E-Learningcourse on

Engineering Mechanics Concurrent

coplanar forces - Forces on a plane
-Continuation& Concurrent Non-coplanar
Forces Forces in space
PPT-3
By
Dr. Vela Murali,Ph.D.,
Head& Professor i/c Engineering Design Div.,
Mechanical Engineering Department,
College of Engineering, Guindy,
Anna University, Chennai 600 025
1
 CONTENTS
1. Quick Review of PPT 1,2

2. Concurrent coplanar forces - Forces on a

plane - Equilibrium conditions

3. Concurrent Non-coplanar forces Forces

in space

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

2
Review of PPT -1,2
Overview about Engineering Mechanics

Resolving of n no. of concurrent coplanar

forces Forces on plane Straight Quadrant
and Inclined Quadrant approaches

Example Problems
Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali
3
 Equilibrium of a Particle

( F x) i+( Fy) j= 0

Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
Example 7

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

4
 Fx = 0, ( , +ve) 100 Cos (30) F1 Cos (45) = 0
F1 = 122.7 N
Applying the second equilibrium condition
Fy = 0, ( , +ve) 100 Sin (30) + F1 Sin (45) F2 = 0
Substituting F1,
F2 = 136.76 N
The three forces, 100 N, F1 and F2 are applied on the
particle such that the particle is under equilibrium.

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

5
 Equilibrium of a Particle on an Inclined plane
For equilibrium of a particle on an inclined plane,
the resultant R = 0

Falong the plane = 0 and FPerpendicular to the plane = 0

Example 8

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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 Falong the plane = 0 , ( 30o , +ve )
F Cos(30) 500 Sin(30) = 0
500 Sin 30
F = 288.7 N
Cos 30

Applying second equilibrium equation

FPerpendicular to the plane = 0, ( 30o , +ve)

R- F Sin(30) 500 Cos(30) = 0

R = 577.4 N
Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali
7
Equilibrium of a Particle by force polygon
Three or more concurrent coplanar forces, which are
acting on the particle, are such that the particle is
being under equilibrium.

For this condition the force polygon, which is to be

drawn to the scale according to the direction and
magnitude of the system of the forces one after the
other and is a closed one.

Applicability of Newtons I law - Equilibrium

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

8
 Applicability of equilibrium of a particle
different engineering problems

Many of engineering problems are subjected to

concurrent coplanar forces and satisfy the conditions of
static equilibrium

Either they straight plane problems (or) inclined plane

problems.

A free body diagram is to be drawn at a point in the

body, where the lines of actions of the concurrent
forces pass through (called as particle) and
representing the direction and magnitude of these
forces.
Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali
9
Body weight of W

Centroid of Centroid of
the body the body
C

W W
Weight acting on a Weight acting on an Inclined
horizontal plane plane

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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Resolution and components of the force
along edges of the Inclined quadrant
Inclined Plane Problems

Dr. Vela Murali

Newtons III law Reaction force - Equilibrium

W1
W W1
R1=W1
W W2 W2
R R2=W1+W2

Fig. Reactive force R Fig. Reactive forces R1 &

at the Contact surface R2 at two contact surfaces

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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Reactive force R from an inclined surface due to
the body weight

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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 Space diagram and Free Body Diagrams (FBD)

A Cylinders A, B and C have equal

O5 O6 diameter and weight of 16 cm
and 100 N respectively
O2 C O3
B

O1 O4

36 cms

Space diagram showing the physical conditions of the problem

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

14
 RB/A
45o

RB/2 B

WB

RB/1

Free Body Diagram (FBD) drawn at point B

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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 A
45o 45o
RA/B RA/C
WA

Free body diagram drawn at point A

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

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 RC/A

45o
C RC/3

WC

RC/4

Free Body Diagram drawn at point A

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

17
Problem 9
Find the resultant of the a system of concurrent
coplanar forces shown in Fig. 2.32 by using polygon
law of graphical approach.

F2 = 300 N

F3 = 400 N O 45o F1 = 500 N

30o
60o
F4 = 200 N

F5 = 100 N

Dr. Vela Murali

18
 300sin(45)

F2=300 N

F3=400 N 200cos(30) 45o 300cos(45)

F1=100 N
30o 100cos(60)
60o

F4=200 N 200sin(30)

F5=100 N

100sin(60)
Dr. Vela Murali
19
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self from the free body diagram

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

20
Problem 10
A stone of weight 500 N as shown is supported against
to plane surface which is perpendicular to the 45o
inclined surface. What is the magnitude of the force that
is supporting the stone in the direction of the inclined
plane and the reaction force from the surface.

Dr. Vela Murali

21
500 N

45o

Dr. Vela Murali

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45o

500cos(45)
500 N

Dr. Vela Murali

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 Falong the plane = 0 , ( 45o , +ve )
RV - 500 Sin(45) = 0
RV = 500 Sin(45) = 353.55 N

Applying second equilibrium equation

FPerpendicular to the plane = 0, ( 45o , +ve)

RP- 500 Cos(45) = 0

RP = 353.5 N, 45o

Dr. Vela Murali

24
Problem 11
Determine the magnitudes of F1 and F2 which
are holding the body of weight 6 kN
suspended from the string at point O as
shown. Assume the pulley over which the
string passes is smooth.

Dr. Vela Murali

25
F1 45o F2
30o
O

6 kN

Dr. Vela Murali

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 F2 sin(30)
F1 cos(45)
F1
F2
45o

F1 sin(45) 30o F2 cos(30)

O

6 kN

Dr. Vela Murali

27
 Fx ( , +ve) = 0, F2 cos(30) F1 sin(45) = 0

Sin 45
F2 F1
Cos 30
F2= 0.816 F1 (1)

Fy ( , +ve) = 0, F2 sin(30) + F1 cos (45) - 6= 0

Substituting (1)
(0.816F1)sin(30) + F1 cos (45) = 6

F1= 5.379 kN (2)

Substituting (2) in (1)
F2= 0.816 (5.379) = 4.39 kN

Dr. Vela Murali

28
Problem 12
Two cables are tied together at point O and
loaded as shown. Determine the tension in
OO1 and OO2.

Dr. Vela Murali

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 O1
80o

O 10o
O2
150 kg

Dr. Vela Murali

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 TOO1 sin(80)

TOO1

80o
TOO1 cos(80) TOO2 cos(10)
O 10o

TOO2

150 X 9.81 N

TOO2 sin(10)

Dr. Vela Murali

31
 Fx ( , +ve) = 0, TOO2 cos(10) TOO1 cos(80) = 0
Cos 80
TOO2 TOO1
Cos 10

TOO2= 0.176 TOO1 (1)

Fy ( , +ve) = 0,
TOO1 sin(80) 150 (9.81) TOO2 sin (10) = 0
Substituting (1)
TOO1 0.954 1471.5

TOO1= 1542.45 N, 80o (2)

Substituting (2) in (1)
TOO2= (0.176) (1542.45) = 271.47 N, 10o

Dr. Vela Murali

32
Problem 12

A string of length 20 cms is attached to a

point A on a smooth vertical wall and to a
point C on the surface of the sphere of radius
10 cms. The sphere whose weight is 300 N
hangs in equilibrium against the wall. Find
the tension in the string and the reaction of
the wall.

Dr. Vela Murali

33
A
20 cms
C 10 cms

300 N

Dr. Vela Murali

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 TCA sin(70.53)

TCA

70.53o
RV
TCA cos(70.53) O

300 N

Dr. Vela Murali

35
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

36
Problem 13

A spherical ball of weight W rest in V

shaped surface whose sides are inclined at
angles and to the horizontal. Find the
pressure on each side of the V shaped
surface

Dr. Vela Murali

37
 O
1 2

Dr. Vela Murali

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Drawing FBD @ Point O

R1 sin O R2 sin

R2

R1
R2 cos
R1 cos
W
Dr. Vela Murali
39
 Fx ( , +ve) = 0, R1 sin( ) R2 sin() = 0

Sin (1)
R1 R2
Sin
Fy ( , +ve) = 0, R1 cos( ) W + R2 cos() = 0
Substituting (1)
WSin , (2)
R2
Sin
Substituting (2) in (1)
WSin
R1 ,
Sin
Dr. Vela Murali
40
Problem 14

Determine the mass that must be

supported at P and the angle of
the cord in order to hold the system in
equilibrium.

Dr. Vela Murali

41
 45o

40 kg
P
80 kg

Dr. Vela Murali

42
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

43
Problem 15

Determine the required length of cord PR

in Fig. so that the10 kg block suspended
in the position shown. The un-deformed
length of the spring PQ is 0.5 m, and the
has the stiffness 250 N/m.

1.5 m
R

kPQ= 250 N/m 45O

P
P

Q
10 kg

Dr. Vela Murali

44
 Drawing FBD at point P
TPRsin(45)
TPR

TPQ 45o TPRcos(45)

10x9.81 N
Dr. Vela Murali
45
Applying equilibrium conditions
Fy 0, , ve
TPR sin( 45) 98.1 0
TPR 138.7 N , =45O (1)
Fx 0, , ve
TPR cos(45) TPQ 0
Substituting (1)
TPQ 98.1 N ,
Dr. Vela Murali
46
 Tension force, TPQ
Deformation in PQ
Stiffness K PQ
98.1
PQ 0.3924m
250
Deformed length Undeformed length Deformation
0.5 0.3924 0.8924m

Dr. Vela Murali

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 R

45o
P
0.6076m

1.5 0.8924 0.6076

cos 45
PR PR
PR 0.8593m

Dr. Vela Murali

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Particle Mechanics -Concurrent Non-
coplanar forces - Forces in space

Dr. Vela Murali

49
 Concurrent Non-coplanar forces
y
R F1 = Fx1i + Fy1 j + Fz1 k
F2 F2 = Fx2i + Fy2 j + Fz2 k
F1 F3 = Fx3i + Fy3 j + Fz3 k
y1
x1
O x
z1
F3
z
Fx1 =F1 cos(x1), Fy1 =F1 cos(y1), Fz1 =F1 cos(z1)
etc
Dr. Vela Murali
50
 Fx Fx1 Fx 2 Fx 3
F y F y1 Fy 2 Fy 3
Fz Fz1 Fz 2 Fz 3

2 2 2
R Fx Fy Fz
1
Fx 1
Fy 1
Fz
x cos , y cos z cos
R R R

2 2 2
Cos x Cos y Cos z 1

Dr. Vela Murali

51
 Problem 16

A force of 200 kN is acting at a point making

an angle of 120o and 60o with x- and y- axes
respectively. Find the components of the
force and express the force as a vector.

Dr. Vela Murali

52
Solution
2 2 2
Cos x Cos y Cos z 1
Cos 2 120 Cos 2 60 Cos 2 z 1
2
Cos z 0.5
Cos z 0.7071
Taking positive value, z 45 o

Dr. Vela Murali

53
Fx FCos x 200Cos (120) 100 N
Fy FCos y 200Cos (60) 100 N
Fz FCos 200Cos (45) 141.4 N
z

F 100 i 100 j 141.4 k

Dr. Vela Murali

54
 Problem 17

A forceF 200 i 100 j 50 k actsat
a point O. Find the magnitude
and the direction of the force.

Dr. Vela Murali

 Solution
Fx = 200 units, Fy = -100 units
Fz = -50 units
Magnitude of the force =
2 2 2
Fx Fy Fz 229.13Units

1
Fx 1
Fy 1
Fz
x cos , y cos z cos
R R R

x 29.2 o , y 115.87 o , z 102.6 o

Dr. Vela Murali

56
 Problem 18

A force of 300 kN acts along a line joining

two points A (1,2,3) and B (2, 4,-5).
Determine its components and express it
as vector.

Dr. Vela Murali

57
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

58
Problem 19

A force of 250 kN acts along a line

joining two points P (-3,4,6) and
Q(5,-5,8). Determine the
component of the force along the
line joining two points A (3,2,1)
and B (4,3,5).

Dr. Vela Murali

59
 Solution
To find out the inclination of the line AB
with respect to x, y& z axis
dx PQ xQ xP 8
dy PQ yQ yP 9
dz PQ zQ zP 2
2 2 2
rPQ dx PQ dy PQ dz PQ 12.2

Dr. Vela Murali

60
 1
dx PQ
x PQ cos 49.02 o
rPQ

1
dy PQ
y PQ cos 137.5 o
rPQ

1
dz PQ
z PQ cos 80.56 o
rPQ

To find out the inclination of the line AB

Whose coordinates are A(3,2,1)&
B(4,3,5) with respect to x, y& z axis

Dr. Vela Murali

61
dx AB xB xA 1
dy AB yB yA 1
dz AB zB zA 4
2 2 2
rAB dx AB dy AB dz AB 4.24

1 dx AB
x AB cos 76.36 o
rAB

Dr. Vela Murali

62
 B Q F=250 kN

P A
x

z Component of force along the line AB

FAB ( F cos( x PQ ) cos( x AB ))

( F cos( y PQ ) cos( y AB )) ( F cos( z PQ ) cos( z AB )) 33.85kN

Dr. Vela Murali
63
Problem 20
Thefollowing forces act at
a point.

F1 60i 20 j 30k kN

F2 20i 40 j 10k kN

F3 15i 25 j kN
Find the resultant and its direction.

Dr. Vela Murali

64
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

65
 Problem 21

F1 = 400 N is acting along the line joining the

two points of (0,0,0) & (x1, y1, z1) = (4,-1,5)
units;
F2 = 300 N is acting along the line joining the
two points of (0,0,0) & (x2, y2, z2) = (5,-3,-5)
units;
F3 = 500 N is acting along the line joining the
two points of (0,0,0) & (x3, y3, z3) = (-6, -6, -5)
units.
Find the resultant and its direction.

Dr. Vela Murali

66
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Practice your self

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

67
Problem 22
A force F acts at the origin of a coordinate
system in a direction defined by the angles
y = 70o and z = 60o. If the component of
the force F along x direction equals to
180 N.
Determine (i) the angle x (ii) the
magnitude of the force F (iii) the
components of the force F along y and z
directions (iv) The components of the force
F along a line through the origin and the
point (2,2,2).
Dr. Vela Murali
68
Solution

y = 70o , z = 60o
2 2 2
Cos x Cos y Cos z 1
Cos 2 x Cos 2 70 Cos 2 60 1
x 142.7 o
X- component of the force = -180 N
Fx FCos x 180
F 226.23 N
Dr. Vela Murali
69
 Fy FCos y 77.37 N
Fz FCos z 113.12 N
To find out the inclination of the line OP
Whose coordinates are O(0,0,0)&
P(2,2,2) with respect to x, y& z axis
dxOP xP xO 2
dy OP yP yO 2
dz OP zP zO 2
2 2 2
rOP dxOP dy OP dz OP 3.46 units
Dr. Vela Murali
70
 1 dxOP
x OP cos 54.7 o
rOP

1 dy OP
y OP cos 54.7 o
rOP

1 dz OP
z OP cos 54.7 o
rOP

Component of force along the line OP

FOP ( F cos( x ) cos( x OP ))

( F cos( y ) cos( y OP )) ( F cos( z ) cos( z OP )) 6.11N

Dr. Vela Murali

71
Equilibrium of the Particle
applied with a system of Concurrent
Non-coplanar forces
Fx = 0 ( , +ve)

Fy = 0 ( , +ve)
and
Fz = 0 ( , +ve)

Dr. Vela Murali

72
Problem 23
A container of weight W=1500 N is supported
by three cables as shown in Fig. Determine
the tension in each cable.
200 mm
R
S O
300 mm
Q x OS=500 mm
650 mm OQ=600mm
z
P

Dr. Vela Murali

73
 Solution

To find out the inclination of the line PR

whose coordinates are P(0,-650,0)&
R(200,0,-300) with respect to x, y& z
axis
dx PR xR xP 200mm
dy PR yR yP 650mm
dz PR zR zP 300mm
2 2 2
rPR dx PR dy PR dz PR 743.3 mm

Dr. Vela Murali

74
 1 dx PR
x PR cos 74.39 o
rPR
1 dy PR
y PR cos 29.02 o
rPR
1 dz PR
z PR cos 113.8 o
rPR
Fx PR TPR cos x PR 0.27TPR
Fy PR TPR cos y PR 0.87TPR (1)
Fz PR TPR cos z PR 0.403TPR

Dr. Vela Murali

75
To find out the inclination of the line PS
whose coordinates are P(0,-650,0)&
S(-500,0,0) with respect to x, y& z axis

dx PS xS xP 500mm
dy PS yS yP 650mm
dz PS zS zP 0mm
2 2 2
rPS dx PS dy PS dz PS 820.1 mm

Dr. Vela Murali

76
 1 dx PS
x PS cos 127.6 o
rPS

1 dy PS
y PS cos 37.56 o
rPS

1 dz PS
z PS cos 90 o
rPS
Fx PS TPS cos x PS 0.61TPS
Fy PS TPS cos y PS 0.79TPS (2)
Fz PS TPS cos z PS 0

Dr. Vela Murali

77
To find out the inclination of the line PQ
whose coordinates are P(0,-650,0)&
Q(0,0,600) with respect to x, y& z axis

dx PQ xQ xP 0mm
dy PQ yQ yP 650mm
dz PQ zQ zP 600mm
2 2 2
rPQ dx PQ dy PQ dz PQ 884.59 mm

Dr. Vela Murali

78
 1
dx PQ
x PQ cos 90 o
rPQ

1
dy PQ
y PQ cos 137.3o
rPQ

1
dz PQ
z PQ cos 47.3o
rPQ

Fx PQ TPQ cos x PQ 0
Fy PQ TPQ cos y PQ 0.735TPQ (3)
Fz PQ TPQ cos z PQ 0.678TPQ

Dr. Vela Murali

79
Components of force acting along the
line PO
Fx PO 0
Fy PO 1500 N (4)
Fz PO 0

For equilibrium it must satisfy the

following Equations,
i) Fx = 0, ( , +ve) ii) Fy = 0, ( , +ve)
iii) Fz = 0, ( , +ve)

Dr. Vela Murali

80
From equations (1), (2), (3) and (4)
Fx 0 0.27TPR 0.61TPS 0 0 0 5
Fy 0 0.87TPR 0.79TPS 0.735TPQ 1500 0
Substituting Eq.(5)
TPQ 2040.8 2.756TPS (6)
Fz 0 0.403TPR 0 0.678TPQ 0 0
Substituting Eq.(5) & Eq.(6)
TPS 497 N (7)
Substituting Eq.(7) in Eq.(5)
TPR 1125.11N (8)
Substituting Eq.(7) in Eq.(6)
TPQ 668.75 N (9)

Dr. Vela Murali

81
 Tensions are

TPS 497.84 N , x, y, z 127.6 o ,37.56 o ,90 o

TPR 1125.11 N , x, y, z 74.39 o ,29.02 o ,113.8 o
TPQ 668.75 N , x, y, z 90 o ,137.3o ,47.3o

Dr. Vela Murali

82
Problem 24

Determine the tension developed in the three

cables required to support the traffic
light, which has a mass of 30 kg. Take h = 4 m
z R
S
5m
P
7m h 4m
Q
3m
5m 5m
3m
4m
y 2.5 m
x

Dr. Vela Murali

83
For solution refer the Book on Engineering
Mechanics By Vela Murali
Published by Oxford University Press (2010)

Page 111, Example 3.17

Course on Engineering Mechanics by Dr. Vela Murali

84
Reference:
Engineering
Mechanics
by
Vela Murali
Published by
Oxford
University
Press (2010)

85