Chapter 4:

Moments and Couples

ENGINEERING SCIENCE
 4.1 Moment of a Force about an Axis

 The Moment of a force is a measure of its tendency to

cause a body to rotate about a specific point or axis. This is
different from the tendency for a body to move, or
translate, in the direction of the force. In order for a
moment to develop, the force must act upon the body in
such a manner that the body would begin to twist. This
occurs every time a force is applied so that it does not pass
through the centroid of the body. A moment is due to a
force not having an equal and opposite force directly along
it's line of action.
 4.1 Moment of a Force about an Axis

Moment of a force formula:

 M = Fd
Unit:
 Nm
 4.1 Moment of a Force about an Axis

 The principle of moment:

 For a body in equilibrium the sum of the clockwise moments is equal to the
sum of the anticlockwise moments.
 Σ clockwise moments = Σ anticlockwise moments
 F2d2 = F1d1
 4.2 Levers

A lever is simply a rod or bar capable of turning

about a fixed axis called the fulcrum, which may be a
spindle or a knife edge. The lever may be straight or
curved or cranked, and the forces acting upon it may
be parallel or otherwise.
4.2 Levers
A uniform lever is pivoted at its mid point C. A body having a mass of 5 kg is suspended at
a point E, 180 mm to the right of C. Calculate the mass to be suspended at a point D, 400
mm to the left of C to maintain the lever in balance.
Mc  Mc
D C E
FD d D  FE d E
400 mm 180 mm
5kg
FD( 0.4m)  ( 49.05 N)( 0.18m)
W
( 49.05 N)( 0.18m)
FD FE
FD 
0.4m
FE  mE g  22.0725 N

 (5kg )(9.81m / s 2 ) So, mass for W :

 49.05 N FD  mg
FD
m
g
22.0725 N
  2.25kg
9.81
 Example
 A force of 25 N is applied to a spanner at an effective length of 140 mm
from the centre of a nut. Calculate:
 the moment of the force applied to the nut,
 If the nut have a same magnitude of moment as above to be open, determine
the force required if we used spanner with effective length 100mm.

25N

140mm
 Solution
 A force of 25 N is applied to a spanner at an effective length of 140 mm
from the centre of a nut. Calculate:
a. the moment of the force applied to the nut,
b. If the nut have a same magnitude of moment as above to be open, determine
the force required if we used spanner with effective length 100mm.
a) Moment = Fd
= (25N)(0.14m)
= 3.5Nm
25N
b) Since the moment to open the nut
was 3.5Nm and spanner length is
100mm;
Moment = Fd
3.5Nm = F(0.1m)
140mm F = 3.5/0.1
F = 35N

So, the force used for 100mm spanner

is bigger than 140mm spanner.
 Exercise

The figure show the brake pedal assembly for a car.

Determine the force that need to apply by driver to
push the brake pedal if the force from the Push Rod
FR=1.2kN perpendicular to Brake Pedal

50mm

FR
200mm

Fp
 Solution

o
50mm

FR = 200mm
1.2kN

Fp
4.3 Equilibrium and Resultant of Parallel
Force
0.9m
x 0.6m

80N 40N 20N

?N

Resultant of parallel force equal to zero when

the system in equilibrium.
4.3 Equilibrium and Resultant of Parallel
Force
0.9m
x 0.6m
a b c d

F1 = 80N F2 = 40N F3 = 20N

F4 = ? N
 4.4 General Principle of Moments

If a body at rest (equilibrium) under the action of

several force, the total clockwise moment of the force
about any axis is equal to the total anticlockwise
moment of the forces about the same axis.
a
x b

P R Q
 4.4General Principle of Moments

a
x b

P R Q
Equating the clockwise and anticlockwise moments at F, we have:

Q(b+x) – Rx – P(a-x) = 0
Since;
R=P+Q

Qb + Qx – (P + Q)x – Pa + Px = 0
Qb + Qx – Px - Qx – Pa + Px = 0
Qb – Pa = 0
Qb = Pa
 4.5 Reaction on a Horizontal Beam
Supported at Two Points

To determine what is upward forces must act on a

beam at its supports when the beam is loaded and
supported at two points.
5kg

2m 1m

RA RB
 4.5 Reaction on a Horizontal Beam
Supported at Two Points
5kg

2m 1m

RA RB
 4.5 Reaction on a Horizontal Beam
Supported at Two Points
 A uniform horizontal beam 6m long, rest on two supports A and B, 4m apart, A being at
one end of the beam. The mass of the beam is 20kg. If a mass of 8kg be hung from the
beam at distance of 1m from A, calculate the reaction of the supports.

8kg 20kg
RA RB