36 .A Text BooTe of Engln~er;ng MechaniC8 .

MomMt~ nnd '''fir Applications

:17
Solation Least pldl required ju.•1 to turn the wheel over the corner
Let P = Least pull requirl'l\
The free body diagram of one of the halves of the cylinder with just to· turn the­
minimum value of P is shown in
Fig. 3'8. - .P
wheel. ~
ISOmm
A little consideration will show
We know that t.he centre of
tha.t for t ho lea.st pull, it must be u",u I
gravity· of a semi·circle is at a dis­
.applied normal to AO. The system "A IsJ...
tance of 4r/3:t from its base measured
R
.of forces is shown in Fig. 3'10.
,tiling the radiug.
$IrN
From the geometry of the figure,
Taking moments about A, and
we find that Fig. 3·10
(,quating the same.

A 150
W 41' sin 8 = · 300 =:s 0'5 or 8 = 30°
Pxr+TX 3n
w .and AB = V(3OO)2 - (150)1 = 260 mm
p '2
= Px2r Now taking moments about A and equating the same,
Fig. 3·8
Pxr -
2W
Xl'
P x300 = 5x260 = 1300
3n P = 1300/300 = 4'33 kN Ans.

()r p 2W Reaction of the block

= 3n ADS. Let R = Reaction of the block.
Resolving the forces horizontally and equating the same,
Esample 3'4. .A tJ,niform~el oj 600 mm diameter, tI)~ighin,.
5 IcN re~t8 against a rigid rectangular block of 150 mm heigld 08 81010_ R cos 30° = P sin 30°
in Ftg. 3'9.
R = P sin 30° P tan 30° = 4'33 X 0'577 kN
cos 30°
= 2'5 kN Ans.
"3,9. Applications of Moments
Though the moments have a. number of applications, in the
neld of Engineering Mechanics, yet t1;e following are important from
the subject point of view:
1. Position of a result ant force. 2. Leve~.

Fig. 3·9 .3'10. Position of Resultant Force by Moments

It is also known as analytical method for t he resultant force.
Fin.d the lead puU. through the centre of the wheel, required just "The position of 1\ resultant force may be found out by moments as
to tum 1M wheel over the corner A oj t/ae bloclc. Also find the reaction discussed below :
ofth" block. 1. First of all, find out t he magnitude and direction of the
resultant force by the method of resolution as discussed in
Tak" all the surface~ to be 81/'1.00'11,.
Art. 2'14.
(Jadavpar Unit'ersity, 1985) .2. Now equate the moment of the resultant force with the
algebraic sum of moments of the given, system of forces
Solution. Given: Diallleter' of wheel = 600 rum ; Weight or .about any point. This ma.y also be found out by equating
wheel = 5 kN ; Hei ,~h t of the h lll(:k = 150 mm . the sum of clockwise moments a.nd that of the anticlock·
·PJe8116 refer to Art. 6·. wise moments about the point, through which the resultant
force <will pass.
« A Text Bock of E7Iginctrillg Muha1,iC6 Moments and tleir Applications 46
Esample 3·9. Fig. 3·18 thows a crank· lever ABC with a tension Esample 3·11. The lever ABC of a component of a mathine is
.,-ifllJ..T. The lever weighB 0'2 Nlmm. hinged at B, and is subjected to a system of coplaner forces as shovm
in Fig. 3'20.
.,. '200 kgf

A .y ­
300kgf
200mm
lOON

Fig. 3·18

Determine the tension developed in the spring when a load of 100

.N '-' applied at A . (Bombay University, 1985)
SoludoD. Given Wei~ht of lever = 0'2 N/mm P = 100 N ;
a = 200 mm ; b = 100 mm ;
Weight of llever AB = 0·2 X 200 =40 N acting at 100 mm Fig. 3·20
from A or B . Now taking moments about the hinge B and equating Neglecting friction, find the magnitude of the force (P) to keep the
the same. . lever in equilibrium. Also determine the magnitude a"d direction of
T xl OO = (100 x 200) + (40 X 100) = 24 000 N·mm the reaction at B. (Oxford Univer8ity)
T = 24 000/100 = 240 N ADS.
Sol.tioD. Given: Vertical force at 0 = 200 kgf ; H orizontal
force at C = 300 kgf
Esample 3'10. Find the tension requireJ it~ the operating wire M agnitt.Ule of the force (P)
,to raise the 8ignal thrOttgh the system of levers as 8hown in Fig. 3' 19.
All dimensions are in mm. (Calcutta U niversi,y, 1986) Taking moments about the hinge B and equating the same,

P X 10 sin 60° _ 200 X 12 cos 30°+300 X 12 cos 60°

SolutioD. Given: Weight of signal arm,

Px 10 x 0'866 =: 200 x 12 x 0'866+300 x 12xO'5

W = 150 N
8'66 P = 2078 +1800 = 3878
Let T =
Tension required in operating
:. P = 3878/8'66 = 447'8 kgf Alas .
wire, and
Magnitude of the reaction at B
P =Tension in wire AB.
Resolving the forces horizontally,
First of all , taking moments about the
'f.H = 300+P COB 20° =- 300 +447'8 x 0 '9397 kgf
-fulcrum (PI) of the signal and equating the
= 720'8 kgf
:same,

and now resolving the forces vertically,

Px75 =150x175
'f.V = 200 - P sin 20° = 200 - 447'8 x 0'3420 kg{
= 26250 N·mm
= 46·85 kgf
P = 26 250/75 = 350 N
Magnitude of the reaction at B,
Now t aking moments about the fulcrum
R = V (~H)t +('f.V)2 = v't720·8)1 + (46·85)· kg{
,(F s) of t h e operating wire and equating the
=722'3 kg{ ADS.
same,

D~Tectio" of the reaction at B

T x, 75 = 350x 150 = 52500 N-mm Let 8 -= Angle, which the reaction at B makes wit.h the
T = 52 500/75 = 700 N ADS. Fig. 3·)9 hori zontal.
We know that
ITho we ight of lever BC w ill have n o moment abou t t he hing/! U l:V 46·85 = 0'0650 Or 0=3° 45' ADS.
Therefore i ta weight has been ignored. tan 0 = ""fJj 720'8
 II
I{,o II(I}'I N

I'WIJ be,lIlIS SlIppulll:d ".., ..,hown ill lig I ICi'! and sl'p'lJall'd hy a mlkr al C. IDlnlly CUllY
dilections al~ 1!I\'1.!1I b.,
IS shown in the rlgun!. Iklermine the reactions at A.B and C.
.111111011 \
(Y'!ISilkl ' tll(' upper hcam E B
Ii
. 1"1)1 ): F" =0
lOOON
I<r, - 1000 + Ro = 0 SOON

R, + RB = 1000 -----0)

For LM 0, taking moments about E,

1000 )( I.~ Rn x 3 = 0 C/r!T---_~

Fig.1.l6S
RB = 500 N

FiLt. 1. 11,
~ = 1000 - 500 = 500 N
lOOON
z FX = F t:(IS. 0
"flSllkr the lower beam AC E F y = F t:os n

1.5m Fz =Ft:ns tl.

l'Or L Fv = 0 RB
From fig. 1.1 67, (OE)2 = (0 1) ).' ~
SOON
IXI 500 + Rc =0

RA + Rc = 1000 N

For L MA = 0,
Rc

Fig. 1.166

t)f)o,c: 1+ 500x 1.5 = Rc x 2

Rc = 625 N
The direction of fo rce F acting at the ol iglll
by specifying a second po int A on the line 01
RA + Rc = 1000

the origin as shown in fig . 1.68. The co-oulin

RA = 1000 - 625

= 375 N
OA 2 =OC 2 I
 1.68 Module - 1 1.69

5 kN/m

-----
II n
Fig.1.l47
h g. 1.l 45

4kN 6kN 2 kN

\O\;N 6kN/m
• I • . IB
4kN/m
Rn
11\ 1m Ie l .5 m
JD Fig.1.l48
• • Solution.
2m
B
Consider the freebody diagram of beam shown in fig. 1.148.
12kN

9kN
For I Fy = 0

R A- 4 - 6 - 2 + R B= 0
\~
\ R A + R B= 12 kN

I
:m-\_\ For M = 0, taking' moments abou t A,
1111

IS_ _ R1. 4 x 1 + 40 + 6 x 5 + 2 x 5.33 - ~x7 =0

= 12.09 kN
RB
til l'.. \ ,I ~6
RA + 12.09 = 12

RA = - 0.09 kN
RA = 0.09 kN downward

()
~ ample 1.48

A beam 6 m long is loaded as shown in fig 1.1 49. Calculate the reactions at A and B.

Solution.
20 kN
Consider the freebody diagram of beam shown in fig. 1.150.
10kN 2m
For I Fy =0
1m
11},8) I Rj\" 10 .1() t RII = () A tJ) I B
I{ I{ II • 'm. ••.••. { I) /\ 2m 2m C 2m
. 'I' ~

h ~~ 1 141'1
 It. !lin (t.. LJ ()

r'\II 'cqulihl illll\ oCtile wedge

Rl:~llhillg tile forces horizontally, P

~llR,+ 112 R2 cos CJ.. + R2 sin CJ.. - P =0

jI r.J I'

0
'1- )I
Resolving the forces vertically,

R3 + 112R2 sin a - R 2cos CJ.. = O.

JA:#3
k
Fig. 1.25 1
) 1 ./4 + 4 -2+2./2
--= - ­
2 Example 1.102

0 .01 1-\ Find the horizontal force P on the 10° wedge shown in fig. 1.252 to raise the 1500 N load.
The coefficient of fr iction is 0.3 at all contact surfaces.

HlIiiCIIl1l8 wilh triangular or trapezoidal cross section. They

1S00N
iglll .... lor slight adjustments in the position of a body , O.lR 1(
1500 N
ill!1I1 compared to the weight lifted . Hence generally ----,

w ~

• p

1-- P Fig .l .252

Fig .l. 2S3

h g. 1.249
Solution.
The problems on wedges are generally the problems
Consider the equilibrium ofthe load of 1500 N.
w
Resolving the forces horizontally
J.lIR II
Rl - 0.3 R2 cos 10 - ~ sin 10 = 0
RI
Rl = R2 (0.3 cos 10 + sin 10 )
=0.47 R2 -------(i)
o Resolving the forces vertically
R2 cos 10 - 0.3 R2 sin 10 - 1500 - 0.3 R l =0
Fig.l.2S 0 ~ cos 10 - 0. 3 R2 sin 10 - 0.3 (0.47 R2 ) = 1500