MODULE 3

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 1
Chapter 3.
EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCE SYSTEMS
Chapter Objective:

1.Introduce the concept of the free-body diagram for a

particle.
2. Discuss how to solve particle equilibrium problems using 3.2.Free-Body Diagrams
the equations of equilibrium.
Free Body Diagram (FBD) is a simplified
3.1. DEFINITION AND MEANING OF EQUILIBRIUM
representation of a particle or rigid body that is
Equilibrium refers, essentially, to a state of rest or isolated from its surroundings and on which all applied
forces and reactions are shown.
balance.

When a body is in equilibrium, the resultant of all Forces that are normally considered to be acting on a
rigid body are as follows:
forces acting on it zeros. Thus, the resultant force R
and the resultant couple M are both zero, and we have the ■ Externally applied forces.
equilibrium equations. ■ Weight of the rigid body.
■ Reaction forces
R=∑ F=0 is called as force law of equilibrium ■ Externally applied moments.

M =∑ M =0 is called moment law of equilibrium

The free-body diagram is the most important single step in the
solution of problem in mechanics.
The sign ∑ is known as sigma which is a greek letter . This sign
represents the algebraic sum of forces or moments.

Modeling The Action of Forces in Two Dimensional

Analysis
Example of Equilibrium:

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 2
 Type of Contact and Force Action on Body to Be support is capable of
Origin isolated supporting an
Descriptio Idealized Description Reactions axial force
n Symbol F,a
transverse
Flexible Force Exerted
force V
Cable, by a flexible
(Shear
belt, Chain cable is
Force), and a
or rope always a
couple M
tension away
(bending
from the body
moment) to
in the
prevent
direction of
rotation
the cable.
Roller Roller,rocker
Smooth Contact force
Support ,or ball
surfaces is
support
compressive
transmits a
and is normal
compressive
to the
force normal
surface
to the
Rough Rough surface supporting
Surface are capable surfaces
of supporting Freely Collar or
a tangential sliding slider free
component guide to move
F(Frictional along smooth
Force)as well guides, can
as a normal support force
component N normal to
of the guide only.
resultant Spring Spring force
contact force action is tensile if
R. spring is
stretched and
Built-in or A built-in or compressive
Fixed fixed support if

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 3
 compressed. Procedure for Analysis:

The following steps should be performed in constructing a

free body diagram for a rigid body or any group of bodies
considered as a single system.

Gravitation The resultant 1. First, Draw its outlined shape by isolating the body
al of or cut “free” from its constraints and connection.
attraction gravitational
attraction on
2. Show all forces and couple moments by identifying
all elements
of a body of
all the known and unknown forces that acts on the
mass m is the body. Those generally encountered are due to (1)
weight W=mg applied forces, (2) reactions occurring at the
and acts supports or at points of contact with other bodies
toward the and (3) the weight of the body.
center of the
earth through 3. Finally, identify each loading and give dimensions
the center of the body necessary for calculating the moments of
mass G. forces. Label each force by its magnitude if known,
Pin- A A hinged or by a symbol, if unknown. Establish x and y
Connection connection is coordinate system to be used
capable of
supporting a
Rx
force in any
direction in
the plane
normal to the
axis; usually
shown as two
Ry
components Rx
and Ry.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 4
Free-Body Diagrams of Particles
2.
1.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 5
 4. Cantilever beam with a concentrated and uniform load.

3. Simple beam with two concentrated loads.

(a) Pictorial diagram.

(a) Pictorial diagram

(b) Free-body diagram of the beam.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 6
 (c) Free-body diagram.
5. Wind load on a pitched roof supported by a
roller support and a hinge support.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 7
EXERCISES3.2. Problem3.2.2. Draw the free-body diagram of the hand
punch which is pinned at A and bears down on smooth
Problem 3.2.1 Draw the free-body diagram of the surfaces at B.
sphere of weight W resting between the smooth
inclined planes. Explain the significance of each Given:
force on the diagram.
F=8 KN

a= 1.5 m

Given: b=0.2m
W= 20KN
c= 2m
Θ1=105 deg
Θ2=45 deg

Problem 3.2.3 Draw the free-body diagram of the beam

supported at A by a fixed support and at B by a roller.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 8
 Problem 3.2.4. Draw the free- body diagram of the jib
crane AB, which is pin-connected at A and supported by
Given: member (link) BC.
W= 40KN.m

a = 3m Given:
b= 4m F=8 KN
θ=30° a= 3m

b= 4m

c= 0.4m

d= 3m

e= 4m

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 9
Assignment 3.2:

Answer Problems in Engineering Mechanics 2nd edition by

Ferdinand Singer Page 53&54, no.302,303,305

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 10
3.3.Equilibrium of Force System 3.4.Equilibrium of Concurrent Force System

Conditions of Static Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces

The body is said to be in equilibrium if the resultant of
all forces acting on it is zero. The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is
  zero.
Formulas ΣFx=0   or   ΣFH=0
Concurrent force system  
ΣFx=0 The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is
ΣFy=0 zero.
  ΣFy=0   or   ΣFV=0
Parallel Force System
 
ΣF=0
3.5.Equilibrium of Parallel Force System
ΣMO=0
  Conditions for Equilibrium of Parallel Forces
Non-Concurrent Non-Parallel Force System The sum of all the forces is zero.
ΣFx=0 ΣF=0
ΣFy=0  
ΣMO=0 The sum of moment at any point O is zero.
ΣMO=0

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 11
3.6.Equilibrium of Non-Concurrent Force System

There are three equilibrium conditions that can be used

for non-concurrent, non-parallel force system.
 
The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is
zero.
ΣFx=0   or   ΣFH=0
 
The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is
zero.
ΣFy=0  or   ΣFV=0
 
The sum of moment at any point O is zero.
ΣMO=0

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 12
Illustrative Example 3.3.1: Method I- Using Horizontal and vertical Areas
Draw the FBD at Joint A:
A sytem of a chords knotted together at A and B
support the weights shown. Compute the tension
P,Q, F and T acting in the various cords.

We Apply the conditions of equilibrium, to obtain

ΣFx=0 
Pcos15°-Qcos30°=0

ΣFy=0

Solution: Psin15°+Qsin30°-500=0

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 13
 Solving Eqs. (a) and (b) simultaneously yields.

P=612.37 N Applying the method of rotated axes to the FBD of A,

Q=683.01 N

Method II. Using Rotated Axes.

ΣFy=0
Draw The FBD Diagram using rotated axes: Psin45°-500sin60°=0
P=612.37 N

ΣFx=0 
612.37cos45°+500cos60°-Q=0
Q=683.01 N

Method III. Using Force Triangle

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 14
 Draw the FBD at Joint B:
- When three forces are in equilibrium, the
easiest solution is generally obtained by
applying the sine Law to the triangle
representing the polygon of forces.

60° Q

45°
75°
P

Applying the law of sines to this triangle, we

obtain:

500 P Q
= =
sin 45 ° sin 60° sin 75 ° ΣFy=0

Fsin45°-612.37sin45°-150 sin60°=0
P=612.37 N F=796.08 N

Q=683.01 N
ΣFx=0 
T+150cos 60°-612.37cos45°-796.08cos45°0
T= 920.92 N

We are now ready to determine the forces F and T:

Illustrative Example3.3.2:

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 15
A beam is simply supported at the ends, carries a Taking moments about a point on the action line of R2,
concentrated load of 200 N, 300 N and a uniformly
distributed load of 100 N/m MR2=∑ MR 2=0
∑ MR 2= R1(6)-200(6)-300(3)-600(3)=0
R1= 650 N

Similarly, taking a moment sum about a point on the

A B action line of R1.

MR1=∑ MR 1=0
∑ MR 1= -R2(6)+300(3)+600(3)=0
R2= 450 N
Solution:

The uniformly distributed load is equivalent to:

A vertical summation of forces is used to check the
Ru=100(60)= 600N results. Thus we have,

ΣFy=0

R1+R2-600-300-200=0
A B
650+450-600-300-200=0

0=0 (check)

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 16
EXERCISES 3.3

Problem 3.3.1.A cylinder weighing 500 N is held against a

smooth incline by means of the weightless rod AB in the
figure. Determine the forces P and N exerted on the
cylinder by the rod and the incline.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 17
Problem3.3.2.The cable and boom shown in Fig. P-308 support a load of
600 lb. Determine the tensile force T in the cable and the compressive for C in
the boom.
 

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 18
Problem 3.3.3
Figure P-313 represents the concurrent force system acting at a joint of a
bridge truss. Determine the value of P and E to maintain the equilibrium of
the forces.
 

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 19
Problem 3.3.4. The cylinder have the indicated weights
and dimensions. Assuming smooth contact surfaces,
determine the reactions at A,B,C and D on the cylinders.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 20
Problem 3.3.5 Determine the reactions for the beam shown.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 21
Problem3.3.6.Determine the reactions for the beam loaded
as shown.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 22
Problem 3.3.7.Determine the reactions for the beam shown in Fig. P-332.
 

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 23
Problem 3.3.8
Determine the reactions R1 and R2 of the beam in Fig. P-333 loaded with a
concentrated load of 1600 lb and a load varying from zero to an intensity of
400 lb per ft.
 

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 24
Problem 3.3.9
The roof truss in Fig. P-335 is supported by a roller at A and a hinge at B. Find
the values of the reactions.
 

Problem3.3.10The truss shown in fig is supported on

roller at B and a hinge at A. solve for the components of
the reactions.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 25
 Problem 3.3.11
Compute the total reactions at A and B for the truss shown in Fig. P-350.
 

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 26
 Problem 3.3.12. The uniform rod in the fig weighs 600lb
and has its center of gravity at G. determine the tension
in the cable and the reactions at the smooth surfaces at
A and B.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 27
 Assignment 3.3:

Answer Problems in Engineering Mechanics 2nd edition by

Ferdinand Singer

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 28
  Page 55 to 60, no.308,209,314,316,317
 Page 65 to 67, no.323,327,328,329
 Page 69 to72, no.333,334,335,340,343
 Page 75 to 80, No.346,351,355,356,358,360

References:

Barry Onouye, Kevin Kane, C 2012, Statics and

Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 29
 Construction 4th edition, Pearson Education, Inc.,
Prentice Hall, One Lake Street ,Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey 07458

R. C. HIBBELER,C 2013, Engineering Mechanics Statics

13th edition, Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson
Prentice Hall
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

https://mathalino.com/

J.L. Meriam & L.G. Kraige, C 2002, Engineering

Mechanics Volume 1 Statics Fifth Edition, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.,New York

Singer,Ferdinand L,C 1954,Engineering Mechanics, 2nd

edition,Harper & Row, New York, Evanston & London

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 30
ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D MANINGDING 31