PCE101: ENGINEERING MECHANICS

LECTURE 4: FREE BODY DIAGRAM, EQUILIBRIUM

SUBMITTED BY
MR. IMRAN AL-SLEVANI
AUTUMN 2017
PETROCHEMICAL DEPARTMENT
 FREE BODY DIAGRAMS
(F.B.D)
A Drawing that shows the particle with all the forces that act on it . In statics and
dynamics these influences are represented by forces. Sometimes a group of
components may be considered as a free body.
F.B.D EXAMPLE
 F.B.D EXAMPLE

F.B.D of Sphere

F.B.D of C

F.B.D of Cable CE
 𝐹𝐵ℎ
𝐹𝐾𝐶 𝐹𝐾𝐷

𝐹𝐵𝐴
𝐹𝐵𝐴 𝐹𝐵𝐶
𝐹𝐵𝐶

F.B.D of A
 EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE

A particle is said to be at equilibrium when the resultant of all the forces acting on it is
zero. It two forces are involved on a body in equilibrium, then the forces are equal and
opposite.

.. 150 N 150 N

If there are three forces, when resolving, the triangle of forces will close, if they are in
equilibrium.
F2 F1 F2
F3
F1

F3
 EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE

If there are more than three forces, the polygon of forces will be closed if the
particle is equilibrium.

R= F=0
Fx = 0
FY = 0
F = (Fx i + FY j ) = 0

Note: Considering Newton’s first law of motion, equilibrium can mean that the particle is
either at rest or moving in a straight line at constant speed.
Example 1: Determine the necessary tension force in cable BA and BC to support
60-Kg cylinder as shown in figure below.
ANS.(TBC= 476-N, TBA= 420-N)
Example 2: Determine the required Force of cord AC so that 8-Kg of lamp can be
suspended in position shown in figure. The undeformed length of spring AB is
0.4m and the spring has a stiffness of 300 N/m .