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4 Equilibrium of Bodies (2D)

Earlier chapters have introduced mechanical quantities and analytical

tools for solving engineering problems: forces, moments, couples,
calculation of resultants.
Most engineering structures rest in state of equilibrium, i.e. resultants
of forces and moments are balanced - equal to zero.
Hence, very important equations in statics are Equilibrium Equations
(EE’s).

Resultant Force:

Resultant Moment: – about any point

EE’s are necessary and sufficient conditions of equilibrium.

Despite their seeming simplicity, their application to a specific problem
might be complex. By experience, it is one of the most difficult topics in
statics.
There are two reasons for aforementioned complexity, apart from sheer
number of bodies, forces and moments:

• There are multiple ways a force can be applied to the body.

Examples: through frictionless contacts or contacts with friction
(rough surfaces), cables, roller supports, pin or built-in supports,
etc. The type of support often determines the direction of
support, hence reducing a number of unknowns.

• The presence of action/reaction forces. From Newton’s third law

one knows that forces always come in pairs. Hence, they should
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be carefully distinguished. The primary interest in statics –

external forces.
Types of Support and Reactions
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Additional Examples
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Basic Equilibrium Problems

In a typical problem, structural geometry and some external forces are
given. One has to find unknown forces using Equilibrium Equations.
A technique to account for all forces is body isolation or construction of
Free Body Diagram:

• Select the body or group of bodies

• Isolate it (draw a complete external boundary)

• Indicate all external forces

• Choose coordinates

Construction of FBD is of an extreme importance for problem solving

and should be mastered.
FBD, Example 1
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Example 2

Example 3
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Example 4

FBD Exercises
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2D Equilibrium
In 2D two vector EE’s reduce to a system of three scalar EE’s for
components:

Note: � is an arbitrarily selected point, on or even off the body.

Important: Instead of the set of equations above we can
reformulate problem in one force and two moment
equations, or three moment equations about different
points.
Example of equivalent systems of equations:
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Point B cannot lie on a line parallel to axis y that passes through point A.
Nonetheless, the maximum number of independent equations in 2D
remains equal to three, i.e. suitable for finding no more than 3
unknowns. Problem with more unknowns is called statically
indetermined.
Special Equilibrium Cases

1. Collinear forces. Only one EE is needed: . Two others are

satisfied by default.

2. Concurrent forces. Two EE’s: , . Moments are

balanced by default.

3. Parallel forces. Two EE’s , . by

default.

Summary of Special Cases

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Techniques for Simplified Solution of Equilibrium Problems

Elimination of an unknown force or forces from EE’s can be done via
two simple techniques:
1. From force EE: analyze force equilibrium in a direction perpendicular
to forces being eliminated.
2. From moment EE: analyze moment equilibrium about a point on a
line of action of the forces being eliminated.
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Often, application of these techniques results in breaking

of a system of EE’s into independent/separate equations –
significant help with solving for unknowns, particularly
reducing probability of making computational errors.
Example: Figure to the right.
Equilibrium of forces along the X axis eliminates the
responses at A and B from the equations. Equilibrium of
moments around C eliminates reactions at A and D from
the equations. Equilibrium of moments around D
eliminates reactions at B and D from the equations.

The result: is a set of equations with a

single unknown.
2D Equilibrium, Example 1
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Example 2

Example 3
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Example 4

Example 5
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Example 6
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Example 7

Example 8
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Example 9

Statically Indeterminate Reactions and Partial Constraints

When a body is given supports that result in a situation where under
loading conditions the body cannot move, the body is considered
completely constrained.
When the number of unknown reactions correspond
to the number of independent equilibrium equations
and all the unknowns can be determined from these
equations, the reactions are said to be statically
determined.
When the number of unknown reactions is greater
than the number of independent equilibrium
equations, the reactions that cannot be determined
are said to be statically indeterminate.
In the figure to the right, the number of unknown
reaction components (4) is greater than the number of
independent equilibrium equations (3). While the
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vertical components of the reactions can be determined

from moment equilibrium around A and B, only the sum
of the horizontal components can be determined from
the force equilibrium along the X axis.
In the figure to the right, the supports available cannot
generally prevent movement along the X axis (except for
cases where the forces P, Q and S are vertical, or their X
components cancel each other out). This means that the
equilibrium cannot be maintained under general loading
conditions, and the body is said to be not completely
constrained.
Note: In the above case, the number of unknowns (2) is
smaller than the number of independent equations (3).
For the body to be completely constrained and for the
reactions to be statically determined, the number of
unknowns has to correspond to the number of
independent equilibrium equations. However, while this
condition is necessary, it is not sufficient.
In the example to the right, the number of unknown
reactions (3) corresponds to the number of equations, but
the truss is free to move horizontally, making it
improperly constrained. Since only two additional
equations remain to determine three reactions, the
reactions are also statically indeterminate.
An additional example of improperly constrained
structure with statically indeterminate reactions can be
seen to the right. Since there are four unknown reaction
components and only three equations, the reactions will
be statically indeterminate. On the other hand, moment
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equilibrium around A cannot be satisfied under general loading

conditions because the lines of action of all the reactions pass through
this point.
Conclusion: the body will be improperly constrained, even if the
supports provide a sufficient number of reactions, if all the reactions
are either concurrent or parallel.
For the body to be completely constrained and the reactions to be
statically determined, the number of unknowns must correspond to the
number of equations, and the reactions cannot be all either parallel or
concurrent.
While improperly constrained or statically indeterminate designs should
be used with care, such structures can sometimes maintain equilibrium
under special conditions, and the reactions can be partially solved using
statics.
Two-Force Bodies
Definition: Two-force body is a body with any number of forces applied
at only two points in the absence of applied couples.
Consequences: Resultant forces at two points of forces applications are
collinear, equal and opposite with line of their action passing through
those two points.

Proof: Equilibrium of forces leads to .

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Equilibrium of moments leads to collinearity, otherwise

forces form unbalanced moment

Three-Force Bodies
Definition: Three-force body is a body with any number of forces
applied at only three points in the absence of applied couples.
Consequences: Resultant forces at two points of forces applications are
concurrent – have lines of action intersection at one point.
Proof: From the opposite: let’s say lines of action do not intersect in
one point. Balance of moments around A. . That
means d has to be zero, i.e. they have to intersect.

Consequence: Knowing two lines of action leads to the third one;

Exception: Parallel forces (i.e. lines of action do not intersect at all)
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Example 1
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Example 2