UNIT IX: FORCES IN SPACE (3D FORCES)

This unit covers Module 18 (Concurrent Forces in Space) and Module 19 (Parallel
Forces in Space).

MODULE 18

Concurrent Forces in Space

This module consists of concepts, principles, illustration, solved problems and

activities to enhance the knowledge of the learners in the Resolution of forces in space,
solving the resultant of concurrent forces in space and equilibrium of concurrent forces in
space.

Concepts/Principles

Resolution of a Force into Three Rectangular Components:

In analyzing problems involving forces in space, it usually becomes necessary to

resolve the forces into three components, parallel respectively, to the three rectangular
axes.
y

Fy

F
ß
O α Fx
x
ϕ

Fz

The illustration above shows a Force F resolved along the three rectangular axes
(x,y,z), making angles α with the x-axis, ß with the y-axis and ϕ with the z axis.

Therefore, the three components of the Force F are:

Fx = F cos α Fy = F cos ß Fz = F cos ϕ

Resultant of Concurrent Force Systems in Space

In this topic, each Force may be resolved into its x, y and z - components; and:

All x- components are added algebraically into ∑Fx

All y- components are added algebraically into ∑Fy

All z- components are added algebraically into ∑Fz

Angles of the Resultant that makes with each of the three axes are:
(or Direction Cosines)

Cos θx = ∑Fx Cos θy = ∑Fy Cos θz = ∑Fz

R R R

Cos θx = Fx Cos θy = Fy Cos θz = Fz

F F F

Components of the resultant

Rx = ΣFx

Ry = ΣFy

Rz = ΣFz

Magnitude of the resultant

R = √(Rx)2 + (Ry)2 + (Rz)2

Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces in Space

In equilibrium of Forces in Space, Resultant is equal to zero (R = 0). Therefore:

∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0 ∑Fz = 0

The above equations give three independent conditions of equilibrium from which the
unknowns not exceeding three can be determined.

Proportion of components

Fx Fy Fz F
-------- = --------- = ---------- = ------
x y z d
EXAMPLE 1. Determine the magnitude and direction angles of a force whose
components are: Fx = +400N Fy = +600N Fz = -800N

Fy
Fz

o x
Fx

Solution:

Given: Fx = +400N Find: θx

Fy = +600N θy

Fz = -800N θz

Solve the Resultant Force (F) by the principle of Pythagoras:

F = √(Fx)2 + (Fy)2 + (Fz)2

F = √(400)2 + (600)2 + (-800)2

F = 1,077.03 Nans

Solve the direction angles of the Resultant Force (F):

Cos θx = Fx Cos θy = Fy Cos θz = Fz

F F F

Cos θx = 400N Cos θy = 600N Cos θz = - 800N

1,077.03N 1,077.03N 1,077.03N
θx = cosˉ 1 400N θy = cosˉ 1 600N θz = cosˉ 1 -800N
1,077.03N 1,077.03N 1,077.03N

θx = 68.200ans θy = 56.150ans θz= 137.970ans

EXAMPLE 2. A weight W = 500 Kg is supported by three tripod legs AB, AC and AD

which are firmly attached at A. Determine the force in each tripod leg.

y
A

D
1.2m

W 3m
2m
2m x
B
O
1.6m

z C
1.6m

Solution:

Consider the Free Body Diagram (FBD) of the whole system and assume all tripod legs
to be in compression:
y
A
AD
y

W AD
x D
1.2m
AB AD 3m
y z
2m
2m AC x
B y
AB O AC
x z
AC 1.6m
x
z C
1.6m

Please take note that:

ABx and ABy are force components of Leg AB (Leg AB has no z-component
Because it is only lying on the x-y plane)

ACx and ACy and ACz are force components of Leg AC

 ADx and ADy and ADz are force components of Leg AD

Solve for the length of Tripod Legs by applying the Principle of Pythagoras:

AB = √(2)2 + (3)2 = 3.606 m

AC = √(1.6)2 + (1.6)2 + (3)2 = 3.758 m

AD = √(1.2)2 + (2)2 + (3)2 = 3.80 m

Determine the value of the components of the force in each Leg by applying the Ratio
and Proportion principle and solve for the Force in each Tripod Leg applying the Principle
of Equilibrium:

By Ratio and Proportion:

ABx = AB = ABy ; ABy = 3AB ; ABx = 2AB

2 3.606 3 3.606 3.606

ACx = AC = ACy = ACz ; ACy = 3AC ; ACx = 1.6AC ; ACz = 1.6AC

1.6 3.758 3 1.6 3.758 3.758 3.758

ADx = AD = ADy = ADz ; ADy = 3AD ; ADx = 1.2AD ; ADz = 2AD

1.2 3.8 3 2 3.8 3.8 3.8

∑Fx = 0; + -

+ ABx - ACx - ADx = 0

+ 2AB - 1.6AC - 1.2AD = 0

3.606 3.758 3.8

+ 0.555 AB - 0.426 AC - 0.316 AD = 0 (Eqn. 1)

∑Fy = 0; + -

+ ABy + ACy + ADy – 500 = 0

+ 3AB + 3AC + 3AD - 500 = 0

3.606 3.758 3.8

+ 0.832 AB + 0.798 AC + 0.789 AD = 500 (Eqn. 2)

∑Fz = 0; + -

+ ACz - ADz = 0

+ 1.6AC - 2AD = 0
3.758 3.8

+ 0.425 AC - 0.526 AD = 0

AC = 1.238 AD (Eqn. 3)

Substitute Eqn. 3 in Eqn. 1 and Eqn.2:

+ 0.555 AB - 0.426 AC - 0.316 AD = 0 (Eqn. 1)

+ 0.555 AB - 0.426 (1.238 AD) - 0.316 AD = 0

+ 0.555 AB - 0.527 AD - 0.316 AD = 0

0.555AB = 0.843 AD

AB = 1.519 AD (Eqn. 4)

+ 0.832 AB + 0.798 AC + 0.789 AD = 500 (Eqn. 2)

+ 0.832 AB + 0.798 (1.238 AD) + 0.789 AD = 500

+ 0.832 AB + 0.988 AD + 0.789 AD = 500

0.832 AB + 1.777 AD = 500

0.832 AB = 500 - 1.777 AD

AB = 600.962 – 2.136 AD (Eqn. 5)

Equate Eqn. 4 and Eqn. 5:

Eqn. 4 = Eqn. 5

1.519 AD = 600.962 – 2.136 AD

1.519 AD + 2.136 AD = 600.962

1.655 AD = 600.962

AD = 164.56 Kg (C)ans
Substitute the value of AD = 164.56 Kg in Eqn 3 and Eqn. 4 or Eqn. 5, say in Eqn. 4:

AB = 1.519 AD (Eqn.4)

AB = 1.519 (164.56)

AB = 249.97 Kg (C)ans

AC = 1.238 AD (Eqn. 3)

AC = 1.238 (164.56)

AC = 203.73 Kg (C)ans