Chapter 04 :- Equilibrium

Equilibrium: -When Condition of body remain unaffected under the

action of various forces then the body is said to be in equilibrium.
OR
Any System of forces which keeps the body at rest is said to be in
equilibrium

Analytical Condition of Equilibrium: -

If any number of forces acting on a body are in equilibrium, the

algebraic sum of components in two directions are right angles to
each other must be equal to zero.

i. Algebraic sum of horizontal components of all forces acting

on a body must be equal to zero. i.e ΣFx= 0
ii. Algebraic sum of Vertical components of all forces acting on
a body must be equal to zero. i.e ΣFy= 0
iii. Algebraic sum of moments of all forces about any point
must be equal to zero. i.e ΣM= 0

Graphical Condition of Equilibrium: -.

i. If system of forces acting on body is in equilibrium, then

their resultant must be zero. Therefore vector diagram
should be a closed figure.
ii. If system of forces acting on body are in equilibrium, then
Funicular polygon must be closed figure.

Equilibrant: -.

The force which balance the resultant of the given force

system in magnitude as well as in direction is known as
equilibrant. It is always denoted by R and shown by
dotted line as shown in figure.

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 The equilibrant is related with the resultant of the given
force system.
i. They must be equal in magnitude
ii. They must be opposite in direction
iii. They must be collinear with each other.

Difference between Resultant and Equilibrant

Resultant: -

1. A resultant number of forces acting on a body is a single force

which can produce the same effect on the body as it is produced
by all the forces acting together.

2.Resultant force cause the body to move.

3. The set of forces which causes the displacement of a body are

called as components of a resultant or component of force.

Equilibrant: -

1. The forces which balance the resultant of the given system in

magnitude as well as in direction is known as equilibrant.

2.Equllibrant Keeps the body at rest.

3. The set of forces which keeps the body at rest are known as
equilibrium forces or component of Equilibrant.

Free Body Diagram (FBD): -.

An isolated view of a body which shows the external forces

exerted upon it is known as free body diagram.

FBD

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Uses of FBD

i. It helps in dividing the problem in to small parts.

ii. It helps in accounting for all the forces acting on body.
iii. Equations of equilibrium can be applied easily on a system.

Lamis Theorem -.

If three Coplanar forces acting at a point be in equilibrium then

each force is proportional to the Sine of the angle between the
other two forces.

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Three forces P,Q and R acting on a particle then

P/Sinα =Q/Sinβ =R/Sinγ

α=Angle between Q &R

β=Angle between P&R

γ=Angle between P&Q

Limitations of Lamis Theorem: -

Following are the Limitations of Lamis theorem

i. Body should be in equilibrium

ii. Not applicable for parallel or non- concurrent forces.
iii. Not applicable for more or less than three concurrent forces.

Necessary condition for Application of Lamis Theorem: -

i. Out of Three forces one force must be known.

ii. Out of three angles Two angles must be known.
iii. Always three coplanar concurrent forces should keep the
body at rest.

Use of Lamis Theorem: -

i. It is applied to calculate unknown forces (Jib & Tie)

ii. To determine tensions (Strings, Wire rope, Cable Wires)
iii. To find reactions at point of contacts. (Beams)
iv. To Solve Problems on Sphere resting in a channel problem
based on photo frames Jib and Crane.

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1. Determine the magnitude of the forces P and Q for the Force
system which is in equilibrium as shown in figure.

ΣFx=0

Pcos60+30-50cos30=0

0.5P+30-43.3=0

0.5P=13.3

P=26.6N

ΣFy= 0

PSin60-Q+50Sin30=0

26.60Sin60-Q+25=0

Q=23.035+25

Q=48.035N

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2. Determine the forces A and B if the resultant of the
Concurrent force System as shown in figure is zero.

ΣFx=0

300Cos30-BCos60-200=0

259.8-0.5B-200=0

B=59.80/0.5

B=119.6N

ΣFy= 0

300Sin30+BSin60-A=0

150+119.6Sin60-A=0

A=150+103.57

A=253.57 N

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3. A horizontal Force P shown in figure keeps the weight of
100N in equilibrium. Find the magnitude of P and tension in
the String T.

Applying lamis theorem

100/Sin100 =T/Sin90 =P/Sin170

100/Sin100 =T/Sin90

T=(100/Sin100) x Sin90

T=101.54N

100/Sin100 =P/Sin170

P=(100/Sin100) x Sin 170

P=17.63 N

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4. An Electric bulb of 30N weight is hanging from ceiling. Its
wire is pulled by a force acting at 400 to the horizontal such
that the wire makes an angle of 600 with ceiling. Find the
magnitude of force and tension in the wire.

Applying lamis theorem

T/Sin130 =P/Sin150 = 30/Sin80

T/Sin130 = 30/Sin80

T = (30/Sin80) xSin130

T=23.33 N

T/Sin130 =P/Sin150 = 30/Sin80

P/Sin150 = 30/Sin80

P = (30/Sin80) xSin150

P=15.23 N

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5. A bulb of Weight 500N is hang by means of a rope to a hook
in the ceiling. Find the Pull P required when applied in
horizontal direction to make rope inclined at 110 0 to the
direction of Pull .

Applying lamis theorem

T/Sin90 =P/Sin160 = 500/Sin110

T/Sin90 = 500/Sin110

T = (500/Sin110) xSin90

T=532.088 N

P/Sin160 = 500/Sin110

P = (500/Sin110) xSin160

P = 181.985 N

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6. Determine the forces in the Strings AC and BC.

Applying lamis theorem

TAC/Sin140 =TBC/Sin150 = 20/Sin70

TAC/Sin140 = 20/Sin70

TAC = (20/Sin70) xSin140

TAC =13.68 N

TBC/Sin150 = 20/Sin70

TBC = (20/Sin70) x Sin150

TBC = 10.64 N

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8. A sphere having 300mm as radius and 500N as weight is
resting against a wall and on an inclined plane as shown in
figure. Calculate the reactions given by the wall and the
plane.

Applying lamis theorem

RA/Sin120=RB/Sin90 = 500/Sin150

RA/Sin120 = 500/Sin150

RA = (500/Sin150) x Sin 120

RA = 866.025N

RA/Sin120=RB/Sin90 = 500/Sin150

RB/Sin90 = 500/Sin150

RB= (500/Sin150) x Sin 90

RB = 1000N

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