• Moment of Force about a point : The moment of a force is a measure of the

turning tendency caused by the force. In a three-dimensional (3D) case, it is defined as

Ԧ 𝐹Ԧ where 𝑟Ԧ is the position vector of any arbitrary point on the line of action of the
𝑟X
force, with the moment center (the point about which moment is being calculated)
taken as origin. Thus, moment is a vector quantity.
• In a 2D case, it simplifies to the magnitude of the force multiplied by the perpendicular
distance between the moment center and the line of action of the force. In such cases,
there is no need to treat the moment as a vector quantity. We will just call it clockwise
(CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) moment, depending on the direction of the turning
tendency. Normally, a positive sign is used for CCW moment and negative sign for CW
moment. However, there is no harm in using the opposite sign convention, as long as
we are consistent. The SI unit of moment is Newton-meter (Nm). Figure explains how
moment is calculated in a 2D case, where points A and B, and the line of action of the
force, all lie in the plane of the paper. AA’ and BB’ are perpendicular to the line of action
of the force.
• Couple and moment of couple : Two equal and opposite forces, with their
lines of action being parallel but separated by some distance, constitute a couple.
Since the net force in such an arrangement is zero, a couple has the tendency of
only turning the body on which it acts, by applying a moment.
𝐹Ԧ
B

A −𝐹Ԧ

Ԧ OB + |𝐹|
Mo =-|𝐹| Ԧ OA
Ԧ
=-|𝐹|(OB-OA)
Ԧ
=-|𝐹|d
• Moment of force: 𝐹Ԧ
𝑀𝑜 = 𝑟Ԧ x 𝐹Ԧ
𝑀𝑜 = r F sinθ𝑛ො
𝑀𝑜 =r F sinθ
𝑟Ԧ θ 𝑀𝑜 =F(perpendicular distance)d

o d

• Sense:
Clockwise

+ve -ve

Anti-clockwise
• Example:
𝐹1 𝐹2

σ 𝑀𝑜 =-F1d1+F2d2+F3d3

𝐹3
• Couple:- When two equal and opposite forces act on a body
separated by a distance apart from each other; they form a couple,
moment of which is given as
Mc=Fꓕd (we know)
Mc=Fdsinθ
Mc=Fd1

θ d
θ

d1
• When force is transferred away from its line of action it is converted
into an equivalent force couple system

F F F
F

𝑀𝑂𝐶 = 𝐹𝑥𝑑

O A O A
O A
d
-F
• Q. find the equivalent force-couple system at point O.
• Find the moment of force F & P about points A,B,C&D
• Varignon’s theorem:- When many forces are acting on a body then the sum of
moments of all forces is equal to moment due to resultant alone. It is used to find
the position of resultant 𝑅 w.r.t. any point or axis.
F1 R F2 F3

d1
d2
d3
d

R= σ 𝐹𝑥2 + σ 𝐹𝑦2

R= σ 𝐹𝑦
෍ 𝑀𝐴 = −(𝐹1𝑑1 + 𝐹2𝑑2 + 𝐹3𝑑3)

෍ 𝑀𝐴 = −𝑅𝑑