Terminologies and Theorem

Moments
The moment (or torque) of a force about a
turning point is the force multiplied by
the perpendicular distance to the force
from the turning point. Moments are
measured in newton metres (Nm).
 Moment = F d
F = the force in newtons (N)
d = perpendicular distance in metres (m)
 The principle of moments.
” When an object is in equilibrium the sum of the anticlockwise moments
about a turning point must be equal to the sum of the clockwise moments.”
sum of anticlockwise moments = sum clockwise moments
 Couples
A special case of Moment is a couple
A couple is two equal forces which act in
opposite directs on an object but not
through the same point so they produce a
turning effect.

The moment (or torque) of a couple

is calculated by multiplying the size of
one of the force (F) by the perpendicular
distance between the two forces (s).
E.g. a steering wheel in a car;
Characteristics of the Couple
Practical Applications of Couple
Moment Versus Couple
Varignon’s Theorem
Proof
Equilibriant of a Force System
Completely determine the resultant with respect to point O of the force system shown in Fig.
 Determine completely the resultant of the
forces acting on the step pulley shown in Fig.
Transformation of Force to a Force Couple System

The process of transforming one force applied at one point,

into a force and a couple at some other point is known as
resolving a force into a force and a couple
Proof
 Find the equivalent force couple system for the forces shown below
about point A.
 Replace the parallel force system shown by an equivalent resultant force and
couple moment at point A.
 The beam shown below is under the action of three forces and a couple
moment. Determine the magnitude, direction, and location of the
resultant force.
Tug Boat
Sample Problem 3
A 100-lb vertical force is applied to the end of a
lever which is attached to a shaft at O.
Determine:
a) moment about O,
b) horizontal force at A which creates the same
moment,
c) smallest force at A which produces the same
moment,
d) location for a 240-lb vertical force to produce
the same moment,
e) whether any of the forces from b, c, and d is
equivalent to the original force.
a) Moment about O is equal to the product of the
force and the perpendicular distance between the
line of action of the force and O. Since the force
tends to rotate the lever clockwise, the moment
vector is into the plane of the paper.
M O  Fd
d  24 in. cos 60  12 in.
M O  100 lb12 in. M  1200 lb  in
O

b) Horizontal force at A that produces the same

moment,
d  24 in. sin 60  20.8 in.
M O  Fd
1200 lb  in.  F 20.8 in.
1200 lb  in.
F F  57.7 lb
20.8 in.
 c) The smallest force A to produce the same moment
occurs when the perpendicular distance is a
maximum or when F is perpendicular to OA.

M O  Fd
1200 lb  in.  F 24 in.
1200 lb  in.
F
24 in. F  50 lb

d) To determine the point of application of a 240 lb

force to produce the same moment,
M O  Fd
1200 lb  in.  240 lbd
1200 lb  in.
d  5 in.
240 lb
OB cos60  5 in. OB  10 in.
e) Although each of the forces in parts b), c), and d)
produces the same moment as the 100 lb force, none
are of the same magnitude and sense, or on the same
line of action. None of the forces is equivalent to the
100 lb force.
• Prob4. The effect of a certain non-concurrent force
system is defined by the following data: ΣFx = +90 kN, ΣFy
= -60 kN, and ΣMO = 360 kN·m counterclockwise.
Determine the point at which the resultant intersects the
x-axis.
• Prob. 5 In a certain non-concurrent force system it is
found that ΣFx = -80 lb, ΣFy = +160 lb, and ΣMO = 480 lb·ft
in a counterclockwise sense. Determine the point at which
the resultant intersects the y-axis.
Problem
 Support Reactions

A support reaction is the reaction force/forces that are attributed to a

support for the system,
Support Reactions
Support Reactions
Fig: Fixed Support – Beam Fixed in Wall Fig: Hinge Support of Sydney Harbor Bridge

Roller Support on One End of a Bridge Fig: Rocker Support in a Structure

Fig: Simple Supports in a Structure
 Problems
 A boom AB is supported in a horizontal position
by a hinge A and a cable which runs from C over
a small pulley at D as shown in Fig. Compute the tension
T in the cable and the horizontal and vertical components
of the reaction at A. Neglect the size of the pulley at D.
 (2) Find reactions of simply supported beam when a point load of 1000 kg
and a uniform distributed load of 200 kg/m is acting on it.. As shown in
figure below.
Find reactions of simply supported beam when a point
load of 1000 kg & 800 kg along with a uniform
distributed load of 200 kg/m is acting on it.. As shown in figure
below.
Prob. 3
Types of Load
 Point load that is also called as concentrated load.
 Distributed load
 Coupled load
Point Load
 Point load is that load which acts over a small distance. Because of
concentration over small distance this load can may be considered as
acting on a point. Point load is denoted by P and symbol of point load is
arrow heading downward
 Distributed Load
Distributed load is that acts over a considerable length or you can say
“over a length which is measurable. Distributed load is measured as per
unit length.
Types of Distributed Load
Uniformly Distributed load (UDL)

Uniformly Varying load (Non-uniformly distributed load).

Trapezoidal Load
Triangular Load
 Coupled Load
Coupled load is that in which two equal and opposite forces acts on the
same span. The lines of action of both the forces are parallel to each other
but opposite in directions. This type of loading creates a couple load.
Prob.1
Prob. 1
Prob.2
Prob.3
 Prob. 6 . Determine the support reactions at A
 Prob. 7.The frame shown in Fig. is supported in pivots at A and B. Each
member weighs 5 kN/m. Compute the horizontal reaction at A and the
horizontal and vertical components of the reaction at B.
 Prob. 8. Compute the total reactions at A and B for the truss shown in Fig.
Prob. 9. The uniform rod in Fig. weighs 420 lb and
has its centre of gravity at G.
Determine the tension in the cable
and the reactions at the smooth surfaces
at A and B.
Referring to Fig., , what value of T acting at x = 1 m from B
will keep the bar horizontal.
 Referring to Fig , if T = 30 kN and x = 1 m, determine the angle θ at which
the bar will be inclined to the horizontal when it is in a position of
equilibrium.
Length A= 5 m, and length B =10 m and angle a = 30o.
3. Solve for the resisting force at pin A to maintain
2.Determine the angle b of the incline in order to maintain
equilibrium.
equilibrium.
Problem 12
For the beam, reduce the system of
forces shown to (a) an equivalent
force-couple system at A, (b) an
equivalent force couple system at B,
and (c) a single force or resultant.
Note: Since the support reactions are
not included, the given system will
not maintain the beam in equilibrium.
a) Compute the resultant force for the
forces shown and the resultant
couple for the moments of the
forces about A.
b) Find an equivalent force-couple
system at B based on the force-
couple system at A.
c) Determine the point of application
for the resultant force such that its
moment about A is equal to the
resultant couple at A.