,
• FC = 150 lb Ans
• FD = 240 lb Ans
• FB = 208 lb Ans
• The stretch of spring is therefore:

FB = ksAB
208 lb = 500 lb/ft (sAB)
sAB = 0.416 ft Ans

Note:
1ft = 304.8mm
Thus, 0.416 ft x 304.8 mm = 126.8mm
1 ft