Mech 314 - Prelim - Module 5

PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Learning Module 05: Couples; Moment of a Couple
LEARNING
MODULE 5:
Couples; Moment
of a Couple
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
Prepared by:
ENGR. AUGUSTINE E. BUENAVENTURA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Time
Title Page
Allotment
COUPLES 5 3 mins
MOMENT OF A COUPLE, 5 30 mins
LEARNING ACTIVITY #1 12 30 mins
SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM 13 10 mins
FURTHER SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE 15 mins
20
SYSTEM
TECHNICAL REPORT 5 28 45 mins
Formative Assessment: Online quiz on the topics of Moment of 120 mins
n/a
Force; Couples, Moment of Couples
Video links
Title Video links
Moment of a Couple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvkoS57fMj8&list=PLGueTK9Crnm9W
J4q2NmVeGe4i92ELWu1j
Example: Moment of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1f4ibhVYNE&list=PLGueTK9Crnm9W
a 2D Couple J4q2NmVeGe4i92ELWu1j&index=2
Moment of a 3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6zcWtug5Qc&list=PLGueTK9Crnm9W
Couple J4q2NmVeGe4i92ELWu1j&index=3
Example: Moment of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgERKoKrII4&list=PLGueTK9Crnm9WJ
a 3D couple 4q2NmVeGe4i92ELWu1j&index=4
Simplification of a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh4eGiM6XHI&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_S
System of Forces KNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5
and Moments
Example: Force & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK5j0C0uLvk&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_S
Moment System KNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5&index=2
Simplification (2d https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRnHJ1U1Bcw&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_
&3d) SKNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5&index=3
Further simplification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUAT9Sw01P4&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_
of force and SKNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5&index=4
moments
Example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-
bd7_Q8IZg&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_SKNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5&index=5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM9_wOlCDuQ&list=PLGueTK9Crnm_
SKNCfUhr5FEO3fYvizxL5&index=6
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TABLE OF REFERENCES
References No.
Hibbler. (2016). Engineering Mechanics, Statics. New Jersey: Pearson
1
Prentice Hall
Beer, Johnson, Maruzel, & Cornwell. (2010). Vector Mechanics for
2
Engineers: Statics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
List of Figures
Figures Reference
1–2 Beer, Johnson, Maruzel, & Cornwell. (2010). Vector Mechanics for
Engineers: Statics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
3 - 25 Hibbler. (2016). Engineering Mechanics, Statics. New Jersey:
Pearson Prentice Hall
List of Examples
Example Reference
1 - 11 Hibbler. (2016). Engineering Mechanics, Statics. New Jersey:
Pearson Prentice Hall
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that defines couples, explains the concept of moment of a couple that is way of
solving nonconcurrent force systems, showing a method of simplification of a force
and couple system in finding resultant force and resultant moment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Learning Outcomes [CLO]
CLO 4. Determine forces of 2D and 3D Module Learning Outcomes [MLO]

structures;
CLO 11. Accomplish tasks analysis of Topic Learning Outcomes [TLO]
problem at data. MLO 1. Calculate moment of a couple
CLO 12. Produce a systematic and MLO 2. Calculate the resultant force TLO 1. Apply understanding on
accurate solution for every problem soand moment using the simplification of introduction to the basic quantities,
a force and couple system.
that it can be solve in a limited amount idealizations of mechanics and the
of time. systems of units (SI and English) by
numerical calculation and dimensional
CLO 13. Demonstrate critical analysis analysis.
in the solution of a problem and
application to engineering.. TLO 4. Utilize the concept of the free-
body diagram for a particle and to show
how to solve particle equilibrium
problems using the equations of
equilibrium
TLO 8. Use the moment of a couple in
determining the resultant effect of a
nonconcurrent force system.
HONESTY CLAUSE
As individuals of the academic community, students are expected to understand and

uphold requirements of intellectual and educational integrity. The college assumes
as a simple and minimal standard of conduct in academic matters, that students be
truthful and that they submit credit of their personal efforts.
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑆𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒
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MOMENT OF A COUPLE
A couple is classified as two parallel forces which have the same magnitude but are
divided by a perpendicular distance d,
However, the sum of the two forces' moments about a given point, is not zero.
Although the two powers do not translate the body they are working on, they appear
to make it rotate.
Figure 1
Denoting By rA and rB, respectively, the position

vectors of F and -F, Fig 2, we find the sum of the
moments of the two forces around O.
Setting 𝑟𝐴 − 𝑟𝐵 = 𝑟, where r is the vector that joins the

application points of the two forces, we infer that the
vector represents the sum of the moments of F and -F
about O
Figure 2
This result indicates that a couple moments is a free vector, i.e. it can function at
any point because M only depends on the position vector r between the forces and
not the position vectors rA and rB, which are guided from the arbitrary point O to the
forces.
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Scalar Formulation.
The moment of a couple, M, Fig 3 has a magnitude of
Where F is the magnitude of one of the forces and d is the

perpendicular or moment arm between the forces. The position
and sense of the couple moment is determined by the right-hand
rule where the thumb shows this position while curling the fingers
with the sense of rotation induced by the forces of the couple. In all
cases, M acts perpendicular to the plane that contains these
forces.
Figure 3
Vector Formulation.
The vector cross product can also describe the moment of a couple
The application of this equation is easily remembered when one thinks of taking the
moments of the two forces about a point lying on one of the forces' line of action
Equivalent Couples.
If two couples generate a moment of the same magnitude and direction, then the
pair of couple are equivalent.
For example , the two couples shown in Fig 4 are equivalent since each pair of
moments has a magnitude of M = 30 N(0.4 m) = 40 N(0.3 m) = 12 Nm, and each is
directed towards the page plane. Note that in the second example , greater forces
are needed to achieve the same turning impact, as the hands are positioned closer
together. Also, if the wheel was attached to the shaft at a point other than the centre,
the wheel will still turn when each pair is applied because the 12 Nm pair is a free
Figure 4
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vector.
Resultant Couple Moment.

Since couple moments are vectors, their resultant can
be determined by vector addition.
Consider the couple moments M1 and M2 acting on the

pipe in Fig 5a for instance. Since each moment is a
free vector, we can at any arbitrary point join their tails
and find the resulting moment, MR = M1 + M2 as
shown in Fig 5b.
If more than two moments function on the body, this

definition can be generalized and the resultant vector
written as
Figure 5
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EXAMPLE 1
Determine the magnitude and direction of the couple moment acting on the gear in
Fig. 6
Figure 6b
Figure 6c
Figure 6
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EXAMPLE 2
Determine the couple moment acting on the pipe shown in Fig. 12. Segment 𝐴𝐵 is
directed 30° below the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane
Figure 7b
Figure 7c
Figure 7d
Figure 7
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EXAMPLE 3
Replace the two couples acting on the pipe column in Fig. 8a by a resultant couple
moment
Figure 8
Figure 8b
Figure 8a
Figure 8c
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EXAMPLE 4
Determine the resultant couple moment of the three couples acting on the plate in
Fig. 9.
Figure 9
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LEARNING ACTIVITY #1
Solve the following problem systematically and box the final answer with its
appropriate units. Write the question and the complete solution on the prescribed
format. Submit your scanned work on the provided link on Google Classroom.
1. Determine the resultant couple moment acting on the beam.
2. Determine the resultant couple moment acting on the triangular plate
3. Determine the resultant couple moment acting on the pipe assembly.
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SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM
Often it is useful to reduce a system of forces and a couple moments acting on a

body to a simpler form by replacing it with an equivalent method, consisting of a
single force acting at a particular point and a corresponding moment.
A system is equal if the external effects on a body that it creates are the same as
those produced by the original system of force and couple moment. In this sense,
the external effects of a system apply to the translation and rotation of the body
when the body is free to move, or to the reactive forces on the supports when the
body is fixed.
Consider, for example, holding the stick in Fig 10a which at point A is subjected to
force F. If we connect a pair of equal but opposite forces F and -F at point B, which is
in line F, Fig 10b, we observe that -F at B and F at A cancel each other, leaving only
F at B, Fig 10c
Figure 10
Force F has now changed from A to B without altering its external effects on the
stick; i.e., the grip reaction remains the same. This illustrates the transmissibility
principle, which states that a force acting on a body (stick) is a sliding vector, since it
can be applied at any point in its course of action.
We can also use the above technique to transfer a force to a point which isn't on the
force's line of operation. If F, as in Fig 11a, is applied perpendicular to the stick, we
can connect a pair of equal but opposite forces F and – F to B, Fig 11b. Force F is
now applied to B, and the other two forces, F to A and -F to B, form a pair which
produces the moment M = Fd, Fig 11c.
Figure 11
The force F can then be transferred from A to B given that a couple moments M is
applied to maintain an equivalent system. Taking F's moment about B decides this
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couple moment. Since M is a free vector it can function on the stick at any point. In
both cases the mechanisms are identical, which causes the grip to feel a downward
force F and a clockwise couple moment M = Fd.
System of Forces and Couple Moments.
Using the above method, it is possible to reduce a system of multiple forces and
couple of moments acting on a body to an equivalent single resulting force acting at
a point O and a resulting couple moment.
For example, in Figure 12a, O is not on the line of

action of F1, so this force can be transferred to
point O provided the body is added a couple of
moments (MO)1 = r1 * F. Similarly, as we move F2
to point O the couple moment (MO)2 = r2 * F2
should be applied to the body. Finally, because M
is a free vector at a time, it can be transferred to
point O.
Through doing so, we obtain the equivalent system

shown in Fig 12b, which generates the same
external effects on the body (supporting reactions)
as the force and couple system shown in Fig 12a.
The resulting force FR = F1 + F2 and the resulting

couple moment (MR)O = M + (MO)1 + (MO)2 are obtained
if we sum the forces and couple moments. Fig 12c.
Figure 12
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By using the following two equations, we can generalize the above method of
reducing a force and couple scheme to an equal resulting force FR acting at point O
and resulting pair moment (MR)O.
The first equation states that the resulting force of the system is equal to the sum of
all forces; and the second equation states that the resulting couple of moments of
the system is equivalent to the sum of all the couple of moments ΣM in addition to
the moments of all the forces ΣMO in point O.
If the force system is in the x-y plane and any moments are perpendicular to this
plane, the above equations are reduced to three scalar equations..
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EXAMPLE 5
Replace the force and couple system shown in Fig. 13a by an equivalent resultant
force and couple moment acting at point 𝑂.
Fig. 13b
Fig. 13b
Fig. 13b
Figure 13
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EXAMPLE 6
Replace the force and couple system acting on the member in Fig. 14a by an
equivalent resultant force and couple moment acting at point 𝑂.
Figure 14
Figure 14a
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EXAMPLE 7
The structural member is subjected to a couple moment 𝑀 and forces 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 in
Fig. 15a. Replace this system by an equivalent resultant force and couple moment
acting at its base, point 𝑂.
Figure 15
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LEARNING ACTIVITY #2
1. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and couple
moment acting at point A.

moment
acting at
point A.

moment acting
at point O
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FURTHER SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM

Concurrent Force System.
Since a concurrent force system is one in which the lines of action of all forces
converge at a common point O, Fig 16a, then there is no moment about this point in
the force system.
Consequently, the equivalent system can be defined by a single resulting force FR =
ΣF
acting in O,
Fig 16b.
Figure 16
Coplanar Force System.

In the case of a coplanar force structure, all forces' lines of action lie on the same
plane, Fig 17a, and so the resulting force FR = F of this structure is also on this
plane. Moreover, the moment of each of the forces is directed perpendicular to this
plane about any point O.
Thus, the resulting moment (MR)O and resulting force FR will be perpendicular to
each other, Fig 17b.
The resulting moment can be replaced by moving the resulting force FR a
perpendicular or moment arm distance d away from point O, so that FR generates
the same moment (MR)O around point O, Fig 17c.
Figure 17
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This distance d can be defined by the scalar equation
(𝑀𝑅 )𝑂 = 𝐹𝑅 𝑑 = 𝑀𝑂 𝑜𝑟 𝑑 = (𝑀𝑅 )𝑂 /𝐹𝑅 .
Parallel Force System.
The parallel force system shown in Fig 18a is composed

of forces all parallel to the z axis.
Therefore, in point O, Fig 18b, the resulting force FR =

F must also be parallel to this axis. The moment
produced by each force is in the plate plane, and the
resulting moment, (MR)O, will also lie in this plane,
along the moment axis since FR and (MR)O are
perpendicular to each other.
The force system can therefore be further reduced to an

equivalent single resulting force FR, operating through
point P on the perpendicular b axis, Fig 18c.
Figure 18
This distance d can be defined by the scalar equation

(𝑀𝑅 )𝑂 = 𝐹𝑅 𝑑 = 𝑀𝑂 𝑜𝑟 𝑑 = 𝑀𝑂 /𝐹𝑅 .
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EXAMPLE 8
Replace the force and couple moment system acting on the bram in Fig. 19a by an
equivalent resultant force, and find where its line of action intersects the beam,
measured from point 𝑂.
Figure 19
Figure 19b
Figure 19a
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EXAMPLE 9
The jib crane shown in Fig. 20a is subjected to three coplanar forces. Replace this
loading by an equivalent resultant force and specify where the resultant’s line of
action intersects the column 𝐴𝐵 and boom 𝐵𝐶.
Figure 20b
Figure 20
Figure 20b
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EXAMPLE 10
The slab in Fig. 21a is subjected to four parallel forces. Determine the magnitude
and direction of a resultant force equivalent to the given force system, and locate its
point of application on the slab.
Figure 23
Fig 21a24
Fig 21b23
Fig 21a23
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EXAMPLE 11
Replace the force system in Fig. 25a by an equivalent resultant force and specify its
point of application on the pedestal.
Figure 25b
Figure 25
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LEARNING ACTIVITY # 3
1. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and specify
where the resultant’s line of action intersects the member measured from A.
2. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and specify

where the resultant’s line of action intersects the horizontal segment of the
member measured from A.
3. Replace the loading shown by an equivalent single resultant force and specify
the x and y coordinates of its line of action.
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TECHNICAL REPORT 5: Couples; Moment of a Couple
1. A plate in the shape of a parallelogram is acted upon by two couples.
Determine (a) the moment of the couple formed by the two 21-lb forces, (b)
the perpendicular distance between the 12-lb forces if the resultant of the two
couples is zero, (c) the value of 𝛼 if the resultant couple is 72 lb ∙ in. clockwise
and d is 42 in.
2. Replace the two couples shown with a single equivalent couple, specifying its
magnitude and the direction of its axis.
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3. Three horizontal forces are applied as shown to a vertical cast-iron arm.
Determine the resultant of the forces and the distance from the ground to its
line of action when (a) 𝑃 = 200 𝑁, (b) 𝑃 = 2400 𝑁, (c) 𝑃 = 1000 𝑁.
4. Five separate force-couple systems act at the corners of a piece of sheet

metal, which has been bent into the shape shown. Determine which of these
systems is equivalent to a force 𝐹 = (10 𝑙𝑏)𝒊 and a couple of moment
𝑀 = (15 𝑙𝑏 ∙ 𝑓𝑡)𝒋 + (15 𝑙𝑏 ∙ 𝑓𝑡)𝒌 located at the origin.
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PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Course Learning Outcomes [CLO]

CLO 4. Determine forces of 2D and 3D Module Learning Outcomes [MLO]

As individuals of the academic community, students are expected to understand and

Denoting By rA and rB, respectively, the position

Setting 𝑟𝐴 − 𝑟𝐵 = 𝑟, where r is the vector that joins the

Where F is the magnitude of one of the forces and d is the

Resultant Couple Moment.

Consider the couple moments M1 and M2 acting on the

If more than two moments function on the body, this

2. Determine the resultant couple moment acting on the triangular plate

3. Determine the resultant couple moment acting on the pipe assembly.

SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM

Often it is useful to reduce a system of forces and a couple moments acting on a

System of Forces and Couple Moments.

For example, in Figure 12a, O is not on the line of

Through doing so, we obtain the equivalent system

The resulting force FR = F1 + F2 and the resulting

2. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and couple

3. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and couple

FURTHER SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM

Coplanar Force System.

The parallel force system shown in Fig 18a is composed

Therefore, in point O, Fig 18b, the resulting force FR =

The force system can therefore be further reduced to an

This distance d can be defined by the scalar equation

2. Replace the loading system by an equivalent resultant force and specify

4. Five separate force-couple systems act at the corners of a piece of sheet

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