Statics

39

From writing the resultant equations TCA and TCB, we obtain two equations, (1) and (2), containing two unknowns.
Solving the two equations simultaneously,
3
TCA = 0.866TCB
5

(1)

4
TCA + 0.5 TCB = 500 N
5

(2)

From equation (1),

TCA =

5
10.866 TCB 2 = 1.44 TCB
3

Substituting into equation (2),

4
11.44TCB 2 + 0.5TCB = 500 N
5
1.15TCB + 0.5TCB = 500 N
Solving for TCB,
1.65TCB = 500 N
500 N
= 303 N
TCB =
1.65
Substituting the value of TCB back into equation (1) or (2),
TCA = 436.4 N

Graphical Check:
Because TCD has a known magnitude and direction, it will
be used as the starting (or base) force.
Step 1: Draw the force polygon using the tip-to-tail method.
Step 2: Draw force TCD first, to scale.
Step 3: Draw the lines of action for TCA and TCB; the order
does not matter.
Forces TCA and TCB have known directions but unknown
magnitudes; therefore, only their lines of action are drawn
initially. We know that because R = 0, the tip of the last
force must end at the tail (the origin) of the first forcein
this case, TCD.
Step 4: The intersection of the two lines of action determines
the limits for TCB and TCA.
Step 5: Scale off the magnitudes for TCB and TCA.
Step 6:
TCA = 436.4 N
CHECKS
TCB = 303 N
Scale: 1 mm = 5 N