‫أ‪ .

‬عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬ ‫‪GE 215 Applied Mechanics‬‬

‫جامعة اجدابيا‬
‫كلية الهندسة‬

‫‪Applied Mechanics‬‬
‫‪GE 215‬‬

‫)‪Sheet (2‬‬

‫)‪(Moments and their applications‬‬

‫عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬ ‫أ‪.‬‬

‫ماجستير هندسة ميكانيكية ‪-‬بريطانيا‬

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Moments and their applications

Moment of a force
It is the turning effect produced by a force, on the body, on which it acts. The moment of a force
is equal to the product of the force and the perpendicular distance of the point, about which the
moment is required and the line of action of the force. Mathematically, moment,

M=P×l
Where P = Force acting on the body, and
l = Perpendicular distance between the point, about which the moment is required and the line of
action of the force.
Units of moment
If the force is in Newton and the distance is in meters, then the units of moment will be Newton-
meter (briefly written as N-m). Similarly, the units of moment may be kN-m , N-mm.
Types of moments
1. Clockwise moments.
2. Anticlockwise moments.
1. Clockwise moment

It is the moment of a force, whose effect is to turn or rotate the body, about the point in the
same direction in which hands of a clock move .
2. Anticlockwise moment
It is the moment of a force, whose effect is to turn or rotate the body, about the point in the
opposite direction in which the hands of a clock move .
Note. take clockwise moment as positive and anticlockwise moment as negative.

Law of moments
It states, “If a number of coplanar forces are acting simultaneously on a particle, the algebraic
sum of the moments of all the forces about any point is equal to the moment of their resultant
force about the same point.”

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (1)
A force of 15 N is applied perpendicular to the edge of a door 0.8 m wide as shown in Figure (a).
Find the moment of the force about the hinge.
If this force is applied at an angle of 60° to the edge of the same door, as shown in Figure (b),
find the moment of this force.

Solution.
Given : Force applied (P) = 15 N and width of the door (l) = 0.8 m
Moment when the force acts perpendicular to the door
We know that the moment of the force about the hinge,
= P × l = 15 × 0.8 = 12.0 N-m

Moment when the force acts at an angle of 60° to the door.

This part of the example may be solved either by finding out the perpendicular distance between
the hinge and the line of action of the force as shown in Fig. (a) or by finding out the vertical
component of the force as shown in Fig. (b).

we know that the vertical component of the force

= 15 sin 60° = 15 × 0.866 = 13.0 N
∴ Moment = 13 × 0.8 = 10.4 N-m

Note. Since distance between the horizontal component of force (15 cos 60°) and the hinge
is zero, therefore moment of horizontal component of the force about the hinge is also zero.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (2)
A uniform plank ABC of weight 30 N and 2 m long is supported at one end A and at a point B
1.4 m from A as shown in Figure. Find the maximum weight W, that can be placed at C, so that
the plank does not topple.

Solution.
Weight of the plank ABC = 30 N; Length of the plank ABC = 2 m and distance between end A
and a point B on the plank (AB) = 1.4 m.
We know that weight of the plank (30 N) will act at its midpoint, as it is of uniform section.
This point is at a distance of 1 m from A or 0.4 m from B as shown in the figure.
We also know that if the plank is not to topple, then the reaction at A should be zero for the
maximum weight at C.

Now taking moments about B and equating the same,

30 x 0.4 = W x 0.6

30 x 0.4
W= = 20N
0.6

Example (4)
A uniform wheel of 600 mm diameter, weighing 5 kN rests against a rigid rectangular block of
150 mm height as shown in Figure.

Find the least pull, through the centre of the wheel, required just to turn the wheel over the corner
A of the block. Also find the reaction on the block. Take all the surfaces to be smooth.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Solution:
Given: Diameter of wheel = 600 mm; Weight of wheel = 5 kN and height of the block = 150 mm.

Least pull required just to turn the wheel over the corner:
Let P = Least pull required just to turn the wheel in kN
A little consideration will show that for the least pull, it must be applied normal to AO.
The system of forces is shown in Figure. From the geometry of the figure, we find that

Reaction on the block:

R: reaction on the block, KN

Resolving the forces horizontally and equating the same

R cos 30° = P cos 60°

P cos 60° 4.33 x 0.5

R = cos 30° = = 2.5 KN
0.866

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Applications of moments
1. Position of the resultant force.
2. Levers.
Position of the resultant force
The position of a resultant force may be found out by moments as discussed below:
1. First of all, find out the magnitude and direction of the resultant force by the method of
resolution as in ‘Composition and Resolution of Forces’.
2. Now equate the moment of the resultant force with the algebraic sum of moments of the given
system of forces about any point. This may also be found out by equating the sum of clockwise
moments and that of the anticlockwise moments about the point, through which the resultant force
will pass.
Example (5)
Three forces of 2P, 3P and 4P act along the three sides of an equilateral triangle of side 100 mm
taken in order. Find the magnitude and position of the resultant force.
Solution. The system of given forces is shown in Figure below.

Solution:

Magnitude of the resultant force: First resolving all the forces horizontally:

Σ H = 2P -3Pcos 60° -4P cos 60°

Σ H = 2P +3P (0.5) + 4P (0.5) = -1.5 P

Now resolving all forces vertically:

Σ V = 3P sin 60° -P sin 60°

Σ V = 3P (0.866) – 4P (0.866) = -0.866 P

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (6)
Four forces equal to P, 2P, 3P and 4P are respectively acting along the four sides of square ABCD
taken in order. Find the magnitude, direction and position of the resultant force.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (7)
ABCD is a square, each side being 20 cm and E is the middle point of AB. Forces of 7, 8, 12, 5, 9
and 6 kN act on the lines of directions AB, EC, BC, BD, CA and DE respectively. Find the
magnitude, direction and position of the resultant force.

Solution.
The system of the given forces shown in Figure, Magnitude of resultant force

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Levers
A lever is a rigid bar (straight, curved or bent) and is hinged at one point. It is free to rotate about
the hinged end called fulcrum. The common examples of the use of lever are crow bar, pair of
scissors, fire tongs, etc.
It may be noted that there is a point for effort (called effort arm) and another point for overcoming
resistance or lifting load (called load arm).

Types of levers
The following types are important from the subject point of view.
a. Simple levers.
b. Compound levers.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Simple levers

A lever, which consists of one bar having one fulcrum is known as simple lever as shown in
Fig. (a) and (b).
Let P = Effort applied
W = Weight lifted
a = Length between fulcrum and effort, and
b = Length between fulcrum and weight.
Now taking moments of the effort and load about the fulcrum (F) and equating the same,

Note:
1. A little consideration will show that in order to increase the mechanical advantage, either
length of the lever arm (a) is to be increased or length of the load arm (b) is to be reduced.
2. A simple lever may be straight, curved or even bent.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (8)
Find the tension required in the operating wire to raise the signal through the system of levers as
shown in Figure below. All dimensions are in mm.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (9)
Figure shows a crank-lever ABC with a tension spring (T). The lever weighs 0.2 N/mm.
Determine the tension developed in the spring, when a load of 100 N is applied at A.

Solution:
Given : Weight of lever = 0.2 N/ mm ; Force applied on the effort arm (P) = 100 N; Length of the
effert arm (a) = 200 mm and length of the load arm (b) = 100 mm.
Let : T = tension developed in the spring

The weight of lever BC will have no moment about the hinge B. Therefore its weight has been

ignored.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Example (10)

The lever ABC of a component of a machine hinged at B, and subjected to a system of coplanar forces
as shown in Figure. Neglecting friction, find the magnitude of the force (P) to keep the lever in
equilibrium. Also, determine the magnitude and direction of the reaction at B.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Compound levers
A lever, which consists of a number of simple levers is known as a compound lever, as shown in
Fig. (a) and (b).

A little consideration will show, that in a compound lever, the mechanical advantage (or leverage)
is greater than that in a simple lever. Mathematically,
Leverage in a compound lever = Leverage of 1st lever × Leverage of 2nd lever × ...

The platform-weighing machine is an important example of a compound lever. This machine

is used for weighing heavy loads such as trucks, wagons along with their contents. On smaller
scales, these machines are used in god owns and parcel offices of transport companies for
weighing consignment goods.

Example (11)

A compound lever shown in Figure is required to lift a heavy load W. Find the value of W, if an
effort (P) of 100 N is applied at A.

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 ‫ عبد السالم محمد مصباح‬.‫أ‬ GE 215 Applied Mechanics

Exercise (2)

1. A rod AB 2·5 m long is supported at A and B. The rod is carrying a point load of 5 kN at a
distance of 1 m from A. What are the reactions at A and B ?
[Ans. 2 kN ; 3 kN]
2. A beam AB 5 m long is supported at its ends A and B. Two point loads W1 and W2 are placed
at C and D, 1 m and 3 m respectively from the end A. If the reaction at A is twice the reaction at
B, find the ratio of the loads W1 and W2.
[Ans. W1 : W2 = 2 : 1]
3. A beam AB of length 5 m supported at A and B carries two point loads W1 and W2 of 3 kN
and 5 kN which are 1 m apart. If the reaction at B is 2 kN more than that at A, find the distance
between the support A and the load 3 kN.
[Ans. 2.5 m]
4. An oil drum of 500 mm diameter and 1.5 long is to be rolled across a footstep of 100 mm high.
Find the minimum push required at the top of the drum. Take density of the oil as 1 kg/litre.
Neglect weight of the drum.
[Ans. 1444.5 N]
5. A square ABCD of 60 mm side is subjected to force of 10 N, 20 N, 30 N and 40 N along the
sides AB, AC, BD and AD respectively. Find magnitude. direction and position of the resultant
force with respect to A.
[Ans. 75.4 N; 87.7° ; 16.88 mm]

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