OCTOBER-2014

Tutorial 8&9
Engineering Mechanics (statics) (MEE1EMS)
Three dimensional force systems
1. The antenna tower shown in Figure 1 is supported by three cables. If the forces of these
cables acting on the antenna are FB=520 N, FC= 680 N and FD= 560 N, determine the
magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the resultant force acting at A.
Answer: (1.48 KN, 86.9o, 77.5o, 167o)

Figure 1

2. Determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the resultant force.

Answer: (117 lb,91.3o, 98.4o, 172)

Figure 2

3. The chandelier is supported by three chains which are concurrent at point O as shown
in Figure 3.

(a) If the force in each chain has a magnitude of 60 lb, express each force as a
Cartesian vector and determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of
the resultant force.
(b) If the resultant force at O has a magnitude of 130 lb and is directed along the
negative z axis, determine the force in each chain.

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Figure 2

4. Express force F as a Cartesian vector; then determine its coordinate direction angles.
Answer: (F=59.4 i-88.2j-83.2k) lb
63.9o, 131o, 128o)

Figure 3

5. The shaft S exerts three force components on the die D. Find the magnitude and
coordinate direction angles of the resultant force. Force F2 acts within the octant
shown

Answer: (615 N,26.6o, 85.1, 64o)

Figure 4

6. Two cables are used to secure the overhang boom in position and support the 1500-N
load. If the resultant force is directed along the boom from point A towards O,
determine:

(a) The magnitudes of the resultant force and forces FB and FC. Set x = 3 m
and z = 2 m.

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(b) Determine the values of x and z for the coordinates of point C and the magnitude
of the resultant force. Set FB = 1610 N and FC = 2400 N.

Figure 6

7. The cable AO exerts a force on the top of the pole of F=( ). If

the cable has a length of 34 ft, determine the height z of the pole and the location (x,
y) of its base.
(Answer: x=24 ft, y=18 ft, z=16 ft)

Figure 7
8. The cable attached to the shear-leg derrick exerts a force on the derrick of F=350 lb..
Express this force as a Cartesian vector.
Answer: (F =(143i-248j-201k) lb)

Figure 8
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Solutions
Q (1):

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Q (2):

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Q (3):

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(a)

(b)

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Q (4)

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Q (5)

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Q (6) (a)

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Q 6 (b):

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Q (7)

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Q (8):
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