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Equilibrium of Force Systems

The subject matter of statics, as its name implies, deals essentially with the action of
forces on bodies which are rest. Such bodies are said to be in equilibrium. Specifically,
equilibrium is the term used to designate the condition where the resultant of the force systems is
zero. The physical meaning of equilibrium, as applied to a body, is that the body is either at rest
or is moving in a straight line with constant velocity. There are two major types of static
equilibrium, namely, translational equilibrium and rotational equilibrium.
Free Body Diagram:
I. Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces:
Conditions of Static Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces
 The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is zero.

 The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is zero.

Important Points for Equilibrium Forces


 Two forces are in equilibrium if they are equal and oppositely directed.
 Three coplanar forces in equilibrium are concurrent.
 Three or more concurrent forces in equilibrium form a close polygon when connected in
head-to-tail manner.

Example:
1. The cable and boom shown in the figure support a load of 600 lb. Determine the tensile
force T in the cable and the compressive for C in the boom.
FBD:
By rotation of axes:

2. A cylinder weighing 400 lb is held against a smooth incline by means of the weightless
rod AB in the figure. Determine the forces P and N exerted on the cylinder by the rod and
the incline.
FBD:

By rotation of axes:
3. Three bars, hinged at A and D and pinned at B and C as shown in Fig. P-318, form a
four-link mechanism. Determine the value of P that will prevent motion.
Conditions of Equilibrium from Moments:
It is possible to express the conditions of equilibrium in terms of moment summations
instead of X and Y summations. The advantage of expressing equilibrium in terms of moment
summations is that any particular force can be eliminated by taking moments about a center of its
line of action. This method is useful when the force to be eliminated is specified in direction by
its slope.
Since the moment effect of a forces is equal to the moment of the resultant, a moment
summation of a system of forces becomes zero if either:
 The center of moments is on the action line of the resultant, d = 0
 The magnitude of the resultant is zero which indicates equilibrium.
Example:
1. The Fink truss shown in the figure is supported by a roller at A and a hinge at B. The
given loads are normal to the inclined member. Determine the reactions at A and B.
2. The truss shown in the figure is supported by a hinge at A and a roller at B. A load of 20
kN is applied at C. Determine the reactions at A and B.
Three Coplanar Forces in Equilibrium Are Concurrent
1. A wheel of 10-in radius carries a load of 1000 lb, as shown in the figure.

a. Determine the horizontal force P applied at the center which is necessary to start the
wheel over a 5-in. block. Also find the reaction at the block.
b. If the force P may be inclined at any angle with the horizontal, determine the
minimum value of P to start the wheel over the block; the angle P makes with the
horizontal; and the reaction at the block.
a.

b.
2. Determine the amount and direction of the smallest force P required to start the wheel
in figure over the block. What is the reaction at the block?
II. Equilibrium of Parallel Forces
Conditions for Equilibrium of Parallel Forces
 The sum of all the forces is zero.
 The sum of moment at any point O is zero.
Example:
1. Two cylinders A and B, weighing 100 lb and 200 lb respectively, are connected by a rigid
rod curved parallel to the smooth cylindrical surface shown in the figure. Determine the
angles α and β that define the position of equilibrium.

2. Determine the reactions R1 and R2 of the beam in the figure loaded with a concentrated
load of 1600 lb and a load varying from zero to an intensity of 400 lb per ft.
3. The roof truss in the figure is supported by a roller at A and a hinge at B. Find the values
of the reactions.

4. The cantilever beam shown in the figure is built into a wall 2 ft thick so that it rests
against points A and B. The beam is 12 ft long and weighs 100 lb per ft.
5. A reinforced concrete slab in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid weighs 3600 N/m2. It is
supported on the three points as shown in the figure.
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III. Equilibrium of Non-Concurrent Force System
There are three equilibrium conditions that can be used for non-concurrent, non-
parallel force system.
 The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is zero.
 The sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is zero.
 The sum of moment at any point O is zero.
The three equilibrium conditions can solved up to three unknowns in the system.
If the system involves more than three unknowns, it is called indeterminate.
Indeterminate structures are beyond the scope of Engineering Mechanics, it is one of the
topics in Strength of Materials and Theory of Structures.
Example:
1. A boom AB is supported in a horizontal position by a hinge A and a cable which runs
from C over a small pulley at D as shown in the figure. Compute the tension T in the
cable and the horizontal and vertical components of the reaction at A. Neglect the size of
the pulley at D.
2. The frame shown in the figure is supported in pivots at A and B. Each member weighs 5
kN/m. Compute the horizontal reaction at A and the horizontal and vertical components
of the reaction at B.
3. Determine the reactions at A and B on the Fink truss shown in the figure. Members CD
and FG are respectively perpendicular to AE and BE at their midpoints.

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