Equilibrium of Particles in

Two Dimensions

Prepared by
Manikandan I
Asst. Professor / Mech
Equilibrium

If the particle does not moving or the particle moves with uniform motion
then the particle is said to be in equilibrium.

In other words, if the resultant of a number of forces acting on a particle is

zero, the particle is in equilibrium.

Equations of equilibrium in two dimensions

∑Fx = 0
∑Fy = 0
Principle of Equilibrium

Two Force Principle

“ if a body is subjected to two forces, then the body will be in equilibrium if
the two forces are collinear, equal and opposite”.
F1 F2

Three force principle

If a body is subjected to three forces, then the body will be in equilibrium,
if the resultant of any two forces is equal, opposite and collinear with the
third force.
F1

F3 R

F2
Free Body Diagram

A body which has been so separated or isolated from the surrounding bodies is
called free body.

The sketch showing all the forces (both external and reaction) and moments
acting on the body is called as the free body diagram.
Lami’s Theorem

If a body is in equilibrium under the action of only three forces, each force is
proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two forces.
Problem 1
Consider the 75kg crate shown in the space diagram of fig. this crate was lying
between the two buildings and it is now being lifted onto a truck, which will
remove it. The crate is supported by a vertical cable, which is joined at A to two
ropes which pass over pulleys attached to the buildings at B and C. Determine
the tension in each of the ropes AB and AC.
 TAB TAC
180-80 =80º

90+50=140º 90+30 = 120º

75*9.81
Apply Lamis Theorem

TAB = 647 N

TAC = 480.23 N
Free Body Diagram

For Equilibrium Conditions

∑FY = 0

TDE – 300 = 0

TDE = 300 N
 TCD

120 TCD = TDE = 300 N

TCB
C Apply Lami’s Theorem
90
360-120-
90=150

TCB = 150N
W2

W2 = 259.80 N
TBA
Apply Lami’s Theorem

150 TBC

TBC = TCB = 150 N

90
360-150-90 =
120
TBA = 173.20 N

W2 W2 = 86.60 N