DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BAÑOS

ENGINEERING SCIENCE 11
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

PROBLEM SET for CHAPTER 5

PROBLEM 1
A cabinet with a mass of 150 kg is to be pulled through an
inclined floor as shown on the right. Knowing that the weight
of the cabinet acts at its center of gravity G, determine the
minimum force P, required to maintain the cabinet in
equilibrium. The coefficient of static friction between the box
and the floor is 0.30, while cable and pulley contacts are
frictionless.
(Use g= 9.806 m/s2)

PROBLEM 2
Determine the minimum number of turns (n) of the belt at drum F that will allow the 10-lb force to
support the weight of B1 and the spring force, as shown in the figure.

Key facts: The following details are given:

• The 500-lb force applied to B2 and
the tension of the belt are just
sufficient to prevent the motion of
the wedge (B3).
• B2 rests on the floor.
• The weight of B1 and the spring
force (Fs) is causing the system to
start moving.
• Weight B1 = 6000 lb
• Weight B2 = 1000 lb
• Weight B3 = 1000 lb (wedge, resting on a fixed wall surface)
• Angle of friction between B2, B3 and all surfaces = 15°
• Coefficient of friction Drum A and B = 0.35
• Coefficient of friction Drum C and E = 0.20
• Coefficient of friction Drum D = 0.25
• Coefficient of friction Drum F = 0.15