Statics

43

In measuring the distance d (often referred to as the moment

arm) between the applied force and the reference point, it
is important to note that the distance must be the perpendicular measurement to the line of action of the force
(Figure 2.31).
A moment of a force is a vector quantity. The force producing the rotation has a magnitude and direction; therefore,
the moment produced has a magnitude and a direction.
Units used to describe the magnitude of a moment are
expressed as pound-inch (#-in., lb.-in.), pound-foot (#-ft.),
kip-inch (k-in.), or kip-foot (k-ft.). The corresponding metric (SI) units are newton-meter (N-m) or kilonewton-meter
(kN-m). Direction of a moment is indicated by the type of
rotation developed, either clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation (Figure 2.32).

Figure 2.31 Perpendicular moment arm.

In discussing forces in a previous section, we established a

sign convention where forces acting to the right or upward were considered to be positive and those directed to
the left or downward were considered to be negative.
Likewise, a sign convention should be established for moments. Because rotation is either clockwise or counterclockwise, we may arbitrarily assign a plus (+) to the
counterclockwise rotation and a minus (-) to the clockwise rotation.

It is perfectly permissible to reverse the sign convention if

desired; however, use the same convention throughout an
entire problem. A consistent sign convention reduces the
chances of error.
Moments cause a body to have the tendency to rotate. If a
system tries to resist this rotational tendency, bending or
torsion results. For example, if we examine a cantilever
beam with one end securely fixed to a support, as in
Figure 2.33(a), the beam itself generates a resistance effect
to rotation. In resisting the rotation, bending occurs, which
results in a deflection , as in Figure 2.33(b).

(a) Unloaded.

(b) Loaded.

Figure 2.33 Moment on a cantilever beam.

Figure 2.32 Sailboat winch-rotation about

an axis.