Statics

95

A moment couple is the product of two forces having

the same magnitude, parallel lines of action, but
opposite sense. Couples produce pure rotation with no
translation.

The resultant of two parallel forces must produce an

equivalent effect (translational and rotational) as the
original forces.

Equilibrium of a coplanar-concurrent force system

(equilibrium of a particle) requires the application of
two equations:
Rx = Fx = 0 and Ry = Fy = 0

Coplanar forces acting on a rigid body must satisfy

three conditions for equilibrium:
Fx = 0,

Fy = 0;

Mi = 0

An essential step in solving equilibrium problems

involves the construction of FBDs.