Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET)

Statics - Exercises

dr. ir. J.P. Schilder

Date:
October 19, 2020
Contents
2 Equilibrium of a particle 3

3 Equilibrium of a rigid body 6

4 Equilibrium of a system 11

5 Trusses 15

6 Pulleys 17

7 Frames 19

8 Machines 23

9 Distributed loads 25

10 Centroids 28

11 Internal loads 32

12 Friction 36
2 Equilibrium of a particle
Exercise 2.1 - Particle subjected to three forces
The figure below shows a particle subjected to several forces. Determine F1 and F2
such that the particle is in equilibrium.
y
F1 F2
45° 40°
x

2N
30°

Exercise 2.2 - Particle subjected to four forces

The figure below shows a particle subjected to several forces. Determine F1 and F2
such that the particle is in equilibrium.
y
F1
4N 1N
30° 25°x
F2
60° 2N

Exercise 2.3 - Unknown force and direction

The figure below shows a particle subjected to several forces. Determine the magnitude
and direction of F such that the particle is in equilibrium.
y
3N
1N
55° 25° x
θ1 57°
F1 2N

Exercise 2.4 - Unknown directions

The figure below shows a particle subjected to several forces. Determine the θ1 and θ2
such that the particle is in equilibrium.
y
2N 4N
θ2 θ1 x
60° 75°
3N 2N

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Exercise 2.5 - Block suspended by cables

The figure below shows a block of mass m that is suspended by two cables. Determine
the forces in both cables such that the block is in equilibrium.

60° 35°

m g

Exercise 2.6 - Sideways lifted mass

The figure below shows a mass m that is suspended by two cables and lifted sideways
by an externally applied force F . Determine the forces in both cables such that the
block is in equilibrium.

20°

25° F

m g

Exercise 2.7 - Lift force as a function of configuration

The figure below shows a mass m that is suspended by a cable and lifted sideways by
an externally applied force F . Initially F = 0 and θ = π2 . Then, F is increased slowly
until θ = 0. Plot F as a function of θ.

m g

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Exercise 2.8 - Resultant force

The figure below shows a particle that is subjected to three forces. Determine the
magnitude F and direction θ such that the resultant force of these three forces is 80N
and directed along the dashed line.

θ
50N

30° 45°
90N

Exercise 2.9 - Lamps suspended from ceiling

The figure below shows a two lamps with mass m that are suspended from the ceiling
by means of three cables. Determine the forces in all cables such that the lamps are
in equilibrium.

60° 60°

m m g

5
3 Equilibrium of a rigid body
Exercise 3.1 - Weightlifting
The figure below shows a man lifting weights. Determine the forces F1 and F2 the man
has to deliver to lift the weights.

m m

L L L

Exercise 3.2 - Moments on a body

The figure below shows moment M and forces Fx and Fy working on a body. Determine
these forces and moment such that the body is in equilibrium.
125N

M
Fx
Fy 125N
0.5m 0.3m 0.2m

Exercise 3.3 - Screwdriver

The figure below shows a screwdriver providing a moment M on a body. Determine
M such that the system is in equilibrium.

20N
0.5m 30°
30° 0.5m
20N

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Exercise 3.4 - L-shaped beam

The figure below shows an L-shaped beam. Determine the forces F1 , F2 and F3 such
that the body is in equilibrium.
F2 2N F3
60°
F1
2L 3L
2L

4N
2L

1N

Exercise 3.5 - Diving board

The figure below shows a person using the diving board in a swimming pool. The force
exerted by the person is denoted by F . Determine the reaction forces at point A and
point B such that the system is in equilibrium. Start by drawing a clear and complete
free body diagram.

1.5m 3m F

A B

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Exercise 3.6 - Sign board

The figure below shows a sign board attached to a beam. The center of mass of the
sign is located at point G. Determine the reaction forces at the clamped support (right
side) to keep the system in equilibrium. Start by drawing a clear and complete free
body diagram.
0.6m
0.2m 0.1m

Exercise 3.7 - Wheelbarrow

The figure below shows a man moving a wheelbarrow. The center of mass can shift,
being G1 , G2 and G3 . The force exerted by the mass is the same G1 = G2 = G3 = 60
N. For each of these centres of mass, determine the force the man has to exert on each
of the two handles in order to hold the wheelbarrow in equilibrium. Start by drawing
a clear and complete free body diagram.

G1 G2 G3

0.6m 0.5m

0.2m 0.4m
0.3m 0.5m

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Exercise 3.8 - Hammer removing nail

The figure below shows a hammer used to remove a nail. In the figure, point A indicates
the point of contact between the hammer and the nail, and point B indicates the point
of contact between the hammer and the workbench. In order to remove the nail, a
force of 30 N parallel to the nail is required at point A. Determine the force F required
to remove the nail, if the hammer rotates about point B. Start by drawing a clear and
complete free body diagram.
F
30°

75 mm

450mm
B 30°
A

30 mm

Exercise 3.9 - Crane lifting weight

The figure below shows a crane lifting a mass. The crane can be adjusted between
0 ≤ θ ≤ 90. For a mass of 120 kg, determine the relation between the angle and the
reaction forces and moment at the support to the ground. Start by drawing a clear
and complete free body diagram.

L1

L2
A θ m g

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Exercise 3.10 - Crane lifting weight 2

Consider the crane used in Exercise 3.9. Now, create a free body diagram of a section
of the boom at the right side of point A, assuming a clamped support at this position.
Align the reaction forces parallel and perpendicular to the boom, and determine the
reaction forces and reaction moment at point A as function of the angle θ.

L1

L2
A θ m g

Exercise 3.11 - Hand truck transport

The figure below shows a man using a hand truck to move material up the step. The
truck and the crate have a combined mass of 50 kg, with the center of gravity at point
G. Determine the reaction force on the wheels at point A, and the force at point B
required to lift the load. Start by drawing a clear and complete free body diagram.
Hint: the hand truck is not in contact with the floor during lifting.

B 0.4m
0.5m
0.2m G 0.4m
60°
A
0.1m 0.4m

10
4 Equilibrium of a system
Exercise 4.1 - Load hanging on a beam
Draw the free body diagram of the beam, which supports the 80 kg load and is sup-
ported by the pin at the left and a cable which wraps around a pulley. Determine the
reaction forces.

3
5 4

2m 2m 1.5m

Exercise 4.2 - Jib crane

The jib crane is supported by a pin at C a rod AB. The rod can withstand a maximum
tension of 40 kN. If the load has a mass of 2000 kg, with its center of mass located at
G, determine its maximum allowable distance x and the corresponding horizontal and
vertical components of reaction force at C.
4m
A

3.2m

C 0.2m B

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The calculations for the following exercises must be made in a later chapter. For
now, the focus is on drawing the FBD’s required for solving the problem.

Exercise 4.3 - Load on a pulley

Draw all FBD’s required to solve the reaction forces at points A and B. Mention
which equations can be used with each FBD, and which unknowns are present in these
equations. Check that the number of equations and unknowns match. The load has a
mass of 80 kg. The pulley has a radius of 0.1 m.
1m D
B C
0.5m
0.7m
A

Exercise 4.4 - Compound beam

The compound beam is pin supported at B and supported by rockers at A and C.
There is a hinge (pin) at D. Draw all relevant FBD’s to solve the reaction forces.
Mention which equations can be used with each FBD, and which unknowns are present
in these equations. Check that the number of equations and unknowns match.
16kN 6kN 7kN

60°
B
A C
D

3m

4m 4m 4m 4m
2m

Exercise 4.5 - Toggle clamp

Draw all relevant FBD’s to solve the reaction forces and the clamping force acting at
E. Mention which equations can be used with each FBD, and which unknowns are
present in these equations. Check that the number of equations and unknowns match.
1.2a a/2 1.5a

F
B C a/2
A 60° D
E a/2

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Exercise 4.6 - Man on a ladder

A man standing on a ladder exerts the force F on the ladder. Draw all relevant FBD’s
to solve the reaction forces in A and E. Mention which equations can be used with
each FBD, and which unknowns are present in these equations. Check that the number
of equations and unknowns match.

G
B D
F

60° 60°
A E

Exercise 4.7 - Nail cutter

The nail cutter consists of the handle and the two cutting blades. A force of 5 N is
exerted on the lever. Assuming the blades are pin connected at B, draw all relevant
FBD’s to determine the force exerted on a fingernail. Mention which equations can be
used with each FBD, and which unknowns are present in these equations. Check that
the number of equations and unknowns match.
6mm 6mm
36mm
5N

A B
D

C
5N

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Exercise 4.8 - Pump Jack

A 300 kg counterweight, with its center of mass at G, is mounted on the pitman crank
AB of the oil pumping unit. The motor supplies a torque of M = 2500 Nm. Draw all
relevant FBD’s to determine the force F when the system is in equilibrium. Mention
which equations can be used with each FBD, and which unknowns are present in these
equations. Check that the number of equations and unknowns match.
1.75m 2.50m

B D
C
30°
G 30°
M
A 0.5m F
0.65m

Exercise 4.9 - Skid steer loader

The skid steer loader has a mass of 1180 kg with center of mass at G1 . If there is
a 300 kg stone in the bucket, with center of mass at G2 , draw all relevant FBD’s to
determine the reactions of each of the wheels A and B on the ground and the force
in the hydraulic cylinder CD and at the pin E. Mention which equations can be used
with each FBD, and which unknowns are present in these equations. Check that the
number of equations and unknowns match.
1.25m

D 30°
E
G2 C
G1

0.5m

A B
0.15m
1.5m 0.75m

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5 Trusses
Exercise 5.1 - Simple truss
Determine the force in each member of the truss. State if the members are in tension
or compression.
B

C
3m

D A

2m 2m

300kN

Exercise 5.2 - T truss

If the maximum force that any member can support is 4 kN in tension and 3 kN in
compression, determine the maximum force P that can be supported at point B. Take
d = 1m.
P B

d
A C
F D
d

d d/2 d/2 d

Exercise 5.3 - Simple bridge

Determine the force in each member of the truss in terms of the load P and state if
the members are in tension or compression.
B C
L

L L L L

A D
E
L L
P

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Exercise 5.4 - Warren truss

Determine the force in members BC, CG and GF of the Warren truss. State if the
members are in tension or compression. Think about what method is best in this case.
3m 3m
B C D

3m 3m
A E
G F
3m 3m 3m
6kN 8kN

Exercise 5.5 - Tower truss

Determine the force in members BC, BE and EF and state if the members are in
tension or compression.
D
5kN
5kN
4m
C E
10kN
4m
B F
10kN
4m
A G

4m

Exercise 5.6 - Zero-force

Determine the force in members EJ and GF of the truss and state if these members
are in tension or compression. Also indicate all zero-force members.
1.5m 1.5m 1.5m 1.5m
B C D

2m

I J

2m

A E
H G F

6kN 6kN

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6 Pulleys
Exercise 6.1 - Pulleys supporting a crate
Determine the force P required to hold the 150 kg crate in equilibrium. The two cables
are connected to the bottom of the hanger at point D.

C
A

m
P

Exercise 6.2 - Weight in equilibrium

Determine the force P required to hold the weight in equilibrium.

60N

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Exercise 6.3 - Pulleys holding a weight

Determine the force P required to hold the weight in equilibrium.

50kg

Exercise 6.4 - Double tackle pulley

The principle of a double tackle pulley can be seen in the figure below. Determine the
force P required hold the 800 N force in equilibrium.

60mm

800N

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7 Frames
Exercise 7.1 - Load on a pulley
Determine the reaction forces at the points A and B. The load has a mass of 80
kg. The pulley has a radius of 0.1 m. Make use of the free body diagrams that were
constructed in Exercise 4.3.
1m D
B C
0.5m
0.7m
A

Exercise 7.2 - Compound beam

The compound beam is pin supported at B and supported by rockers at A and C.
There is a hinge (pin) at D. Determine the reaction forces. Make use of the free body
diagrams that were constructed in Exercise 4.4.
16kN 6kN 7kN

60°
B
A C
D

3m

4m 4m 4m 4m
2m

Exercise 7.3 - External forces on frame

Determine the horizontal and vertical components of the forces which the pins at point
A and B exert on the frame. The bars CD and EF are attached to the vertical bars
AD and BC by hinges.
2m
D C
F3
1.5m
E
F2
1.5m
F1
F 1.5m
A B

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Exercise 7.4 - Nail cutter

The nail cutter consists of the handle and the two cutting blades. A force of 5 N is
exerted on the lever. Assuming the blades are pin connected at B, determine the force
exerted on a fingernail. Make use of the free body diagrams that were constructed in
Exercise 4.7.
6mm 6mm
36mm
5N

A B
D

C
5N

Exercise 7.5 - Man on a ladder

A man standing on a ladder exerts the force F on the ladder. Note that the bar AC
is one piece, as well as the bar CE. The distance between AE is 3 m, and BD is 1.5
m. The distance between B and G is 0.3 m. Determine the reaction forces at point A
and E. Make use of the free body diagrams that were constructed in Exercise 4.6.

G
B D
F

60° 60°
A E

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Exercise 7.6 - Two disks attached to a cord

The two disks each have a mass of 20 kg and are attached at their centers by an elastic
cord that has a stiffness of k = 2 kN/m. Determine the stretch of the cord when the
system is in equilibrium and the angle θ of the cord.
A

r l
θ
r
5 4
3 B

Exercise 7.7 - Toggle clamp

The toggle clamp is subjected to a force F at the handle. Determine the clamping
force acting at point E. Make use of the free body diagrams that were constructed in
Exercise 4.5.
1.2a a/2 1.5a

F
B C a/2
A 60° D
E a/2

Exercise 7.8 - Pump Jack

A 300 kg counterweight, with its center of mass at G, is mounted on the pitman crank
AB of the oil pumping unit. The motor supplies a torque of M = 2500 Nm. Determine
the force F when the system is in equilibrium. Make use of the free body diagrams
that were constructed in Exercise 4.8.
1.75m 2.50m

B D
C
30°
G 30°
M
A 0.5m F
0.65m

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Exercise 7.9 - Skid steer loader

The skid steer loader has a mass of 1180 kg with center of mass at G1 . If there is a
300 kg stone in the bucket, with center of mass at G2 , determine the reaction forces of
each of the wheels A and B on the ground, at the pin E and the force in the hydraulic
cylinder CD. Make use of the free body diagrams that were constructed in Exercise
4.9.
1.25m

D 30°
E
G2 C
G1

0.5m

A B
0.15m
1.5m 0.75m

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8 Machines
Exercise 8.1 - Platform scale
The platform scale consists of a combination of third and first class levers so that
the load on one lever becomes the effort that moves the next lever. Through this
arrangement, a small weight can balance a massive object. Note that the horizontal bar
EG is one piece, as well as the horizontal bar between point C and the counterweight
S. If the mass of the counterweight S is 2 kg, determine the mass of the load L as a
function of the distance x that is required to maintain the balance.

100mm 150mm
250mm

H
E G
F
C D

A B
L

150mm 350mm x

Exercise 8.2 - Engine hoist

The hoist supports the 200 kg engine. Determine the force in the hydraulic cylinder
CE as a function of the angle θ.

1250mm 350mm

G E
θ
D

850mm

200kg C

100° 550mm
A B

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Exercise 8.3 - Scissors lift

The scissors lift consists of two sets of cross members and two hydraulic cylinders, EF ,
symmetrically located on each side of the platform. The platform has a uniform mass
of 60 kg, with center of gravity at G1 . The load of 85 kg, with center of gravity at
G2 , is centrally located between each side of the platform. The length of BD is 4 m.
Rollers are located at point B and E. Determine the force in each of the hydraulic
cylinders as a function of the height h that is required for equilibrium.

0.8m 1.2m 2m
G2
G1

A B
h/2
C

h/2
D E F

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9 Distributed loads
Exercise 9.1 - Clamped beam
The figure below shows a beam that is subjected to a constant distributed load f . The
beam is clamped at point A. Determine the reaction forces at point A.
f

A B
2L

Exercise 9.2 - Cone

The figure below shows a cone that is subjected to a distributed load that linearly
increases from 0 at the bottom to 3 kN at the top. The beam is clamped at point A.
Determine the reaction forces at point A.

3kN

3m

Exercise 9.3 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that  issubjected to a distributed
πx
load that is described by the function f (x) = f0 sin . Determine the reaction
2L
forces at point A and B. f(x)=fo sin (Nx/L)
f(x)

A B

2L

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Exercise 9.4 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to a distributed
load that linearly increases from 0 at the left to f0 at L, then linearly decreases to 0
at 2L. Determine the reaction forces at point A and B.

f(x)

A B

2L

Exercise 9.5 - Clamped beam

The figure below shows a beam that is subjected to a distributed load f (x). The
function describes a quarter circle with radius L. At x = 0 the value of the function is
f0 . The beam is clamped at point A. The equivalent force of the distributed load acts
4L
at xeq = . Determine the reaction forces at point A.
3π

f(x)

A
L

Exercise 9.6 - Compound beam

The figure below shows a compound beam that is subjected to a constant distributed
load f = 115 N/m. The beam consists of bars AC and CD, which are connected by a
hinge at point C. The length L = 2 m. Determine the reaction forces.
f

A D
B C
L L L

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Exercise 9.7 - Hinged beam

The figure below shows a beam that is subjected to a constant distributed load f = 14
kN/m. The beam consists of bars AB and BC, which are connected by a hinge at
point B. The length L = 4 m. Determine the reaction forces.
f

C
A B
2L L

Exercise 9.8 - Warren truss

The figure below shows the Warren truss that is subjected to a constant distributed
load f = 7 kN/m. Determine the reaction forces at point A and E.
3m 3m
B C D
f 3m

A E
G F
3m 3m 3m

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10 Centroids
Exercise 10.1 - Centroid 1
Determine the centroid (x̄, ȳ) of the shaded area.
y

y = x3
1m

x
1m

Exercise 10.2 - Centroid 2

Determine the centroid (x̄, ȳ) of the shaded area.
y

h 2
y= x
h b2

x
b

Exercise 10.3 - Centroid 3

Determine the centroid (x̄, ȳ) of the shaded area.
y

y 2 = 4x

4m
1 x2
y=
4

x
4m

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Exercise 10.4 - Sign board

The figure below shows a sign board, which is similar to the sign board in Exercise
3.6. The sign board is an isosceles triangle and has a mass of m = 1.5 kg. Determine
the reaction forces at point A.
0.6m
0.3m

Exercise 10.5 - U-shape

Determine the centroid (x̄, ȳ) of the U-shape.
0.6m 0.6m

5m

2m

0.6m

3.2m

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Exercise 10.6 - L-shape

Determine the centroid (x̄, ȳ) of the L-shape.
0.6m

5m

0.6m

4m

Exercise 10.7 - Street light

Locate the center of gravity G(x̄, ȳ) of the streetlight. Neglect the thickness of each
segment. The mass per unit length of each segment is as follows: ρAB = 12 kg/m,
ρBC = 8 kg/m, ρCD = 5 kg/m and ρDE = 2 kg/m.
y
1m 1.5m

1m D E
1m 1m
C
G(x,y)
3m

4m

A x

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Exercise 10.8 - Hoisted bicycle

The figure below shows a bicycle. The frame of the bicycle is a truss which consists of 6
members with a length of 3 m and a density of 2 kg/m. The thickness of the members
can be neglected, as well as the mass of the saddle, steer and wheels. If we take point
A as the origin, determine the center of gravity G(x̄, ȳ) at which the hoisting hook
must be attached, such that the bicycle does not rotate and fall off when it is lifted.

B
3m C

E
A D

3m

Exercise 10.9 - Unloading truck

Consider the unloading truck below. Determine the reaction forces in A and beam BC
for θ = 60◦ .
0.8
m
1.5
m
2m

1.5
m
0.2
m

B
θ
C A

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11 Internal loads
Exercise 11.1 - Ball on beam
The figure below shows a ball that is attached to a beam. The ball has a mass m.
Determine the internal normal force N (y) in the beam between A and B.

4L

Exercise 11.2 - Clamped beam

The figure below shows a beam that clamped at point A and subjected to a distributed
2
load over its entire length that is described by the function f (x) = f0 Lx 2 . Determine
the internal normal force N (x).
f(x)

A B
3L

Exercise 11.3 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to two external
forces. Determine the internal loads S(x) and M (x).

3N 9N
A B

L L L

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Exercise 11.4 - Hinged beam

The figure below shows a beam that is subjected to a constant distributed load f = 9
kN/m. The beam consists of bars AB and BC, which are connected by a hinge at
point B. Determine the shear force S(x) and bending moment M (x) for the beam.
Draw the results in a graph.
f

C
A B
3m 1m

Exercise 11.5 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to a distributed
πx
 
load that is described by the function f (x) = f0 sin . Determine the shear force
6L
S(x) and bending moment M (x) for the beam. Draw the results in a graph.
f(x)

A B

6L

Exercise 11.6 - Clamped beam

The figure below shows a beam that is clamped at point A. It is subjected to a
distributed load that increases from 0 at point A to f0 at x = 2L. There is also an
external force at x = 3L and an external moment at x = 4L. Determine the shear
force S(x) and bending moment M (x) for the beam. Draw the results in a graph.
F
f(x)

M
A
2L L L

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Exercise 11.7 - Simply supported beam 2

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to two external
forces. Draw the shear force S(x) and bending moment M (x) without explicitly deriv-
ing the function, but by determining S(x) and M (x) at the locations of external loads,
and reasoning what the shape of the functions in the intermediate sections should be.

3N 9N
A B

L L L

Exercise 11.8 - Diving board

The figure below shows a simplified representation of a diving board. The diving
board is subjected to a constant distributed load f = 300 N/m. The length L = 1 m.
Draw the shear force S(x) and bending moment M (x) without explicitly deriving the
function, but by determining S(x) and M (x) at the locations of external loads, and
reasoning what the shape of the functions in the intermediate sections should be.
f

Determine the shear force and (bending)

A
moment diagrams for the beam: B
1.5L 3L

Exercise 11.9 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to a constant
distributed load f = 25 N/m. There is also an external force at point B. The length
L = 1 m. Draw the shear force S(x) and bending moment M (x) without explicitly
deriving the function, but by determining S(x) and M (x) at the locations of external
loads, and reasoning what the shape of the functions in the intermediate sections should
be.
f

A C
B
50N
2L 2L

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Exercise 11.10 - Simply supported beam

The figure below shows a simply supported beam that is subjected to a constant
distributed load f = 1.5 N/m at the right. There is also an external moment M = 6
Nm at point B. The length L = 83 m. Determine the shear force S(x) and bending
moment M (x) for the beam. Draw the results in a graph. Verify that the relations
between f (x), S(x) and M (x) are correct.
f

M
A
B C
L L L

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12 Friction
Exercise 12.1 - Crate on a hill
Determine the minimum horizontal force P required to hold the crate from sliding
down the plane. The crate has a mass of 50 kg and the coefficient of static friction
between the crate and the plan is µs = 0.5.

30°

Exercise 12.2 - Crate on a hill 2

Determine the minimum force P required to push the crate up the plane. The crate
has amass of 50 kg and the coefficient of static friction between the crate and the plan
is µs = 0.25.

30°

Exercise 12.3 - Hanging weight

If the coefficient of static friction at A is µs = 0.4 and the collar at B is smooth, so it
only exerts a horizontal force on the piper, determine the minimum distance x so that
the bracket can support the cylinder of any mass without slipping. Neglect the mass
of the bracket.
100mm
x

B
C
200mm
A
m

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Exercise 12.4 - Friction between blocks

If the coefficient of static friction at all contacting surfaces is µs , determine the incli-
nation θ at which the identical blocks, each of mass m, begin to slide.

B
θ

Exercise 12.5 - Locked spring

If the spring is compressed 60mm and the coefficient of static friction between the
tapered stub S and the slider A is µSA = 0.5, determine the horizontal force P needed
to move the slider forward. The stub is free to move without friction with the fixed
collar C. The coefficient of static friction between A and surface B is µAB = 0.4.
Neglect the weights of the slider and stub.

k =300 N/m C

30°
P A

37