Lecture 2

Equilibrium of Force Systems

Objectives
At the end of this lesson the students will be able to:
• Draw a free body diagram of a rigid body
• Know how to solve equilibrium problems using equations of
equilibrium
Conditions of Equilibrium
A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if originally at
rest, or has a constant velocity if originally in motion. Most often,
however, the term “equilibrium” or, more specifically, “static
equilibrium” is used to describe an object at rest. To maintain
equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy Newton’s first law of motion,
which requires the resultant force acting on a particle to be equal to
zero . This condition may be stated mathematically as
The Free Body Diagram
To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must account for all the
known and unknown forces (F) which act on the particle. The best way
to do this is to think of the particle as isolated and “free” from its
surroundings. A drawing that shows the particle with all the forces that
act on it is called a free-body diagram (FBD).
The Free Body Diagram
Equilibrium of Coplanar Force
Systems
Example 1
The members of a truss are pin connected at joint O .Determine the
magnitude of F1 and its angle u for equilibrium. Set F2 = 6 kN.

 
𝜃=4.69
  ° ; 𝐹 1=4.31 𝑘𝑁
Example 2
•Determine
  the tension developed in wires CA and CB required for
equilibrium of the 10-kg cylinder. Take

 𝐴𝑛𝑠: 𝐶𝐴=80 𝑁 , 𝐶𝐵=90.4 𝑁

Example 3
Blocks D and F weigh 5 lb each and block E weighs 8 lb. Determine the
sag s for equilibrium. Neglect the size of the pulleys.

 𝐴𝑛𝑠: 𝑠=5.33 𝑓𝑡
Exercises
Draw the FBD of the following
Equations of Equilibrium (Non-
Concurrent)
•We  developed the two equations which are both necessary and
sufficient for the equilibrium of a rigid body, namely, and . When the
body is subjected to a system of forces, which all lie in the x – y plane,
then the forces can be resolved into their x and y components.
Consequently, the conditions for equilibrium in two dimensions are
Example 4
Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction at the
pin A and the reaction of the rocker B on the beam.

 𝐴𝑛𝑠: 𝐴 𝑥 =1.73 𝑘𝑁 , 𝐴 𝑦 =1 𝑘𝑁 ; 𝐵=3.46 𝑘𝑁

Example 5
Determine the tension in the cable and the horizontal and vertical
components of reaction of the pin A . The pulley at D is frictionless and
the cylinder weighs 80 lb.

 𝐴𝑛𝑠: 𝑇 =74.6 𝑙𝑏 ; 𝐴 𝑥 =33.4 𝑙𝑏 ; 𝐴 𝑦 =61.3 𝑙𝑏

Example 6
For the cable loaded as shown in figure, determine the angles β1 and
β2, the force in each segment, and the length of the cable.