ENGR 0135

Chapter 5 2
Equivalent force-couple system

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Engineering
Topics
Couples
Definition of Couples
Characteristics of Couples
Equivalent force-couple system
Resultant of non-concurrent force
system

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 Equivalent force-couple
systems
A force F can be replaced by a parallel force and a couple an equivalent
force-couple system acting on a point O

Original system of a single force F acting on A. Original system in the moment plane
The vector position of A relative to O is r.

Replacing the two opposite and

equal forces F that are separated
by distance d with a couple
new system of a couple
and a force F at O

Adding up a pair of two equal but

opposite forces F at O no effect
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Example Problem

Replace the force that acts on A by a force at

point B and a couple
Use scalar and vector analysis
Basically, it asks us to compute MB and
translate the force from A to B
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Another example problem:
Themagnitude of F is 780 lb. Replace the F
by a force Fo at the O and a couple C.

Two tasks:

1. Compute Mo due to Fo
2. Translate Fo to O.

Note:
In performing the cross product,
both moment arm rOA or rOB are valid.

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Coplanar force system
- non-concurrent force system

The system can be replaced by a resultant force R

acting at a distance dR (from a selected point O)

The method for finding the resultant of concurrent

forces can be used to find the resultant R and its
direction cosines
The resultant R can be written in the Cartesian vector
form
The distance dR (or xR, or yR) can be found utilizing
the Varignons theorem
If the sum of forces R is zero, the resultant is a couple
C whose direction is perpendicular to the plane
(provided that the couple is non-zero)
If the sum of moment about a point is zero, then the
line of action of the R passes that point
When both C and R are zeros, then the system is in
equilibrium

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 Coplanar force system
- non-concurrent force system

The resultant R
n n n
R = Fi = Fx i + Fy j = Re
i =1 i =1 i =1 magnitude

R= R = ( F ) + ( F )
x
2
y
2

e = cos x i + cos y j
Gives the direction

cos x =
F x
cos y =
F y

R R

dR =
M O

The distance dR R
M O = F1d1 + F2 d 2 + ...
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Example Problem
What is the
magnitude of the
resultant and its
direction?
n n n
R = Fi = Fx i + Fy j = Re
i =1 i =1 i =1

R= R = ( F ) + ( F )
x
2
y
2

Magnitude:
e = cos x i + cos y j Direction:
Rx = 300 + 500 cos 60 = 550 N

cos x =
F x
cos y =
F y
R y = 200 + 500 sin 60 = 633 N x = cos 1
550
839
= 49.0o
R = 550 2 + 6332 = 839 N
R R

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Example Problem
How to get dR and xR?

dR =
M O xR=
R
M O = 300(0.4) 500 cos 60(0.7)
200(0.450) + 600 = 215 Nm
dR =
215
dR = = 0.256m
839

xR =
M O
=
215
= 0.340m
Ry 633

xR = the distance from O to the intercept of the line of

action of the resultant with the x-axis
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Coplanar force system parallel forces
The system can be replaced by a
resultant force R acting at a distance
dR (from a selected point )

The resultant R is simply the sum of

the parallel forces

The distance xR can be calculated

using the Varignons theorem

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Coplanar force system parallel forces

The resultant R is given by

R = Fi
O

The direction is vertical

The distance xR can be
calculated using the
O

Varignons theorem
xR =
M O

R
M O = F1 x1 + F2 x2 + ... Department of Mechanical Engineeri
Example: coplanar parallel forces

Ifeach of the light

weighs 150 lb,
determine the resultant
and the location w.r.t A

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Non-coplanar parallel force system

The resultant R is given by

R = Fi
And the position of R is
given by

xR =
M y
yR =
M x

R R
M x = F1 y1 + F2 y2 + ...
M y = F1 x1 + F2 x2 + ...

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Example Problem 5-12:
Determine the R and the
location w.r.t O
Tasks:
Find the sum of the forces
Find the sum of the moments
about y and x axis

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General 3D non-concurrent force system

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General 3D non-concurrent force system
General 3D force system can be
replaced by
A system of non-coplanar, concurrent
forces through the origin O that have the
same magnitude and directions as the
forces of the original system
+
A system of non-coplanar couples

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General 3D force system
1. The concurrent force system

The resultant of the concurrent force

system:
R = R x + R y + R z = Rx i + R y j + Rz k = Re
Rx = Fx R y = Fy Rz = Fz
R = Rx2 + R y2 + Rz2
e = cos x i + cos y j + cos z k
Rx Ry Rz
cos x = cos y = cos z =
R R R

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General 3D force system 2. The noncoplanar
couple system

The resultant of the non-coplanar couples

C = C x + C y + C z = C x i + C y j + C z k = Ce

C x + C y + C z
2 2 2
C=
e = cos x i + cos y j + cos z k
C = (rOi Fi )

cos x =
C x
cos y =
C y
cos z =
C z
C C C

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Example
Replace the force system with a
force R through point O and a
couple C

Tasks:
Find the force vectors FA, FB, FC
Find the resultant R
Obtain the total moment Mo (or
C) in vectorial
Obtain the magnitude of Mo
Determine the direction cosines

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Example:

Four forces are applied to a

truss as shown. Determine the
magnitude and direction of the
resultant of the four forces and
the perpendicular distance dR
from point A to the line of
action of the resultant.

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Example:

Four parallel forces act on a

concrete slab as shown.
Determine the resultant of the
forces and locate the intersection
of the line of action of the resultant
with the xy-plane.

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 Example:

The homogeneous plate shown has

a mass of 90 kg. The magnitude of
the force T in cable BC is 800 N.
Replace the weight and cable forces
by an equivalent force-couple system
at hinge A.

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