Statics of

Rigid Bodies
(Bes 121)
WMSU
Department of Mechanical Engineering
BSME – 2A&2B

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 EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODIES
(THREE DIMENSIONS)

Lecture 11 –

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 Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies in Three
Dimensions
We saw in Sec. 4.1 that six scalar equations are
required to express the conditions for the equilibrium
of a rigid body in the general three-dimensional
case:

These equations can be solved for no more than six

unknowns, which generally will represent reactions at
supports or connections.
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Reactions at Supports and Connections for
three dimensional

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Reactions at Supports and Connections

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Sample Problem

Free Body Diagram

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Sample Problem
A 20-kg ladder used to reach high
shelves in a storeroom is supported by
two flanged wheels A and B mounted
on a rail and by an unflanged wheel C
resting against a rail fixed to the wall.
An 80-kg man stands on the ladder and
leans to the right. The line of action of
the combined weight W of the man and
ladder intersects the floor at point D.
Determine the reactions at A, B, and C.

Free Body Diagram

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SOLUTION

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Sample Problem
A 5 X 8-ft sign of uniform density weighs 270 lb and
is supported by a ball-and-socket joint at A and by
two cables. Determine the tension in each cable
and the reaction at A.

Free Body Diagram

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References
• Beer F. P., Johnston E.R., Mazurek D. F., Cornwell P.
J., Eisenberg E. R. Vector Mechanics for Engineers:
Statics and Dynamics, Ninth edition. 2010
• Meriam J. L., Kraige L. G., Engineering Mechanics:
Statics, Fifth Edition, 2002
• Hibbeler R. C., Engineering Mechanics: Statics,
Twelfth Edition,

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Plate Activity 10

Title: Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies

in Three Dimensional

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1. A uniform pipe cover of radius r = 240 mm and mass 50 kg is held in
a horizontal position by the cable CD. Assuming that the bearing at B
does not exert any axial thrust, determine the tension in the cable and
the reactions at A and B.

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2. A 665-lb load hangs from the corner C of a rigid piece of pipe ABCD which
has been bent as shown. The pipe is supported by the ball-and-socket joints A
and D, which are fastened, respectively, to the floor and to a vertical wall, and
by a cable attached at the midpoint E of the portion BC of the pipe and at a
point G on the wall. Determine
(a) where G should be located if the tension in the cable is to be minimum,
(b) the corresponding minimum value of the tension.

665- lb

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