Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

What is a couple? y
69.3N 80N

If two forces:
• are equal in magnitude 40N
[5,11]
[17,8]
• are opposite in direction
(i.e. parallel on a 2D plane with
opposite direction
O
80N
• Don’t share the same line of x
action
Horizontal forces balance
They are said to form a couple Vertical forces balance
and a moment is generated
But the force couple
generates a resultant moment

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

The moment generated by a couple is the force magnitude multiplied by
the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of each force

40N
y
69.3N 80N [5,11]
[17,8]
40N
40N M1 = +#$40N × (11m − 8m )%& = 120Nm
[5,11]
40N [17,8]
69.3N

[5,11]
[17,8]
69.3N
O
x 69.3N
M couple = 120Nm + 831.6Nm M 2 = +#$69.3N × (17m − 5m )%& = 831.6Nm

M couple = 951.6Nm

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

The moment generated by a couple is constant, no matter where the
point of rotation is located within the plane.
y
80N

[5,11]
[17,8]
O
M couple = 951.6 Nm

80N
O
M couple = 951.6 Nm
x

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

The moment generated by a couple is constant, no matter where the
couple is positioned within the plane.
y
80N

[5,11]
[17,8]
80N

80N
O
[-22,1]
[-10,-2] M couple = 951.6 Nm
x

80N

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Equivalent Systems
Two systems of actions (forces and moments), A and B are said to be
equivalent when:
• The sums of the forces in each system are equal

(∑ F ) = (∑ F )
A B

• The sums of the moments about a fixed point in each system

are equal

(∑ M ) = (∑ M )
A B

This principle allows us to replace complex systems of actions with

simpler yet equivalent systems

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

y
[−2,15] Replace this system of actions with

(i) A single force and moment

80N
applied at the origin, O
65N [5,11]
[17,8]
120Nm (ii) A single force

[10, 5] 65N
O
x

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

Sign Convention
y y
[−2,15] (+) (-)
M

80N Fx

65N [5,11] Fy
[17,8]
120Nm

[10, 5] 65N M
O O Rx
System A
x q System B
x

Ry R

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

y (∑ F ) = (∑ F )
A B
[−2,15]
2
80N = Rx R= (−130) + 80 2
80N −65N − 65N = Ry R = 152.6N

65N [5,11] −130 = Ry " 130 %

[17,8] θ = tan −1 $ '
120Nm # 80 &
θ = 58.4° Clockwise from
(+ve) x-axis
[10, 5] 65N
O (∑ M ) = (∑ M )
A B

System A
x
− ( 65N × 2m ) + (80N ×11m ) + ( 65N ×17m) +120Nm = M
1975Nm = M

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

y y
[−2,15]

80N
65N [5,11]
[17,8]
120Nm

[10, 5] 65N M = 1975Nm

O O
System A
x θ = 58.4° System B x

R = 152.6N

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

y (ii) Replace this system of actions

[−2,15] with a single force

80N
65N [5,11]
[17,8]
120Nm

[10, 5] 65N
O
System A
x

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below

y (ii) Replace this system of actions

with a single force

y 1975Nm = 130 × d x
d x = 15.2m

M = 1975Nm
O Rx O Rx
θ = 58.4° System B
x θ = 58.4° x

Ry Ry
R = 152.6N R = 152.6N

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Example: Consider the systems of forces and moments below
y Rx
y θ = 58.4°

Ry
R = 152.6N

1975Nm = 80 × d y
d y = 24.7m

M = 1975Nm
O Rx O
θ = 58.4° System B
x x
System C

Ry
R = 152.6N

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Fundamentals of Statics

Lecture 4: Couples and Equivalent Systems

Summary of main concepts

• Moment of a force

• Sense of rotation

• Force couple

• Equivalent systems

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