University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines

C.M. Recto Avenue, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, 9000

College of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

ES202: Statics of Rigid Body

Lecture Note 01

Overview: Students, welcome to week four (4) of our course Statics of

Rigid Body. For this session, this lecture note will serve as your
guide to learn our topics intended for this week. Our topics for
this session are on Resultant of Non-concurrent Force System
and Couples. From our previous sessions, you have learned the
different force systems. By this time, you are now able to grasp
the idea of a non-concurrent force system. On the other hand,
Couples is just an extension of one of the topics that we had
during our week 3 lecture, which is the moment of a force.

Outcomes: • To define the moment of a couple.

• To show how to determine the resultant effect of a non-
concurrent force system.
• To solve and analyze problems on couples and resultant of
non-concurrent force system.

Couples
A couple is defined as two parallel forces that have the same magnitude, but opposite
directions, and are separated by a perpendicular distance “d”. Since a couple force has the
same magnitude but oppositely directed parallel forces, their resultant force is just equal to
zero. Hence, its effect will produce rotation in a specified direction. It is also important to
note that, their moment sum is constant and independent of the moment center. Refer to
figure 4.1, this is proven by taking moment centers at A and B to give the equations;

F
Moment at A:
d

Moment at B: A

F
a

Figure 1.1: Moment of a Couple B

Thus, the moment of a couple (C) is equal to the product of one of the forces composing
the couple and the perpendicular distance between their line of actions.

𝐶 =𝐹∙𝑑
 ES202: Statics of Rigid Body
Lecture Note 01

Sample Problem 01:

In the given figure, determine the resultant couple moment of the three couples acting on
the plate.

Note: Since the sign convention here

assumed counter clockwise as
positive direction, any clockwise
direction will have a negative value.
Hence, couple 1 and couple 3 are
negative couples.

Therefore,

Sample Problem 02:

The three-step pulley shown in the figure is subjected to the given couples. Compute the
value of the resultant couple, and determine the forces acting at the rim of the middle pulley
that are required to balance the given system.
40 lb

30lb

40 lb
Page | 2

Engr. James Arthur Martinez

Civil Engineering Department
 ES202: Statics of Rigid Body
Lecture Note 01

Note: Since the problem

requires the couple force to
act at the middle pulley,
distance to be used shall be 12
inches.
Therefore,
Therefore,

Sample Problem 03:

The cantilever truss shown carries a vertical load of 2400 lb. The truss is supported by
bearings at A and B which exert the forces Av, Ah and Bh. The four forces shown constitute
two couples which must have opposite moment effects to prevent movement of the truss.
Determine the magnitudes of the supporting forces.

Note 1: The problem states that the cantilever

truss is subject to two (2) couples, which are
2,400 and Av, and Bh and Ah. By principle of
couple forces, Av is just equal to 2,400 lb.

Note 2: To balance the rotation caused by the 2,400 lb couple,

2400 lb the moment to be produced by the couple Ah and Bh should
equal to the magnitude of the moment caused by the 2,400
couple, but opposite in direction. This is to prevent movement
of the truss since the resultant moment is equal to zero.

Therefore, the magnitude of the

supporting forces are:

Page | 3

Engr. James Arthur Martinez

Civil Engineering Department
 ES202: Statics of Rigid Body
Lecture Note 01

Resultant of Non-concurrent Force System

A resultant of a force system is defined as a force which produces the same effect as the
original set of forces. The components of the resultant must therefore equal the components
effects of the given force system. Hence, the equations below are needed to solve for the
resultant force of a non-concurrent force system.

𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥

𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦

𝑅 = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2

𝑅𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝑥 =
𝑅𝑥

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓𝑅 = 𝑅𝑑 = ∑ 𝑀

Sample Problem 01: The rectangular framework shown in the figure is subject to the
indicated non-concurrent system of forces. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant force.

Y 100 lb Note 1: Resolve each force into its components.

Then, sum-up forces along x and y axes to
20 lb determine Rx and Ry, respectively (components
of the resultant force).
60 lb

30 lb 100 lb

Note 2: In solving the angle of inclination of the

• resultant force, it is important to take note of the sign
convention of its components (Rx and Ry) and
plot/draw the force triangle. Page | 4

Engr. James Arthur Martinez

Civil Engineering Department
 ES202: Statics of Rigid Body
Lecture Note 01

Sample Problem 02: The Howe roof truss shown carries the given loads. The wind loads
are perpendicular to the inclined members. Determine the magnitude of the resultant, its
inclination with the horizontal, and where it intersects with AB.
Note 1: By the
1120 lb
principles from
geometry, the
locations of angle 2240 lb
theta are indicated.
1120 lb
2000 lb

A B

3000 lb 2000 lb 1000 lb

Therefore,

Page | 5

Engr. James Arthur Martinez

Civil Engineering Department
 ES202: Statics of Rigid Body
Lecture Note 01

1120 lb

2240 lb

1120 lb
2000 lb

A B

3000 lb 2000 lb 1000 lb

Note 1: It is important define distances

“b” and “c” for the reason that it will
serve as the moment arm for forces
2240 lb and 1120 lb, respectively,
when taking moment about point A.
Since the inclined forces are
perpendicular to the members. To
determine “b” and “c”, Pythagorean
theorem will be used as shown by the
colored green triangles to show the
relationship of the geometric shape of Moment at point A: Components of Non-concurrent Force System
the members.

Note 2: To determine the distance (x)

between the location of the point of
intersection of the resultant force to the
member AB, the principle of
Varignon’s Theorem shall be utilized.
Moment at point A: Resultant Force
Note 3: By principle of
transmissibility, we can just project
the line of action of the resultant force
and resolve it in its components on the
point of intersection along the line of
action of the resultant force and the
member AB, as represented by the
component forces in colored blue. By *By Varignon’s Theorem, equate both moment of the Resultant force
taking moment about point A, the and moment of the non-concurrent force system, about point A.
distance (x) can be computed using the
Vargnon’s theorem. Note also that the
line of action of Rx will act on Point A,
hence, it will be eliminated when Therefore,
taking moment about point A.
Likewise with the force 1120 lb.

Page | 6

Engr. James Arthur Martinez

Civil Engineering Department