CHAPTER THREE

Moments and Parallel Coplanar Forces

Moment of a Force:

The moment of a force is the force times a moment arm. The moment arm is the perpendicular distance
between the line of action of the force and the point or the axis about which the moment is taken. The
point about which the moment is taken is called the centre of moment.

The moment of force, F about the point A is MA = Fa, where, a is the perpendicular distance from A to the
vector CD.

The moment of force, F about the point B is MB = Fb

Aarignon’s Theorem:

The algebraic sum of the moment s of the two concurrent forces about any axis perpendicular to the plane
of the forces is equal to the moment of their resultant about the same axis.

The vectors A and B represent two forces with a resultant R (Fig. 66). The moment arms (about P) of A,
B, and R are a, b, and r respectively.

According to this theorem,

Aa + Bb = Rr

Prove:

From figure,

A cos α + B cos β = R cos θ

Multiplying each terms of the above equation by OP,

 A (OP cos α) + B (OP cos β) = R (OP cos θ)

Here, a = OP cos α, b = OP cos β and r = OP cos θ

So,

Aa + Bb = Rr

(Proved)

Example: 28

The crank shown in Fig. 68 has acting on it a 200 lb and a 300 lb force as shown. What is the moment of
these forces about axis A and in what direction will the crank turn?

Solution:

∑ MA = - 300 * 10 + F sin45

= - 300 * 10 + 200 sin45

= - 180 lb-in Ans.

Since the answer is negative, so the crank will turn in the counterclockwise direction.
Example: 30

For wheels A, B, C and D apply loads of 3000, 6000, 10000 and 15000 lb. respectively, to a beam GH as
shown Fig. 70. Find the resultant of these loads.
Solution:

R = ∑Fy = -3000 – 6000 -10000 – 15000 = - 34000 lb

∑ MA = 3000* 0 – 6000* 6 - 10000*14 – 15000*24 = - 536000 lb-ft

Since Rr = 536000

=> 34000 * r = 536000

=> r = 15.76 ft

Therefore the resultant R acts vertically downward through a point 15.76 ft from the left.

Example: 31

Three parallel forces A, B and C are acting as shown in Fig. 71. Determine their resultant.

Solution:

Resultant, R = ∑F = 600 + 100 – 300 = 400 lb acts in the same direction as 600 lb and 100 lb forces

Taking clockwise moment about C,

∑MC = 600 * 0 - 100 * 5 + 300 * 15 = 4000 lb-in

So, Rr = 4000

=> 400 *r = 4000

=> r = 10 in
Couples:

When two parallel forces are equal but opposite in sense and not collinear, they form a couple. The
moment of a couple, MC is the product of one of the forces F and the perpendicular distance between the
lines of action of the forces F or MC = Fa.

Characteristics of Couple:

a) The amount of a couple is the same about any point in its plane.

b) A couple may be transformed into another couple that produces the same external effect.

c) A force may be resolved into a force and a couple.

d) A couple may be transformed from one of two parallel planes to the other.

e) The resultant of several couples in the same plane or in parallel planes has a magnitude equal to
the algebraic sum of the moments of the several couples.

Equilibrium of Coplanar Parallel Forces

∑F = 0

∑M = 0
Example: 37

A beam AB supporting loads as shown in Fig. 79 is resting on end supports. What are the reactions R1
and R2 at the supports?

Solution:

Taking moments (Clockwise positive) about A,

∑MA = 0

=> 10 F1 + 22 F2 + 30 F3 – 36 R2 = 0

=> 10*500 + 22*300 + 30* 700 – 36 R2 = 0

=> R2 = 906 lb Ans.

Again, ∑F = 0

=> R1 - F1 - F2 - F3 + R2 = 0

=> R1 - 500 - 300 - 700 + 906 = 0

=> R1 = 594 lb Ans.

Assignment: Problem- 187

Three wheels are suspended in the same plane, as suggested by Fig.

95 (a) what should be the value of W if ∑Mo = o? (b) Replace each
of these weights by a force through O and a couple. What is the
resultant couple? What is the resultant force at O?
Moment and Shear at a section:

When a member is cut, a moment and a vertical unbalanced force (parallel to the cutting plane) are
created; they are called bending moment and shear force respectively.

Example: 39

A simple beam is loaded as shown in following Fig. Determine (a) the reactions at A and B and (b) the
bending moment at the support B. 4000 lb
6000 lb
400 lb/ft

A B
1′ 3′ 9′ 4′ 7′ 6′

Solution:

Taking moments (Clockwise positive) about A,

∑MA = 0

=> (400*16) * 5 + 4000 * 9 + 6000 * 26 – R2 * 20 = 0

=> R2 * 20 = (400*16) * 5 + 4000 * 9 + 6000 * 26

=> R2 = 11200 lb Ans.

Again, ∑F = 0

=> R1 - 400*16 - 4000 - 6000 + 11200 = 0

=> R1 = 400*16 + 4000 + 6000 – 11200

=> R1 = 5200 lb Ans.

Bending moment about B,

MB = 6000 * 6 = 36000 lb-ft Ans.

Problem: 171

A 14 ft lever is acted upon by force as shown in Fig. 86. What force F acting at what distance x will result
in a zero reaction at pin A?

Solution:

Total Force, F = 5000 + 6000 – 7000 + 8000

= 12000 lb Ans.

Taking moments (Clockwise positive) about A,

∑MA = 0

=> - 5000 * 3 – 6000 * 5 + 7000 * 9 – 8000 * 14 + F * x = 0

=> - 15000 – 30000 + 63000 – 112000 + 12000 * x = 0

=> 12000x = 15000 + 30000 – 63000 + 112000

=> x = 7.83 ft Ans.

Problem: 198

(a) I Fig. 101 if Q = 10000 lb, determine the weight W and the reaction at B if the link AB is in
equilibrium. There is no friction at the pulley. (b) What is the bending moment at the section where the
6000 lb load is applied?
Solution:

Taking moment (Clockwise positive) at point B

∑MB = 0

=> - 2000 * 2 + 6000 * 12 – 10000 * 20 + W * 22 = 0

=> W = 6000 lb Ans.

Now,

∑Fy = 0

=> W – 10000 + 6000 – 2000 + By = 0

=> 6000 – 10000 + 6000 – 2000 + By = 0

=> By = 0 Ans.

Mc = - 10000 * 8 + 6000 * 10 = - 20000 lb-ft Ans.

Problem: 213

An ore car B which weighs 15 tons is balanced by a weight A as shown in Fig. The angle of incline is θ =
60º. What should be the weight A if there is no friction at any point?

Solution:

From Lamy’s theorem, we get RB T

WB RB T
sin 90 sin(90 60) sin(90 30)
θ = 60º
WB
=> T * sin(90 30)
sin 90
WB = 15 t
=> T = 15*0.867 tons
Again,

∑MO = 0

=> WA * 1 – T * 2 = 0

=> WA = 15*0.867 * 2 = 25.98 tons Ans.

Problem: 217

In the system of sheaves in Fig. 112, what force F will hold a weight of W = 800 lb in equilibrium? There
are no frictional losses at the axes.

D
C

Solution:

For A,
T1 T1
∑Fy = 0
A
=> T1 + T1 – W = 0
W
=> 2T1 – 800 = 0

=> 2T1 = 800

=> T1 = 400 lb

For B,
T2 T2
∑Fy = 0
B
=> T2 + T2 – T1 = 0
T1
=> 2T2 – 400 = 0

=> 2T2 = 400

=> T2 = 200 lb
For C,
T3 T3
∑Fy = 0
C
=> T3 + T3 – T2 = 0
T2
=> 2T3 – 200 = 0

=> 2T2 = 200

=> T2 = 100 lb

For D,

∑Fy = 0
D
=> F + T2 = 0
F T3
=> F + 100 = 0

=> F = - 100 lb (downward) Ans.

Problem: 219

In the system of sheaves in Fig. 112, what force F will hold a weight of W = 800 lb in equilibrium? There
are no frictional losses at the axes.

C D E

Solution:

For A,
T1 T1 T1
∑Fy = 0
A
=> T1 + T1 + T1 – W = 0

=> 3T1 – 800 = 0 W

=> 3T1 = 800

=> T1 = 266.7 lb
For B,

∑Fy = 0
T2 T2 T2
=> T2 + T2 + T2 – T1 = 0

=> 3T2 – 266.7 = 0 B

=> 3T2 = 266.7

T1
=> T2 = 88.9 lb

For C,

∑Fy = 0 D

=> - T2 – F = 0 F T2
=> - 88.9 – F = 0

=> F = - 88.9 lb (downward) Ans.