Engineering

Mechanics:
Statics
04 - Resultant of Force Systems

Prep by: Engr. Buluran

 In order to investigate the effects of a system of
Introduction forces on a body, it is often convenient to reduce
the force system to its simplest equivalent
representation.
 Coplanar Force
Systems
The Resultant of a system of forces is the simplest force combination which can
replace the original forces without altering the external effect on the rigid body.

Varignon’s Theorem states that:

• The moment of a force about a point is equal to the
sum of the moments of its components about that
point.
Procedure for analysis:

2. Resolve each forces

1. Establish the free
into its x and y
body diagram and the x,
components and follow
and y axes.
sign conventions.

x
 3. The moment of the resultant force
about point O is equal to the sum of all
couple moments in the system plus the
moments of all the forces about a point.

4. Using the principle of moment,

the location of the resultant force
can be determined
Sample Problem

• Determine the resultant of the

four forces and one couple,
resultant moment and the
location of the resultant force
about point O which act on the
plate shown.
• Replace the force and couple moment system acting on the
beam shown in the figure by an equivalent force, and find
where its line of action intersects the beam.
• The force systems shown
consists of the couple C and
four forces. If the resultant of
the system is 75000 N-mm
counter-clockwise couple
determine P, Q, and C.
Reduction of a Simple
Distributed Loading

All forces considered up to

this point have been assumed
to be concentrated.

Sometimes a body may be

subjected to a loading that is
distributed over its surface.

The pressure exerted at each

point on the surface indicates
the intensity of the loading.
 Types of Distributed Loading

Surface Load Line loads

 Surface Load

The magnitude of the resultant force is equal to

the volume of the region between the load area
and the load surface.

Units of load intensity

are N/m2 or lbs/ft2

The line of action of the resultant force

passes through the centroid of the volume
bounded by the load area and load
surface.
 Line Load

The magnitude of the resultant force is The line of action of the resultant force passes
equal to the area under the load diagram through the centroid of the area under the load
diagram

Units of load intensity are N/m or lbs/ft

Common type of
loadings along a
single axis
Sample Problem
• Determine the resultant
force and specify where it
acts on the beam
measured from A.
• Determine the resultant
force and specify where it
acts on the beam
measured from A.
Determine the magnitude
and location of the
equivalent resultant force
 References

1 2
Engineering Mechanics: Engineering Mechanics:
Statics by R. Hibbeler Statics and Dynamics by F.
Singer