SESSION 2 : EQUILIBRIUM OF 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. There are two major
types of static equilibrium, namely, translational equilibrium and rotational equilibrium. The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is zero.

The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is zero.

Important Points for Equilibrium Forces

1. Two forces are in equilibrium if they are equal and oppositely directed.
2. Three coplanar forces in equilibrium are concurrent.
3. Three or more concurrent forces in equilibrium form a close polygon when connected in
head-to-tail manner.

Conditions for Equilibrium of Parallel Forces

The sum of all the forces is zero.

The sum of moment at any point O is zero.

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.

The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is zero.

The sum of moment at any point O is zero.

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

Situation 1: The figure shows that the archer aiming to release the arrow. As the archer pulls
the cord with his right arm, he applies a 540N force with his left arm.
1. What is the resulting tension in the upper cord? 556N
2. Calculate the tension in the lower cord? 517N
Situation 2: Determine the required length of cord AC in Fig. so that the 8-kg lamp can be
suspended in the position shown. The undeformed length of spring AB is l’AB = 0.4 m, and the spring has
a stiffness of kAB = 300 N/m. 1.32m
Situation 3: Determine the maximum mass of the lamp that the cord system can support so that
no single cord develops a tension exceeding 400 N. 20.4kg
Situation 4: Three cylindrical cylinders having identical dimensions and weighing 500N are
shown in the figure. Assume all contact surfaces are smooth.
3. Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction at A? 288.68N
4. Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction at B? 750N
5. Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction at C? 144.34N
Situation 5: The crane shown in the figure carries the load W. The crane is hinged at B and is
supported by the cable AC. For this problem use W = 20kN
1. Which of the following most nearly gives the tension in the cable? 22.63kN
2. Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction at B? 39.4kN
3. If the cable AC could carry up to 50kN, which of the following gives the largest W? 44.19kN
ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN
Situation 6: A cylindrical drum 2m in radius and weighing 1,200N is held by a rigid bar AB as
shown. One end of the bar (Point A) is hinged and the other end (Point B) is supported by a flexible
cable BC. Neglect friction on all contact surfaces. “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered,
4. Which of the following most nearly gives the force between the drum and the bar? 2400N
you will never grow.”
5. Which of the following most nearly gives the tension in the cable? 1804N
6. Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction at A? 645.75N

Situation 7: The machine part of negligible weight is supported by a pin at A and a roller at C.
Determine the magnitudes of the forces acting on the part at A and C. 84.12kN, 86.4kN

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN