Chapter 2: Force Systems

Introduction

We will study the effects of FORCES which act on

engineering structures and mechanisms
The study will help in subjects like:
– Mechanics of Solids/Stress Analysis
– Design of Structures and Machines
– Fluid Flow
A force is a vector quantity, because its effect depends
on the direction as well as on the magnitude of action
Thus, the forces may be combined according to the
parallelogram law of vector addition

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 Forces

The action of the cable tension of the

bracket is shown in Figure 2/1
The effect of this action on the bracket
depends on P (the magnitude),  the angle,
and the location of the point of application A
The complete specification of the action of a
force must include its magnitude, direction,
and point of application, and therefore we
must treat it as a fixed vector
The reactive internal forces exerted by the
foundation and bolts on the bracket and its
relation with the internal deformation
depends on the material properties and is
studied in the strength of material, elasticity,
and plasticity
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 Principle of Transmissibility

When dealing with the mechanics of a rigid body, we ignore

deformations in the body and concerns ourselves only with
the net external effects of external forces  It is not
necessary to restrict the action of an applied force to a given
point
Principle of transmissibility: a force may be applied at any
point on its given line of action without altering the resultant
effects of the force external to the rigid body on which it acts
 Almost all forces can be considered as sliding vectors
for the rigid body on which they act

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 Force Classification
Contact Forces:
– Produced by direct physical contact
– Example: Force exerted on an body by a supporting
surface
Body Forces:
– Generated by virtue of position of a body within a force
field such as gravitational, electric or magnetic field
– Example: Weight
Concentrated Vs. Distributed forces
Weight of a body is the force of gravitational attraction
distributed over its volume and may be taken as a
concentrated force acting through the center of gravity
Action and reaction forces have carefully distinguished
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 Concurrent Forces

Two or more forces are said to be concurrent at a

point if their lines of action intersect at that point
Forces F1 and F2 are concurrent at point A (Fig 2a)
Both can be added in the same plane to obtain
their sum or resultant R
R = F 1 + F2
In Fig 2/b two concurrent forces lie in the same
plane but are applied at two different points  By
the principle of transmissibility we may move them
along their lines of action and complete their vector
sum R at the point of concurrency A
Triangle law can also be used but will need some
manipulation
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 Vector Components

We often need to replace a force by its

vector components in directions
which are convenient for a given
application: The vector sum of the
components must equal the original
vector
The relationship between a force and
its vector components along given
axes must not be confused with the
relationship between a force and its
perpendicular (orthogonal) projections
onto same axis (see Fig. 2/3e)
The components and projections of R
are equal only when the axes a and b
are perpendicular
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A Special Case of Vector Addition

To obtain the resultant when the two forces

F1 and F2 are parallel, we use a special case
of addition:
– The two vectors are combined by first
adding two equal, opposite, and collinear
forces F and –F of convenient magnitude
which taken together produce no external
effect on the body
– Adding F1 and F to produce R1, and F2
and –F to produce R2
– Combining R1 and R2 yield the resultant R
R is the correct resultant in magnitude,
direction, and line of action
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 2-D Force Systems (1)

Rectangular Components:
The most common two-dimensional resolution
of a force vector is into rectangular
components
It follows from the parallelogram rule that the
vector F is written as: F=Fx+Fy
Each of the two vector components may be
written as a scalar times the appropriate unit Fx  F cos 
vector: Fx =Fx i, Fy=Fyj and F= Fxi + Fyj Fy  F sin 
where the scalars Fx and Fy are the x and y F  Fx2  Fy2
scalar components of vector F
Fy
The magnitude and direction of Fx and Fy are   tan 1

Fx
given:
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Conventions for Vector Components

The scalar components Fx and Fy can be +ve or –ve

depending on the quadrant into which F points (the sign
should be included)
However, the magnitude of vector F will always be +ve
and is represented as F (instead of |F|)
When both a force and its vector components appear in
a diagram, it is desirable to show the vector
components of the force with dashed lines, and show
the force with a solid line

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Determining the Components of a Force (1)

It is essential that we are able to determine the correct

components of a force no matter how the axes are
oriented or how the angles are measured
Memorization of formulas is not a substitute for
understanding the parallelogram law and correctly
projecting a vector onto a reference axis

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 Determining the Components of a Force (2)

Rectangular components are convenient for finding the

sum or resultant R of two forces which are concurrent
The line of action of force F2 (shown in Figure) is shifted
from O to the tip of F1according to the triangle rule

Therefore: R=F1+F2= (F1xi+F1yj)+(F2xi+F2yj)

or: Rxi+Ryj= (F1xi+F1yj)+(F2xi+F2yj)
we conclude that:
Rx = F1x+F2x = Fx
Ry = F1y+F2y= Fy
PS: Please note F2y is –ve in Fig2/7
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 Sample Problem 2/1

The forces F1, F2, and F3, all of which act on point A of the
bracket, are specified in three different ways. Determine
the x and y scalar components of each of the three
forces.

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 Sample Problem 2/2

Combine the two forces P and T, which act on the fixed

structure at B, into a single equivalent force R.

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 Sample Problem 2/3

The 500-N force F is applied to the vertical pole as shown.

(1) Write F in terms of the unit vectors i and j and
identify both its vector and scalar components.
(2) Determine the scalar components of the force vector
F along the x'- and y'-axes.
(3) Determine the scalar components of F along the x-
and y'-axes.

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 Sample Problem 2/4

Forces F1 and F2 act on the bracket as shown.

Determine the projection Fb of their resultant R onto the
b-axis.

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 Summary-2D Force Systems

You should now be able to:

Resolve a given force vector into its components along given
directions, and express the vector in terms of the unit vectors
along a given set of axis
Express a force as a vector when given its magnitude and
information about its line of action
To find the projection of a vector onto a specified line and
the angles between two vectors
Compute the resultant of two or more forces concurrent at a
point
Assignment # 2: (Due Date )
Problems 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/13, and 2/19
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 Problem 2/2

The magnitude of the force F is 400 lb. Express F as a

vector in terms of the unit vectors i and j. identify both the
scalar and vector components of F.

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Problem 2/4

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 Problem 2/5

The 1800 N force F is applied to the end of the I-beam.

Express F as a vector using the unit vectors i and j.

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 Problem 2/9

To satisfy design limitations it is necessary to determine

the effect of the 2 kN tension in the cable on the shear,
tension, and bending of the fixed I-beam. For this purpose
replace this force by its equivalent of two forces at A, Ft
parallel and Fn perpendicular to the beam. Determine Ft
and Fn.

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 Problem 2/11

In the design of a control mechanism, it is determined that

rod AB transmits a 260 N force P to the crank BC.
Determine the x and y scalar components of P.

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 Problem 2/14

While steadily pushing the machine up in incline, a person

exerts a 180 N force P as shown. Determine the
components of P which are parallel and perpendicular to
the incline.

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 Problem 2/15

The normal reaction force N and tangential friction force F

act on the tire of a front-wheel-drive car as shown.
Express the resultant R of these forces in terms of the unit
vectors (a) i and j along the x-y axes and (b) et an en
along the n-t axes shown.

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