4.1.

2-CEN 301-EQUILIBRIUM OF STRUCTURES-EQUATIONS OF

EQUILIBRIUM
• 4.1-CEN 301-EQUILIBRIUM OF STRUCTURES
• 4.1.2 Topic: Equilibrium of Structures –Equations of Equilibrium
• 4.1.2.1 OBJECTIVE:
• (a) Determine the equations of equilibrium
• 4.1.2.2 REFERENCES: Kassimali, A. Structural Analysis, 5th Edition,
2010, Cengage Learning
• ASEP, National Structural Code of the Philippines, 2010, ASEP
• 4.1.2.3 DATE: September 20, 2021
• 4.1.2.4 TOPIC NO. CEN 301-4.1.2

•
• 4.1-CEN 301-EQUILIBRIUM OF STRUCTURES
• 4.1.2 Topic: Equilibrium of Structures –Equations of Equilibrium
• In order for a structure to be in equilibrium, all the forces and cou-
ples (including support reactions) acting on it must balance each
other, and there must neither be a resultant force nor a resultant
couple acting on the structure.
• Recall from statics that for a space (three-dimensional)structure
subjected to three-dimensional systems of forces and couples
(Fig. 3.1), the conditions of zero resultant force and zero resultant
couple can be expressed in a Cartesian (xyz) coordinate system as
• Recall from statics that for a space (three-dimensional)structure subjected
to three-dimensional systems of forces and couples (Fig. 3.1), the
conditions of zero resultant force and zero resultant couple can be
expressed in a Cartesian (xyz) coordinate system as:

• These six equations are called the equations of equilibrium of space

structures and are the necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium.
• The first three equations ensure that there is no resultant force acting on
the structure, and the last three equations express the fact that there is no
resultant couple acting on the structure.
•
• For a plane structure lying in the xy plane and subjected to a co-
planar system of forces and couples (Fig. 3.2), the necessary and sufficient conditions
for equilibrium can be expressed as:
•

• These three equations are referred to as the equations of equilibrium of plane

structures.
• The first two of the three equilibrium equations express, respectively, that the algebraic
sums of the x components and y components of all the forces are zero, thereby
indicating that the resultant force acting on the structure is zero.
• The third equation indicates that the algebraic sum of the moments of all the forces
about any point in the plane of the structure and the moments of any couples acting on
the structure is zero, thereby indicating that the resultant couple acting on the structure
is zero.
• All the equilibrium equations must be satisfied simultaneously for the structure to be in
equilibrium.
•
• It should be realized that if a structure (e.g., an aerospace vehicle)
initially in motion is subjected to forces that satisfy the equilibrium
equations, it will maintain its motion with a constant velocity, since
the forces cannot accelerate it.
• Such structures may also be considered to be in equilibrium.
• However, the term equilibrium is commonly used to refer to the state
of rest of structures and is used in this context herein.