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Tutorial 1

This document provides a tutorial on vectors and coplanar forces for a Structural Mechanics I course. It includes example problems involving determining the magnitude and direction of resultant forces from combinations of coplanar forces represented as vectors. It also involves solving for unknown force magnitudes given requirements on the direction of the resultant force. The examples cover forces exerted by ropes, cables, and guys on structures like poles, towers, and tanks.

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370 views

Tutorial 1

This document provides a tutorial on vectors and coplanar forces for a Structural Mechanics I course. It includes example problems involving determining the magnitude and direction of resultant forces from combinations of coplanar forces represented as vectors. It also involves solving for unknown force magnitudes given requirements on the direction of the resultant force. The examples cover forces exerted by ropes, cables, and guys on structures like poles, towers, and tanks.

Uploaded by

A Sк
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Structural Mechanics I

Week1 tutorial
Vectors and coplanar forces

1- If vectors 𝒓
⃗ 𝟏 = {3i – 4j + 3k}, 𝒓
⃗ 𝟐 = {4i – 5k}, and 𝒓
⃗ 𝟑 = {3i – 2j + 5k}, determine the magnitude
|𝑟| and direction angles of the resultant vector 𝒓
⃗ = 2𝒓
⃗𝟏–𝒓
⃗𝟐+ 3𝒓
⃗ 𝟑 and draw the vectors in the
Cartesian coordinate system.

Ans. 𝑟 = 11i-14j+26k, |𝑟| = 31.51, 𝛼 = 69.51° , 𝛽 = 116.1° , 𝛾 = 34.4°

2- Express the position vector r in Cartesian


vector form and then determine its magnitude
and coordinate direction angles.

Ans. 𝑟 = -3i-11j+4k;

𝛼 = 104.4° , 𝛽 = 155.4° , 𝛾 = 70.7°

3- A rope connecting points A and B supports the


force F shown in the figure. Write expressions
using Cartesian vector representation for the
following:

(a) 𝑟𝐴𝐵 : the position vector from A to B


(b) 𝑟𝐵𝐴 : the position vector from B to A
(c) 𝜇𝐴𝐵 : the unit vector in the direction from
A to B
Ans. 𝑟𝐴𝐵 = 1.04𝑖 + 0.6𝑗, 𝑟𝐵𝐴 = − 1.04𝑖 − 0.6𝑗,
𝜇𝐴𝐵 = 0.87𝑖 + 0.5𝑗

4- A man pulls with a force of 300 N on a rope attached to


a building. What are the horizontal and vertical components
of the force exerted by the rope at point A

Ans: F = (240 N)i - (180 N)j

1
5- The cable stays AB and AD help support pole AC.
Knowing that the tension is 120 lb in AB and 40 lb in AD,
determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the
forces exerted by the stays at A.

Ans. 139.1 Ib, 67o

6- Four forces act on bolt A as shown. Determine the


resultant of the forces on the bolt.

Ans. R = 199.6 N at 4.1°

7- A steel tank is to be positioned in an excavation. Knowing


that a= 20o, determine (a) the required magnitude of the
force P if the resultant R of the two forces applied at A is to
be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

Ans: 392 Ib, 346 Ib

8- The guy wire BD exerts on the telephone pole AC a force


P directed along BD. Knowing that P must have a 720-N
component perpendicular to the pole AC, determine (a) the
magnitude of the force P, (b) its component along line AC.

Ans. 2211.5 N, 2091N

2
Working examples

1- A telephone cable is clamped at A to the pole AB.


Knowing that the tension in the left-hand portion of the
cable is T1= 800 lb, determine (a) the required tension
T2 in the righthand portion if the resultant R of the
forces exerted by the cable at A is to be vertical, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of R.

Ans. 853 Ib, 567 Ib

2- Two forces are applied as shown to a hook support.


Knowing that the magnitude of P is 35 N, determine (a)
the required angle a if the resultant R of the two forces
applied to the support is to be horizontal, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of R.

3- Knowing that the tension in rope AC is 365 N,


determine the resultant of the three forces exerted at
point C of post BC.

Ans. 474 N, 32.5o

4- A hoist trolley is subjected to the three forces shown.


Knowing that a=40ᵒ, determine (a) the required
magnitude of the force P if the resultant of the three
forces is to be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude
of the resultant.

Source: Ferdinand P. Beer, E. Russell Johnston, Jr., et al. “Statics and Dynamics” 10th
edition, McGraw-Hill,2013

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