ENGINEERING MECHANICS

K.LINGADURAI
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University College of Engineering
Dindigul – 624 622

1
 Engineering Mechanics Objectives

Mechanics is the study of forces that act on bodies and the resultant motion
that those bodies experience.

With roots in physics and mathematics, Engineering Mechanics is the basis of

all the mechanical sciences: civil engineering, materials science and engineering,
mechanical engineering and aeronautical and aerospace engineering.

Engineering Mechanics provides the “building blocks” of statics, dynamics,

strength of materials, and fluid dynamics.
Engineering mechanics is the discipline devoted to the solution of mechanics
problems through the integrated application of mathematical, scientific, and
engineering principles.

Special emphasis is placed on the physical principles underlying modern

engineering design.
 Contend
 Basic concepts & Classification of Mechanics

 Law of Mechanics

 Types of system & determine the resultant of coplanar and space force systems.

 Free body diagrams

 Analyze the reactions and pin forces induces in coplanar and space systems using equilibrium equations and free
body diagrams.

 Force, couples and moments in two and three dimensions.

 Apply sound analytical techniques and logical procedures in the solution of engineering problems.
.
 Introduction
It is a branch of science which deals with the behavior of a body with
the state of rest (or) motion, subjected to the action of force.

Body of Knowledge which Deals with the Study and Prediction of the
State of Rest or Motion of Particles and Bodies under the action of Forces

The study of forces acting on physical bodies.

This science form the groundwork for further study in the design
and analysis of structures.
 Classification of Mechanics

Mechanics of Deformable bodies –Deformation of structures

and machines are included for analysis. Deformations are very
small and hence neglected in the equilibrium conditions.
Mechanics of Fluids – Behavior of Fluid subjected to force in
the state of rest and motion.
 Statics & Dynamics
Statics
Deals with the study of a body at rest and study of the
equilibrium of bodies under the action of force.
E.g. Equilibrium of a book lying on the table and the study of
different forces acting on it. Support reactions of Stationary beam
subjected to external loads
 SF=0
 The body is in static equilibrium.

Dynamics
Deals with the study of a body at motion and study of the
equilibrium of bodies under the action of force.
E.g. Force applied on the brakes, when the moving vehicle is brought to rest.
The force hit by a cricket bat on ball.
S F = ma
 Kinematics & Kinetics

Kinematics
It is the study of a body in motion without considering the forces,
which cause the motion.
E.g. Kinematics is used to relate displacement, velocity, and acceleration etc. of
the bodies without any reference to the cause of motion.

Kinetics
It is the study of a body in motion with considering the forces,
which cause the motion.
E.g. Kinetics is used to predict the motion of body caused by given force, or to
determine the force required to produce a given motion.
 Body, Particle & Rigid body

Body: Definite portion of matter may be defined as a body.

Particle: An infinitesimal portion of matter may be called

a particle, a body is thus composed of large number of particles.

Rigid body: Rigid body may be defined as the combination of a large

number of particles which occupy fixed position with respect to
each other, both before and after applying a load.
Mass Vs Weight
 Unit
A physical quantity can be measured by comparing the sample with a known standard amount.
The known amount as a reference in the measurement of a physical quantity is called a unit.
Types: (a) Basic unit and (b) Derived unit.
Derived Unit
 Scalar & Vector

Scalar: The quantities which possess magnitude only are called scalar quantities
(length, area, mass, etc.)
Vector: The quantities which possess magnitude as well as direction are called
vector quantities (force, velocity, acceleration, etc.)
System of forces
 Law’s of Mechanics
Newtown’s three law of motion
 Newtown’s first law

 Newtown’s second law

 Newtown’s third law

Parallelogram law of force

Triangular law of force

Isaac Newton
Polygon law of force

Lami’s theorem
Newton’s First Law
Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s Third Law
Parallelogram law of forces

tan α = RT / PT = B sin θ / (A+B cos θ)

If
θ =0, then the force A &B will be like
collinear than R = A+B
A B

θ =900, then the force A &B will be like

collinear than R = √A2+B2
B

A
θ =180 , then the force A &B will be
0

like collinear than R = A - B

A B
 Triangular law of forces
If two forces acting simultaneously on a body are represented in magnitude and
direction by two sides of a triangle in order, then the third side will represent the
resultant of the two forces in the direction and magnitude taken in opposite order.

If three forces are acting on a body and they are represented by three sides of a
triangle in magnitude and direction, then the body will be in equilibrium condition.

Q ϒ
β Q
α θ
P P
R 2  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos B

Resultant of two concurrent forces can be calculated by

i) Graphical method, (ii) Parallelogram law & (iii) Triangular law
Law of Cosines
Trigonometry Functions
 Geometry

Some of the basic rules are shown below:

Some of the basic
Sum rules are shown below:
of supplementary angles = 180 0
Sum of supplementary angles =
 +  = 180 0180
0

 +  = 180 0
 
 

A straight
A straight lineline intersecting
intersecting twotwo
parallel
linesparallel lines


  =
 = , ,= =


=
 = , ,= 
= 
 

Slide 18 of 19 EE31102005
 Similar Triangular principle
Similar triangles ABC and ADE, by proportion
AB = BC = AC
AB = BC = AC
AD DE AE
AD DE AE
Hence if AB = 6, AD = 3 and BC = 4,
BB Hence if AB = 6, AD = 3 and BC = 4,
Then,
Then,
6 = 4
DD 6 = 4
3 DE
3 DE
DE = (3 x 4)
DE = (3 x 4)
3
3
=2
=2
CC
E

E End ofAChapter 1
Slide 19 of 19 EE31102005
 Free Body Diagrams
Space diagram represents the sketch of the physical problem.
The free body diagram selects the significant particle or
points and draws the force system on that particle or point.

Steps for drawing a FBD:

1. Isolate the desired object from its surroundings.
2. Replace items cut free with appropriate forces.
3. Add known forces, including weight.
4. Establish a coordinate (xy) frame of reference.
5. Add geometric data.
 Free- Body Diagram

Space Diagram: A sketch Free-Body Diagram: A sketch

showing the physical showing only the forces on the
conditions of the problem. selected particle.

2 - 25
 Problem-1
The two forces act on a bolt at A. Determine their resultant.
i) Parallelogram law of force
ii) Triangular law of force

R= 97.73N, α = 35.030

2 - 26
 Newton’s Law of gravitation
Law of conservation of energy: Energy can be neither created nor Destroyed. It
can only change forms. (Applied to the study of heat and Mechanics, this is
known as the first law of thermodynamics).

Law of conservation of linear momentum: The total momentum (mass times

velocity) in a closed system is constant. This is a consequence of Newton’s first
law and leads to his third law. More over, Newton’s second law shows that
force is the time derivative of momentum. Momentum is the more general
quantity, which is used in fundamental theories, such as General relativity and
quantum mechanics.

Law of conservation of angular momentum: The total angular momentum

(moment of momentum) in a closed system is constant
 Polygon Law of force
When the forces acting on a body are more than two, the triangle law can be extended to
polygon law.

If a number of coplanar concurrent forces acting simultaneously on a body are

represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a polygon, taken in order, then their
resultant can be represented by closing side of the polygon in magnitude and direction in
the opposite order.

Consider the forces F1, F2, F 3 and F4 are acting at a point O. Starting from the point O, the
vector OA represents the force F 1 in magnitude (using suitable scales) and direction. From
the tip A, draw vector AB representing the force F2. Similarly, vector BC represents the
force F3 and vector CD represents force F4.

Join the starting point O to the end point D giving a vector OD in opposite order.
Vector OD represents the resultant force R =F1 + F2 + F 3 + F4 in magnitude and direction.
 Lami’s theorem
If a body is in equilibrium under the action of only three coplanar and concurrent forces,
Lami's theorem can be used.

Lami's theorem states: If a body is in equilibrium under the action of three forces,
each force is proportional to the sine of angle between the other forces.
 Problem-2
WEIGHT – 75kg

T1 = 411.24N, T2 = 208.79N

TAB = 647N, TAC = 480N

TDB = 40kN, TDC = 34.64N, W = 60kN, TCA = 69.28kN

TAB = 3574N, TAC = 144N
 Problem-2
Weight of the lamp = 30N

TBC = 1089N, TAB = 930.4N

TCB = 15.53N, TAC = 21.96N
 Problem-2

A barge is pulled by two tugboats. If the resultant of the forces

exerted by the tugboats is 5000 lbf directed along the axis of the
barge, determine i) the tension in each of the ropes for a = 45o,
ii) the value of a for which the tension in rope 2 is a minimum.
TBA = 3660.25N, TBC = 2588.19N

2 - 32
 Principle of transmissibility

If the force acts at any point on a rigid body it may also be considered
to act at any other point on its line of action.

Force of same magnitude and same direction, but the action at

different point, provided that the two forces have the same line of
action.
Resultant force of more than two concurrent forces
 Problem-4

It is desired to determine the drag force at

a given speed on a prototype sailboat hull.
R= 199.6N, α= 4.1o A model is placed in a test channel and
three cables are used to align its bow on
the channel centerline. For a given speed,
the tension is 40 lb in cable AB and 60 lb in
cable AE.
Determine the drag force exerted on the
hull and the tension in cable AC.
TAC= 42.88N, FD= 19.71N

2 - 35
 Problem-4
The resultant of the force system is 520N along the negative direction of y-axis. Determine
P and θ 360N 2000N

3
3
2 P= 712.9N, θ= 78.7o
4
θ
12 P
5
260N

2 - 36
 Equilibrium & Equilibrant
A particle is said to be at equilibrium when the resultant of all the forces acting on it is
zero. It two forces are involved on a body in equilibrium, then the forces are equal and
opposite.

.. 150 N 150 N

If there are three forces, when resolving, the triangle of forces will close, if they are in
equilibrium.
F2 F1 F2
F3
F1

F3

A set of forces, where resultant is zero, are called Equilibrium of

forces.

Equilibrant is equal to the resultant force (R) in magnitude and

direction, collinear but opposite in nature.
R R

α α
α

E
 Equilibrium of particle

If there are more than three forces, the polygon of forces will be closed if the particle is
in equilibrium.
F3
F2 F2
F3 F1 F4

F1

F4

The closed polygon provides a graphical expression of the equilibrium of forces.

Mathematically: For equilibrium:
R = F = 0
i.e.  ( Fx i + Fy j) = 0 or  (Fx) i +  (Fy) j
 Equilibrium conditions

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE
•  Fx = 0 &  F y = 0

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE IN SPACE

• Fx = 0, Fy = 0 and Fz = 0
 Principle of Equilibrium

If a body is subjected to two forces, then the body will be in equilibrium if the two forces are collinear, equal
and opposite.
Principle of Equilibrium – 3 Forces
Reaction at supports & Connections for 2D structure

Reactions equivalent to a force

with known line of action.
Reaction at supports & Connections for 2D structure

• Reactions equivalent to a
force of unknown direction
and magnitude.

• Reactions equivalent to a
force and a couple.
Problem-5
A fixed crane has a mass of 1000 kg and is used to lift a
2400 kg crate. It is held in place by a pin at A and a
rocker at B. The center of gravity of the crane is located
at G.
Determine the components of the reactions at A and B.

HB=107.8kN, HA = -107.8kN, VA = 33.31kN

A loading car is at rest on an inclined track. The gross

weight of the car and its load is 5500 lb, and it is applied
at at G. The cart is held in position by the cable.
Determine the tension in the cable and the reaction at
each pair of wheels.

R2=1757.6N, R1 = 562.4N, T = 4980N

Problem-5

A man raises a 10 kg joist, of length 4 m, by pulling

on a rope.
Find the tension in the rope and the reaction at A.

T=81.9N, R = 147.8N
THANK YOU
 Problem-5
A small airplane in flight as shown in Fig. It is subjected to the following
weight (w), thrust provided by engine (FT), the lift provided by wings (FW) and
the drag due to motion through the air (Fa). Determine the line of action of
resultant and its magnitude.

HB=107.8kN, HA = -107.8kN, VA = 33.31kN

 Moment
The Moment of a force is a measure of its tendency to cause a body to rotate
about a specific point or axis. This is different from the tendency for a body to
move, or translate, in the direction of the force. In order for a moment to
develop, the force must act upon the body in such a manner that the body
would begin to twist.

Moment = Force x Distance or M = (F)(d)

Clock wise moment

Anti clock wise moment (Counter clock wise moment)
 Varignon’s theorem

Sum of the moments of all the forces (F1, F2, & F3) ­about a point ‘O’ =
Moment of their resultant force (‘R’) about the same point.
F1d1 + F2d2 +F3d3 = R.d
 Problem-6

Four parallel forces of magnitudes 10N, 15N, 20N, 35N. Determine the magnitude
and direction of the resultant. Find the resultant from point A.
10N 15N 20N 35N

R=10N, x = 6.5m

1m 2m 1m

ABCD is a weightless rod under the action of four forces P,Q,S &T. Calculate the
resultant and mark the direction with respect to end A of the rod.
P=10N Q=4N S=8N T=12N
R=11.7N, α =78.20
450 300 300 600 z = 1.808m, x = 1.847m
1m 2m 1m
 Problem-7
Four forces of magnitude and direction acting on a square ABCD of side 2m are .
Calculate the resultant in magnitude and direction and also locate its point of
application with respect to the sides AB & AD.

6KN 12KN

600 450

R=12.598N, α =320
Y = 1.625m, x = 2.598m

300 300

4KN 10KN
 Problem-7
A 3000N vertical force is applied to the end of a lever which is attached to
shaft at ‘o’. Determine
i) The moment of 3000N about ‘O’
ii) The magnitude of the horizontal force applied at A, which creates the
same amount about ‘O’.
iii) The smallest force applied at ‘A’, which creates the same moment
bout ‘O’

iv) How far from the shaft a 750N vertical force must act to create the
ame moment about ‘o’.
A
mm

R=12.598N, α =320
Y = 1.625m, x = 2.598m
600

3000N

600
O B
 Force couple system
Two forces F & -F having the same magnitude, parallel
lines of action and opposite sense are said to be a
couple.

Clock wise couple

Anti clock wise couple (Counter clock wise couple)
 Problem-7
A system of parallel forces are acting on rigid bar. Reduce the system to
(i) Single force, (ii) a single force and a couple at A,
(iii) a single force and a couple at B.
30N 150N 70N 10N
R=60N, x =0.75m
MA = 45Nm
MB = 165Nm
1m 1m 1.5m

A system of parallel forces are acting on a system. Reduce the system to

(i) Single force, (ii) a single force and a couple at O

(-5,4) (8,8)
350 180 R=10.52N, α =51.26O
8N
10N MO = -55Nm
X= 5.23m
(-3,-3) 6N
 Problem-7
The three forces and a couple of magnitude, M=18Nm is applied to an angled bracket
Find (i) the resultant of this system of forces & (ii) locate the points where
The line of action of the resultant intersects the line AB and line BC.

50N 125N
300mm

R=149.32N, α=22.95o
AM = 179.52mm
200mm BN = 51.01mm

200N
 Couple & Moment

The couple is a pure turning effect which may be moved anywhere in its
own plane or into a parallel plane without change of its effect on the body,
but the moment of a force must include a description of the reference
axis about which the moment is taken.
1. Who was the scientist who gave us the Laws of Motion?
Answer: Sir Isaac Newton
2. How many Laws of Motion are there?
Answer: three
3. What is another name for the first law of motion?
Answer: Law of Inertia
4. Which law explains why we need to wear seat belts?
Answer: First Law of Motion
5. Which law says that force is equal to mass times acceleration (F=MA)?
Answer: Second Law of Motion
6. Which law says that heavier objects require more force than lighter objects
to move or accelerate them?
Answer: Second Law of Motion
7. Which law explains how rockets are launched into space?
Answer: Third Law of Motion
8. Which law says that for every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction?
Answer: Third Law of Motion
Sample Problem 4.6
• Create a free-body diagram of the joist.

• Determine the direction of the reaction force

R.

AF  AB cos 45  4 m cos 45  2.828 m

CD  AE  12 AF  1.414 m
BD  CD cot(45  20)  1.414 m  tan 20  0.515 m
CE  BF  BD  2.828  0.515 m  2.313 m
CE 2.313
tan    1.636
AE 1.414

  58.6
Sample• Determine
Problem 4.6
the magnitude of the reaction force R.

T R 98.1 N
 
sin 31.4 sin 110  sin 38.6 

T  81.9 N
R  147.8 N
• Essential basic terms to be understood
Basic Terms
– Statics: dealing with the equilibrium of a rigid-body at rest
– Rigid body: the relative movement between its parts are negligible
– Dynamics: dealing with a rigid-body in motion
– Length: applied to the linear dimension of a strait line or curved
line
– Area: the two dimensional size of shape or surface
– Volume: the three dimensional size of the space occupied by
substance
– Force: the action of one body on another whether it’s a push or a
pull force
– Mass: the amount of matter in a body
– Weight: the force with which a body is attracted toward the centre
of the Earth
– Particle: a body of negligible dimension
Lecture 1 Engineering Mechanics – Statics 60
 Units of Measurement
• Four fundamental quantities in mechanics
– Mass
– Length
– Time
– Force
• Two different systems of units we dealing with during the course
– U.S. Customary or British System of Units (FPS)
• Length in feet (ft)
• Time in Seconds (s)
• Force in Pounds (lb)
– International System of Units or Metric Units (SI)
• Length in metre (m)
• Time in Seconds (s)
• Force in Newton (N)

Lecture 1 Engineering Mechanics – Statics 61

 Units of Measurement
• Metric System (SI)
– SI System offers major advantages relative to the FPS system
• Widely used throughout the world
• Use one basic unit for length  meter; while FPS uses many basic units  inch,
foot, yard, mile
• SI based on multiples of 10, which makes it easier to use & learn whereas FPS is
complicated, for example
– SI system 1 meter = 100 centimeters, 1 kilometer = 1000 meters, etc
– FPS system 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 mile = 5280 feet, etc

• Metric System (SI)

– Newton’s second law F = m.a
• Thus the force (N) = mass (kg)  acceleration (m/s2)
– Therefore 1 Newton is the force required to give a mass of 1 kg an
acceleration of 1 m/s2
Lecture 1 Engineering Mechanics – Statics 62
 Statics of particles in 2D-Resultant force

Force is defined as an agency which changes (or) tends to change the body at rest
(or) in motion. It is a vector quantity. [Unit – 1N =1kgm/sec 2]
Characteristics of forces:
(i) Magnitude, (ii) Line of action, (iii) Direction & (iv) Angle of inclination.

Resultant force
If a number of forces acting on a particle simultaneously are replaced by a
single force, which could produce the same effect as produced by the given
forces, that single force is called Resultant force.
Equilibrium• Consider
of aa plate
Two-Force Body
subjected to two forces F and F 1 2

• For static equilibrium, the sum of moments about A must

be zero. The moment of F2 must be zero. It follows that
the line of action of F2 must pass through A.

• Similarly, the line of action of F1 must pass through B for

the sum of moments about B to be zero.

• Requiring that the sum of forces in any direction be zero

leads to the conclusion that F1 and F2 must have equal
magnitude but opposite sense.
Equilibrium• of a Three-Force Body
Consider a rigid body subjected to forces acting at only 3
points.

• Assuming that their lines of action intersect, the moment

of F1 and F2 about the point of intersection represented by
D is zero.

• Since the rigid body is in equilibrium, the sum of the

moments of F1, F2, and F3 about any axis must be zero. It
follows that the moment of F3 about D must be zero as well
and that the line of action of F3 must pass through D.

• The lines of action of the three forces must be concurrent

or parallel.
 A uniform rod AB is resting on two inclined smooth planes as
shown in Figure 1.24(a). Determine the angle θ for equilibrium.
 Problem-7
String AO holds a smooth sphere on an inclined plane ABC. The weight of the sphere
is 1000N. Calculate the tension in the string and reaction at the point of contact R.

A
150
O
T=732N, R = 896.57N

450
C
Two smooth cylinders, each of weight 1000 N and radius 250 mm are connected at their
centers by a string of length 800 mm and rest upon a horizontal plane, supporting above
a third cylinder of weight 2000 N and radius 250 mm .Find the tension of string and
reactions at all contact points of cylinder B.
Find the angle of tilt θ with the horizontal so that the contact
force at B will be one-third of that at A for a smooth cylinder [
Fig. 1.22(a)].
CATEGORIES OF EQUILIBRIUM