Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

The concept of static equilibrium is central to the study of engineering mechanics and structures. This
lecture provides an overview of the static equilibrium conditions and equations for dimensionless
particles.

Figure 1: Examples of structural systems that must remain in the equilibrium state
A structural system, be it a building, a tower, a bridge, or any other load-carrying mechanism, must
remain at rest when subjected to loads. For example, a building would be of little use if it experienced a
rigid-body motion when subjected to loads. When a structure can withstand all the applicable loads
without any of its components moving freely (i.e., having a rigid-body movement), it is considered to be
in the state of static equilibrium.

In this lecture, we provide a mathematical definition for the concept of static equilibrium and its role in
engineering analysis. But instead of using systems like buildings and bridges, we are going to use a much
simpler system: a particle. A particle could be an object whose dimensions are negligible, or it could be a
point in a larger, more complex system. We will extend this discussion to rigid bodies in future lectures.

Consider the particle shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: A particle

For it to remain at rest (for the particle to maintain its static equilibrium) the net force acting on it must
be zero, as depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3: A particle subjected to two balancing forces

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

When a particle is subjected to a non-zero net force, it moves. Therefore, for a particle to remain in the
state of static equilibrium, the algebraic sum of the forces acting on it must be zero. This equilibrium
condition can be expressed mathematically as:

∑ 𝐹⃗ = 0 [1]

Equation [1] states that for a particle to be in static equilibrium, the net force vector acting on it must be
zero. In two-dimensional space where vectors can be described in terms of their x and y components,
Equation [1] can be written as:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 [2]

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 [3]

We refer to Equations [2] and [3] as the static equilibrium equations. We can use them in two ways:

1) If all the forces applied to the particle are known, the equilibrium equations can be used to
determine if the particle is in the state of equilibrium.
2) If one or two of the forces acting on the particle are unknown, we can use the equations to
calculate them.

For example, to determine if the particle shown in Figure 3 is in the state of equilibrium, we can apply
Equations [2] and [3] to the forces acting on the particle, as shown below.

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 10 − 10 = 0 [4]

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 [5]

Equation [4] tells us that the sum of the forces acting in the horizontal (x) direction are indeed zero. In
the case of the particle given in Figure 3, Equation [5] is automatically satisfied since the particle is not
subjected to any force in the y direction.

Consider this particle shown in Figure 4. It is subjected to three forces, one of which (labeled R) has an
unknown magnitude.

Figure 4: A particle subjected to three forces

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

We wish to determine R such that the particle remains in the state of equilibrium. The static equilibrium
equations for this particle can be written as:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 8 𝑐𝑜𝑠(30) + 8 𝑐𝑜𝑠(30) + 𝑅 = 0 [6]

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 8 𝑠𝑖𝑛(30) − 8 𝑠𝑖𝑛(30) = 0 [7]

Since force magnitude R appears only in Equation [6], we can easily solve it to determine R.

𝑅 = −13.86 𝑘𝑁 [8]

We also need to check Equation [7] to make sure all the equilibrium conditions have been satisfied. In
this case, both equations are satisfied. Therefore, the particle is in the state of equilibrium.

Note the negative value for R given in Equation [8]. What does the negative sign mean here? It means
that for the equilibrium equations to be satisfied, vector R must act in the opposite direction to what is
shown in Figure 4. Put differently, for the particle to be in equilibrium, vector R must be pointing toward
the particle.

We can show the result of our simple analysis graphically in one of two ways:

1) Either keep the assumed direction of the vector and write negative 13.86 for its magnitude (see
Figure 5a).
2) Or, change the direction of the vector and write positive 13.86 for its magnitude (see Figure 5b).

(a) (b)

Figure 5: Two representations for a vector with a negative magnitude

Consider the flowerpots shown in Figure 6. The pots, each weighing 45 Newtons, are attached to a
ceiling using ropes. If no other forces are being applied to the system, we can say that it is in the state of
static equilibrium. That is, no part of the system undergoes a rigid-body movement. We wish to
determine the tension force in each rope segment.

We can view this as a particle equilibrium problem. Where is the particle? There are many particles in
the system, but we are not interested in most of them. We are only interested in the ones that enable
us to determine the unknown forces in the ropes. Therefore, we are interested in the particles at the
intersection of the relevant forces in our system.

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

Figure 6: Flowerpots hanging from a ceiling using ropes

If we replace each pot with a downward force of 45 Newtons (N), we should be able to see where the
particles of interest are located: at the tail end of the applied 45-N forces, where the ropes and the pots
come together (see Figure 7).

Figure 7: A particle representation of two flowerpots hanging from a ceiling

As shown in Figure 7, Points A and C act as our particles of interest. Note that here we have two
independent particles as they have no forces in common. Hence, we need to solve two independent
particle equilibrium problems.

Particle A and the forces that are acting on it are shown below.

Figure 8: Two forces acting on a particle

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

As shown in Figure 8, Particle A is subjected to a downward force of 45 Newtons and an upward force
with an unknown magnitude. This upward force represents the tension force in the rope attaching the
flowerpot to the ceiling. We can label the magnitude of the force as 𝐹𝐴𝐵 .

For this particle to be in the state of equilibrium, the static equilibrium equations must be satisfied.
Therefore, we can write:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 [9]

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐹𝐴𝐵 − 45 = 0 [10]

Note that Equation [9] is automatically satisfied since the particle is not subjected to any horizontal
force. From Equation [10], we can clearly see that for the particle to remain in the state of equilibrium
𝐹𝐴𝐵 must be equal to 45 𝑁. That is, the tension force in the cable is 45 Newtons.

This conclusion is rather obvious as if the pot weighs 45 Newtons, then we need a force of 45 Newtons
in the rope to hold the pot in place.

Particle C (see Figure 7) is subjected to three forces: a downward force of 45 Newtons, a tension force in
Rope CD and a force in Rope CE. These forces are shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Three forces acting on a particle

We can determine the angle between each rope segment and the vertical using trigonometry as follows:

tan(𝛽) = 25⁄50 ⇒ 𝛽 = 26.57° [11]

The equilibrium equations for this particle can be written as:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝐹𝐶𝐸 sin 26.57 − 𝐹𝐶𝐷 sin 26.57 = 0 [12]

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐹𝐶𝐸 cos 26.57 + 𝐹𝐶𝐷 cos 26.57 − 45 = 0 [13]

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Statics Review: Particle Equilibrium

Solving Equations [12] and [13] for the unknown force magnitudes, we get 𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 𝐹𝐶𝐸 = 25.16 𝑁. That
is, for the pot at Point C to remain in the state of static equilibrium, each rope segment attached to the
pot must be able to carry a tension force of 25.16 Newtons.

In summary, in two-dimensional space, we need to write two equations for static equilibrium problems
involving particles. In such problems, we can determine up to two unknown forces acting on a single
particle. The basic static equilibrium concept can be used to solve a host of practical problems.

Exercise Problems:

A) A crane is used to fit a concrete pipe weighing 5 kN into place. If 𝑑 = 0.25𝑚, determine the
tension force in cables AB and AC.

B) The 200-N flowerpot is suspended from three wires and supported by the hooks at B and C.
Determine the tension force in AB and AC.

C) The man attempts to pull down the tree using the cable and pulley arrangement shown. If the
tension force in AB is 300 N, determine the force in cable CAB and the angle (𝜗) which the cable
makes at the pulley.

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