Mechanics of Solids

Dr. Pavan Kumar P

Assistant Professor, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus

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

Hyderabad Campus
Concept of Force

An interaction between bodies.

Force is an interaction with specific

direction
Why direction is so important ?
In the isolated system,
F1 : force which is exerted by
the weight on the spring
F2 : opposite

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Force acting at a point :

A single force acting at a point may be replaced by two or more forces which are called components
of force.

At a point, infinite sets of components are possible. However, components along Cartesian
coordinates are important for practical engineering applications. We will consider 2D first

y
Fy F
Rectangular components of force :

Force components which are perpendicular to each other. x

Fx

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Rectangular components of force : Force components which are perpendicular to each
other.

y
F Fx= F cosɵ
Fy Fy= F sinɵ

x
Fx

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Force acting at a point :

A force of 800 N is exerted on bolt A. Determine the components of force.

35o

A force of 800 N is exerted on bolt A. Determine the components of force.

35o
A

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Resolution of a force : Examples

Determine the resultant of two forces acting at point A.

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Force acting at a point in 3D :

y
Fy F

Fz x
Fx
Step 2
z
Step 1

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Moment of a force :

(indiamart.com) (wikihow.com) (tyresonthedrive.com)

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Moment of a force :

rXF B

r Moment M = r X F
P
O
Moment is a vector quantity
A

Moment vector is perpendicular to the plane determined

By OP and F

Magnitude of moment M= F rsinϕ = Fd

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Moment of a force :

Right-hand rule : When the fingers of right hand curl in the direction that
F tend to turn about O, the right thumb pints in the direction of the
moment vector.

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 1. Determine the moment about a point O

1. Determine the horizontal force applied at A which creates same

moment about O

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Moment of a force in 2D and 3D :

For a two dimensional problem

M =r X F
= (xi+yj) X (Fx i + Fy j)

For a three dimensional problem

M =r X F
= (xi+yj+zk) X (Fx i + Fy j+ Fz j)

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Determine the moment about a point A

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Couple:

(Images are taken from Google)

Two equal and opposite forces which are separated by a distance a create a couple.

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Equilibrium :

(Images are taken from Google)

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Equilibrium :

If several forces (F1, F2, F3, ………Fn) are acting on a particle, the necessary and sufficient condition
for the particle to be in equilibrium is .

F1 + F2 +…… +Fn =0 F4

F2

F1
P
F3

The same concept can be applied to system of particles (i.e. the body of interest)

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Equilibrium :

Isolated system of If a set of particles are in equilibrium,

particles the vector sum of the forces external forces must be zero

Force equilibrium

F1 + F2 +…… +Fn =0

Moment equilibrium

About any arbitrary point.

r 1 x F1 + r 2x F2 + ………..r nx Fn =0

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For a general coplanar system, if external forces are acting on the system,

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Engineering applications :

How do we use concepts of equilibrium in Engineering problems ..?

Engineering analysis method :

(Courtesy:quora.com)
1.Selection of system
2.Idealization of system characteristics
3.Study of forces and equilibrium requirements
4.Study of deformations and conditions of geometric fit
5.Application of force –deformation relations

In engineering applications, it is necessary to determine reactions which come into play

which will balance the applied load.
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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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