Equilibrium Of Parallel

Forces and Moments

Object: To verify the condition of equilibrium of
parallel forces and moments of forces by parallel
force apparatus.
Apparatus: Parallel force apparatus , hangers, weights
of different value
Parallel Force Apparatus
Theory:
The system is in equilibrium. So we can apply conditions of
equilibrium are given as:
(1) Sum of Moment of all forces about any support (a or b)
is equals to zero
(2) Summation of all forces in horizontal and vertical
direction equals to zero

Equations for the conditions of equilibrium are given as:

∑𝑀𝑎 𝑜𝑟 ∑𝑀𝑏 = 0 … … … … 𝑖
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 … … … 𝑖𝑖
∑𝐹𝑦 = 0 … … … 𝑖𝑖𝑖
 Illustration for better understanding:

Equilibrium of forces :
F1 +F2 + F3 + F4 = R
Equilibrium of moments :
F1 * 0 + F2 * X2 + F3 * X3 + F4 * X4 = R * d
Procedure : The following stepwise procedure is adopted
to verify equilibrium of parallel forces and moment of forces
For verification of equilibrium of parallel forces

1: First recorded the reading of left and right balance

plungers when no weight on beam was placed and this
reading is considered as zero error
2: Now the loads W1 ,W2 ,W3 were suspended from various
locations of beam and reading of balance plungers were
recorded. Due to load, thrusts developed on the balance
plungers in the form of reactions R1 and R2 of the balance
plungers on the beam.
3: Equilibrium condition was applied for forces and so sum
of left and right plunger reactions was equal to the sum of
weights on the beam . This verified the equilibrium of
parallel forces.
4: The experiment was repeated 3 times by changing the
position of loads and hence required reading was calculated.
For verification of Equilibrium of Moment of forces
1: First measured the distances of loads W1 , W2 ,W3 from
left end along the beam
2: Calculated the moment of each load and reactions
3: The sum of moments of weights was equal to sum of
moment of reactions about the same point
4: repeated the experiment by changing position of load and
their distances from left plunger .
 Observation table :
S. W1 W2 W3 Dista Dista Distan R1 R2 Distanc
no (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) nce nce ce of reacti reacti e of R2
of of W3 on at on at from
W1 W2 from one one R1
from from R3 plung plung
R1 R2 er er

1 2 2 1 45 75 105 4.91 6.2 121

2 2 2 2 45 75 105 5 8.2 121
3 2 2 3 45 75 105 3.2 12.0 121
S.no Correc Correc R1 W1 + (R1+R M of M of Differe
ted R1 ted R2 +R2 W2 2) – W1, R2 nce of
(kg) (kg) ( kg ) +W3 (W1 + W2, M
(kg) W2 W3
+W3)
1 2.2271 2.812 5.0393 5 0.0393 3.45 3.4027 0.0473
2 2.2679 3.7421 6.0100 6 0.1000 4.50 4.5004 0.0004
3 1.4514 5.443 6.8945 7 0.1055 5.55 6.5861 1.0361
Calculations :
Result: Since the sum of reactions is approximate equal to the sum
of weight hanged , and moment of reactions is approximate equal to
moment of weight in many cases ,hence the equilibrium of parallel
forces and moments of forces are verified.

Precautions and source of error

1: Measure the Distance accurately.
2: Beam should be kept at the centre of weighing pan.
3:The Weights Should suspended gently at hooks.
4: The readings should be taken carefully.
5: Before noting down the final readings, the beam should be slightly
pressed downwards so as to avoid any friction at the support.
6: Weight of beam should be minimum to avoid zero error.
Applications :
1: By calculating reaction force in vertical column
we can decide material which we need to use so that
it is withstand stress and strain with collapsing.
2: Many real life problems like ladder , beams ,
trusses can be solved using this concept.