PROBLEM 2.

125
A container of weight W is suspended from ring A. Cable BAC passes
through the ring and is attached to fixed supports at B and C. Two forces
P = Pi and Q = Qk are applied to the ring to maintain the container is
the position shown. Knowing that W = 1200 N, determine P and Q.
(Hint: The tension is the same in both portions of cable BAC.)

SOLUTION

The (vector) force in each cable can be written as the product of the
(scalar) force and the unit vector along the cable. That is, with
JJJG
AB = − ( 0.48 m ) i + ( 0.72 m ) j − ( 0.16 m ) k

AB = ( −0.48 m )2 + ( 0.72 m )2 + ( −0.16 m )2 = 0.88 m

TAB = TAB ( −0.5455i + 0.8182 j − 0.1818k )

and
JJJG
AC = ( 0.24 m ) i + ( 0.72 m ) j − ( 0.13 m ) k

AC = ( 0.24 m )2 + ( 0.72 m )2 − ( 0.13 m )2 = 0.77 m

TAC = TAC ( 0.3177i + 0.9351j − 0.1688k )

At A: ΣF = 0: TAB + TAC + P + Q + W = 0

142
PROBLEM 2.125 CONTINUED

Noting that TAB = TAC because of the ring A, we equate the factors of
i, j, and k to zero to obtain the linear algebraic equations:

i: ( −0.5455 + 0.3177 ) T +P=0

or P = 0.2338T

j: ( 0.8182 + 0.9351) T −W = 0

or W = 1.7532T

k: ( −0.1818 − 0.1688) T +Q =0

or Q = 0.356T

With W = 1200 N:

1200 N
T = = 684.5 N
1.7532

P = 160.0 N

Q = 240 N

143
 PROBLEM 2.126
For the system of Problem 2.125, determine W and P knowing that
Q = 160 N.
Problem 2.125: A container of weight W is suspended from ring A.
Cable BAC passes through the ring and is attached to fixed supports at B
and C. Two forces P = Pi and Q = Qk are applied to the ring to
maintain the container is the position shown. Knowing that W = 1200 N,
determine P and Q. (Hint: The tension is the same in both portions of
cable BAC.)

SOLUTION

Based on the results of Problem 2.125, particularly the three equations relating P, Q, W, and T we substitute
Q = 160 N to obtain

160 N
T = = 456.3 N
0.3506

W = 800 N

P = 107.0 N

144
 PROBLEM 2.127
Collars A and B are connected by a 1-m-long wire and can slide freely on
frictionless rods. If a force P = (680 N) j is applied at A, determine
(a) the tension in the wire when y = 300 mm, (b) the magnitude of the
force Q required to maintain the equilibrium of the system.

SOLUTION

Free-Body Diagrams of collars For both Problems 2.127 and 2.128:

( AB )2 = x2 + y 2 + z 2

Here (1 m )2 = ( 0.40 m ) + y 2 + z 2
2

or y 2 + z 2 = 0.84 m 2
Thus, with y given, z is determined.
Now
JJJG
AB 1
λ AB = = ( 0.40i − yj + zk ) m = 0.4i − yk + zk
AB 1 m
Where y and z are in units of meters, m.
From the F.B. Diagram of collar A:
ΣF = 0: N xi + N zk + Pj + TAB λ AB = 0

Setting the j coefficient to zero gives:

P − yTAB = 0

With P = 680 N,

680 N
TAB =
y
Now, from the free body diagram of collar B:
ΣF = 0: N xi + N y j + Qk − TABλ AB = 0

145
PROBLEM 2.127 CONTINUED

Setting the k coefficient to zero gives:

And using the above result for TAB we have

680 N
Q = TAB z = z
y
Then, from the specifications of the problem, y = 300 mm = 0.3 m

z 2 = 0.84 m 2 − ( 0.3 m )
2

∴ z = 0.866 m
and
680 N
(a) TAB = = 2266.7 N
0.30
or TAB = 2.27 kN
and
(b) Q = 2266.7 ( 0.866 ) = 1963.2 N

or Q = 1.963 kN

146