UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Space Force System

I. Introduction
In this module, the third axis, Z-axis will be considered. The forces and its resultant force
will have three components with respect to X, Y and Z Axes. The basic concepts on space force
system will be discussed, as to how the resultant force and unknown forces are computed.
II. Objectives
After completion of this course the student should be able to:
1. Determine the principles of force system in space and its applications
2. Solve problems on forces in space.

III. Resultant of Space Force System

Figure 7. 1 Components of Force in Space

Fx, Fy and Fz are said to be mutually perpendicular components of force F shown in Fig. 7.1. The
magnitude of the Force given its components is computed using equation 7.1 and the Direction
Cosines using eq 7.2.

F  ( Fx )2  ( Fy )2  ( Fz )2
eq 7. 1

Cos Ꝋx = Cos Ꝋy = Cos Ꝋz = eq 7. 2

These equations are derived from the above figure. If Q2 = (Fx)2 + (Fz)2 and F2 = (Q)2 + (Fy)2 it will
yield the equation for F2 = (Fx)2 + (Fy)2 + (Fz)2 arriving to eq. 7.1.

75 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Figure 7. 2 Coordinate of the Point along

the Line of Action of the Force

In Fig 7.2, the origin and the point (x,y,z) are along the line of action of the force F. Using the
coordinates of the point, w2 = x2 + z2 and d2 = w2 + y2 can be derived and will yield to d2 = x2 + y2 +
z2 arriving to Eq 7.3; this equation is useful in solving for the component of the force if the angle
is not given by substituting this value in Eq 7.4.

d  ( x )2  ( y )2  ( z )2 eq 7.3

Fx Fy Fz F eq 7.4
  
x y z d

The resultant of concurrent space forces system is obtained in a similar manner as in plane
concurrent force system. The individual components of each force is obtained using EQs. 7.3 and
7.4. The x, y and z components are equal to the algebraic summation of the x, y and z components
of the forces comprising the system. The resultant can be obtained by using Eq 7.1 and the
direction cosines by Eq 7.2.

Example 7.1 Solving the Resultant of Space Force System

Determine the magnitude of the resultant, its pointing, and its direction cosines for the following
system of non co-planar concurrent force system. 100 N (2,3,4) , 300 N (-3,-4,5), and 200 N (0,0,4).

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ 76

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Solution:
To solve this, determine the components of the given
forces

Tabulate the answers to easily compute for the Summation of the X, Y and Z components

Substitute the computed values on the equation to get the magnitude of the resultant force. To determine the
direction of the Force consider the signs

77 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Example 7.2 Solving the Unknown Force in Concurrent Space Force System
A vertical load P = 800 lb applied to the tripod shown in figure causes a compressive force of 256
lb in leg AB and a compressive force of 283 lb in leg AC. Determine the force in leg AD and the
coordinates xD and zD of its lower end.

Solution:
Compue for the components of the two given forces

Once done computing for the components, use the equilibrium equations to solve for the Unknown Forces and its
position, XD and ZD

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UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

IV. Moment of a Force

The moment of a force about an axis is the measure of its rotational effect about the axis. The
principle that the moment of a force is equal to the sum of the moments of its components applies
as used in plane force systems. A force that is acting parallel to the axis of the moment has no
moment effect about that axis. Likewise if a force passes through the axis of moment, its moment
about this axis is zero. From Fig 7.3, Mx = Fz(y) – Fy(z). In general the moment of a force about any
axis is due to the components of the force lying in the plane perpendicular to the axis of moment.

Figure 7. 3 Moment of a Space Force

V. Right Hand Rule

This rule determines the positive direction of moment. Grip the positive sense of the axis with
your right thumb. The direction of the curling of the remaining fingers determines the positive
direction of moment like what is shown in Fig 7.4. The use of this rule is not mandatory.

Figure 7. 4 Positive Direction of Moment in Space

79 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Example 7.3 Solving for Moment of a Space Force

As shown in the figure, a force F of 400 lb passes from point B to point A. Compute the moment
of this force about each coordinate axis
Solution:
Compute for the components of the Force and calculate
moments produced with respect to the three axes

Example 7.4 Solving for Moment of a Space Force

The plate shown in figure supports a vertical load of 27 kN at point E. It is supported in horizontal
position by three vertical cables attached at A, B and Compute the tension in each cable.

Solution:
Draw the FBD of the problem, then apply the
equilibrium equations to solve for the unknowns

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ 80