Lecture

EQUILIBRIUM AND EQUATION OF

EQUILIBRIUM:2D
 Equilibrium
A body is said to be in
equilibrium if it is at
rest or moving with
uniform velocity.
Newton’s First Law of Motion: If the
resultant force on a particle is zero, the
particle will remain at rest or will
continue at constant speed in a straight
line.
 Factors that affect equilibrium

 Area of the base:

the bigger the area
of the base, the
more the stable the
object is
 Weight: the heavier
the object is, the
more stable it is
 Types of Equilibrium
 Static Equilibrium
 Dynamic Equilibrium
 Static Equilibrium
If some forces are
acting on a body
horizontally or
vertically, and the
body remains it states
of rest is called Static
Equilibrium.
Example: A book
lying on a table.
 Dynamic Equilibrium
If some forces are
acting on a body
horizontally or
vertically, and the
body remains it states
of motion is called
Dynamic Equilibrium.
Example: A train is
moving with uniform
velocity.
 Equations of equilibrium
Consider an object
moving along the x-
axis. If no net force is
applied to the object
along the x-axis, it will
continue to move
along the x-axis at a
constant velocity with
no acceleration. We
can extend this to the
y- and z- axes.
In static systems, where motion does not
occur, the sum of the forces in all
directions must always equal zero
(otherwise, it's a dynamics problem). This
concept can be represented
mathematically with the following
equations:
∑Fx=0
∑Fy=0
∑Fz=0
 The concept also applies to rotational
motion.
 If the resultant moment about an axis is

zero, the object will have no rotational

acceleration about the axis. Again, we can
extend this to moments about the y-axis
and the z-axis. This is represented
mathematically with the following.
∑Mx=0
∑My=0
∑Mz=0
∑F=0 : The algebraic
sum of all the
horizontal or vertical
forces acting on a
body which is in
equilibrium must
equal zero.
∑M=0: The algebraic
sum of the moments
of all the forces acting
on a body which is in
equilibrium, about
any point in the plane
of those forces, must
equal zero.
There are six equations expressing the
equilibrium of a rigid body in 3 dimensions.
∑Fx=0 ∑Fy=0
∑Fz=0
∑Mx=0 ∑My=0 ∑Mz=0
In two dimensions one direction of force
and two directions of moments can be
ignored. When forces exist only in the x
and y directions, there cannot be a
moment in any direction except z. The
equations of concern when forces only
exist in the x and y directions are shown
below:
∑Fx=0
∑Fy=0
∑Mz=0
 How to apply equations of
equilibrium?
 First draw a free body diagram of the
structure or its member.
 If a member is selected, it must be
isolated from its supports and
surroundings.
 All the forces and couple moments must

be shown acting on the member.

 Then apply the equations of equilibrium.
 y

FBD at A FB
30˚
A x
FD
Area to be cut
or isolated
 Example
 Find the reactions at support of the
following beam:
Applying eqn of equilibrium:
∑Fx=0;
Ax=0

∑Fy=0;
Ay+By-
10-
20*4=0
Ay+By=9
Considering Z axis passing through A and
taking moment of all the forces about
Z- axis (taking clockwise –ve and
anticlockwise +ve)
∑Mz=0; By*10-10*8-20*4*2=0
By=24kn
Putting this value in eqn (1) we get,
Ay=66kn.
 2D Equilibrium - Applications

Since the forces involved in supporting the spool lie in a plane, this is
essentially a 2D equilibrium problem. How would you find the forces in
cables AB and AC?
 2D Equilibrium - Applications

For a given force exerted on the boat’s towing pendant, what are
the forces in the bridle cables? What size of cable must you
use?
This is again a 2D problem since the forces in cables AB, BC, and
 Summary
• In order for an object to be in equilibrium,
there must be no net force on it along
any coordinate, and there must be no net
torque around any axis.
• 2D equations of equilibrium:
∑Fx=0
∑Fy=0
∑Mz=0
Thanks for your kind attention

Any Questions?