(ENGINEERING MECHANICS-I)

STATIC

Lecture #4
Moments

Instructor

Dr. Mohammed Alamri

 Contents

◼ Objectives of the present lecture

◼ Moment: Scalar definition
◼ Moment about a point
◼ Clockwise and counterclockwise moments
◼ Zero moments
◼ Moment: Vector definition
◼ Varignon’s theorem
◼ Problems
◼ Further reading
 Objectives of the Present lecture

◼ To explain scalar and vector definitions of moment of a

force about an axis
◼ To derive expressions for scalar and vector calculations of
moment of a given force about a point
◼ To illustrate the use of above expressions through a simple
example
Moment: Scalar definition
The tendency of a force to rotate a body about an axis is known as the
moment (M) of the force.

The magnitude of the moment about the

axis O-O normal to the plane of the body is
proportional to

O
i. The force (F); and
ii. The moment arm (d) (The F
perpendicular distance from the axis to
the line of action of the force) M 0
A 90
d
Thus, the scalar definition of moment is
M=F d Line of action
O
of the force

Moment is also referred to as a Torque

 Clockwise and Counterclockwise moments

◼ If tendency of the force is to rotate

its moment arm in a counter
clockwise manner it is called O
counterclockwise moment
(CCW). We will assume CCW F
moment as a positive moment (+) M 0
A 90
◼ If tendency of the force is to rotate d

its moment arm in a clockwise Line of action

of the force
manner it is called clockwise O
moment (CW). We will assume CW
A counterclockwise or (+) moment
moment as a negative moment (-)
Example: Moment Direction
Find the moment direction (CW or CCW) of the force F about
the point A for the different cases shown below

y F y y y

A x A x A x A x

F
CCW CW CW F
No moment
Zero moments

◼ If line of action of the force intersects the axis of

rotation, there is no moment of the force about this axis
of rotation
◼ If line of action of the force is parallel to the axis of
rotation, there is no moment of the force about this axis
of rotation
MA MA F
O O O

A . F A . A .
F
O O
O
MA= 0 MA= 0 MA≠ 0
Moment: Vector Definition

M = rF
r = Position vector that runs from the moment
reference point A to any po int the line of action of F

Magnitude of M = M = M = rF sin 
 M = Fr sin  = Fd

Direction : The right - hand rule is used to identify t he direction.

Thus the moment of F about O-O may be identified as a vector
pointing in the direction of thumb, with the fingers curled in the
direction of the tendency to rotate.
Varignon’s Theorem
The moment of a force about
any point is equal to the sum O
of the moments of the
components of the force P
F
about the same point.
M r
A
Q
M = r  F = r  ( P + Q)
= r  P + r Q O
Problem-1

For the figure shown below, find moment of 400 N force

about point A using
1. Scalar approach
2. vector approach. y
3m
O x
0
45

400 N 6m

A
Problem-1
Scalar Approach
y
400 cos 45⁰ 3m
O x
0
45

400 sin 45⁰

400 N 6m

M A = 400 cos 45 0  6 + 400 sin 45 0  3

 M A = 2545 .2 N.m (Countercl ock wise) Ans.
Problem-1
Vector Approach
y
(-3,0) 3m
400 cos 45⁰
O x
0
45

400 sin 45⁰

400 N 6m

(0,-6)
A

F = 400 cos 450 (−iˆ) + 400 sin 450 (− ˆj ) = −282.8iˆ − 282.8 ˆj

r = ( x2 − x1 )iˆ + ( y2 − y1 ) ˆj = (−3 − 0)iˆ + (0 − (−6)) ˆj = −3iˆ + 6 ˆj
iˆ ˆj kˆ
M A = rF = −3 6 0 = 2545.2kˆ N.m Ans.
− 282.8 − 282.8 0
Problem 2

Find the moment of P (i) about point B and (ii) about point A
Problem 2
Find the moment of P (i) about point B and (ii) about point A

Solution:

30 sin 45⁰
(i) moment about point B
30 cos 45⁰

MB= -30 (1.6) = - 48 N.m (CW) y

x
(ii) moment about point A

MA= -30 cos 45⁰ (y +1.6) -30 sin 45⁰ (x)

MA= -30 cos 45⁰ (1.13 +1.6) -30 sin 45⁰ (1.13)
x =1.6 sin 45⁰ =1.13m
y =1.6 cos 45⁰ =1.13m
MA= -81.9 N.m (CW)
Problem 2/35
Calculate the moment of the 250-N force on the handle of the
monkey wrench about the center of the bolt.
Further Reading

Read more about moment of a force about a specified axis from:

RC Hibbeler (2010). Engineering Mechanics, Statics, Twelfth Edition,

Section 4.5, pp. 139-143.