‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

STATICS
(ENGINEERING MECHANICS-I)

LECTURE # 12
Equilibrium Basics

By

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

 Contents
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 Objectives of the present lecture

 Equilibrium and equations of equilibrium
 Action of Forces (Reactions)
 Free body diagram
 Categories of equilibrium in 2-D
 A real life application
 Further reading

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

 Objectives of the Present lecture
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 To define the equations of equilibrium and then explain

their use in solving the problems of statics.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

Equilibrium and Equations of Equilibrium
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Equilibrium: Balance of force and moment.

For Equilibrium, following six equations of
equilibrium to be satisfied along and about three
independent axes:

FX = 0; FY = 0; FZ = 0

M X = 0; M Y = 0; M Z = 0

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi

 Equations of Equilibrium for 2-D Problems
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Principal load carrying portions of the most structures

Lie in single plane i.e. they are coplanar.

If the loads are acting in x-y-plane then the

equations of equilibrium reduce to:

FX = 0; FY = 0; M O = 0
Moment about any axis
perpendicular to x-y plane and
passing through point O.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi

 Action of Forces (Reactions)
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Smooth surfaces: Smooth surfaces offer reactions only in one direction,

normal to the surface.

Rough surfaces: Rough surfaces offer reactions in tangential as well as in

normal directions.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Roller Supports
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Roller support s offer reactions only in one direction, normal to the

supporting surface.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Pin Connections/Supports
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Pin connections/supports offer reactions in the two perpendicular directions

(Rx and Ry) i.e. in any direction in the plane normal to the axis. A pin not free to
turn may also offer reaction against a couple.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Built-in or Fixed Supports
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Fixed supports offer three reactions: an axial force (F), a

transverse force (V) and a couple (M).

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Force Exerted By A Flexible Cable, Belt, Chain or Rope
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Force exerted by a flexible cable is always a tension (away from the body) in
the direction of the cable.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Free Body Diagram (FBD)
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 Free body diagram is drawn by detaching the structural

member from its supports, and showing the reactions that
these supports exert on the structure.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 FBD of a Cantilever beam
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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 FBD of a Simple Beam
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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 FBD of a rigid system of interconnected bodies
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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Categories of Equilibrium in 2-D
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Collinear Force System

Independent equilibrium equations : ΣFx = 0

( Note : ΣM = 0  ( ΣFx )d = 0  ΣFx = 0  No new independent equation)

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Categories of Equilibrium in 2-D (Contd.)
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Concurrent Force System

Independent equilibrium equations : ΣFx = 0; ΣFy = 0

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Categories of Equilibrium in 2-D (contd.)
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Parallel Force System

Independent equilibrium equations : ΣFx = 0 ΣM z = 0

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Categories of Equilibrium in 2-D (contd.)
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General Force System

Independent equilibrium equations : ΣFx = 0; ΣFy = 0 ΣM z = 0

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 10/18/2023

 Equilibrium of Two force members
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 A two-force member has forces applied at only two points

on the member.
 For any two-force member to be in equilibrium:
 The two forces acting on the member must have the same
magnitude;
 Act in opposite directions; and
 Have the same line of action. FA
A

B
For equilibrium : FA = FB
FB
GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023
 Equilibrium of Three-force members
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 A three-force member has forces F1

applied at three points on the
member.
 For any three-force member to
be in equilibrium the lines of O

action of the three forces acting

on the member must be F3 F2
concurrent. F 3

F 1

 In this case the force polygon F 2

will be closed. Closed force polygon indicates equilibrium of forces i.e.

R = ΣF = 0

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

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GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

 Further Reading
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Read more about Equilibrium from:

J.L. Meriam and L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Sixth

Edition, Chapter 3, Equilibrium.

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023

 Thank You
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Questions Please

GE201: Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi October 18, 2023