Engineering Mechanics

Jadavpur University

Prob. Set (II) Equilibrium

1. The 450 kg uniform I-beam supports the load shown. Determine the reactions at the supports.
[RA = 2850 N, RB = 3720 N]

P1
P2

2. The 20 kg homogeneous smooth sphere rests on the two inclines as shown. Determine the contact forces at A and
B. [NA = 101.6 N, NB = 196.2 N]
3. With what force magnitude T must the person pull on the cable in order to cause the scale A to read 2000 N? The
weights of the pulleys and the cables are negligible. State any assumptions. [581 N]

P3

P4

4. Three cable are joined at the junction ring C. Determine the tensions in cables AC and BC caused by the weight of
the 30-kg cylinder. [215 N, 264 N]
5. The 100 kg wheel rests on a rough surface and bears against the roller A when the couple M is applied. If M=60
N-m and the wheel does not slip, compute the reaction on the roller A. [231 N]

P6

P5

6. The uniform beam has a mass of 50 kg per meter of length. Compute the reactions at the support O. The loads
shown lie in a vertical plane. [OX = − 0.7 kN, OY = 5.98 N, MO = 9.12 kN·m]
7. The uniform 15 m pole has a mass of 150 kg and is
supported by its smooth ends against the vertical walls and
by tension T in the vertical cable. Compute the reactions at
A and B. [327 N]
8. Determine the force P required to begin rolling the
uniform cylinder of mass m over the obstruction of height. P8
[ P  mg 2rh  h 2 /(r  h) ] P7
9. The uniform 18-kg bar OA is held in the position shown by the smooth pin at O and the cable AB. Determine the
tension T in the cable and the magnitude and direction of the external pin reaction at O.
[99.5 N, 246 N 70.3° CCW from x-axis]

P9
P10

10. Calculate the normal forces associated with the front and rear wheel pairs of the 1600-kg front-wheel-drive van.
Then repeat the calculations when the van (a) climbs a 10-percent grade and (b) descends a 10-percent grade, both at
constant speed. Compute the percent change nA and nB in the normal forces compared with the nominal values. Be
sure to recognize that propulsive and braking forces are present for cases (a) and (b). [at A: 9420 N, at B: 6280 N; (a)
at A: 9030 N (− 4.14%), at B: 6590 N (+ 4.98%); (b) at A: 9170 N (+ 3.15%), at B: 5900 N (− 5.97%)]
11. The pin A, which connects the 200 kg steel beam with center of gravity at G to the vertical column, is welded
both to the beam and to the column. To test the weld, the 80 kg man loads the beam by exerting a 300 N force on the
rope which passes through a hole in the beam as shown. Calculate the torque (couple) M supported by the pin.
[4.94 kN·m, CCW]

P12
P11
12. Pulley A delivers a steady torque (moment) of 100 N-m to a pump through its shaft at C. The tension in the
lower side of the belt is 600 N. The driving motor B weighs 100 kg and rotates clockwise. As a design consideration,
determine the magnitude of the force on the supporting pin at O. [1.167 kN]
13. The uniform I-beam has a mass of 60 kg per meter of its length. Determine the tension in the two supporting
cables and the reaction at D. [1698 N, 1884 N]

P13 P14

14. The vertical mast supports 4 kN force and is constrained by the two fixed cables BC and BD and by a ball-and-
socket connection at A. Calculate the tension T1 in BD. Can this be accomplished by using only one equation of
equilibrium? [4.90 kN]
15. The light right-angle boom which supports the 400-kg cylinder is supported by three cables and a ball-and-socket
joint at O attached to the vertical x-y surface. Determine the reactions at O and the cable tensions.
[OX = 1692 N, OY = 0; OZ = 6540 N, TAC = 4810 N, TBD = 2770 N, TBE = 654 N]

P15
P16

16. The square steel plate has a mass of 1800 kg with mass center at its center G. Calculate the tension in each of the
three cables with which the plate is lifted while remaining horizontal. [TA = TB = 5.41 kN, TC = 9.87 kN]

17. For the structure shown, determine the tensions TAE and TGF in two supporting cables resulting from the 1.2 kN
tension in cable CD. Assume the absence of any resisting moments on the base of the pole at O about the x and y
axes, but not about the z axis. [4.3 kN, 3.47 kN]

P17