Engineering Mechanics – 20MECH01P Timetable

week Gr. A Gr. B Main Subject Lecture Topics Tutorials

Saturday Monday
1 17/10 19/10 Statics Force Vectors -1 Introduction
2 24/10 26/10 Statics Force Vectors -2 Force vectors - 2D
3 31/10 2/11 Statics Particle Equilibrium Force vectors - 3D
4 7/11 9/11 Statics Moments and Couples Particle Equilibrium

5 14/11 16/11 Statics Force Couple Resultant Moments and

Couples
6 21/11 23/11 Kinematics Rectilinear Motion Force Couple Resultant
7 28/11 30/11 Kinematics Projectile Motion Rectilinear
8 5/12 7/12 Kinematics Curvilinear Motion Projectiles/ second
McGraw assignment
9 12/12 14/12 Kinetics Force Acceleration Methods Curvilinear
10 19/12 21/12 Kinetics Work Energy Methods / Revision Force-Acceleration
11 26/12 1/1/21 Kinetics Impulse Momentum Methods / Revision Work-Energy
12 2/1/21 11/1/21 Kinetics Revision for missed lectures Impulse-Momentum

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Sarah Brightman
La Califfa

Force Couple Resultants

At the desk where I sit, I have learned one great truth. The answer for all our national problems - the answer for all the problems of the world - come to a single word.
That word is EDUCATION
Lyndon B. Johnson

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Lecture Objectives:

(I)

Condition for equivalency

(II) When moving a force to

another location how can we
preserve the equivalency?

When calculating the force-couple

(III) resultant of a system of forces and
couples at a defined point, we apply
the above two steps to preserve the
equivalency of the two systems
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Lecture Contents Force Couple Systems
Equivalent Force Couple Systems
Moving a Force to Another Location
Force-Couple Resultants

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Force-Couple Systems
 
F1 P2 
M2 F1
  
F2 F2 P1
M1  Force-Couple System
P1 The system is composed of FORCES and COUPLES
  
F3  
F4 F3 P2 F4

F1

F2
Force System
The system is composed of FORCES only.

 
F3 F4

 P1
M2 P2
M1  Couple System
P1
 The system is composed of COUPLES only
P2
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Equivalent Force Couple Systems
The Two Force-couple systems shown, (acting on the same object), are said to be equivalent if the following
two conditions are satisfied  
M a2 Fa1 Fb1

 Fb2
Fa2
M a1
M b1
P P
 
Fa3 (a) Fa4 (b)
FIRST CONDITION: 
Fb3
Their resultant forces are equal, i.e.
R ax = R bx
Fax1 + Fax2 + Fax3 +...  Fbx1 + Fbx2 + Fbx3 +...
They have the same translational effect
R ay = R by
Fay1 + Fay2 + Fay3 +...  Fby1 + Fby2 + Fby3 +...

SECOND CONDITION:
Both systems have the same resultant moment about the same point, say point P

 M  = M 
p a p b They have the same rotational effect Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Example-1
Are the two systems equivalent? 50 N 50 N

2m C 45 D 45 2m 2m C
D 2m
1m 180 N.m
1m
20 N E 100 N.m
1m E 80 N.m 1m
20 N B
A B A
Solution
The resultant force: The resultant force:
R x = 50cos45- 20 =15.355 N are equal R x = 50cos45- 20 =15.355 N

R y = 50sin45 =35.355 N are equal R y = 50sin45 =35.355 N

The resultant moment about point C: The resultant moment about point C:
M C = -20  1 -80=-100 N.m not equal M C = -50sin45  4  -20  2  -180+100=-155.355 N.m

Thus the two systems are not equivalent. Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Moving a Force to Another Location
F

F F

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

It is required to move the force F from its original location (A) to a new location, point B, on its
line of action such that both systems are equivalent

a a a a
C C C C

b b b b

F A B F A F F F A F F A B F
B B
original new
Thus when a force is moved from its location (point of application) to another point on its line
of action, nothing else is added
To check the equivalency

R x  original  = R x  new  = F
Same translation effect
R y  original  = R y  new  = 0

M C  original  = M C  new  = F  b  Same rotational

Mechanics effect
– Statics – Force Couple Resultants
It is required to move the force F from its original location (A) to a new location, point B, not on
the line of action of the force F such that both systems are equivalent
M= F  a+b 
F F F F F
B B B B
a a a a
C C C C

b b b b

F A F A F A A

original new
Thus when a force is moved from its location (point of application) to another point off its line
of action, a couple moment is added to the system.

The magnitude of the moment of this added couple is equal to the moment of the
force in its original location about the new location, i.e.
M=M B = F  a+b 
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Original force-couple system New force-couple system
F
a
B To check that they are equivalent B
M = F  a+b 
a
C C
The Forces
b R x  original   R x  new   F b
R y  original   R y  new   0
F A A
They have the same translational effect

The Moment about point C

M C  original  = F  b  N.m

M C  new  = -F  a  +F  a+b  =F  b  N.m

They have the same rotational effect

YES they are equivalent

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Example- 1
Move the 100N force to points B, C and G such that the resulted systems are equivalent to the
original system

2m 2m C
D

3m
G

3m
P=200N
F=100N

A B

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution
2m 2m C 2m 2m C
D D

3m 3m
G Move the 100N force to point B G

3m 3m
F=100N P=200N P=200N F=100N
A B A B

Move the 100N force to point C

M=100  6  =600 N.m M=100  6  =600 N.m

C C
D D
F=100N F=100N
3m or use 3m
G G

3m 3m
P=200N P=200N
A 2m 2m B A 2m 2m B

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution
M=100  6  =600 N.m
2m 2m C 2m 2m C C
D D D
F=100N
3m 3m 3m
G G G

3m 3m 3m
F=100N P=200N P=200N F=100N P=200N
A B A B A 2m 2m B
Move the 100N force to point G

2m 2m C C 600 N.m
D D
M =100  3 =300 N.m
3m or use 3m M =100  3 =300 N.m
G G
F=100N
F=100N
3m
P=200N 3m
P=200N
A B A 2m 2m B

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Example- 3
Move the 50N force to point B such that the two systems remain equivalent 50N

D 3m 3m C 30o

200N.m G 1m

10N 1m
A B
Solution
50sin30=25

3m 3m 50cos30=43.3
D C
1m
G
1m
A B
10N 200N.m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Original system
25 New system

3m 3m 43.3 3m 3m
D C D C
1m 1m
25
G G
1m 1m
A B A B 43.3
10N 200N.m 10N
200N.m M= 43.3  2   86.6

Checking the equivalency

Take point G as the common moment point

R x  original  =R x  new  =43.3+10=53.3

R y  original  =R y  new  =25

M G  original  =10  1  43.3  1  25  3   200  158.3

M G  new  =10  1  43.3  1  25  3  286.6  158.3

both systems are equivalent Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Example- 4
For the 100N force shown, move it to a point such that the total resultant moment is zero.

100N

500N.m

8m A 4m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

solution 100N

The movement is executed such that the total 500N.m

resultant couple moment is zero, i.e.

M=500-100  x  =0 8m A 4m
Original system
From which we get x=5m

100N
Hence, the force is to be moved to a point 5m to
x 500N.m
the left of point A

Checking the equivalency B 8m A 4m

100  x 
Take point C as the common moment point

R x  original  = R x  new   0 100N

5m
R y  original  = R y  new    100 C
Same translation effect
3m B A 4m
M C  original  = M C  new    300 N .m New system
Same rotational effect Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Example - 5 A
C
Move the 200 force acting on bar AB at point B 2m
as shown to points C and D such that the force 5m D
at C is vertical. 200 N
8m
20 60
B
Solution
A C
2m
5m
D 200sin60=173.2
200 N
8m 200cos60=100
20 60
B

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Original system
A
2m
C
5m 173.2
D

2.73m 8m

20 100
E 4.7 m F 7.52 m B

The New system

173.2
A M  vert  =173.2  BE  =2116.5 N.m

2m
C
5m
M  hor  =100  FD  =273 N.m
D 100

8m
2.73 m
20
E 4.7 m F 7.52 m B
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Check the equivalency
For the student:
For each system shown, move the blue force(s) to point A
1- Sketch the new force-couple system
2- Check the equivalency of the old and new systems

300N 40
1.5m 200N
A
3m 300N
100N 100N 400N 30
1.5m

2m 2m
A 4m
200N A 300N
50
(c) 400 N.m
200N (a)
300N 60 2m
2m 400 N.m
(d)
2m
A 50

200N (b)
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Force - Couple Resultants
Case-1 : Force and Couple Resultant 2D
Case-2 : Single Force Resultant 2D
Case-3 : Force and Couple Resultant 3D

Your FUTURE is created by what you do TODAY not tomorrow

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Remember that when we move a force from its location, (say point A), (point of application), to another
location, (say point B), the following steps are taken

B
M B F

F
A A

1- the force is transferred with no change in magnitude, direction and sense

2- a couple is added. The magnitude of the moment of this couple is equal to the moment of the
force about its new location

R
P
P

Force-couple system Force-couple resultant at point P

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Method of Solution

R
P P M

Force-couple system Force-couple resultant at point P

1- Any inclined force is decomposed into its Cartesian components
2- The RESULTANT FORCE 
n R = R x ˆi + R y ˆj
i- add up the x-components R x =Fx1 +Fx2 +Fx3 +...=  Fxi
i=1 R= R 2x + R 2y
n

ii- add up the y-components R y =Fy1 +Fy2 +Fy3 +...=  Fyi Ry

i=1 tan  =
Rx
3- The RESULTANT MOMENT
i- add up the moment of each force about point P.
n
M PF =  M x1P + M y1P + ... = M Pi
i=1

ii- add up the applied (external) moments

m
M E =  M1 + M 2 + ... = M
k=1
k

n m
Thus the resultant couple moment is M = M PF + M E = M
i=1
Pi   Mi
k=1
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Force-couple resultant cases Force-couple resultant at point P
R 
R = R x ˆi + R y ˆj
M P =  M x1P + M y1P + ... +  M1 + M 2 + ...
P
MP

or
Single force resultant
R 
R = R x ˆi + R y ˆj
M P =  M x1P + M y1P + ... +  M1 + M 2 + ...   0
P

P
or
Couple resultant

M R = R x ˆi + R y ˆj  0
Force-couple system
M =  M x1 + M y1 + ... +  M1 + M 2 + ...

or
No

Resultant
R = R x ˆi + R y ˆj  0
M P =  M x1P + M y1P + ... +  M1 + M 2 + ...   0

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Example- 5
Replace the loading on the frame by an;
i- equivalent force and couple moment at point D,
ii- equivalent force and couple moment at point B,

300 N 200 N 400 N

3m 4m
C
A
600N.m B
2m

D 200 N

7m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Solution
i- Replace the loading on the frame by an equivalent force and couple moment at point D
300 N 200 N 400 N
3m 4m
3m 4m B C
C A
A
600N.m B
2m 3500 N.m 2m

D 200 N 200 N
D

900 N
7m x 7m

E E

The resultant force The resultant couple moment

R x = -200 N M = 300  7  + 200  4  + 600 = 3500 N.m

R y = -300 - 200 - 400 =-900 N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
ii- Replace the loading on the frame by an equivalent force and couple moment at point B
300 N 200 N 400 N
Using the original system 500N.m
B 3m 4m
The resultant force C
200 N A
B
R x = -200 N 600N.m 2m
900 N y D 200 N
R y = -300 - 200 - 400 =-900 N

The resultant couple moment about B 7m

x
M = 300  3 -400  4   200  2  + 600 = -500 N.m

Using the system of step (i) 3m 4m

A B C
The resultant force
R x = -200 N 3500 N.m 2m

R y = -900 N 200 N
D

The resultant couple moment about B 900 N

M =  200  2  -900  4   3500 = -500 N.m 7m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

E
Example- 6
50N
For the force couple system shown determine; 20N
i- its force couple resultant at point Q,
ii- its force couple resultant at point D. D 3m 3m C 30o

200N.m 2m
G Q
10N 2m
A B
Solution
1- Any inclined force is decomposed into its Cartesian components

50sin30=25
20N
D 3m 3m C
200N.m 2m 50cos30=43.3
G
Q
10N 2m
A B
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
i- the force couple resultant at point Q 25 N
The resultant force 20N

R x = 43.3 +10 =53.3 N D 3m 3m C 43.3 N

2m
R y = 25 - 20 = 5 N G
Q
200N.m 2m
10N
The resultant couple moment A B
M =  43.4  2   10  2   20  6   200 = -146.8 N.m

D 3m 3m C
5N
2m
G 53.3 N
Q
2m 146.8 N.m
A B

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

ii- the force couple resultant at point D
20N 50sin30=25 5N
D 3m 3m
D 3m 3m C C
2m
200N.m 2m 50cos30=43.3 G 53.3 N
G
Q Q
2m
10N 2m
A B 146.6 N.m
A B
(FC resultant system at Q
(the original system)
The resultant force The resultant force
R x = 43.3 +10 =53.3 N R x =53.3 N
R y = 25 - 20 = 5 N R y =5 N
The resultant couple moment The resultant couple moment
M = 25  6   10  4   200   10 N.m M= 5  6   53.3  2   146.6   10 N.m

5N 5N

D 53.3 N C
D 53.3 N C
2m 2m
G G
10 N.m 10 N.m
2m 2m
A 3m 3m B A 3m 3m – Statics
Mechanics B – Force Couple Resultants
Example- 7
For the force system shown,
1- Determine the equivalent couple system.
2- Determine the smallest force applied at ends A and G of the beam shown that are
equivalent to the given loading

300N

3m
100N
20o
C
2m
1m
A B

0.5m E G
2m
20o D
100N 3m

300N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution 300N

1- Determine the equivalent couple system 3m

100N
20o
C
Evaluate the resultant force 2m
1m
A B
R x = 281.91- 281.91= 0
0.5m E G
R y =100 -100 +102.6 -102.6 = 0 2m
D
20o
100N
the resultant force is zero, and forces are not 3m

collinear, then the force-couple system is reduced 300N

to the two couples shown 102.6 N

Evaluate the resultant moment of the couples 3m

281.91 100N
C
M= 100  6  - 281.91 1.5  =177.14 N.m A
1m
2m
B

0.5m E G
M=177.14 N.m 2m
281.91 D
100N 3m
A G
102.6 N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

2- The smallest force applied at ends A and G of the beam shown that are equivalent to the given loading

F
M=177.14 N.m
A G
A G 5m 5m
5m 5m F

M= F  AG 
177.14= F  10 

177.14
F= = 17.714 N
10

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Example- 8
For the system shown all six forces have the same magnitude of 5 N. and are placed as shown on
a hexagon whose side is of length 2m. What is the:-
a) Resultant force
b) Resultant moment at point A
5N
c) Resultant moment at point B

5N 5N

A B

5N 5N

5N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Solution 5N
5N
5N 5N
5N
The forces form a closed polygon, thus the resultant force is zero. 5N
R x =R y =0 B
A
You must be able to prove this fact.
5N
5N
The forces are not collinear, thus they form a resultant couple. 5N
5N
The shown forces form the following three equal couples. 5N
Thus the resultant moment of the three couples is
1m 1m
M=3  5d  60o
60o
d/2 2m
Where the moment arm d is 2m
30 o
2m
d 60o
=2cos30 =1.732 60o
2
d=3.464 m 51.96 N .m
hence the resultant single moment is
M=3  5d   3  5   3.464   51.96 N.m Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Single Force Resultant
Coplanar Forces
Parallel Forces

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Objective
M C = F(BC) 100  4  = 400

D 6m C D C
F=100N
4m 4m
F=100N
A B A 6m B
R x =100 N R x = 53.3 N
Ry=0 Ry= 0
M= 400 N.m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 y
The force-couple resultant at any point P is
n
F2
R x =Fx1 +Fx2 +Fx3 +...=  Fxi

?
i=1
n
F3
R y =Fy1 +Fy2 +Fy3 +...=  Fyi M2
i=1 F1
n m
M P =  M x1P +M y1P +... +  M1 +M 2 +... =  M Pi +  M k
xP P
i=1 k=1 M1
If the resultant moment about point P is zero, i.e. F4
n m yP x
M P =  M x1P +M y1P +... +  M1 +M 2 +... =  M Pi +  M k  0
i=1 k=1

Then the force couple system will be reduced to a single force

resultant.
Our objective is to locate the point at which the force couple
system is reduced to a single force resultant.

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Let us assume that the system will be reduced to a single force resultant at point P
Required to locate the coordinates of this point
Ry
y y
F2
M1

x P Rx
F3 P
F1

M2 y
M3 F4
x x
O O
moment of the force-couple system about the origin = moment of the resultant about the origin
M O =  M x1O +M y1O +... +  M1 +M 2 +... = -R x  y  + R y  x 
M O = -R x y  R y x
R x y = R yx - MO
R  MO
y=  y x-
 Rx  Rx
This is an equation of a straight line Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
 y Ry
R  MO R
y=  y x-
 Rx  Rx
x
The above equation is the equation of the line of action of the
resultant single force Q Rx
y

Cases to consider
x
O
Case One: if the x-component of the resultant force is zero, i.e. R x  0
0= R y x - M O y
MO
x=
Ry
Equation of a straight line parallel to the y axis
Case Two: if the y-component of the resultant force is zero, i.e. R y  0
MO x
y= - O
Rx
Equation of a straight line parallel to the x axis
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Example-9
Four tugboats are used to bring a ship to its pier. Each tugboat exerts a 5000 N force in the direction
shown.
i- the equivalent force couple resultant at point O,
ii- the location where a single more powerful tugboat should push the ship to produce the same effect,
iii- the location where a single more powerful tugboat should pull the ship to produce the same effect,
Iv- determine the distance from the center O to the point of application of the single resultant force.

3
o
60 60m
15m
O
15m

34m 30m 30m 45o 30m 30m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution
i- the force-couple resultant of the given force system at point O
y
4
5000
4
5000
5000
5000  =4000
5000sin60=4330.13 3 5
5000
60o 60m
3
15m 5000   =3000
5000cos60=2500 O 5 30m 30m
15m
15m
O x
34m 30m 30m 45o 30m 30m
15m 5000 sin 45  3535.53
5000

60m 5000 cos 45  3535.53

34m 30m 30m
1- Evaluate the Cartesian components of the resultant force
R x = 2500 +3000 3535.53  9035.5 N R y =-9790 N
R y = -4330.13 -4000 5000 3535.53  9790 N
30m 30m
2- Evaluate the resultant couple moment 15m O R x =9035.5 N
M O1 =-2500  15  -3000  15  +3535.53  15  =-29467.05
15m M=-464355.85 N.m
M O2 =4330.13  30  -4000  30  +3535.53  90  -5000  150  =-434888.8
34m 30m 30m 60m

M=M O1 +M O2  464355.85 N .m Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 y
ii- the location where a single more powerful tugboat
should push the ship to produce the same effect. O R x =9035.5 N x

The line of action of the single force resultant is M=-464355.85 N.m

Ry MO 9790 464355.85 R y =-9790 N

Y= X = X =  1.08X  51.4
Rx Rx 9035.5 9035.5

The single tugboat will push the ship at point C with a

resultant force of magnitude
y
2 2 2 2
R= R +R = 9035.5 +9790 =13332.32 N
x y

B  0,51.4 
iii- the location where a single more powerful
tugboat should pull the ship to produce the R=13332.32 N
same effect,
C
The single tugboat will pull the ship at point C’
O x
A  47.6,0 

Iv- determine the distance from the center O

C
to the point of application of the single R=13332.32 N
resultant force. Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
 Example-10
Knowing that a=60o, replace the force and couple shown with a single force applied at a point located;
(a) On line AB
(b) On line CD
(c) In each case, determine the distance from the center O to the point of application of each force.

960 N
120 N C

0.1m

A a B
O

120 N
D
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
 y
Solution 120 N 960 N
C
D
0.1m

A 60 B x
O

120 N
D
y 960sin60=831.38 N y 831.38 N
120 N C C
480 N
D 960cos60=480 N D
0.1m 120  0.2  = 24 N.m 0.1m
0.087 0.087
A 60 B x A 60 B x
O 0.05 O 0.05

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

120 N
D D
The resultant force y 831.38 N
R x = 480 N C
D
R y = 831.38 N 480 N
0.1m
The resultant couple moment (about O) 24 N.m
0.087
M O = 24 + 0 = 24 N.m
A 60 B x
The line of action of the single force O 0.05

Ry MO 831.38 24
y= x- = x- =1.732x - 0.05
Rx Rx 480 480
TheAB)
The location of the single force on the x axis (line resultant y D
y= 0 =1.732x- 0.05 C
0.05 0.1m
x= = 0.0289
1.732
P  0.0289 , 0  A B x
O P  0.0289 , 0 
The location of the single force on the y axis (line CD)
y= 0 - 0.05 = - 0.05 Q  0 ,  0.05 

Q  0 ,  0.05  Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

D
 y 960 N y 831.38 N
C C
D
480 N
0.1m
24 N.m 24 N.m
0.1m 0.087

x A 60 B x
A 60 B
O O 0.05

y
The resultant
D C D
960 N
0.1m

A 60 B x
O P  0.0289, 0 

Q  0,  0.05 

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

D
 Example-12 (Jan 2019 exam)

For the force couple system shown in Figure QS-3, the following is required;
i. Evaluate the force-couple resultant at point A, [9 marks]
ii. Evaluate the force-couple resultant at point B, [6 marks]
iii. The location of the single force resultant with respect to point A, and [6 marks]
iv. The location of the single force resultant with respect to point B. [4 marks]

300N 500N
3m

A B

1000N.m 500N.m
Figure QS-3

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution
300N 3m 500N
1000N.m 500N.m
A B
i- Evaluate the force-couple resultant at point A,
a- The resultant force 800N
R x =0
R y =-300 - 500 = -800 N 3m
b- The resultant couple moment (about point A) A B
M A =1000+500-500  3   0

800N
ii- Evaluate the force-couple resultant at point B,
a- The resultant force 3m
R x =0 A B
R y = -800 N 2400 N.m

b- The resultant couple moment (about point B)

M B =1000+500+300  3   2400 N.m

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

iii- The location of the single force resultant with respect to point A,
y
a- The resultant force
R x =0 300N 500N
3m
R y =-300 - 500 = -800 N
1000N.m 500N.m
x
A B
Take point A as the origin, thus
M A =M O =1000+500-500  3   0

Substitute in y
R  MO
y=  y x- 800N
 Rx  Rx
Gives us 3m x
MO 0 A B
x= = 0
Ry -800

iv- The location of the single force resultant with respect to point B.

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Single Force Resultant – Parallel Force System

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 z  z
F3    
 R=F1 +F2 +F3 +...
F1
O (x 3 , y3 ,0) O
(x1 , y1 ,0) 
F2 y y
x
(x 2 , y 2 ,0) x P  X, Y, 0 

To find the location (coordinates) of point P we apply

The moment of the force-couple system about point O = moment of the resultant about point O
i j k i j k i j k
x1 y1 0  x2 y2 0  ... X Y 0
0 0 F1 0 0 F2 0 0 R

Coef of i: Coef of j:
F1  y1  +F2  y 2  +... = R  Y  F1  x1  +F2  x 2  +... = R  X 
Mx = R  Y  My = R  Y
Mx My
Y= X=
R R
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Example- 12
Find the single force resultant for the system of parallel forces acting on the plate as shown
and its location
z

50 N
30 N

O
x B(0,2,0)
40 N
y
A(2,1,0)

C(1,3,0)

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

55
 Solution
Resultant force

R=R x ˆi+R y ˆj+R z kˆ = -30 kˆ - 40 kˆ + 50 kˆ = -20 kˆ N
Moment of forces about O is equal to the moment of the resultant about O
i j k i j k i j k i j k
z
2 1 0 0 2 0 1 3 0  x y 0
0 0 30 0 0 50 0 0 40 0 0 20

 30iˆ  60ˆj   100iˆ    120iˆ  40ˆj  20yiˆ  20xjˆ

30 N
 30  100  120  ˆi   60  40  ˆj  20yiˆ  20xjˆ 50 N
O
Coefficients of i O
30  100  120  20y 40 N
Y  2.5 R
A(2,1,0)
Coefficients of j B(0,2,0)
y
60  40  20x Y
X
X5 C(1,3,0)
D(X,Y,0)
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Different approach

Resultant force

R z = -30 - 40 + 50 = -20 N z

Moment about the y axis

RX= M y  F1x1 +F2 x 2 +...
30 N
20  X  =30  2   50  0   40  1  100 50 N
X5 O
40 N
x Rz
A(2,1,0)
Moment about the x axis B(0,2,0)
Y y
RY=M x =F1y1 +F2 y 2 +...
X
-20  Y  =-30  1 +50  2  -40  3 =-50 C(1,3,0)
D(X,Y,0)
Y  2.5

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Force-Couple Resultant (3D)

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

We want to move all forces and couples to evaluate the resultant at point P
1- The resultant Force
i- For each force evaluate its Cartesian components.
ii- add up like components to get the Cartesian components of the resultant force
R x =  Fxi R y =  Fyi R z =  Fzi

iii- the resultant force and its magnitude are


R=R x ˆi+R y ˆj+R z k
ˆ R= R 2x +R 2y +R 2z

2- The resultant Moment about point P

i- evaluate the moment of each force about point P
ii- add up like components to get the Cartesian components of the resultant moment. If there are any
applied couples there components are included
M x =  M xi M y =  M yi M z =  M zi
iii- the resultant moment and its magnitude are

M P =M x ˆi+M y ˆj+M z kˆ M P = M 2x +M 2y +M z2
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
EXAMPLE-13
z
For the force couple system shown find the
force and couple resultants at;
(a) the origin, and C  0,0,4 
(b) at point A.

10N 4m

3m 4m B  0,4,0 
A  3,0,0 
O
8 N-m y
20N
x

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Solution
(a) the force and couple resultants at the origin z

The resultant force C  0,0,4 

F=10N F=20N sum

ux 3/5 -3/5
10N 4m
uy 0 4/5

uz -4/5 0 3m 4m
O B  0,4,0 
A  3,0,0 
8 N-m y
20N
Fx =Fu x 6 -12 -6
x
Fy =Fu y 0 16 16
û B/A =
 x B -x A  ˆi+  yB -y A  ˆj+  z B -z A  kˆ
 x B -x A  +  y B -yA  +  z B -z A 
2 2 2
Fz =Fu z -8 0 -8
û B/A  cos  iˆ  cos  ˆj  cos  kˆ

R=R x ˆi+R y ˆj+R z kˆ = -6i+16j-8k
ˆ ˆ ˆ

û B/A =
 0-3 ˆi+  0-0
3-0 4-0  ˆj+  0-4
0-0 kˆ 33ˆˆ 4 4ˆ ˆ
=
=- i-i+ k j
A/C
32 +42 55 5 5
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
 z
The resultant Moment about the origin O
C  0,0,4 
The moment arm OA
rx =3-0=3 ry =0-0=0 rz =0-0=0

F  10N  =6i-8k
ˆ ˆ
4m

ˆi ˆj kˆ ˆi ˆj kˆ
 3m 4m
MO = 3 0 0  3 0 0 +8iˆ A  3,0,0 
O B  0,4,0 

8 N-m y
6 0 -8 -12 16 0 
F  20N  =-12i+16j
ˆ ˆ
x

ˆ ˆ ˆ
M O = 8i+24j+48k 
R=R x ˆi+R y ˆj+R z kˆ = -6i+16j-8k
ˆ ˆ ˆ

ˆi ˆj kˆ

M o = rx ry rz
Fx Fy Fz

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Next Week Dynamics

The Particles Begin

Their Move
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Tutorial Problems

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

1- If the resultant of a system of forces is the same at all points, then show that this system is made of
couples only

2- A force has zero moment about any point on its line of action. Yes or No …………….

3- For a concurrent force system the resultant moment is zero at all points. Yes or No …………

4- If for a given system of forces, the resultant moment is the same at all points, then the resultant force
must equal ………………

5- State two different properties and one common property between the moment of a force about a
point and the moment of a couple.

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Problem-1
Determine the equivalent systems
10N 10N 10N
D 4m C D 4m C D 4m C

2m 2m 2m 30 N.m
5N 50 N.m
5N
A B A B A B
5N

Determine the equivalent systems

10N 10N 5N
D 30 C 5N D 4m C D 4m C

2m 2m 2m 60 N.m
5N 100 N.m 10N 5N
A 4m B A A B
B
5N
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Problem-2: Determine which of the four beam loadings shown are equivalent

300N 40 200N
1.5m
3m 300N
100N 100N
1.5m

A 2m 2m
50 A
(c) 400 N.m
200N
400N
(a) 30
1.5m
3m 300N
200N
1.5m
2m 300N
A 2m
50 A
400 N.m
200N (d)
(b) Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
6- For the systems shown, move the force to the required point such that the new system is equivalent to
the original system

C D a a C
D a a
b F b
G G

b b
F
A B A B

Move the force to point G Move the force to point G

F
200N.m
D a a C a a C
D
F b b
G G
b b
A B A B
Move the force to point A Move the force to point B
Left to the student
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
7- For the force couple systems shown determine the force couple resultant at point A
A
300N
40 200N 3m 200N
1.5m
3m 300N 280N
100N
1.5m
100N 150N.mN
1.5m
60
2m 2m
A
(a) 50 (c) 50N
A
400 N.m
(b)
200N

300N
40 200N
1.5m
3m 300N
8- For the force couple systems shown, are
100N 100N
the two systems equivalent?
1.5m
2m 2m
A 50 A
400 N.m
200N Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
9 Consider a triangular plate under the three loading conditions shown. Determine which of them are
equivalent
5N
y 5N y 3N y
7N
8 5N 1N.m

6m 6m 6m
6N 1m
60N.m x 38N.m x 2m x
4m A 4m A 4N 4m A
5N 13N 2N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

10- Determine which of the six beam loadings shown are equivalent

400 N
1800 N-m 200 N
100 N 500 N
500 N-m A
100 N
A 3 300 N
5m B B
A
5m B 500 N 4
(c) 5m
(a) (e)

200 N
100 N 200 N
100 N
100 N
2.5 m 1700 N-m 300 N-m
A 100 N B 2.5 m 2.5 m
B A B
5m A 5m
100 N (f)
(d) 200 N-m
(b) 400 N

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

11- Determine the force- couple system acting at center C 400N
of the stepped gear (the inner radius is 0.2m and the y
outer radius is 0.3m) that is equivalent to the two forces
shown 0.3 0.2
75o
60o C x
200N
300 N
75o
0.1m

300 N
12- A cable is passed over two identical pulleys (of radius 0.08 m) that are
A pinned to a block. The tension within the cable is 300 N. Determine an
B 0.2m equivalent force -couple system acting (a) at pin A, (b) at pin B
B
A y

A x
13- A 5000 N jet engine is suspended from the wing of a
jet aircraft on a 2 m strut as shown. If the engine is 25 kN 40o
2m
producing 25 kN thrust, determine the resulting force and
moment at A. N 5000
 
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
 y
14- Calculate the moment of the 10 N force shown with respect to point
O as shown. C(0,12)
A(4,9)

F=10N
rA/O
y x
1.8 m 40 N O B(16,0)
D A
0.3 m 15- Three people exert horizontal forces
80 N 0.3 m 40 N on a rectangular table as shown. What
45o single force has the same effect as these
0.6 m
C B people, and where along edge BC should
80 N 45o x this force be applied.
20 N 20 N 50 N 200 N

0.2 m 0.3 m 330 N.m

16- Determine the single resultant of the

A
forces and couple and locate it with respect to
point A. What is the resultant when located at 0.4 m
point A. 0.3 m 0.3 m

40 N 60 N Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 y

17- Determine the resultant of the force system shown and x

locate it with respect to the origin O O
2

0. 5
1
100 N-m
390 N 12
100 N
5 50 N
4
3
P 100 N 18- The resultant of the three coplanar forces and an
3
A B unknown force P through the point B is a vertical
4 force through point A. Determine the force P and
resultant. The three forces shown are tangent to the
circle of radius 0.5 m
50 N
R
300 N
400 N
200 N
19- The position of the resultant R of the three 2m
5m 3m 4m M
forces and the couple M is shown. Determine the
magnitude of the resultant R and the couple M

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

20- Replace the 200 N force that is applied to the tire wrench by an
0.75 m 200 N
equivalent force-couple system at;
B
i- bolt A. A
Ii- center C,
C 36.87o
y
A 0.1m
3N
C B 4N
21- For the system shown determine;
10 N-m 4m (a) the resultant at point A, and
(b) the single force resultant that is
O x equivalent to the system shown and A
5m A its line of action.
1N 1N
1.2m G
65N
22- The street light is supported by cable AC. The total
500N
weight of the structure is 500N acting at point G, and 5.5m
the 65N horizontal force represents the effect of the 3.6m
wind. The combined effect on the structure of gravity,
wind and the cable tension is equivalent to a single C
45 o
force acting on the base B. Determine the tension in the
B
cable and the equivalent single force. Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
23- Three control rods attached to a lever ABC exert on it the forces 216N
0.45m
shown. 55
1- Replace the three forces with an equivalent force-couple system at B.
2- Determine the single force that is equivalent to the force couple 0.6m C
30 20 90N
system obtained in part (1), and specify its point of application on the 20 B
90N
lever.
A

360N
24- A worker tries to move a rock by applying a 360 N force 40
to a steel bar as shown. A
a- Replace that force with an equivalent force-couple B
0.4m C
system at D.
0.35m D
b- Two workers attempt to move the same rock by applying 0.3m
a vertical force at A and another force at D. Determine
30
these two forces if they are to be equivalent to the single
force of part (a). P 2.4m

C q B
300 N
25- A hexagonal plate of equal sides (length of each
side is 0.2m) is acted upon by the force P and the
couple shown. Determine the magnitude and the D A
direction of the smallest force P for which the system
can be replaced with a single force at E. 300 N

E F Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

0.2m
26- Determine the resultant of the force systems z 
shown at points O and A F1  30 ˆj  40kˆ


F4  20kˆ F2  60kˆ

27- Replace the 250 N force acting at C by a force at A O y

and a couple. The 350 N force is parallel to the xy-plane
and acts at an angle of 60o with the horizontal plane
A
1m
y 1m
250 N x 
F3  100kˆ Prob. 26

60o
A
C z
z
Prob. 27 Prob. 28
E
B
F
0.4 m
0.6 m x 3m

O 4m y
A
-F
28- The two forces shown have a magnitude of 50 N and are D 2m
oppositely directed. Find the moment of the couple that they 4m B
constitute.
C Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
x
 z
29- The bent rod shown lies in the xy-plane. The 50 N-m
moment acting at end B also lies in the xy plane. The 25 N
force is acting downward and parallel .to the z axis. Replace
O
this force couple system by an equivalent force couple system x
0.21
acting at end O.. m
A
0.15
z m 40o
B
M=50 N.m y
E 0.6 m D
D
0.60.6
mm
25 N

0.9m
0.9 A
A 30- The tensions in cables BD and CE are 4 kN and 3 kN,
m
x respectively. Determine the resultant at end A
B
0.18
1.8 mm y z
A

C
4
3 kN y
31- The tensile force in cable AB is 2 kN, and that in
2 kN
cable AC is 3 kN. Determine the resultant at; 3
1- point B, and
2- point A. B 12 C
x Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Previous exams
•Fill in using the appropriate words. ( parallel, moment, collinear, moment arm, free, closed system)
a-1 If the resultant force acting on an object is zero, then the system will be reduced to a couple only if the forces are not collinear.

a-2 If a resultant force–couple system is reduced to a resultant couple, then the moment of the resultant couple is independent of the moment
point, and that is why we refer to the moment of the couple as a ……free………. vector.

D 10N C
•The five forces and one couple act on plate ABCD as shown in the Figure . AB=CD=8m
and BC=AD=6m. The following is required;
•The force-couple resultant at points D. and B 20N 10 3 N
•If the 50√3 N-m couple is replaced by two forces at A and B, what will be the value of 50 3 N.m
each force?
60 o 10N
A
10N B
Fill in the empty spaces
•Moment measures the …tendancy…… of a force to …rotate……. an
object.
•The Moment of a couple is a free vector because …it is independent
of the moment point……………

For the system shown all five forces have the same magnitude of 10 N. and are placed as shown on a 10N 10N
pentagon whose side is of length 2m. The following is required
•Show that that the resultant force is zero.
•Show that that the force system reduces to a couple. 10N
•The moment of the resultant couple 10N
10N
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Previous exams
Show that when moving a force off its line of action to another point on a parallel line a couple must be applied.

Why do we need to determine the resultant of a force-couple system?

Determine which of the three loadings shown are equivalent

10N 30N.m
A 2m 2m D A 2m 2m
D
10N 20N
2m 20N
2m
60o
B C 60o
5N B C
(a) 5N (b)
70N.m
A 4m
D

10N 2m
40N.m 60o
B C 20N
5N (c)

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

 Exam - Jan 2014

QS-3 B
a) Explain why the moment of a couple is a free vector? [2 marks]
b) Explain why a force has zero moment about any point on its line of action. [2 marks] 60
•For the system shown (Figure QS-3-c) all three forces have the same magnitude of 20 N. and
are placed on an equal sided triangle. Each side is of length 2m. What is the, 20N 20N
•Resultant force [7 marks]
•Resultant moment at point A [6 marks]
•Resultant moment at point B [4 marks] Figure QS-3-c
•Show that the force system is reduced to a system of couples. [4 marks] 60 60
Total marks assigned to this question …………………………………………….... [25] A C
20N

QS-4
Assume that a force F is acting on an object. Show that when the force is
transferred to another point on the object a couple must be added. [5 marks] 200N 100N 100N 200N
•The 8 m long beam of Figure QS-4-b is subjected to the forces and couple 1300 N.m
system shown. Reduce the given system to; B C
•An equivalent force-couple system at point A. [12 marks] A D
•An equivalent force-couple system at point C. [8 marks] 2m 3m 3m
Total marks assigned to this question
Figure QS-4-b

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants

Exam - Jan 2016
 
When will the resultant force-couple system be the same at all points?
Why do we say that the moment of a couple is independent of the moment point?
What is the difference between the effect of the moment of a force about a point and the
moment of a couple on the motion of an object?

Plate ABCD is subjected to the force and couple system shown in Figure QS3.
Compute the force couple resultant at point A.
Determine the location of the single force resultant.

500 N

D 2m 2m C 200 N

1400 N.m  

  2m

200 N
B
A 4m
800 N
Figure QS3
Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants
Exam - Jan 2018
Question-S3 (25 marks)
In the tape guide shown in Figure Question S3, the recording tape that is tensioned at 20N passes over pulleys A and B. The
diameter of each pulley is 0.08m.
•Determine the force couple resultant at point A. [8 marks]
•Determine the force couple resultant at point B. [4 marks]
•Determine the location of the line of action of the single force resultant. [6 marks]
•Locate the points on the line of action of the single force resultant at which the resultant moment is zero.
[4 marks]
•Locate the points on the line of action of the single force resultant at which the resultant moment is not zero.
[3 marks]

Mechanics – Statics – Force Couple Resultants