Equilibrium law

When a body is in equilibrium, the resultant of all

forces acting on it is zero.
Thus, the resultant force R and the resultant couple M
are both zero, and we have the equilibrium equations
R = ΣF = 0 and

M = ΣM = 0
Types of supports and nature of reactions
1. Roller Support
Pin/Hinge support
Fixed or built in support
Degree of Freedom
No of possible movements or number independent

translation
Degree of freedom
Support Number No. of D.O.F.
displacements compatibility
equations

Fixed 0 3 0

Pin/Hinged 1 2 1

Roller 2 1 2
Free-Body Diagrams
 In applying the principles of mechanics to analyze forces
acting on a body, it is essential that we isolate the body in
question from all other bodies so that a complete and
accurate account of all forces acting on this body can be
taken.
This isolation should exist mentally and should be
represented on paper.
The diagram of such an isolated body with the
representation of all external forces acting on it is called a
free-body diagram.
Free-Body Diagrams

Space Diagram: A sketch Free-Body Diagram: A sketch

showing the physical showing only the forces on the
conditions of the problem. selected particle.
Steps of Drawing a FBD
1. Clearly identify the body (or system of bodies) to be
isolated (the FREE body).
2. isolate the chosen system by drawing a diagram
whichrepresents its complete external boundary.
This boundary defines the isolation of the system
from all other attracting or contacting bodies, which
are considered removed.
3. Traverse the boundary of this “free body” and
indicate ALL forces acting ON the free body
(contact forces with other bodies forces)
4. Show coordinate directions on the diagram
Eg: Drawing FBD
Concurrent forces
A set of forces which all pass through the same point

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Polygon law of forces
A set of concurrent forces applied to a particle may be
replaced by a single resultant force which is the vector sum
of the applied forces.
Equilibrium of three concurrent forces
(Law of 3 forces)
1. They should be coplanar
2. They should be concurrent
3. The free vectors should constitute a closed polygon
composition and resolution of forces
composition of forces

P
resolution of forces

R
The two forces act on a bolt at A. Determine their
resultant using
1. Cosine law
2. Sine law
3. Method of Projection
 • Graphical solution - A parallelogram with sides
equal to P and Q is drawn to scale. The
magnitude and direction of the resultant or of the
diagonal to the parallelogram are measured,

R 2  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos B
  40N    60N   2  40N   60N  cos 25
2 2

R  98 N
Q sin 
tan   
P  Q cos 

R  98 N   35
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