Mechanics of Solids

Dr. Pavan Kumar P

Assistant Professor, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus

BITS Pilani pavankp@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in

Hyderabad Campus
Equilibrium :

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Free-body diagram (FBD) :

The sketch of an isolated engineering system by representing all external forces and
moments acting on it.

(Courtesy:quora.com)

Engineering Assumptions we make whiling drawing the FBD:

Weight of the system can be neglected if it is less compared to the external force.
Perfectly rigid body
Friction less
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Free-body diagram (FBD) :

How to identify the external

forces acting on a selected object..?

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Free body diagram :

A friction less surface

Only exerts a normal force N

Number of unknowns : 1

Surface with friction

Exerts a normal force N

Exerts a tangential force F

F= µN, where µ is the coefficient of

friction

Number of unknowns : 2

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Free body diagram :

Roller support :

Roller supports are free to rotate and translate along

the surface upon which the roller rests

Number of unknowns : 1

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Free body diagram :

Hinged support :

The hinge support is capable of resisting forces acting in any direction of the plane.
This support does not provide any resistance to rotation. 

Number of unknowns : 1

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Fixed support :

Fixed support can resist vertical and horizontal forces as well as moment since they restrain both
rotation and translation.

A n ideal clamped support provides complete

restraint against longitudinal or transverse
motion and against rotation.

Number of unknowns : 3

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 A friction less pinned joint
Transmits only force

Number of unknowns : 1

A friction less bearing A friction less bearing exerts a force F on the

shaft, which passes through the center of the
shaft
Number of unknowns : 1

A weightless frictionless
bearing A weightless flexible string transmits force
along its length.

Number of unknowns : 1

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Engineering applications :

Draw the free body diagram

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Home work:

1. Draw the free body diagram of vehicle as whole.

2. Draw the free body diagram of any two links in the body frame

(Courtesy:quora.com)

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Engineering applications :

Statically determinate systems : In these systems, it is possible to determine all the force
involved , by using only the equilibrium requirements.

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Engineering applications :

Statically indeterminate systems : In these systems, it is

not
possible to determine all the forces involved by using only
the equilibrium requirements .
Additional conditions such as geometric fit conditions are
needed to determine the additional reactions.

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 Truss :

Trusses consist exclusively of straight members

connected at joints located at the ends of each
member.

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BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Find the support reactions for the equilateral structure shown

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 Analysis of truss :

Determine the support reactions using equilibrium equations.

75 kN

50 kN

2m

1m 1m 1m 1m

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